Category Archive: 4.) Marc to Market

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FX Daily, November 29: Sterling Charges Ahead on Brexit Hopes

2017-11-29

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2017-11-29

Prospects of a deal with the EU has sent sterling to its best level in two months against the dollar. It reached $1.3430 in early European turnover. It had sunk to nearly $1.3220 yesterday as European markets were closing, which was a four-day low. It is the strongest of the major currencies today, gaining about 0.4%. With today's gains has met our retracement target near $1.3415. The momentum appears to give it potential toward $1.3500 in the...

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FX Daily, November 28: Greenback Ticks Up in Cautious Activity

2017-11-28

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2017-11-28

The US dollar is consolidating its recent losses with a small upside bias. What promises to be an eventful week has begun with the Bank of England stress test and the publication of the Fed's Powell prepared remarks for his confirmation hearing to succeed Yellen as Chair. Unlike last year, this year's BOE stress test saw all seven banks pass.

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FX Daily, November 27: Slow Start to Busy Week

2017-11-27

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2017-11-27

The US dollar is narrowly mixed and is largely consolidating last week's losses as the market waits for this week's numerous events that may impact the investment climate. These include the likelihood of the US Senate vote on tax reform, preliminary eurozone November CPI, a vote of confidence (or lack thereof) in the deputy PM in Ireland, Powell's confirmation hearing as Yellen's successor, the BOE financial stability report, and stress test, and...

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FX Weekly Preview: Events + Market = Potential for Combustible Price action

2017-11-27

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2017-11-27

There are a number of events and economic reports in the week ahead that will help shape the investment climate in the weeks and months ahead. In recognition of the importance of initial conditions, let's briefly summarize the performance of the dollar and main asset markets.

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Great Graphic: Is that a Potential Head and Shoulders Pattern in the Euro?

2017-11-25

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2017-11-25

EUR/BGN Currency
The euro is breaking out to the upside. The measuring objective is near $1.2150, which is near the 50% retracement of the euro's drop from the mid-2014 high. Key caveat: It is about the upper Bollinger Band and rate differentials make it the most expensive to hold since the late 1990s.

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FX Daily Rates, November 24: Euro Continues to Push Higher

2017-11-24

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2017-11-24

The euro is edging higher to trade at its best levels since the middle of last month. It is drawing closer to the $1.1880 area, which if overcome, could point to return to the year's high seen in early September near $1.2100. There is a combination of factors lifting the euro. The recent data, including yesterday's flash PMI, suggests that the regional economy is re-accelerating here in Q4.

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German Politics: What’s Next?

2017-11-23

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2017-11-23

Coalition talks will resume in the coming days, and failing this a minority government is more likely than new elections. The is a general agreement among the political elites, and a hubris of small differences. The rate differentials and cross currency swaps show the incentive structure for holding dollars is increasing.

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Cool Video: Bitcoin Discussion on Bloomberg

2017-11-23

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2017-11-23

Bitcoin
I had to be on Bloomberg's Day Break with David Westin and Alix Steel earlier today. We talked about the collapse of talks to put together a new coalition following the results of the September election. I suggested that the initial reaction was exaggerated, negotiations will likely resume in some fashion, and speculation of Merkel's demise are premature.

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FX Daily, November 22: Global Equity Rally Resumes, while Dollar Slips

2017-11-22

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2017-11-22

Global equities are on the march. US indices shrugged off their first back-to-back weekly decline in three months to set new record highs yesterday. The MSCI Asia-Pacific followed suit and recorded their highest close. The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is struggling, as the CAC and DAX are nursing small losses.

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FX Daily, November 21: Dollar Marks Time

2017-11-21

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2017-11-21

The US dollar has largely been confined to yesterday's trading ranges against the major currencies amid light news. The North American session does not hold much hope for fresh impetus. The US reports October existing home sales, which are not typically market moving in the best of times. Yellen does not speak until after the markets close, and even then is unlikely to sway expectations, which have priced in a rate hike next month.

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BBH’s Marc Chandler Calls Bitcoin ‘Inefficient’

2017-11-20

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Nov.20 -- Marc Chandler, global head of markets strategy at BBH, discusses the inefficiency of producing bitcoin and its lack of value. He speaks on "Bloomberg Daybreak: Americas."

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FX Daily, November 20: German Political Impasse Roils Euro…Briefly

2017-11-20

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2017-11-20

News that the attempt to forge a four-party coalition in Germany collapsed Sunday saw the euro marked down in early Asian activity. The euro fell to nearly $1.1720 in the immediate response to the news, stabilized before turning higher in early European turnover. It quickly recovered and poked through $1.1800. The pre-weekend high was seen near $1.1820.

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FX Weekly Preview: Another Week that is Not about the Data

2017-11-20

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2017-11-20

The contours of the investment climate are unlikely to change based on next week's economic data from the US, Japan, or Europe. The state of the major economies continues to be well understood by investors. Growth in the US, EU, and Japan remains solid, and if anything above trend, as the year winds down.

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Great Graphic: Euro Approaching Key Test

2017-11-19

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2017-11-19

EUR/BGN Currency
Euro is testing trendline and retracement objective and 100-day moving average. Technical indicators on daily bar charts warn of upside risk. Two-year rate differentials make it expensive to be long euros vs. US. Beware of small samples that may exaggerate seasonality.

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FX Daily, November 16: Euro Extends Pullback

2017-11-16

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2017-11-16

After rising to its best level since October 20, the euro reversed direction yesterday and has extended its pullback today. The unexpected tick up in US core CPI and better than expected retail sales may have helped spur the euro losses after three cent run-up over the past several sessions. There bearish candlestick (shooting star) leaves the late euro longs in weak hands.

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FX Daily, November 15: Dollar Slides

2017-11-15

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2017-11-15

The euro and yen are extending their gains, casting a pall over the US dollar. The euro is extending its advance into a sixth consecutive session, which is the longest streak since May. It is approaching last month's highs in the $1.1860-$1.1880 area. As was the case yesterday, a consolidative tone in Asia was followed by strong buying in the European morning. There does not appear to be a fresh fundamental driver.

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FX Daily, November 14: Euro Rides High After German GDP

2017-11-14

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2017-11-14

Sterling is trading in the lower end of yesterday's range and has been confined to about a quarter a cent on either side of $1.31. On the other hand, the euro has pushed a bit through GBP0.8950 to reach its best level since October 26. Sweden also reported softer than expected October inflation.

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FX Daily, November 13: Sterling Trounced by Growing Political Challenges

2017-11-13

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2017-11-13

The US dollar has begun the new week on firm footing, without the help of either higher interest rates or increased confidence that Congress will agree on a tax plan. Indeed, over the weekend the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee was explicit that the Senate plan to repeal the federal tax break for state and local taxes will not find support in the House of Representative.

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FX Weekly Preview: Week Ahead Data and Policy

2017-11-13

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2017-11-13

There seems to be a broad consensus on the trajectory of policy in the remaining weeks of the year. Barring a major shock or surprise the Federal Reserve will hike rates next month. The ECB's course is set until at least the middle of next year when the current policy will begin to be debated in earnest.

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