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Slightly higher movement from Gold for Friday’s session fits the main Elliott wave count.

Price continues to bounce up off support at the lower trend line.

Summary: The bottom line is still that it must be accepted there is no indication yet of an end to this upwards wave while Gold remains within the channel and above the confidence point of 1,198.79. Targets are now 1,234 or 1,288. If price breaks below the lower edge of the gold channel, then a target for a deep correction would be at or below 1,160.

New updates to this analysis are in bold.

Last monthly and weekly charts are here. Last historic analysis video is here.

Grand SuperCycle analysis is here.

MAIN ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

DAILY CHART

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

This main wave count has a better fit for prior movement. To see the difference between this main wave count and the alternate below please refer to last historic analysis linked to above.

This main wave count expects Gold has had a primary degree trend change in December 2016. The new upwards wave is either a primary degree third wave, or a primary degree zigzag to complete a double zigzag.

Intermediate wave (1) has so far lasted 27 days. If it continues for another 7, it may complete in a total Fibonacci 34. This would see intermediate wave (1) end on the 31st of January.

So far price remains within the gold channel. A breach of the gold channel on the daily chart would provide strong indication of a trend change.

While price remains within the gold channel, then it must be accepted that it is likely to continue higher. A breach of the gold channel would indicate intermediate wave (1) is over and intermediate wave (2) has arrived.

The first in a series of second wave corrections for Gold’s new impulses is usually very deep. Intermediate wave (2) is expected to be at least 0.618 the depth of intermediate wave (1), and very likely may be deeper. It may not move beyond the start of intermediate wave (1) below 1,123.08.

Intermediate wave (2) may be at least as long in duration as intermediate wave (1), and fairly likely it may be longer. Corrections are often more time consuming than impulses.

Gold often exhibits swift strong fifth waves, but this does not have to happen for minor wave 5. But it is a common tendency, so traders should look out for it.

HOURLY CHART

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Hourly 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

To see detail of all of intermediate wave (1) so far on the hourly chart click here.

Price has come down to find support very close to the lower edge of the gold channel again during Friday’s session, and then bounced up from there. Price behaviour so far supports this main hourly wave count. Each time price comes close to the lower edge of the channel it presents another opportunity to join the trend.

If price comes back down to the lower trend line and moves quickly through it, then the probability of this main hourly wave count would substantially reduce. At that stage, consider the alternate below.

Minor wave 1 was short. Minor wave 3 was extended. It is very common for Gold to exhibit swift strong and extended fifth waves, so that is what the targets will expect.

A first wave up within minor wave 5 may be complete. At this stage, it will be labelled at minute degree but this may change because it may be needed to be moved down one degree. This movement fits as a leading expanding diagonal followed by a very deep correction.

Within minute wave iii, the upcoming correction for minuette wave (ii) may not move beyond the start of minuette wave (i) below 1,198.79.

Along the way up, corrections for this wave count should find support at the lower edge of the channel.

If minor wave 5 is a swift strong movement, then price may break above the upper edge of the channel.

ALTERNATE HOURLY CHART

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Hourly 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

A new wave at intermediate degree should begin with a clear five down on the hourly chart. This has not happened.

At this stage, I have not been able to see a solution on the five minute chart which sees the downwards wave labelled minute wave a as a five wave structure. It will fit well as a completed zigzag.

The lack of a five down reduces the probability of this wave count. This wave count is published in the spirit of always considering possibilities, even those which are unlikely.

What if intermediate wave (1) is over? What if intermediate wave (2) has begun?

If the first small movement down is a three and not a five, then minor wave A may be unfolding as a flat correction. This would indicate intermediate wave (2) may be unfolding as a flat correction, with minor wave A within it also a flat correction.

Within the possible flat correction of minor wave A, the upwards wave of minute wave b must retrace a minimum 0.9 length of minute wave a at 1,216.17. The normal range for minute wave b within a flat correction is from 1 to 1.38 the length of minute wave a, giving a range from 1,218.43 to 1,227.02.

Minute wave b may make a new price extreme above the end of minute wave a at 1,218.43. There is no upper invalidation point for this wave count.

There is no Elliott wave rule stating a maximum length for B waves within flats (or X waves within combinations). There is a convention within Elliott wave which states when the potential B wave is longer than twice the length of the A wave the idea of a flat (and combination) should be discarded based upon a very low probability. This wave count would be discarded above 1,241.

ALTERNATE ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

DAILY CHART

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

This alternate wave count expects that Gold is still within a bear market. Targets for new lows can be seen on weekly and monthly charts.

Within the bear market, a primary degree correction is underway.

Primary wave 2 is most likely to subdivide as a zigzag. So far it looks like a five up is either complete now or very close to completion. This may be intermediate wave (A).

Intermediate wave (B) may not move beyond the start of intermediate wave (A) below 1,123.08.

Primary wave 2 may not move beyond the start of primary wave 1 above 1,374.81.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

WEEKLY CHART

Gold Weekly 2017
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

The first three weeks of upwards movement came with a steady increase in volume to support the rise in price, but this week sees a decline in volume. This indicates some weakness for this week.

The long upper wick and small real body of this weekly candlestick is slightly bearish. This is not a reversal signal at all but only a warning of internal weakness. This upwards trend will either end or see a correction at the weekly chart level; trend changes are often preceded by signs of weakness.

Price may find some resistance about 1,225.

On Balance Volume gives a weak bullish signal this week. The signal is weak because this line has been broken before. The purple resistance line offers stronger technical significance.

At the weekly chart level, RSI is increasing along with price.

ADX is still declining, indicating the market is not yet trending (but this is a lagging indicator). ADX has not yet indicated a trend change from down to up; the -DX line remains above the +DX line.

DAILY CHART

Gold Daily 2016
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

Price continues to move higher finding resistance at the upper gold trend line. Next resistance may be about 1,225, then 1,240, then 1,250. Thereafter, there is very strong resistance about 1,305 to 1,310.

The bearish indication from the hanging man candlestick pattern and a following red daily candlestick has now been followed by a green long legged doji that has lighter volume. Overall, this looks like a small consolidation that may be within the continuing upwards trend, or it may be the start of a deeper consolidation. Assume the trend remains up while price remains above the lower gold trend line.

Price is finding some support now about the Fibonacci 55 day moving average.

All three moving averages have a positive slope indicating Gold is likely in an upwards trend at this time.

On Balance Volume may now find resistance at the lower yellow line. The line does not have good technical significance though.

ADX is above both directional indicators. An upwards trend is indicated, but this is now entering extreme territory. If ADX rises to above 35, then the trend would be very extreme.

ATR is still flat at the end of this week. This is normal for either a larger consolidation within a trend or the start of a new trend for Gold.

Bollinger Bands have not reached extreme. There is room for volatility to increase as this trend continues.

GDX DAILY CHART

GDX Daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

GDX moved higher on Friday with another small range day on lighter volume. The lack of volume is slightly concerning for bulls.

GDX has been essentially moving sideways for the last ten sessions, with a slight upwards bias. It is two downwards days during this period that have strongest volume suggesting a downwards breakout may be more likely than an upwards breakout. This technique does not always work for GDX; it is only one piece of information to weigh up in conjunction with others.

ADX is declining, indicating that GDX is not currently trending. ATR agrees as it is flat to declining.

On Balance Volume today offers a reasonable bearish signal with a breach of the yellow support line. This line is reasonably steep, somewhat long held, and tested four times, so it offers reasonable technical significance, But this signal is neither strong nor weak, just reasonable.

RSI did not reach overbought, so there is room for upwards movement to continue.

Stochastics did reach overbought and there exhibited divergence with price. This could continue to develop into multiple divergence before price turns, or price may have already turned.

Bollinger Bands are extreme and now beginning to contract. This supports the idea that GDX may have a high in place at this time.

On balance, this analysis for GDX is more bearish than bullish. My bottom line for GDX at this time would be to allow for the possibility that the upwards trend is intact while price remains above the last swing low at 21.90. If GDX makes a new low below 21.90, then look out for a deep correction for GDX.

This analysis is published @ 12:42 a.m. EST on 21st January, 2017.