From the Desk of Ian Culley @IanCulley

The US dollar index $DXY has some extra pep in its step after posting three consecutive daily gains.

In fact, the past few days constitute its largest three-day gain since the index peaked in late September.

I think it’s safe to say the long-awaited USD bounce has arrived. The question now is whether it will turn into a sustained rally.

No one knows, of course. But these next two levels will help us prepare for an impactful dollar advance…

First, let’s zoom out…

The early 2017 high of 103.82 marks the first significant hurdle for the dollar index. Let’s call it 104.

If the DXY reclaims this key level, the conversation turns to the possibility of a  failed breakdown. For now, it’s simply pulling back to retest a critical level of former resistance.

If and when DXY bounces back above 104, that brings us to the second hurdle…

...

It's the weekly Gold Rush!

This week Strazza and I highlight critical levels to keep on your radar in the coming days and weeks. 

Check it out...

From the Desk of Ian Culley @IanCulley

The dollar is back and on the move.

After falling for four straight months, the US dollar index $DXY is up three days in a row. Whether the near-term dollar strength turns into a more sustained trend is anyone’s guess.

Regardless, risk assets feel the pressure as many areas begin to correct, including precious metals. 

Despite this recent selling pressure, we have clear levels to trade against when it comes to Silver and mining stocks.

It's the weekly commodity edition of What the FICC?

Since I've been under the weather this week, I wanted to share three of my favorite charts from the entire FICC space heading into the weekend.

Check it out!

From the Desk of Ian Culley @IanCulley

Forget about what Powell said or whatever you heard on the street. 

We’re still looking for risk assets to buy.

That includes stocks and commodities. Despite the dollar applying downside pressure to risk assets this morning, I want to share one commodity that looks ready to rip…

Check out the weekly chart of Cotton futures:

Cotton experienced a sharp decline last year following an impressive run-up off the 2020 lows. Fast forward to today, and it’s challenging a critical retracement level from below at approximately 89.

The bulls have hammered this level since October of last year. And the way I learned it… 

The more times a level is tested, the higher the likelihood it breaks.

I want to catch a breakout in cotton above 88.30 in the March contract with an upside objective of 114.50 (Note: cotton is set to roll to the May contract based on volume next...

From the Desk of Ian Culley

The FOMC handed down the expected 25 basis point rate hike yesterday. Yet markets didn’t react until Fed Chair Jerome Powell spoke 30 minutes later.

That's right, he dropped the D-word – “disinflation.”

To be clear, I don’t care what he said. Instead of hanging on the Fed Chair's words, I prefer to focus on the markets. I find it more enjoyable.

But, boy, did markets respond!

The most striking aspect of yesterday’s reaction was highlighted by the relative strength of growth stocks.

Check out the overlay chart of the US T-Bond ETF $TLT and the ARK Innovation ETF $ARKK:  These charts tend to move tick-for-tick, as long-duration assets benefit from the same market environment.

It doesn’t matter that one ETF holds the largest tech names across the market while the other a basket of long-term US Treasury bonds. 

Whatever Powell said in addition to “disinflationary,” investors heard...

From the Desk of Ian Culley @IanCulley

Everyone wants to know where the dollar is headed next.

It’s great investors are showing interest in the dollar, while understanding the impact it has on risk assets at the moment. 

But I have no idea where the dollar is headed. No one does.

Regardless, I can still form a framework to help make the best logical guess despite an incomplete data set. That’s what we do at All Star Charts!

So let’s recap three points I’ve made regarding the dollar in recent months that I believe hold the greatest weight…

The Time and Place for a Bounce

Given strong seasonal tailwinds and a critical shelf of former highs acting as potential support, the likelihood of a dollar bounce last month seemed probable…

The US Dollar Index $DXY has enjoyed the best returns...

It's the weekly Gold Rush!

While Gold futures digest overhead supply, strength broadens across the metals space.

Check it out...

From the Desk of Ian Culley @IanCulley

Plenty of gold bugs have Krugerrands buried in their backyard or basement –  if not secured in a safety deposit box at their local bank.

It’s no wonder gold falls under the “end-of-the-world” category of assets.

Regardless, gold prices can also rise with risk assets.

I raise this point not only as an important reminder but because it’s pivotal to understanding our bullish thesis for precious metals.

It’s a metals story….

It's the weekly commodity edition of What the FICC?

I have to imagine Uranium stocks catch a bid if copper and gold are ripping higher.

Check it out!

From the Desk of Ian Culley @IanCulley

Commodity prices remain elevated despite easing inflationary pressures.

It’s evident in the two overarching themes across the commodity space – resilience at the index level and relative strength from metals.

I’ve been vocal about both, urging readers not to fight DR. Copper while teasing the possibility of Gold reaching 5K. I’m serious about both!

Strength likely spills over into the periphery if we’re in an environment where gold and copper print fresh highs. 

That brings us to my favorite chart this week…

Check out the Uranium ETF $URA:

URA completed a multi-year base in April 2021. It has since found support at a former resistance level marked by its prior cycle highs from 2017. 

I’m sure...

It's the weekly bond edition of What the FICC?

The near-term direction of US interest rates will play a major role in how market conditions resolve in the coming weeks. This is a chart you want to monitor closely...

Check it out!