US Dollar Stumbles, S&P 500 Sets New Five-Year High

DailyFX   |  February 20 2013 1:26 EST

The US Dollar turned lower as expected while the S&P 500 finally found fuel for a significant push, racing upward to set a new five-year high.

THE TAKEAWAY: The US Dollar turned lower as expected while the S&P 500 finally found fuel for a significant push, racing upward to set a new five-year high.

US DOLLAR TECHNICAL ANALYSIS– Prices are turning lower as expected, with a break below near-term rising trend line support initially exposing the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at 10252. This barrier is reinforced by a longer-term trend line as well as the former of top of an upward-sloping channel. Near-term resistance is at 10355, the February 18 high.

Daily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

S&P 500 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Prices broke above resistance at 1523.00, the 123.6% Fibonacci expansion, exposing the 138.2% level at 1538.70. A further push above that aims for the 150% level at 1551.60. The 1523.00 level has been recast as near-term support and is reinforced by a rising trend line set from early January. A reversal back below that clears the way for a descent to the 1500 figure and the 100% expansion at 1497.60

Daily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

GOLD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Prices broke below support at 1617.84, the 61.8% Fibonacci expansion, exposing the 76.4% level at 1599.10. A further push below that targets a falling channel bottom at 1586.13. The 1617.84 level has been recast as near-term resistance, with a reversal back above that eyeing the 50% Fib at 1632.97.

Daily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

CRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS– Prices are consolidating above support at 95.14, the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement. Resistance remains in the 98.02-21 area (marked by the 23.6% Fib expansion and the January 30 high). A break higher exposes the 38.2% expansion at 99.91. Alternatively, a reversal below 95.14 initially targets the 38.2% retracement at 93.24.

Daily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

--- Written by Ilya Spivak, Currency Strategist for Dailyfx.com

To contact Ilya, e-mail ispivak@dailyfx.com. Follow Ilya on Twitter at @IlyaSpivak

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