As per our gold forecast and silver forecast we expect precious metals to rise in the first part of 2019. Consequently, we expect precious metals stocks to outperform. With this in mind, can we identify top gold stocks for 2019?
Before looking into our vision on top gold stocks for 2019 we want to start with the market environment and conditions as 2019 kicks off.
We remain focused on this major market turning point which we identified several monhths ago: the End Of 40-Year Bull Market In Bonds. Our expectation is that a massive level of capital, never seen before, in the order of $40 trillion, will start moving around, because the bond bull market broke. We added: “Obviously, not all of the $40 trillion, but a considerable part will move elsewhere. Can anyone imagine what will happen if this becomes a trend into the same direction. Correct: stampede.”
We said we were not clear on the exact direction of markets. The key point we made is that new trends would become visible, pretty soon, so it is imperative to monitor markets very closely until new trend(s) are visible.
One of the beneficiaries might be gold stocks, at least in the short to medium term. The question is whether a bullish period of gold stocks in 2019 will also be bullish long term, it is a million dollar question according to us.
Gold stocks in 2019 vs. gold price: the driver
In our gold forecast for 2019 we said to believe that gold is setting a major cup-and-handle on its chart. The breakdown in October marked the start of the handle. We also added that gold, in this formation, would go back up in 2019 to test the $1300 to $1375 area. As that will be the 3d attempt for gold to break out of its strong resistance there is a fair chance gold will succeed.
So our gold price forecast concluded saying:
That’s why our most bullish gold price forecast for 2019 is that gold will hit $1550 in 2019 (20% probability), but only if it succeeds breaking through the $1375. The $1375 test is a base case scenario (75% probability).
On the flipside, any failed attempt to stay above $1200 will be the bearish scenario, and it might gold to $1050, though the least likely in our opinion (less than 5% probability).
The good news is that the bearish scenario did not play out, and, as things look like now, will also not play out.
Below is an up-to-date gold price chart which shows the bear market since 2011. Visibly, this series of higher lows in the last 24 months looks very enticing. Momentum is building up, and that’s great for gold stocks as well.
Top gold stocks vs. relative strength: intermarket dynamics
From a totally different perspective we look at intermarket dynamics.
This is important because capital flows from one asset class to another one. That’s because capital always remains within its ecosystem. If the bond market outflow is a fact the capital previously invested in bonds now has to find a new home. Will this partially flow to gold stocks?
We get a pointer by looking at two ratios: gold stocks to the S&P 500 index as well as gold stocks to the 10 year bond price ratio.
First, the gold stocks to the S&P 500 index shown on the first chart shows an amazingly undervalued gold stock segment. Interestingly, this undervaluation is similar to the 2000 depth of the gold bear market but also even lower than the December 2015 gold stock crash.
In the meantime of course the gold price trades much higher.
So we derive the conclusion that gold stocks are seriously undervalued, regardless whether it is justified or not. It also implies that any sustained move higher in the price of gold will lead to leveraged returns in this oversold gold stock segment as there are no sellers left!
Second, the gold stocks to the 10 year bond price ratio is shown on the next chart. It is a relative strength of gold stocks against the bond price which, as said, has broken its 4-decade bull market.
Here, again, we don’t see strength yet in this ratio. In other words the bond market breakdown has not resulted in any sustained capital flow to the gold stock segment.
However, momentum is building, and we clearly see how this ratio is close to breaking out from its falling channel that started in 2011.
Top gold stocks for 2019
Moreover, when looking at the gold stocks chart, the HUI gold bug index in particular, we see a similar bottoming price level currently somehow comparable to the relative charts shown above.
The monthly gold miners index shows how peak to trough gold stocks have corrected 79% since their peak in 2012. The time gold stocks will trade near their secular support is unknown, it may vary from a couple of weeks till a couple of months, depending on how fast the gold price moves back above $1300.
One thing is clear, though, if and once gold surges above $1300, and, ultimately, above $1375, we will see wild moves higher in top gold stocks as this really is an oversold stock market segment.
That said, we believe that gold stocks are near a once-in-a-decade buy opportunity, and it is worth considering top gold stocks for 2019.
So which are the top gold stocks to consider for 2019?
After looking at hundreds of gold stock charts, and looking into many financial results in recent weeks, we conclude that the top gold stocks to own are the major gold producers. Do not try to look for some exotice gold stock names by doing a search for gold stocks as you will get results that are not relevant.
The names we are looking at:
- Franco Nevada, symbol FNV;
- Royal Gold, symbol RGLD;
- Goldcorp, symbol GG.
We can do extensive financial and fundamental analysis on this, but the point is very simple. These are the names that have held up well, both in financial terms but also from a chart perspective. Most others have sold off heavily because of falling precious metals prices in recent 18 months. Arguably, there is lots of value in some mid-tiers, but the risk is also elevated in case the gold price stabilizes for another 6 to 12 months. That’s why we believe the seniors mentioned above are top holdings for 2019.
Bonus gold stocks chart: risk sentiment
As a bonus chart below is the junior gold stock index compared to the general (also more senior) gold stocks. This is a gauge for risk sentiment within gold stocks.
This pattern is beautiful as it also shows momentum is building, similar to the points we already made above. We would say that if and once the long term triangle pattern is broken to the upside it is time to buy top gold stocks in an aggressive way. Based on the gold price trend we believe this will happen early 2019!
TOP CRYPTOCURRENCIES TO BUY: Which top crypto tips are flashing a BUY signal now? Which to avoid? Top notch guidance on how to play the grand bull market in crypto from InvestingHaven’s research team, only for $2 per week. Crypto & Blockchain investing service >>
