Gold: Trend Change At Hand?

 | Aug 28, 2015 10:37AM ET

Last week when we covered rebound targets in the precious-metals sector we also discussed the importance of gold's performance in real terms. It can be a leading indicator for the sector at key turning points. Since then, precious metals sold off in aggressive fashion alongside global equities. However, gold against equities gained materially. And that's something to keep an eye on as it hints that a trend change is boiling under the surface.

In the first chart we look at gold in nominal terms and against various equity markets.

Gold has pulled back after its rebound from $1080/oz to $1160/oz. It has resistance at $1160 and $1180 and support at $1080 and around $1000. We continue to believe gold’s most likely path is down to $1000/oz before the bear market ends.

Although gold’s rebound from $1080 could be over, its outperformance of stocks could be starting. We plot gold against the all-country index (ACWI), the NYSE and emerging markets. Gold relative to each market gained roughly 20% from the start of the month through Monday. Gold relative to emerging markets already broke out to a new high while relative to the others gold tested important resistance.