Lets take our monthly look at ten of the world equity markets
Greece
So.. err... yeah... there has been no trading in the Greek equity market since June 26'th. Late Friday afternoon, it was confirmed that the Greek Athex is set to open on Monday August 3rd. Traders within Greece will be subject to extremely tight capital controls, whereas those outside can buy/sell the Greek market as they wish.
There is little doubt the market will see a severe opening drop next Monday. The summer 2012 low in the 400s remains a valid target... and that doesn't even assume a GREXIT or any further political turmoil.
More than anything in July, it remains absolutely stunning to me that a European equity market was closed for an entire month.
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Brazil
The commodity centric Bovespa slipped -4.2%, having briefly lost the psy' level of 50,000. The Brazilian market remains stuck within a rather tight range for the better part of six years. I would expect an upside break no later than spring 2016.. and onward to 100K.
France
The French market saw the strongest gains in July, +6.1%.. back above the big 5K threshold. Yet.. the April high is still a fair way higher, and the July gains are likely a bounce before resuming lower. There is valid downside to the 4250/4000 zone by early October.
Germany
The economic powerhouse of the EU - Germany, climbed 3.3% in July. Price structure could be argued is a multi-month bull flag, but considering the other world markets.. the DAX is probably just consistently sliding lower into the late summer. Next key downside target is 10k, which is around 10% lower.
UK
The UK FTSE climbed a net 2.7% to 6696 in July, but this was less than half of the June decline. With a lower high and a lower low, there is little to be bullish about here. Trend support in August will be 6400, if that fails.. its an easy move to 6K.
Spain
The largest and most problematic of the EU PIIGS - Spain, remains stuck under key resistance of 12K. There is valid downside to 10000 in the near term. 9k is just about possible, but from there... UP into 2016.
USA - Dow
The mighty Dow saw a moderate net monthly gain of just 0.4% @ 17689, settling under the important monthly 10MA (17727). Underlying MACD (green bar histogram) cycle ticked lower in July, and has now been negative cycle for five months... the lowest nominal level since July 2009.
The Dow - along all other US indexes, looks set for a sig' fall across Aug'-early Oct' to the 16500/000 zone. Sustained action <16k looks extremely difficult.. even if the market is upset about an int' rate hike.
Japan
The BoJ fuelled Nikkei climbed 1.7% in July to 20585, but that was notably below the June peak of 20952. There is valid downside to the 17/16k zone, but with probable subsequent upside in 2016 to far... far higher levels. After all, the BoJ will just keep on printing, that much is certain.
Russia
With energy prices seeing severe declines across July, the Russian market was particularly badly hit, -8.1% @ 859. The outlook for Aug-Oct' is bearish, and it would seem the RTSI will be back in the 700/600s before things can stabilise.
China
Without question, China continues to see some of the more crazy price action. The July decline of -14.3% @ 3663 was a confirmation of the spiky top candles seen in May/June. A break under the recent low of 3373 seems a given, with first target zone of 3200/3000. Worse case for the retail amateur-gamblers in China is 2500 by early October.
Just reflect on that for a moment... a high of 5178 in June, but perhaps.... a full 50% crash to the 2500s by early autumn. I do expect renewed upside into 2016... whether from 3K... or 2500.
Summary
World equity markets saw some dynamic price action in July, not least due to absolute carnage in commodities.
Despite some notable strength - arguably a mere 'bounce', in many of the EU markets, all world markets look to have already maxed out in the near/mid term. For instance, if the Dow does decline to the 16000s by Sept/Oct, it is going to be almost impossible to break new highs in the remainder of this year.
Best guess?
I remain holding to the view of sig' weakness from August to early October...
Dow' weekly1b
Price structure on the Dow is a particularly bearish H/S formation, although there will not be confirmation of that until we see some consecutive daily closes under the key floor of 17k.
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Looking ahead
There are a fair few things scheduled in the coming week, although as ever.. it is often the things that aren't expected that will more especially spook the capital markets.
M - Pers' income/outlays, PMI/ISM manu', construction
T - Factory orders
W - ADP jobs, intl trade, PMI/ISM service sector
T - weekly jobs
F - monthly jobs, consumer credit
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Back at the Monday open :)