Review Of Copper

 | Aug 27, 2015 08:34AM ET

The cycle of accumulation and distribution defines cause (building) within a broader mark down phase for copper. The flow of leverage and sentiment continues to describe a message of change. The majority, a group that believes central planners' policies manage the global economy (not the invisible hand) as directed or follows only price, will likely ignore or miss this message. This leaves the minority of independent thinkers tightening risk management and preparing for change.

A 25 basis point (bp) interest rate cut, the third reduction in six months that follows 100 bp reduction in the reserve requirement and unexpected revaluation of the yuan, extends a coordinated effort to spur global economic growth.

While coordinated 'stimulus' supports a countertrend rally of commodities foreshadowed by negative concentration discussed months ago, it won't reverse global capital flows regardless of the hype. Eventually, today's largely short covering move will peter out. Copper, an economically-sensitive commodity, should lead a cyclical downturn in the global economy.

Insights follows interplay of price, leverage, time, and sentiment (click for further discussion of reviews) to help recognize the transition from cause (building) to mark up or mark down for subscribers.

h3 Trend/h3

Negative trend oscillators define a down impulse and decline from 32.39 to 26.86 since the second week of June (chart 1). The bears control the trend until this impulse is reversed. Copper has yet to reach oversold (OS).

DI and CAP fell as low as -80% and -32% during mid May. These readings, indications of extreme distribution (bearish setups) and sentiment (complacency), significantly increased the probability of change of impulse (see leverage). A bearish crossover confirmed the change during the second week of June.

A weekly close below 29.60 broke the ice and transitioned the trend from cause to mark down. A weekly close above 29.60 therefore jumps the creek and returns the trend to cause. A close below 26.80 confirms continuation (of mark down).

Chart 1