The chart below shows Gold against the S&P 500. Note the similarity between 2003-2006 action and 2009-2012 action. After surging higher, the ratio retreats quickly but then forms a bottom and builds a base. The ratio has found strong support and won’t be going lower anytime soon. Stocks have had a nice relief rally against Gold but it looks to be all but over.

Turning to Gold Stocks against Stocks, we find this ratio at a confluence of support. Yes, the mining equities had a difficult 2011 but it was nowhere close to their severe under-performance in 2008. Technically, the ratio looks likely to bottom soon and reverse course.

Moving along, we see the S&P 500 closing in on an area of strong resistance. Common stocks remain in a secular bear market and as a result, the market is nearing another sell signal. Conversely, the gold stocks which are in a secular bull market, are digging out a bottom.

Investors and traders have to monitor charts and also sentiment which tells us more about fund flows and risk versus reward. Below is a screenshot of a new indicator developed by sentimentrader.com. They are combining put-call ratios, short interest and analyst ratings to develop another indicator for the various sectors. As you can see, every sector is either at or very close to a sell signal while the gold stocks are the only sector on a buy signal.

It may take a few months but common stocks are nearing an important peak. They won’t crash but they will act typical of what we see in the last third of a secular bear market. Doom and gloomers and extreme deflationists ignore the obvious reasons why stocks will begin a mild cyclical bear market and nothing of the sort of the previous two bear markets. At the same time, the precious metals sector is set to emerge from a major bottom and spend 2012 working its way towards the next major breakout that will serve as a catalyst for the beginnings of a bubble. If you’d like professional guidance in riding this bull market and uncovering the winning companies then learn about our premium service.
Good Luck!
Jordan Roy-Byrne, CMT
Jordan@TheDailyGold.com