Kase Forecasts of the Week – Spot Gold and S&P 500 Index

By Dean Rogers

Spot Gold (XAU)

The long-term outlook for gold is still reasonably promising after prices rallied from a six-year low in December. However, from a technical standpoint, the decline from the 1263.48 swing high is poised to challenge support targets before the move up continues.

KaseX triggered a strong short entry signal called a pierced dart (gray down arrow and yellow triangle) on February 15. On that same day a bearish Harami line and star was completed. The subsequent pullback to 1240.02 held the 1263.48 swing high and was followed by a confirming short signal on Monday, February 22. Monday’s decline also completed another bearish Harami line and star. These factors call for the decline to continue for the near-term.

Gold Daily Candlestick ChartGold Chart

The primary wave that the move down formed, 1263.48 – 1191.02 – 1240.02, projects to 1194.5 as the 0.618 target. Most waves that meet the 0.618 projection extend to at least the 1.00 projection, which in this case is near the 1163.6 confluence point. 1163.6 is the decision point for a larger correction to 1126.2 and possibly lower. A close below 1163.6 would significantly dampen the likelihood of a continued rise, and a close below 1126.2 would shift the long-term outlook to negative.

Gold Table

First resistance is 1232.3. This is currently the 0.618 projection of the small wave up from 1191.02. A close over this would call for 1251.1, the 1.00 projection. As it stands, odds are 25 percent for a close over 1251.1 before at least 1194.5 is met. A close over 1251.1 would indicate that the move up should extend to at least 1277.1 and possibly 1331.0 and higher.

S&P 500 Index (SPX)

The S&P 500’s rally from a double bottom at 1810.1 has been relatively strong and is challenging the completion point of the formation at 1947.2. This is significant because a close over 1947.2 would complete the double bottom and open the way for a potential rally to the formation’s 2084.0 target.

S&P 500 Index Daily ChartSPX Chart

A similar double bottom had formed in late 2015 and was completed when the index closed over 2020.86. The ensuing move fell short of this double bottom’s 2177.0 target, but was still substantial. We could see a similar type of rally upon a close over 1947.2 that falls short of the 2084 target, but challenges key resistance before the decline continues.

Other technical factors, such as wave projections and retracements, call for at least 1971.6. This then connects to 2019.7, 2057.7, and finally 2084.

SPX Table

The move down stalled just below a key support level at 1849. This was the 1.00 projection of the wave 2134.72 – 1867.01 – 211.48. The index only closed for one day below this level, so this is still crucial support.

A normal correction of the move up should hold 1894.0 and must hold 1862. These are the 38 and 62 percent retracements from 1810.1 to 1946.7. Key support is 1848, and a close below this would shift the outlook back to negative and call for 1810 and lower again.

These are brief technical analyses with a 10-day outlook based upon Kase’s technical forecasting models and trading indicators KaseX and Kase StatWare. If you are interested in taking a trial of KaseX or Kase StatWare please contact sales@kaseco.com. We would love to get your thoughts about the forecasted targets and probabilities. Leave a comment or send them along with your request for a trial to sales@kaseco.com.

S&P 500 Index (SPX)

By Dean Rogers

The slowing Chinese economy, lackluster manufacturing data, and a weaker yuan have sent Chinese stocks tumbling in the first week of 2016. China’s stock market has been halted twice this week when volatility limits were reached and is down seven percent over the last few days. The selloff has spilled over into global markets as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Index are off to their worst starts for a year ever.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX) charts reflect the near-term negative tone. Several factors indicate the decline should challenge support levels below August’s 1867.01 low at 1842. This will be a crucial decision point for a much more bearish outlook and sustained decline over the next several weeks and possibly months.

The table below shows SPX targets and resistance levels and the associated probabilities for meeting those targets and levels within the next 10 trading days. Kase’s technical forecasting models indicate odds are 80 percent for at least 1900 and 65 percent for 1842. The latter is the bearish decision point and will probably hold, at least initially.

SPX-Table

January 7’s close below the 62 percent retracement of the move up from 1867.01 to 2116.48 has shifted odds in favor of a continued decline. In addition, the 0.618 projection of the primary wave 2134.72 – 1867.01 – 2116.48 has been taken out by January 7’s close. Waves that close below the 0.618 projection generally extend to at least the 1.00 projection, in this case 1842 (+/- 7 points). Therefore, the SPX should fall to 1842 before a significant upward correction takes place. A close below 1842 would call for 1744 as the 1.382 projection for the wave down from 2134.72 with an intermediate confluence point at 1788.

SPX Daily with KaseXSPX-Daily

First resistance is 2006, the 38 percent retracement of the decline from 2116.48 to 1938.83. This level will most likely hold upon a correction. The key level for the near term is 2048, the 62 percent retracement. A close over 2048 would indicate the move down is most likely over and that the SPX will push towards at least 2093 which connects to 2184. A close over 2048 has 35 percent odds and a close over 2093 has 20 percent odds.

KaseX confirms the move down on the weekly chart. The recent overbought signal (gray arrow) and unfiltered short entries (pink triangles) indicate the decline should continue. On the daily chart, for those that are not already short, KaseX shows that it would be prudent to wait for a pullback and another confirmed sell signal (pink or purple triangle) after the recent short warning (yellow triangle).

SPX Weekly with KaseXSPX-Weekly

With all factors considered, the move down should continue and test the 1842 decision point in coming weeks. There is not enough technical evidence yet to definitively state that 1842 will hold. However, because of its importance, at a minimum, we expect at least a small upward correction to take place from 1842 once this target is met. Sustaining a close below 1842 would be extremely bearish for the long-term and could be the precursor to a bearish 2016.

This is a brief technical analysis of the S&P 500 Index based upon Kase’s technical forecasting models and trading indicator KaseX. If you are interested in taking a trial of KaseX please contact sales@kaseco.com. We would love to get your thoughts about the forecasted targets and probabilities. Leave a comment or send them along with your request for a trial to sales@kaseco.com.