Friday Outlook for the Dollar Index: Return of the Trend?
Cyclical models are failing as the bear trend continues to establish itself; although much of the dollars fall off Wednesday was the result of a strong move in the Pound, it was still enough to push the dollar below our third support level.
Our primary statistical model is centered which for a second night in a row gives us very little in the way of a forecast; although the likelihood is for a move higher, a move down from this position can't be ruled out - little help there.
The secondary stat model is still buried in the bottom of its channel and the time that has spanned since it first hit is getting a little long in the tooth; this signals some level of technical easing in the bear trend is very probable. What's hard to quantify with these models is the effect of consolidation. If the dollar stalls at these levels it will actually lift the statistics as the mean continues to fall; effectively closing the gap and providing the illusion of "mean reversion". In short what appears to be an extreme oversold position; may not result in a strong technical (or even a weak) correction if it hangs at current levels for any period of time.
I'm not calling an end to the cyclical market just yet (and don't think I could call it if I had to) but I do think caution should be exercised as the market seems ready to discount the dollar. As we've said before, there is a fundamental need for a weaker dollar, but most of the central banks have clearly said "Not in my back yard". That could make for some interesting market action as we round out Q4.
The computer model that has keyed in on the cycles for the past few months is showing a flat dollar tomorrow; that's as good a guess as any, but in all reality I think right now we're seeing limitations in the algorithms learning process. It will take a couple of these stronger moves to balance out the dataset and give the software the history it needs to begin to pick up on the nuances of a shifting market dynamic. Neural Nets are like their human counterparts; slow to change - once they get in the groove they rely on what they know (or learn each time they are ran) and all they can know right now is the tight cycle the dollar has been in for the last few months.
Where does this leave us right now... no where. The probability is for a statistical move back to the mean. That translates into a move back up in the buck or stalling at this level but, Risk Tolerance is so low in the market right now we are standing aside and calling it a week.
The Complete analysis is at:
http://www.fxstreet.com/nou/content/105710/content.asp
Charts available at
www.putmanfinancial.com/research.htm