Gold bulls got another shock last week (assuming they're still watching the 'golden anchor'). Gold has breached the neckline of a head-and-shoulders pattern which has been five months in the making. On the chart below, readers can see the left shoulder in July, the head in August, and the right shoulder in October.

Head-and-shoulders patterns are traditionally considered reversal patterns. To be considered bearish the pattern would be expected to appear at the end of a bull trend. That is not what happened here. This head-and-shoulders pattern would be described as a continuation pattern as it served as a consolidation during the bear trend. There is a fair amount of debate over whether or not the pattern is usable as a continuation pattern. My personal experience has been that it still works.

To develop a price forecast we measure from the top of the head at 1,420 to the neckline at 1,268. The pattern then measures a minimum equivalent move below the neckline. That process forecasts a low no higher than 1,116.

Request your free copy of the November Special Report: Gold at Seattle Technical Advisors.

Ed Carlson, author of George Lindsay and the Art of Technical Analysis, and his new book, George Lindsay's An Aid to Timing is an independent trader, consultant, and Chartered Market Technician (CMT) based in Seattle. Carlson manages the website Seattle Technical Advisors.com, where he publishes daily and weekly commentary. He spent twenty years as a stockbroker and holds an M.B.A. from Wichita State University.

© 2013 Copyright Ed Carlson - All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Only logged in users are allowed to post comments. Register/ Log in

The Market Oracle is a FREE Financial Markets Forecasting & Analysis web-site.
(c) 2005-2024 MarketOracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd) - Market Oracle Ltd asserts copyright on all articles authored by our editorial team and all comments posted. Any and all information provided within the web-site, is for general information purposes only and Market Oracle Ltd do not warrant the accuracy, timeliness or suitability of any information provided on this site. nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or any other advice or recommendation by us. and are also not meant to be investment advice or solicitation or recommendation to establish market positions. We do not give investment advice and our comments are an expression of opinion only and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as recommendations to enter into a market position either stock, option, futures contract, bonds, commodity or any other financial instrument at any time. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you make any investment or trading decisions. By using this site you agree to this sites Terms of Use. From time to time we promote or endorse certain products / services that we believe are worthy of your time and attention. In return for that endorsement and only in the cases where you purchase directly though us may we be compensated by the producers of those products.