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May 18 2016
Fed minutes
At 2:00 p.m. ET today the Federal Reserve will release the minutes of its April 26-27 meeting with investors watching for discussion on the balance of risks to the central bank's outlook. Two (non-voting) regional Fed bank presidents said yesterday that at least two interest-rate increases may be warranted this year. Jan Hatzius, the chief economist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., is also warning that the market may have underpriced willingness to raise rates this year, as the spread between two- and 10-year U.S. Treasuries narrows to 92 basis points. The market-implied chances of a rate hike by the July meeting have increased from 15 percent to 28 percent in the last week alone.
Dollar rises, commodities hit
The U.S. dollar is climbing ahead of the Fed minutes, with a gauge of the currency hitting a seven-week high this morning. As the greenback rises, so commodities fall, with copper and other industrial metals declining. Gold for immediate delivery dropped 0.6 percent to $1,271.93 an ounce by 5:20 a.m. ET. Oil was unchanged at $48.32 a barrel.
When we look at monthly closing prices, it is important to NOTE that the US Dollar closed out April right at the long term downtrend line. Since then we have bounced, but it should be clear that gold and the US Dollar are at KEY LEVELS (gold near upside breakout and dollar near downside failure). The big question is which one will win ?
 
GOLD SHORT POSITIONS
I have been hoping a pullback near 1240 would be the preferred track going into the 21st, but I'm beginning to have my reservations as gold looks to be picked up on every move lower that is attempted.
This of course comes at a time when gold is heavily shorted by the commercials. Should they be wrong, gold could get the type of bounce on the above chart. If the control boyz win (again) then that changes the situation. As you can see below, they are VERY SHORT gold at the moment. They usually win, but NOT ALWAYS. Still, it beckons us to be careful.
Gold Short Term
Gold is closing in on its decision for the next price move. As you can see by the chart, the moving averages have converged along with price at 1275 and a triangle formation is taking place. Thus it looks like 1263-1267 is 1st support for today and 1275-1277 is resistance. Let's go look at the next chart and discuss the next two week outlook.
Gold Cycles
The window for a short term gold cycle low is due on May 21st (plus or minus 72 hours). Thus the window for a low begins today as we are within 72 hours of May 21st. The ideal range for a low is the 1240-1260 area. The 50 day average at 1251 and the 38% retrace at 1241 is the most likely places to watch. There is also some support near 1263 to watch. In any event, gold should be making a short term low in this timeframe.
Cycle Projection
While we are always aware that INVERSIONS can happen, and one hasn't happened since November, the chart below shows what the odds are gold will do if the current cycle plays out. The yellow zone is the future next two weeks. While there are no guarantees, the ODDS are high for gold to move higher in this fashion if the coming cycle plays out. As we can see, it's possible that gold can bottom early before the 21st, and that is a distinct potential. Don't look for this to play out exactly in this manner but keep note that another gold move higher could be on the horizon of beginning.
So what is the Key ?
We need a close above 1289 and really 1308 in order to favor higher towards 1322-1350. As long as we remain below the 1308 level (the 2015 high) then it is not out of the question for gold to have a cycle inversion. What would a cycle inversion look like ?
It would look like the chart below. Just keep in mind that the odds are only 25% but we do have to be careful at this blue cycle. I will favor that gold is going to have a strong move, and I favor the upside, but beware it can go the other way as well.
ANY CLOSE ABOVE 1289 and I'll have to favor that the gold low for this short term cycle is in place and I will do an update.
SUMMARY - A good sized move should be arriving in gold. I'll favor the upside, but won't rule out a cycle inversion. Remember, the big boyz are very short. Be careful.
I'll update again on Wednesday if price action warrants. THE CYCLE TURN WINDOW for blue opens tomorrow and lasts until Monday.
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