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April 28, 2006

$USD trend reversal, Fri., Apr. 28, 2006, 7:26 AM

The trade-weighted U.S. Dollar index has technically failed, having broken below 87. The Point & Future chart shows the breaks down. This is an Alert " be wary of holding positions in interest-sensitive and economically-sensitive U.S. companies such as importers and lending banks. This is not a time to sell securities that benefit from higher commodity prices such as the precious metals miners.


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Traders must also be wary of a brief counter-move right at the point of trend reversal. There is often what I call the same "dieing gasp" move in markets as there is in life. Markets imitate life because we are the market, the market is us.

Think about a person's last inhalation, or a bankrupt company trying to put on its best face right before closing the doors, or a disgraced politician putting on a big show just before resigning. The same thing happens in the market; so do not be fooled.

What I am saying is that the Fed will try hard to stop the collapse of the $USD. All the markers will be called. Remember the morning of the China President's visit a week ago, and the raising of margin rates in metals trading at NYMEX.

Yesterday it was the Congressional Committee hearing the nonsense from the Fed chairman that he may not increase rates no matter how bad the data points may indicate a raising is required.

This week there is a new ‘Snow'man as spokesman of the White House.

Today there is word that America's friend in the Bank of England may actually drop their bank rate soon.

These are all steps one takes as a last stand. The results, I think, will be similar to those following General Custer's final engagement.

In the case of $USD, here's how I think it will play out.

I think there is going to be a severe fall-out in global equity prices as commodity prices lift off, including $800 to $900 gold and $80 to $90 crude oil. Then there will be a rebalancing of world currencies after an emergency G-20 session, and, following that, a new Bull Market for both stocks and bonds.

An extreme move in capital markets such as what I envision happens once every 20 to 30 years. The point is that you can protect yourself.

Posted by Posted by Bill Cara on April 28, 2006 07:26:06 AM | Category: Cara Today in the Market

Discourse

I recall the end of 2004 bringing a rising stock market. One of the reasons put forth for this by the talking heads was a falling dollar. The story was that multinational companies would be repatriating dollars back from foreign countries where the currencies were rising - making gains on their overseas sales. I think this was another reason for just about every "strategist" liking Large Caps vs. small caps for 2005 (as I recall). They were wrong. I wouldn't be surprised to start to hear the same story as a reason to buy stocks. Maybe as a last gasp.

Regardless, Gold fundamentals appear to be positive no matter what happens (as priced in $USD). Wait, Gold fundamentals will go negative if Washington; stops spending, stops printing money, ends the war on terror, etc, etc, ...I'm not betting on that happening anytime soon.

Posted by: g034 [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 28, 2006 8:07 AM [link]

Bill: just yesterday I read Don Coxe's April Basic Points and the BMO Base Metals report you provided. In both cases, they proclaimed that the commodities market is the place to be. Yet another article, by Legg Mason Value Trust Bill Miller, warns of the crash of the commodities, emerging markets and small caps. Obviously, not all market pundits will hold the same opinion, but I am wondering just what level of risk there is in a crash happening in the commodity zone, both short term and long term.

Posted by: Student [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 28, 2006 9:35 AM [link]

Student, I think Legg Mason HAS IT WRONG. And Bill Miller is running a Value fund, so he clearly doesn't like what he sees with the rally in commodity prices. But facts are facts. UBS just raised all price targets on the gold and silver miners. I'd take the work that Don Coxe and UBS does over the other guys any day -- particularly somebody running a Value fund.

You know, CNBC occasionally has this Wall Street Talking Head discuss the growth stock picture, and he's perpetually negative. But that's expected from this particular guy who runs a Value fund.

Posted by: Bill Cara [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 28, 2006 9:54 AM [link]