IO Weekly Technicals Review [2024/45]: Bearish Trend to PersistSGX TSI Iron Ore CFR China (62% Fe Fines) Index Futures (“SGX IO Futures”) fell last week, closing USD 0.29/ton lower by 08/Nov (Fri). Price fell by 1.67% to USD 100.85/ton on 11/Nov (Mon).
SGX IO Futures opened at USD 102.85/ton on 04/Nov (Mon) and closed at USD 102.56/ton on 08/Nov (Fri).
Prices briefly touched a weekly high of USD 106.20/ton on 08/Nov (Fri) and a low of USD 101/ton on the same day. It traded in a range of USD 5.20/ton during the week, which was bigger than the prior week.
Prices traded above the pivot point of USD 102.70/ton for the entire week and tested the R2 point of USD 106/ton.
Volume peaked on 08/Nov (Fri) as Iron Ore prices declined due to China’s stimulus measures disappointing expectations.
Iron Ore Fundamentals in Summary
China's National People’s Congress unveiled a USD 1.4 trillion debt swap to ease local government debt burdens, but the lack of housing market and consumer stimulus disappointed investors, causing Chinese equities to fall.
China’s CPI for Oct grew 0.3% YoY but fell by 0.3% MoM. On a YoY and MoM basis, its CPI declined compared to last month, suggesting a persistent weakness to consumption in the country. Additionally, its PPI fell by 2.9% YoY, lower than analyst expectations of a 2.5% decline.
On 14/Nov (Thu), China’s housing prices and industrial production figures for Oct will be released, which could lead to volatility.
Chinese portside inventories fell by 1.71M tons to 148.39M tons last week. The decline was despite a fall in procurement as the average daily port discharge volume fell by 37k tons WoW to 3.05M tons.
Based on seasonality, SGX IO Futures Dec contract trades 0.37% above its last 5-year average (USD 101.08/ton).
Short-Term Moving Averages Indicate Bearish Trend Despite Golden Cross
The 9-day moving average rose early in the week, crossing above the 21-day moving average on 05/Nov (Tue) creating a golden cross. However, the subsequent drop in prices on 08/Nov suggests a false trigger.
Long-Term Averages Signal Bearish Trend As Prices Fall Below 100 DMA
Price traded between the 100-day moving average and 200-day moving average throughout last week. However, the price fell below the 100-day moving average on 11/Nov (Mon).
MACD Points to Bearishness, RSI Remains Flat
MACD signaled a bearish trend at the end of the week. RSI is slightly lower than the mid-point level at 47.41 signaling neutral trend. The RSI fell below the RSI-based MA on 07/Nov (Thu).
Volatility Remains Low, Price Tests the Fibonacci 50% Level
Volatility was moderate throughout the week but edged up 08/Nov (Fri). The 50% Fibonacci level was tested last week and managed to hold resistance on the level. With the downtrend from 08/Nov (Fri) carrying forward, the new resistance levels can be new S1 and S2 levels at USD 100.30/ton and USD 98.05/ton.
Selling Pressure Persists, Price Trading at High Volume Levels
Heavy selling pressure based on the Accumulation/Distribution indicator (A/D). Price trades at a high-volume node which was dominated by sell volume, which could act as a resistance or support this week. The price is closer to its lower Bollinger band.
Hypothetical Trade Setup
Iron ore prices fell last week as China’s financial measures disappointed, sustaining a bearish trend that could persist. Upcoming October housing and industrial data may add volatility, with potential for a rebound if housing data beats expectations.
To express a bearish view with limited risk, investors could consider an SGX iron ore put spread, buying a USD 99/ton put and selling a USD 96/ton put for the 31/Dec expiry. This strategy offers a reward-to-risk ratio of 1.6x, with a potential gain of USD 185 and a maximum loss of USD 115 per 100-ton lot (excluding transaction costs).
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