While GLD has failed to breakout out of its recent range, it is nearing another key breakout level, writes Avi Gilburt.

My mother told me that if I did not have anything nice to say, I should not say anything at all. Well, that is why you have not heard from me talk about the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) for quite some time. When I wrote about it last, many were certain it was going to break out again, but I suspected we would continue to consolidate, and we have.

So, there has been nothing for me to really add to the conversation for months, so I have been rather quiet regarding the metals.

There has been no more frustrating chart to track than GLD over the last three years. It has had several setups in which it could have broken out and has failed each time. But we are now coming to the apex of the length of time in which it can continue to consolidate before it breaks out.

However, as I write this update, the metals are in a precarious posture. While we correctly called for the recent “bottoming” in the complex, the rally thus far has been quite lackluster. In fact, if it does not follow through to the upside in the coming week, it could easily roll over and drop much more than many currently expect.

So, we are now at a point of inflection. And, I will describe what I am generally seeing through the lens of GLD.

To put it quite simply, a five-wave structure provides for us a primary trend, whereas a three-wave structure is suggestive of a corrective structure. And, thus far, GLD only has three waves up off last week’s low. If GLD can muster a 5th wave higher in the coming week and pull back correctively thereafter, then we have our first indication of the next bull market phase having begun. And, my minimum next upside target for that structure is the 138 region, and rather quickly.

However, should GLD fail to muster that 5th wave higher and then break below this past week’s low, it points us down to the 113-115 region from where I would then expect it to begin its next major bull phase, also pointing rather quickly towards the 138 region.

Avi Gilburt is a widely followed Elliott Wave analyst and founder of ElliottWaveTrader.net, a live trading room featuring his analysis on the S&P 500, precious metals, oil & USD, plus a team of analysts covering a range of other markets. He recently founded FATRADER.com, a live forum featuring some of the top fundamental analysts online today to showcase research and elevate discussion for traders & investors interested in fundamental rather than technical analysis.