December Comex High Grade Copper futures finished lower on Thursday and the selling pressure is picking up on Friday as investors continue to react to the
December Comex High Grade Copper futures finished lower on Thursday and the selling pressure is picking up on Friday as investors continue to react to the stronger U.S. Dollar. A rising dollar tends to lower foreign demand for copper because it is a dollar-denominated currency.
Traders are also worried about future demand from China. Additionally, the hedge funds remain long but they stopped buying almost two-weeks ago when prices rallied way ahead of the fundamentals.
The main trend is up according to the daily swing chart, however, momentum has been trending sideways-to-lower since October 16.
A trade through $3.2595 will signal a resumption of the uptrend. A move through $3.1380 will indicate the selling is getting stronger.
The short-term range is $3.2595 to $3.1380. Its 50% level or pivot at $3.1990 is controlling the short-term direction of the market. Closing below this level is giving the market a downside bias.
The main range is $2.9260 to $3.2595. Its retracement zone at $3.0930 to $3.0535 is the primary downside target. Since the main trend is up, buyers may treat this zone like a value area. A test of this zone may bring the buyers back into the market.
If the downside momentum continues then look for a test of $3.1380. If this price is violated then look for an acceleration into the retracement zone at $3.0930 to $3.0535. Start watching for a buyers on the first test of this zone.
Aggressive counter-trend sellers could come in on a test of $3.1990. If they defend this level successfully then this will signal that the selling is greater than the buying at current price levels. Overcoming this pivot will mean that buyers are returning.
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.