Lets take our monthly look at ten of the world equity markets, with an emphasis at looking at the net yearly changes for 2014.
Greece
The Greek market saw a rather severe net yearly decline of -28.9%, and currently remains in a steep down trend since last spring. The 1400s remain key resistance. Best case for the Greek market is probably 2500, but with elections due in January.. there is high uncertainty. At some point the Greek govt will quit the Euro - via a classic 'Sunday night surprise' announcement. From there.. the Spanish, Portuguese, and perhaps even the Italians will follow, but that is probably a few years away.
Brazil
With weak commodity prices, the Brazilian market saw a net yearly decline of -2.9%. The Bovespa has now traded sideways for a full five years. Considering the other world markets.. a break to the upside seems more likely than down.
France
The French market saw a fractional yearly decline of -0.5%. Key support is around 4k. There is upside to 5000/250 by end year... some 20/25% higher.
Germany
The economic powerhouse of the EU - Germany, saw a minor yearly gain of 2.6%, having broken a new historic high of DAX 10093. Considering the very significant breakout - from the double top of 2000/2007, and the successful October back test in the 8300s, 13k seems a very valid target by end 2015/early 2016.
UK
A net yearly decline of -2.7%.. and the UK FTSE remains stuck under the 1999 high of 6950. The 'hyper bulls' should be seeking a monthly close of 7k before mid summer. If that is achieved, it will open wide the door to 10k by early 2016.
Spain
A minor yearly gain of 3.7%. Next level remains 12k.. after that.. .15k... which seems very viable by end 2015.
USA
The mighty Dow saw a net yearly gain of 7.5%, a reasonable gain considering the previous five years. With the Dow recently breaking into the low 18000s, the next key level is the Fibonacci extrap' of 18974. After that... 20k... which seems viable by late spring.. along with sp'2300s.
Underlying MACD (green bar histogram) cycle remains only marginally positive, but then... it has been one hell of a rally since Oct'2011.. and it is entirely natural to see momentum turn broadly flat for some months. Dow 17k remains key support, as was again seen in mid December. On a giant multi-year perspective, the Dow is in the process of breaking 'up and away' to new historic highs... just like the German market.
Japan
With the BoJ having a buy order for just about everything (even physical Gold?), the Nikkei managed a moderate yearly gain of 7.1%. There looks to be upside to the 20k level by mid 2015. An accelerated trend will offer 30k into early 2016.
Russia
The Russian market remains in a broad downtrend from 2011. With energy prices having collapsed since the summer, the Russian market saw a net yearly decline of an extreme -45.4%. The recent spike low of 578 remains a viable key multi-year floor, but with Oil set to slip into the $40s.. or even 30s... there is a high chance that the mid 500s will be tested a few more times into the summer.
China
The Shanghai Comp' managed a monstrous yearly gain of 52.9%.. and is now very close to the first key level of 3500. Any monthly close in the 3600s will open up 5k.. which seems a very reasonable target by late 2016. Despite the periodic doom talk that China growth is slowing, the Chinese market is showing no such concern.
Summary
Without question, it was a very mixed year for world equity markets. Many of the EU markets remain well below their historic highs, whilst Germany and the USA are continuing to lead the way higher. The US and German economies remain the strongest of their respective regional trading area, and that looks set to remain the case for years to come.
The extreme weakness in Russia was starkly contrasted to a China market that has powerfully broken to the upside.
Taken as a collective, most world equity markets look set to climb across much, if not all of 2015. There will likely be notable laggards though.. of Greece, Brazil, and Russia.
Looking ahead
The first full trading week of the year will be quite a busy one...
M - vehicle sales
T - PMI/ISM service sector data, factory orders
W - ADP jobs, Intl trade, FOMC minutes (2pm)
T - weekly jobless, consumer credit (3pm)
F - monthly jobs data, wholesale trade
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back at the Monday open :)