Category Archive: 4) FX Trends
Great Graphic: Large Yuan Devalution in 2016?
Following the mini-devaluation in August, the yuan appreciated in September and October. It began depreciating again in November and this has continued through the first half of December. The dollar finished the local session at new multi-year highs against the yuan. Many observers see in the pre-weekend announcement about monitoring the yuan against a basket …
Read More »
Read More »
Emerging Markets: Week Ahead Preview
Indonesia reports November trade Tuesday. Exports are expected at -11.5% y/y, while imports are expected at -21.3% y/y. Bank Indonesia then meets Thursday and is expected to keep rates steady at 7.5%. We believe an easing bias is in place, given ...
Read More »
Read More »
Outlook for Spain’s Election
The pace of reform in Spain has slowed, with electoral considerations likely playing a role. A new center-right government may resume efforts to reform the labor market, even if leading a government costs Rajoy his job. Representation of Podemos i...
Read More »
Read More »
Great Graphic: Euro Forecast by Global Banks
The dollar-euro is the most actively traded currency pair in the world. It is often what is meant when people ask where is the dollar trading. Dollar bullish sentiment prevailed in 2015, but many large banks doubt that it will continue in 2016. This Great Graphic from the Wall Street Journal shows the euro forecasts … Continue...
Read More »
Read More »
Slow Start to Important Week, though Rand Jumps Back
The US dollar is firmer against the euro, sterling and yen, but within the ranges seen before the weekend. The greenback is softer against the dollar-bloc currencies after early gains were unwound. The biggest mover has been the South African rand, which is up a little more than 5%, retracing nearly half of last week's … Continue reading...
Read More »
Read More »
After ECB’s Hawkish Cut, Is the Fed about to Deliver a Dovish Hike?
After much hemming and hawing since mid-year, the Federal Reserve is finally poised to raise rates for the first time in nearly a decade. Indeed, given the speeches by the leadership and the economic data, especially the labor market readings, the failure to raise rates would likely be more destabilizing at this juncture than lifting them. …
Read More »
Read More »
Weekly Speculative Position Limited: Adjustment Warns USD Correction may not be Over
1. Activity increased during the Commitment of Traders reporting week ending 8 December. There were four significant (10k+ contracts) gross currency adjustments by speculators. Given that this period covers the second largest gain in the euro's history, it is surprising that it did not meet the threshold. It is astounding that only that speculators added only …
Read More »
Read More »
Technical Condition of the Greenback on the Eve of Lift-Off
The US dollar turned in a mixed performance in the week following the ECB's surprise and the healthy US jobs report. In some ways, the greenback was like a fulcrum, not the driver.
The dollar-bloc currencies and the Norwegian krona were on ...
Read More »
Read More »
Emerging Markets: What has Changed
1) South African President Jacob Zuma fired Finance Minister Nene and replaced him with little-known ANZ lawmaker David Van Rooyen
2) S&P revised the outlook on South Africa’s BBB- rating from stable to negative
3) People’s Bank of Chi...
Read More »
Read More »
Insight into the ECB
Investors, fellow central bankers, and the media continue to try to make sense of last week's ECB surprise. We had argued that given the market positioning, especially the dramatic accumulation of speculative short euro positions since the m...
Read More »
Read More »
Commodity Weakness takes a Toll, Rand Fall Continues, US Retail Sales Awaited
The US dollar is confined to narrow ranges against the euro and sterling after pushing higher yesterday. The greenback is staging stronger upticks against the yen but is struggling to resurface above previous support in the JPY122.25 area. Weak commodity prices and the loss of upside momentum has seen profit-taking in the Australian and New …
Read More »
Read More »
Great Graphic: A Divergence that Gives China a Headache
China was instructed by the IMF that as an operational requirement for joining the SDR that the gap between the onshore and offshore yuan (CNY and CNH respectively) needed to close. This was important for central banks to hedge. The opposite is taking place. That is what this Great Graphic, created on Bloomberg depicts. The …
Read More »
Read More »
Morning Edge – SPECIAL – Interview with Marc Chandler along with Chris Bayer – 12/10/15
Note; Recording contains some sound drops due to unresolved internet problems. Blake (@PipCzar) interviews Marc Chandler. Marc Chandler has been covering the global capital markets in one fashion or another for more than 25 years, working at economic consulting firms and global investment banks. Chandler attended North Central College for undergraduate work, where he majored …
Read More »
Read More »
Greenback Recovers, but Antipodeans Advance
There are two broad themes among the major currencies today. The first is the pullback in the euro and yen after yesterday's run-up. Position adjustments with the help of stop losses seemed to be the key consideration. Both the euro and yen extended the recovery seen in the second half of last week. Year-end considerations, …
Read More »
Read More »
France, Schengen and the Future of Europe
The second round of French regional elections will be held this weekend. The first round last weekend saw the National Front do best in terms of popular votes and led in six of the twelve regions. The National Front is not simply anti-austerity, but it is anti-EMU. In regions that NF garnered more than 40% … Continue reading »
Read More »
Read More »
Dollar Bloc Remains Soft, but Euro, Sterling and Yen Firm
The US dollar continues its mixed performance. The fragile stability of commodity prices today is not lending much support to the Australian and New Zealand dollars though the Canadian dollar is flat after yesterday's slide.
The euro has pushe...
Read More »
Read More »
Oil: WWJD–What would JD Rockefeller have Done?
Many observers conclude OPEC is dead. Oh, its demise has been claimed before, but after the oil cartel failed to provide a quota (output goal) in last week's statement, the claim has been given new life. The problem is that OPEC's action under Saudi leadership may be perfectly rational for a cartel. Suppose you were … Continue...
Read More »
Read More »
Great Graphic: Divergence is Still the Euro Driver
This remains one of my favorite Great Graphics that illustrate the divergence theme that I think is the main driver of the euro-dollar exchange rate. Composed on Bloomberg, it shows two time series. The first (white line) shows the German two-y...
Read More »
Read More »
Dollar Mixed, Equities Head South, Oil Stabilizing
The US dollar is firm against the dollar-bloc currencies, and sterling, but is heavier against the euro and yen.
The 13th consecutive year-over-year decline in China's imports helped keep the pressure on the commodity producers. Despite New ...
Read More »
Read More »
Emerging Market Preview: Week Ahead
Taiwan reports November CPI Tuesday, and is expected to rise 0.36% y/y vs. 0.31% in October. The central bank does not have an explicit inflation target, but low price pressures should allow the easing cycle to continue at the December meeting. Nov...
Read More »
Read More »