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GOLD
IS A WIN
Win Proposition
by Captain Hook
www.treasurechests.info
November 5, 2007
Needles to say, Friday was
not a good day for stock market bulls. Media types are attributing the
fall in stocks to the market finally waking up to the fact the credit
crunch is worse than previously thought,
and in a sense they are correct. In being more specific about the
context of why stocks are actually falling however, from a technical /
market internals perspective, with the supportive influence of stock
indices puts to support prices having expired Friday, prices fell to
better reflect dire circumstances in the economy is a better explanation
of what is actually happening. But you will not hear media talking about
the options related scam Wall Street is perpetuating on the investing
public. This would be bad for business.
As
discussed both Sunday and last week however, while the above is true, index put / call ratios are still too high in the
November series to expect stocks to be ‘out for the count’ just yet,
meaning another short squeeze of some strength should be expected as the
next options expiry approaches in November. Moving past this point
things don’t look so rosy for stocks from an internals / sentiment
perspective, but for November, we are anticipating a rally into the
third Friday in November (16th), especially considering administered
rates will be coming down further in the States at month’s end with
stocks in the tank. (Also short sellers are
still alive as well.) And of course monetary debasement rates will also
accelerate in support of our bubble economies, which should work to
support prices, so short sellers are advised to be careful as trade into
November matures. Below we discuss a likely bounce point for the S&P
500 (SPX) in this regard, along with why accelerating global inflation
rates (the rates at which fiat currency is introduced into the financial
system) will be good for gold in all currencies.
More
than this, it should be recognized gold is a discounting mechanism for
predicting accelerating monetary debasement policy, and that the fact
its been rising strongly means we should have been expecting more
trouble that needed fixing. In terms of what is happening right now, the
proverbial ‘second shoe’ has dropped in the credit markets, which
gold has been forecasting then, and is the ‘raison d’tere’ media
types are attributing the stock market’s decline. Of course we know
stocks are declining because of changing market internals / sentiment
related reasons, as per above, where it appears the bears may finally be
approaching exhaustion in terms of their willingness to place bearish
bets against the market. And whether it be due to a natural exhaustion,
or the fact semi-informed speculators think the man behind the curtain
(Wizard Of Oz) will magically support stocks into the Presidential
Election next year doesn’t really matter. The only thing that matters
is US index related put / call ratios are set to fall post options
expiry next month, which will put more pressure on authorities to print
even more money as process takes hold. In terms of attempting to paint
you a picture in this regard, why don’t we take a tour through a few
pictures that bring to life story line.
The
first of these pictures is the ABX Indices series of
credit prices, which are reflective of broad liquidity conditions. Here,
when prices are high general liquidity conditions are fluid, meaning
central authorities need do nothing past normal (less intense) currency
debasement policy to keep economic wheels greased. Why we are showing
you the entire series below and not just pricing of lower grade credit
is because it appears even higher income earners are now becoming
increasingly strained by their debt loads as well, where AAA rated
securities are threatening to break down below lows witnessed in summer.
(See Figure 1)
Figure
1

Source:
Markit Group
Of
course this has already occurred to all other subordinated varieties of
credit out there these days, where delinquencies are going through the
roof as middle class America quickly disappears. We know this because
even AA rated securities have already taken out summer lows. (See Figure
2)
Figure
2

Source:
Markit Group
In
moving further down the food chain, given the degree of deterioration in
pricing that is occurring at the lower end of the scale, it appears
gold’s prospects in discounting Armageddon are quite bright as this
stuff is falling off a cliff. Remember now, this is still A rated debt,
better than the likes of Ford or GM credit. Old Henry would be rolling
over in his grave if he knew what was happening to his company. (See
Figure 3)
Figure
3

Source:
Markit Group
That’s
because Ford credit is now rated junk, in the ranks of subprime debt. In
terms of pricing, if the above were to progressively mirror the pattern
here, one would need to seriously consider the possibility deflation
could grip macro-conditions soon, becoming a certainty once official
hyperinflationary counter-measures are exhausted. (See Figure 4)
Figure
4

Source:
Markit Group
And
make no mistake about it, just because a bunch of bells and whistles
aren’t going off announcing hyperinflation is dead ahead doesn’t
mean it isn’t happening. A little bit here and a lot there, and pretty soon all this largesse begins
to add up to something. In this regard, just a quick glance at a chart
of Money At Zero Maturity (MZM) should have one thinking money supply
growth rates are about to go off the scale, and you would be right for
thinking this because it’s true. (See Figure 5)
Figure
5

Source:
Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis
It’s
much easier to see what’s really happening, or the point we are at, by
looking at a plot of annualized change in this regard, attached below
for your convenience. (See Figure 6)
Figure
6

Source:
Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis
It’s
either that, with ‘that’ being hyperinflation, or our precious
equity bubbles will burst. This potential reality becomes apparent in
viewing the next series of pictures, which are updates of our analog
based comparisons of the 30’s Dow echo-bubble to current patterning in
the modern Dow and SPX. And for the finale today, there is even a
comparative overlay of the SPX against the post bubble Nikki throughout
the 90’s that possess a potentially ominous message. But to start,
here is an exact pattern match of the NASDAQ against the 30’s Dow that
is suggestive one should be very careful with respect to long equity
positions at the moment. (See Figure 7)
Figure
7

Source:
The Chart Store
In
cutting the scale in half, which will bring us closer to the action,
along with switching our comparison to the SPX in an attempt to match
pattern recognition as closely as possible, below we have yet another
scarily compelling comparison suggestive it’s hyperinflation or die
baby. (See Figure 8)
Figure
8

Source:
The Chart Store
Based
on these comparisons what’s more scary in my eyes is even if equity
indices only correct here, which appears likely (more on this below),
the subsequent rally should be quite meager (under 10% from correction
lows), but possibly lasting until March options expiry next year, just
like in the 2000 sequence. The stars certainly appear aligned in this
regard at present, with tech leading and monetary debasement rates set
to take off, which again, is a repeat of what we saw in 2000. (See
Figure 9)
Figure
9

Source:
The Chart Store
Of
course the real bonus for the still meager ranks of the observant in all
of this is the fact our precious metals investments should outperform,
as indicated here in viewing not only the infamous Dow / Gold Ratio, but
also the Dow / XAU Ratio
(representing precious metals shares), which is also set to break down.
Of course if the Dow were to break down itself here, these ratios would
represent significantly muted bullish outcomes for the metals than would
be anticipated otherwise. Such an outcome would not be consistent with
what one should expect if monetary debasement rates take off from here
however, so we will reserve such thoughts in the less likely category,
along with the other more sobering observations taken from the Chart
Room below.
In
this regard it should be noted the Dow has reached an important
(Super-Cycle) linear time line turn date as shown here on the weekly plot. This in itself does
not mean much today considering the brokers / bankers / government have
successfully rigged the market for so long cyclical considerations have
been distorted for some time. However, on a Super-Cycle basis, it’s
now possible such forces can become realigned, where in this case the
bearish speculator becomes exhausted in spite of dire circumstances, and
prices fall with the bad news. Here, as mentioned last week, a possible
seasonal inversion could be developing because speculators elect not to
short an expected Santa Claus rally. I bring this up again because options distributions
are still poised to produce such a result, falling off considerably
across the board (OEX, SPX, SPT, DIA, DJX, NDX, NMX, QQQQ) in December.
What’s more in terms of the above, one should notice the Money Force
Index (MFI) is set to break down structurally on the weekly, meaning the
increasing money flow necessary to keep prices rising is absent (think
lack of foreign buying combined with inertia), which of course can only
lead to one result, that being lower prices.
What’s
more with respect to the SPX, one should make note that a monthly close
below 1480ish (the daily 200-day moving average) will trigger an MFI
sell signal on the monthly plot, which could be equated to the ‘kiss
of death’ as this pertains to hopes for higher prices later on.
Therein, this does not necessarily mean counter trend rallies will not
occur, but a monthly sell signal of this magnitude after the longest
uninterrupted rally in history is serious stuff. Combine this with the
potential bubble bursting party in Asia, along with the parallels from
the 30’s (See above), and these signals must be taken seriously. How
seriously? In relation to the post echo-bubble top in the 30’s, it
should be remembered the Dow sold off 50-percent over the next
six-months – that’s how serious. Here is a comparative picture of
the SPX set against the post bubble Nikki that does a good job of
showing that a significant divergence in human behavior exists between
the two cultures, but that if the American people were to find some
humility (voluntarily or not), the divergence shown below could be
abruptly closed. (See Figure 10)
Figure
10

Source:
The Chart Store
To
finish on the stock market for today, along with providing you with the
bounce target we promised to touch on above, we will employ yet another
ratio for this task, which interestingly brings us into the same price
range Dave arrived at in his analysis presented yesterday, that being
the 1450 area. In this regard then, you should know the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX)
simply has too many bullish bets (just
type in the symbol VIX and click Submit) on it to remain at lofty levels
in November, so any spike higher in coming days should be retraced back
below 20 as options expiry approaches on the third Friday of the month.
This means that any spike higher than 30 corresponding to a move in the
SPX below 1450 should be faded with extreme prejudice, with a spike low
of 1420 set against a reading of 35 on the VIX a worst case outcome in
reaching the 140 target denoted on the monthly SPX / VIX Ratio plot
found in the Chart Room. Of course this target could also be met in
December, so if you have short positions on here and the prices continue
to squeeze higher don’t fret, as relief should arrive sooner or later
as another stab at support denoted in the picture below is experienced.
(See Figure 11)
Figure
11

On to
a few comments and pictures focusing on precious metals now in order to
wrap things up in total for this review. As mentioned above, if monetary
debasement rates accelerate here any weakness in equities experienced in
coming days should dissipate quite quickly, leading to potentially
significantly higher prices for precious metals if a hyperinflationary
scenario develops, as suggested by a potential breakout in Figure 6
above. Here, as you can see in this chart, if we are to relive the
experience seen in the early 80's (the last top), MZM annualized
growth rates should top 40-percent in the end, which would be something
considering the numbers we are talking about today, not too mention the
lobotomy some bond traders will need afterwards. And of course it’s in
this respect gold is a winning proposition these days, because we know
from previous study in just catching up to prior inflation it should be
trading in excess of $2000, not to mention the targets that are possible
in consideration of future inflation. (See Figure 12)
Figure
12

Unfortunately
we cannot carry on past this point, as the remainder of this analysis is
reserved for our subscribers. However, if the above is an indication of
the type of analysis you are looking for, we invite you to visit our
newly improved web site and discover more about how our service can help you
in not only this regard, but on higher level aid you in achieving your
financial goals. For your information, our newly
reconstructed site includes such improvements as automated
subscriptions, improvements to trend identifying / professionally
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more detailed quote pages
exclusively designed for independent investors who like to stay on top
of things. Here, in addition to improving our advisory service, our aim
is to also provide a resource center, one where you have access to well
presented ‘key’ information concerning the markets we cover.
On
top of this, and in relation to identifying value based opportunities in
the energy, base metals, and precious metals sectors, all of which
should benefit handsomely as increasing numbers of investors recognize
their present investments are not keeping pace with actual inflation, we
are currently covering 71 stocks (and growing) within our portfolios. And more recently we
have been focusing on the Red Lake gold camp, hosting some very
interesting emerging opportunities. In this regard I have just returned
from a due diligence trip and will be providing a report to subscribers
later this week. This is another good reason to drop by and check us
out.
And
if you have any questions, comments, or criticisms regarding the above,
please feel free to drop us a line. We very much enjoy
hearing from you on these matters.
Good
investing all.
Captain
Hook

© 2007 Captain Hook
Editorial Archive
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Captain Hook
TreasureChests.info
Email
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