Wednesday, March 24, 2010

DOLLAR STRENGTH - YEN WEAKNESS / TURN IS COMING



Check out this chart of YCS, the double short yen. This gives us an indication that the market levitation based on dollar weakness may be ending. The double short yen ETF broke out today as there has been building strength in this position since December. I've been watching for a breakout above the $20.50 level and we got it in a big way today.

Here are my levels on the YCS trade.
Purchase below $20.75
Sell Stop - $20.45
Initial Resistance on the upside will be around $21.50
Ultimate Target to exit - $23.2 (There may be opportunities to sell near $21.60, buy on weakness for a final push to the $23 area, but I'm trying to keep these levels simple).


Again, I want to put this trade in the context of my overall view of the market. Even though YCS is breaking out, I'm sticking to my view that we still have around one month of upward movement left in the market till the end of April, but even during this last gasp up, weakness will sort of permeate the market rather than suddenly showing up in one giant sell off. This sort of trade showing dollar strength gives us a view of what might be to come. Even though equity markets are at 52 week highs, we are seeing the dollar gain and the yen weaken - all in the midst of another log on the fire (Portugal being downgraded by Fitch) -http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aRbaF3Ideaco

Why is the dollar showing strength? Treasury auctions are not being bid so well and interest rates are climbing and Europe is on the radar again for its sovereign debt issues. I want to reiterate, I believe we have some upside left (1200 target on S&P) however this is the last little push in sight for the entire year in my opinion. We want to begin identifying trades that benefit in a falling market and begin closing out winners that have performed well. I may be a bit early in this trade, but I am willing to enter in and have a hard stop to limit downside, ultimately, this is a good risk reward and sets up well for my strategy for the remainder of 2010.
Goatmug