Elliott Wave Gold Update 19
By Alf Field
There is a
strong probability that the correction in the gold market from the $1033 peak
of 17 March
2008 is complete. This view is based on (i)
the fact that the anticipated decline of 16% in this correction has been
achieved and (ii) that all the minor waves required to complete the correction
are now in place.
The low in the
cash gold market on 30 April 2008 was $861.8, a
decline of 16.6% from the peak level of $1033.90 on 17 March 2008.
In the Comex
active month, gold declined from $1015.5 to $868.2, a decline of 14.5%. In the
London PM fixings the decline has been from $1011.2 to $871.0, a fall of 13.9%.
In Update 18 it was postulated that the current ongoing financial crisis might
result in a slightly smaller decline than the anticipated 16% in the PM
fixings, which seems to have occurred.
All the minor
waves required to complete the correction are displayed in the following chart.
Thus with all the minor waves in place and the magnitude of the decline being
of adequate proportions, there is a high probability that the correction (being
Large Wave II) is complete.

Data updated to 30 April 2008.
As will become
apparent from the detailed analysis of the minor waves, there is a small
possibility of a slightly lower target price of $855 in the Comex active month
being achieved. This would have to happen almost immediately if it is going to
occur at all. It is accorded a low probability of occurring.
The full
analysis of the correction, being Large Wave II is set out below:
Actual Structure of
Large Wave II of Major Wave THREE. Comex
2nd Month:
Small A 17
Mch 08 to 1 Apl 08 $1015.5
to $878.4 -$137.1 -13.5%
Small B 1 Apl 08 to 16 Apl 08 $878.4 to $951.1 +$72.7 +8.3%
Small C 16 Apl 08 to 30 Apl 08 $951.1 to $868.2 -$82.9 -8.7%
Large II
17 Mch 08
to 30 Apl 08 $1015.5 to $868.2 -$147.3 -14.5%
It is
interesting to note that the decline in Small C of $82.9 is very close to 61.8%
of the Small A decline of $137.1, a common relationship between A and C waves,
adding credibility to the contention that the correction is complete.
The following
analysis of the minor waves in Small C is constructive:
Actual Structure of
Small C of Large II. Comex 2nd
Month Futures:
Minor i 16 Apl 08 to
18 Apl 08 $951.1 to
$908.1 -$43.0 - 4.5%
Minor ii 18
Apl 08 to 21
Apl 08 $908.1 to $929.7 +$21.6 +2.4%
Minor iii 21 Apl 08 to
24 Apl 08 $929.7 to $885.3 -$44.4 -4.8%
Minor iv 24 Apl 08 to 25 Apl 08 $885.3 to $898.4 +$13.1 +1.5%
Minor v 25 Apl 08 to 30 Apl 08 $898.4 to $868.2 -$30.2 - 3.4%
Small C 16 Apl 08 to 30
Apl 08 $951.1 to $868.2 -$82.9 -8.7%
Note that the
two corrective waves, minor ii and minor iv, declining $21.6 and $13.1 respectively,
have a Fibonacci (61.8%) relationship, which is quite normal.
Minor waves i
and iii declined $43.0 and $44.4 respectively. If minor v were to also decline
by $43 (the same was minor i) then the target for the end of the correction
would have been $855.4 ($898.4 - $43.0 = $855.4). This is why the possibility
of an immediate decline to $855 was floated above. In all likelihood, the $30.2
decline in minor v will be quite adequate and there will be no need to go below
$868.2 in this correction.

Data Updated to 30 April 2008.
In the London PM
gold fixings, the 61.8% relationship between Small C and Small A is even more
precise than in the Comex Futures.
London PM Gold
fixings:
Small A is from
$1011.2 to $887.7 – a decline of $123.5 (-12.2%).
Small C is from
$946.7 to $871.0 – a decline of $75.7 (-8.0%).
A 61.8%
proportion of the Small A decline of $123.5 is $76.3, which is extremely close
to the actual decline of $75.7 in Small C. It could hardly be more precise.
These clear
relationships between Small A and Small C in both Comex Futures and the London
PM fixings strongly supports the contention that the correction from $1033 in
March 2008 has been completed.
If this analysis
proves to be correct, then Large Wave III of Major Wave THREE will commence
immediately and should be an extremely vigorous upward movement.
Alternative Count:
As has been pointed out on several occasions in the past, corrections can be
extremely complex and we need to keep in mind the possibility that
the correction
to date is just Small A, with a strong rally (Small B) and a subsequent decline
(Small C) to come to complete Large II. This is assessed as having a much lower
probability than the contention that Large II has already been completed.
“Good-bye Kiss”:
Typically when markets breakout of large bases to higher levels, the tendency
is for the price level to retract to the breakout level, giving that level a
“good-bye kiss” before heading higher. In January 1980 the gold price reached
$850 in the cash markets and $887 in the Futures markets. The breakout above
the $850/$887 level recently, followed by the rise to a new all time high of
$1033, required a price retraction to the $850/$887 level to give it a
“good-bye kiss.” That has now occurred and we can probably look forward to a
rise to new all time highs.
Alf Field
1 May 2008.
Comments to: ajfield@attglobal.net
Disclosure
and Disclaimer Statement: The author is not a
disinterested party. He has personal investments in gold and silver bullion, as
well as in gold, silver, uranium and base metal mining shares. The author’s
objective in writing this article is to interest potential investors in this
subject to the point where they are encouraged to conduct their own further diligent
research. Neither the information nor the opinions expressed should be
construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any stock, currency or commodity.
Investors are recommended to obtain the advice of a qualified investment
advisor before entering into any transactions. The author has neither been paid
nor received any other inducement to write this article.