Category Archive: 4) FX Trends
Great Graphic: Low Wages in US Rising
The bottom of the US wage scale is rising. The added wage costs are being blunted by less staff turnover, hiring and training costs. It is consistent with our expectation of higher price pressures.
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FX Weekly Preview: Yellen Pushes Divergence Front and Center
The summer dynamics of the capital markets has changed by the enhanced prospects of a Fed hike. Equity markets and other risk assets look particularly vulnerable. Sterling may do better against the euro than the dollar.
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FX Weekly Review, August 22 – August 26: Swiss Franc Loses Most Gains Again
After winning 5% against the dollar index last week, the Swiss Franc index lost 3% again. CHF lost against both USD and EUR. Reason: An increased probability of a rate hike in the U.S.
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Weeky Speculative Positions: Euro Shorts Trimmed, More Sterling Shorts, Long CHF again
Three weeks ago speculators went net short in CHF, when the U.S. jobs report was published. Now the net position shifted to long again. Last week GBP shorts increased but Euro Shorts were reduced.
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Video of the purported Yemen attack on a Saudi oil facility
This video was originally posted to Facebook with the caption: By the grace of Allah, Just about an hour ago, a video from inside Najran city for #Aramco oil company burning by a Yemeni ballistic missile “Zelzal-3″, Friday 26-8-2016. The video shows a huge fire on the oil tanks .. Note the oil tanks at …
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FX Daily, August 26: And now for Yellen…
Yellen's presentation at Jackson Hole today is the highlight of the week. It also marks the end of the summer for many North American and European investors. It may be a bit of a rolling start for US participants, until after Labor Day. However, with US employment data next Friday, many will return in spirit if not in body.
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FX Daily, August 25: Narrow Ranges Prevail as Breakouts Fail
The US dollar remains mostly within the ranges seen yesterday against the major currencies.The market awaits fresh trading incentives and the end of the summer lull, which is expected next week. The Jackson Hole Fed gathering at which Yellen speaks tomorrow is seen as the highlight of this quiet week.
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FX Daily, August 24: Narrowly Mixed Greenback in Summer Churn
The US dollar is going nowhere fast. It is narrowly mixed against the major currencies. The market awaits for fresh trading incentives, with much hope placed on Yellen's presentation at Jackson Hole at the end of the week. Is it too early to suggest that the build-up ahead of it is too much?
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Great Graphic: GDP Per Capita Selected Comparison
US population growth has been greater than other major centers that helps explain why GDP has risen faster. GDP per capita has also growth faster than other high income regions. The US recovery is weak relative to post-War recoveries but it has been faster than anticipated after a financial crisis and shows little evidence of secular stagnation.
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The five smartest words retail forex traders say
Greg Michalowski, Author Attacking Currency Trends. Director of Client Education and Technical Analysis at ForexLive.com. I am more of technical forex trader, but that bias comes with some important reasons, especially for retail traders. Fundamental analysis is important, but it does not do a good job with defining and limiting risk…especially when traders are wrong. …
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FX Daily, August 23: Broadly Mixed Dollar in a Mostly Quiet Market
The US dollar is mostly little changed against the major, as befits a summer session.There are two exceptions.The first is the New Zealand dollar. Comments by the central bank's governor played down the need for urgent monetary action and suggested that the bottom of cycle may be near 1.75% for the cash rate, which currently sits at 2.0%.This means that a cut next month is unlikely. November appears to be a more likely timeframe.
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FX Daily, August 22: Fischer Joins Dudley; Waiting for Yellen
Last week, some market participants were giving more credence to what seemed like dovish FOMC minutes than to NY Fed President Dudley's remarks that accused investors of complacency over the outlook for rates. Yesterday, Vice-Chairman of the Federal Reserve Fischer seemed to echo Dudley's sentiment, and this has underpinned the dollar and is the major spur of today's price action.
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Dollar Weakness and Fed Expectations
Dollar weakness does not line up with increased perceived risk of Fed hiking rates. Frequently the rate differentials lead spot movement. Some now turning divergence on its head, claiming too expensive to hedge dollar-investments so liquidation. TIC data, though, shows central banks not private investors, were the featured sellers in June, the most recent month that data exists.
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FX Weekly Preview: Yellen at Jackson Hole
Lastly, a brief word about next week. I will not post my usual piece on macro considerations on Sunday. Here, though, is a brief thumbnail sketch of the top five things I will be watching: Yellen at Jackson Hole at the end of next week: To the extent that she shares her assessment of the economy, I would expect to largely echo the broad sentiment expressed by NY Fed President Dudley.
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FX Weekly Review, August 15 – August 19: Swiss Franc index improves 5% compared to dollar index
The US dollar lost ground against nearly all the major currencies last week. The sole exceptions were the Australian dollar, where Moody's decision to cut the outlook for five Australian banks wiped out the previous small gain. The Swiss Franc index gained nearly 5% compared to the dollar index.
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Speculators Make Small Bets in FX, but Bears Run for Cover in Treasuries and Oil
Summer doldrums continue to depress speculative activity in the currency futures market. In the CFTC Commitment of Traders reporting week ending August 16 speculators made small adjustments to gross currency positions. There was only one change more than 6k contracts. Continue reading »
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FX Daily, August 19: Dollar Recovers into the Weekend
The US dollar is trading firmly ahead of the weekend as part of this week's losses are recouped. The euro is trading within yesterday's range, holding to a little more than a half-cent above $1.13. However, as we have noted, the Asia and European participants appear more dollar-friendly than Americans
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FX Daily, August 18: US Dollar Pushed Lower, but Do FOMC Minutes Really Trump Dudley?
A bad day for the dollar means a good day for CHF, that appreciates against both euro and dollar. It is not a good day for the US dollar. It is being sold across the board. The seemingly dovish FOMC minutes released late yesterday appears to have gotten the ball rolling. The takeaway for many was that any officials wanted more time to assess the data at the July meeting.
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The Need for Higher Wages: Lots of Thunder, No Rain
Major central banks and many economists are calling for higher wages. However, they are reluctant to offer proposals to strengthen those institutions who's goal is to boost labor's share of national income. The advocates are more interested in boosting prices than in lifting aggregate demand or addressing the disparity of income and wealth.
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FX Daily, August 17: Dollar Snaps Back
The US dollar is enjoying a mid-week bounce against all the major currencies. It appears that participants in Asia and Europe are giving more credence to NY Fed Dudley's comments yesterday. Although many in the market have given up on a rate hike this year, Dudley reaffirmed his belief that the economy was accelerating in H2 and that the market was being too complacent.
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