Look for further downside action this week with the main target $3.1325 to $3.0880. Also watch for the buyers to show up on a test of this zone.
Copper posted a wicked two-sided trade on Friday as investors reacted to whip-saw action in the U.S. Dollar, technically oversold conditions and concerns about future demand.
March Comex High Grade Copper futures finished the session at $3.1805, down $0.0185 or -0.58%. The market also finished the week down 1.18%.
The main trend is down according to the daily swing chart. A trade through $3.1785 will signal a resumption of the downtrend.
The market is down 14 sessions from its last major top at $3.3220. This puts it in the window of time for a potentially bullish closing price reversal bottom. Be careful selling weakness because this market is susceptible to volatile two-sided intraday swings.
The trend will turn to up on a move through $3.2765. However, there is a wall of resistance formed by former tops ranging from $3.3055 to $3.3220.
With copper, it’s all about value. Aggressive hedge fund buying drove the market from $2.9430 to $3.3220 from December 5 to December 28. The buying stopped when the market hit a series of longer-term resistance levels. Hedge funds quit buying strength, momentum slowed and the profit-taking began.
If the hedge funds still believe in the long side then they are likely to re-enter when they see value. Based on the main range of $2.9430 to $3.3220, the value zone is the 50% to 61.8% area at $3.1325 to $3.0880.
I expect to see further downside action this week with the main target $3.1325 to $3.0880. I also expect to see buyers show up on a test of this zone. Hopefully, the U.S. Dollar holds steady-to-higher to allow copper to break into the support area. A weaker dollar may bring in the buyers earlier than expected because copper is a dollar-denominated commodity.
James Hyerczyk is a U.S. based seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement. He is the author of two books on technical analysis and has a background in both futures and stock markets.