Forex Market Pulse: 2010

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Forex Market Pulse From QE2 To G20 Summit

Last week's US Federal Reserve announced an additional $600 billion in asset purchases to support the economy, but as discussed earlier, with the size and scope of the move already priced in, the dollar has managed to stabilize over the past few days, particularly against the euro. Volatility in the currency markets have become a focal point of foreign policy, with many nations seen as deliberately weakening their currencies to give their exporters a competitive advantage.

G20 Summit: As G20 heads of state meet outside Seoul South Korea from November 12-14 where President Obama is likely to be told that the Fed action was an effort to weaken the dollar to boost exports, analysts feel that most global leaders have their work cut out for on the one hand the Germans and the Chinese are complaining about the Fed's quantitative easing while the US, Canadians, Europeans are all complaining about under valued Asian currencies on the other. World Bank President Zoellich meanwhile thinks its a great time establish a new global currency agreement based to some extent on gold. The French want to orchestrate a new global accord during their reign as G20 chairman in 2011. Although President Obama is likely to stress the need for Asia, led by China, to appreciate their currencies, analysts believe that Obama will have the advantage of history over the past four decades where the US readily comes across as more of a free trading entity than the newly developed nations from which he will be receiving criticism.

Correlating Currencies and Inflation: Although the Fed appears to have succeeded in stabilizing market implied inflation expectations higher, this has been accompanied by a markedly weaker US dollar in recent times. Faced with a strong disinflationary trend, it seems that the Fed would want to keep inflationary expectations anchored at higher levels, but there are concerns that once deflationary expectations get entrenched, consumers postpone their consumption plans while businesses refrain from investing. Moreover, given the side-effect of the weaker dollar, the Fed’s strategy has run into international resistance with the G20 statement noting “advanced economies with reserve currencies” promoting excessively volatile capital flows. Meanwhile analysts at BNP Paribas believe that with an arguably stretched short USD position prone to covering, the appropriate strategy would be to shift to funding long Asian FX plays in GBP instead of the USD.

ETFs Investment Options For The US Dollar include:

PowerShares DB USD Index (UDN): The Index is a rules-based index composed solely of short USDX futures contracts. The USDX futures contract is designed to replicate the performance of being short the US Dollar against the following currencies: Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc.

Expense Ratio: 0.40%

PowerShares DB USD Index Bullish (UUP): The Index is a rules-based index composed solely of long USDX futures contracts. The USDX futures contract is designed to replicate the performance of being long the US Dollar against the following currencies: Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc.

Expense Ratio: 0.50%

EUR: The euro weakened for a second day as concern that governments in the region will struggle to pay their debt increased before Ireland opens its books to European Union officials. Analysts at Capital Markets believe that the problems in Europe are starting to rear their ugly head again and some feel this could be just the tip of the iceberg for the euro. The euro fell 0.9 percent to $1.3905 in New York from $1.4032 on Nov. 5. It reached $1.4282 on Nov. 4, the highest since Jan. 20. It dropped as much as 1.2 percent versus Japan’s yen, matching the drop on Oct. 29, before trading at 112.85 yen, down 1 percent from 114.03 on Nov. 5.

EUR Data: Economic sentiment in the Eurozone surprised analysts in October by rising while consumer sentiment was steady at its highest level since January 2008. Industrial orders beat expectations in August with robust gains of 5.3% m/m and 24.4% y/y. The upward spike was led by capital goods that are often a barometer for rising overall orders in the coming months.

Euro ETFs To Watch Out For:

Rydex CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

FXE Tracks: Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.40%

Short Euro ETFs

ProShares UltraShort Euro (EUO): ProShares UltraShort Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

EUO Tracks: Euro (-200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Short Euro ETN (DRR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

DRR Tracks: Double Short Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Long Euro ETFs

ProShares Ultra Euro (ULE): ProShares Ultra Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

ULE Tracks: Euro (200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Long Euro ETN (URR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

URR Tracks: Double Long Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

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Forex Market Pulse: Euro's Surge, QE2, And the Next Direction of USD

By world market pulse team on November 03,2010

Most of the world currency markets are brimming with speculation over US Congress election results and QE2 grabbing the most attention. While the US dollar was unable to sustain its gains from the previous session Thursday morning, coming under pressure ahead of the latest word on the US jobs market, the euro on the other hand snapped back against the dollar on Thursday, as better-than-forecast economic data from the Euro zone raised speculation that central bankers in Brussels will begin to normalize interest rates rather than ease further. The mid-term election results are likely to be overshadowed by the FOMC where speculation that the Fed will announce USD500bn of asset purchases Wednesday has intensified, but analysts at BNP Paribas believe that with investors increasingly expecting a month-by-month approach to the implementation, a more gradual approach would be consistent with the G20 meeting, where negotiations appear to be ongoing.

Next direction of USD?
USD: The dollar has been unable to sustain its gains from the previous session coming under modest pressure ahead of the latest word on the US jobs market. The Fed meets today, November 3, and is reportedly set to embark on a series of gradual asset purchases totaling a few "hundred billion" dollars. In 2009, the Fed snapped up around $2 trillion in an effort to spur the economy. Still, currency experts feel that the dollar is relatively stable amid growing speculation that the size and scope of the Federal Reserve's anticipated bond purchase program is likely to be smaller than its first round of quantitative easing. Certain analysts and economists believe QE2 may contribute, at the cost of bringing down the USD almost 20% over a period of time, to triggering US exports and helping the economy etc. even though it will cause a disaster to the world currency status of the USD. While this may be gradual, the scene does not look very likely. We believe the USD may remain strong.

US Data Analysis: Initial US jobless claims fell to 434,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 455,000. The decrease surprised economists, who had expected claims to edge up to 458,000 from the 452,000 originally reported for the previous week. While there were no special factors cited for the decline in claims, analysts at Deutsche Bank are hesitant to read too much into the data, and the four-week moving average is still consistent with job growth of around 100k per month. Continuing claims registered a more robust decline of 122k to 4356k for the week of October 16, the lowest since November 22, 2008.

Correlating Currencies and Inflation: Although the Fed appears to have succeeded in stabilizing market implied inflation expectations higher, this has been accompanied by a markedly weaker US dollar in recent times. Faced with a strong disinflationary trend, it seems that the Fed would want to keep inflationary expectations anchored at higher levels, but there are concerns that once deflationary expectations get entrenched, consumers postpone their consumption plans while businesses refrain from investing. Moreover, given the side-effect of the weaker dollar, the Fed’s strategy has run into international resistance with the G20 statement noting “advanced economies with reserve currencies” promoting excessively volatile capital flows.

Meanwhile analysts at BNP Paribas believe that with an arguably stretched short USD position prone to covering, the appropriate strategy would be to shift to funding long Asian FX plays in GBP instead of the USD.

ETFs Investment Options For The US Dollar include:

PowerShares DB USD Index (UDN): The Index is a rules-based index composed solely of short USDX futures contracts. The USDX futures contract is designed to replicate the performance of being short the US Dollar against the following currencies: Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc.

Expense Ratio: 0.40%

PowerShares DB USD Index Bullish (UUP): The Index is a rules-based index composed solely of long USDX futures contracts. The USDX futures contract is designed to replicate the performance of being long the US Dollar against the following currencies: Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc.

Expense Ratio: 0.50%

EUR: The euro, meanwhile, snapped back against the dollar after better than forecast economic data from the Eurozone raised speculation that central bankers in Brussels will begin to normalize interest rates rather than ease further. Economic confidence in the 16 countries that use the euro rose to its highest level in nearly three years during October, the European Commission said on Thursday. The euro rose to $1.3910 versus the greenback, paring most of this week's losses. With the advance, the euro moved back towards a recent 8-month high near $1.4150.

EUR Data Analysis: The European Central Bank lowered interest rates to a record low one percent during the throes of the worst recession in decades, but has resisted additional rate cuts despite a sluggish economy. Analysts at Deutsche Bank have meanwhile suggested that the euro is still in a correction mode and may remain so while the EU summit is in session. Good support entered yesterday only at 1.3610.

Euro ETFs To Watch Out For:

Rydex CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

FXE Tracks: Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.40%

Short Euro ETFs

ProShares UltraShort Euro (EUO): ProShares UltraShort Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

EUO Tracks: Euro (-200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Short Euro ETN (DRR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

DRR Tracks: Double Short Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Long Euro ETFs

ProShares Ultra Euro (ULE): ProShares Ultra Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

ULE Tracks: Euro (200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Long Euro ETN (URR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

URR Tracks: Double Long Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

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Forex Market Pulse: Tracing RBA Rate Hike and AUD Upside

By world market pulse team on November 03,2010

As the world markets including the currency markets eagerly await the Fed's decision on further quantitative easing, the Australia’s central bank unexpectedly raised interest rates yesterday fueling optimism in the global economic recovery. As a result the Australian dollar traded at its highest levels against the US dollar since 1982.

The RBA rate hike and hawkish statement gives some further upside potential for the AUD. Indeed, the RBA hiked by 25bps to 4.75%, which is consistent with the continued strong domestic data coming from Australia. RBA governor Stevens gave the impression that this hike is pre-emptive with modest inflation trends probably about to end.

Meanwhile analysts at BNP Paribas feel that AUD will stay supported from the positive readings of Chinese data. The AUD has been correlated to the Chinese PMI, which has rebounded strongly over the past couple of months, and analysts maintain their bullish AUD positions looking for AUDUSD to sustain a move above parity targeting the 1.02 area. BNP Paribas experts also expect AUDNZD to continue to push higher.

AUDUSD Outlook

AUDUSD gained over a full cent to trade just under parity after the RBA surprised by delivering a 25 bps rate hike to 4.75%. In explanation for the hike, the RBA cited tight labor markets, a likely end to the recent moderation in inflation and, in an echo of Governor Stevens' comments from last month, the large expansionary shock from the high terms of trade. It also said that fears of a larger than expected slowing in Chinese growth have lessened recently.

Yesterday’s rate increases by the Australian and Indian central banks have served to highlight the fact that the Fed is now the only major central bank looking at further easing in the short-term.

Analysts at BNP Paribas have however questioned whether the move will have legs ahead of FOMC's final decision, as Investors are unlikely to add further to AUD risk. Fearing that Fed's decision may just run RBA hike out of steam, as another test of parity analysts expect AUD to struggle to break much beyond the previous highs of 1.0003 – at least until FOMC is out of the way.

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World Market Forex Pulse: Exploring Dollar's Drop And Euro's Surge

By world market pulse team on October 29,2010

Most of the world currency markets is brimming with activity as speculation over QE2 grabbing most attention. While the US dollar was unable to sustain its gains from the previous session Thursday morning coming under pressure ahead of the latest word on the US jobs market, the euro on the other hand snapped back against the dollar on Thursday, as better-than-forecast economic data from the Euro zone raised speculation that central bankers in Brussels will begin to normalize interest rates rather than ease further.

USD: The dollar has been unable to sustain its gains from the previous session coming under modest pressure ahead of the latest word on the US jobs market. The Fed meets on November 3 and is reportedly set to embark on a series of gradual asset purchases totaling a few hundred billion dollars. In 2009, the Fed snapped up around $2 trillion in an effort to spur the economy. Still currency experts feel that the dollar is relatively stable amid growing speculation that the size and scope of the Federal Reserve's anticipated bond purchase program is likely to be smaller than its first round of quantitative easing.

US Data Analysis: Initial US jobless claims fell to 434,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 455,000. The decrease surprised economists, who had expected claims to edge up to 458,000 from the 452,000 originally reported for the previous week. While there were no special factors cited for the decline in claims, analysts at Deutsche Bank are hesitant to read too much into the data, and the four-week moving average is still consistent with job growth of around 100k per month. Continuing claims registered a more robust decline of 122k to 4356k for the week of October 16, the lowest since November 22, 2008.

EUR: The euro meanwhile snapped back against the dollar after better than forecast economic data from the Euro zone raised speculation that central bankers in Brussels will begin to normalize interest rates rather than ease further. Economic confidence in the 16 countries that use the euro rose to its highest level in nearly three years during October, the European Commission said on Thursday. The euro rose to $1.3910 versus the greenback, paring most of this week's losses. With the advance, the euro moved back towards a recent 8-month high near $1.4150.

EUR Data Analysis: The European Central Bank lowered interest rates to a record low one percent during the throes of the worst recession in decades, but has resisted additional rate cuts despite a sluggish economy. Analysts at Deutsche Bank have meanwhile suggested that the euro is still in a correction mode and may remain so while the EU summit is in session. Good support enters today only at 1.3610.

Euro ETFs To Watch Out For:

Rydex CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

FXE Tracks: Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.40%

Short Euro ETFs

ProShares UltraShort Euro (EUO): ProShares UltraShort Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

EUO Tracks: Euro (-200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Short Euro ETN (DRR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

DRR Tracks: Double Short Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Long Euro ETFs

ProShares Ultra Euro (ULE): ProShares Ultra Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

ULE Tracks: Euro (200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Long Euro ETN (URR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

URR Tracks: Double Long Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

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World Market Pulse Forex Update: Measured QE2 And Beyond

By world market pulse team on October 28,2010

Most of the world currency markets is brimming with activity as speculation over QE2, G20, capital controls and inflation continues to be in the limelight today with the BOE and the FED grabbing most attention. Meanwhile Asian news suggesting currency reserves are also on the rise with the EU Head of State meeting where the German Chancellor is expected taking a non-compromising position while the BOJ bringing its policy meeting forward. Markets are generally softer, with the USD biased for strength.

There is also a market sentiment suggesting that China and the US are close to an agreement on current account imbalances pushing markets to curtail their expectation for QE2 as forex experts feel that the logic being that a softening in China’s stance would ease pressure on the US to implement QE2. Analysts at BNP Paribas meanwhile expect USD range trading today, but with US bonds yields staying bid for now USDJPY and EURJPY should rally, while EURUSD’s upside should be limited by 1.3920. GBPUSD remains a clear sell near 1.5800 after Posen's suggesting that QE might come too late and might be not enough.

EUR-USD: The EUR has weakened since yesterdays close, but is still trading within its three-week 1.3698 to 1.4159 range. A break of this range should foreshadow the next move. Today the focus is on the USD rally driven by scaled back expectations of QE. Analysts at Scotia Capital have suggested that this will prove temporary and that the EUR will still face upward pressure into year-end on the back of a weak USD. However, for now the risk is that the market is extremely short the USD and shift in sentiment could see downside pressure on EUR as position squaring takes over.

USD- CAD: CAD is under performing today, having lost 0.4% against the USD and 0.2% against EUR. USDCAD is within a hundred points of the clustering of its 50, 100 and 200-day moving averages (1.0314, 1.0345 and 1.0344, respectively) and the year-to-date average trading level of 1.0345. All in all, USDCAD remains firmly within its year-to-date range, unable to break decidedly on either side of it. The main driver of USDCAD continues to be QE in the US and the odds of a currency agreement. With the PBoC hiking rates ahead of key data releases on Thursday, these odds improved. This thematic has already taken over. USDCAD around 1.0350 continues to offer opportunities to go short.

Asian Currencies: Asian currencies have come in firmer dragging G-10 currencies against the USD with it. Korea doubling its current account surplus from August to September and China allowing USDRMB to fix higher for the 4th consecutive day will bring the theme of Asian currency reserves and the related allocation issues back to the market. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is expected to downgrade its forecasts for the country's economic growth and prices at its policy meeting today amid signs that the return of the economy to a path of sustainable expansion will be delayed due to deflation.

AUD-USD: AUD is under performing having lost 1.3% against the USD and 1.1% against EUR. A softer than expected CPI release (coming in at 0.7% q/q and 2.8% y/y) has dampened the expectations for further interest rate increases and weighed on AUD. In some ways, the CPI release has simply offset the positive impact the currency and interest rate outlook received with the above consensus PPI release earlier this week. Governor Stevens recently indicated that monetary policy would have to take into account one off shocks to terms of trade on inflation over and above the regular cyclical factors.

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World Market Pulse Forex Update: Analyzing Sterling’s GDP Boost

By world market pulse team on October 27,2010

The GBP received a significant boost as it posted its biggest one day gain against a basket of currencies in 3 months after the surprise rise in UK Q3 GDP to 0.8% in addition to a ratings upgrade from Standard and Poors to a “stable” outlook bringing them into line with their agency peers, Fitch and Moody.

An Overview Of UK GDP Figures: U.K. GDP came in stronger than expected, up 0.8% q/q and 2.8% y/y in Q3, compared to the consensus forecasts for 0.4% and 2.4% respectively. This was the highest annual growth rate since Q3 of 2007. Service sector growth came in surprisingly strong, up 0.6% q/q, same as in Q2, while industrial production growth was 0.6%, after 1.0% in Q2. Construction sector output rose 4.0% q/q, after rising 9.5% in Q2, when it rebounded after weather related weakness in Q1 of 2010.

Meanwhile according to analysts at BNP Paribas, the sterling remains a sell despite the better UK Q3 GDP. We base our projection on weak money supply and credit indications, the sharp decline of savings seen over the past three quarters and weakening cyclical conditions coming on the back of fading global demand.

GBP-USD Outlook: GBPUSD rebound on stronger GDP data expected to be short lived providing a renewed buying opportunity. Although The UK GDP has come in much stronger than expected with growth the strength has been driven purely by the construction sector which rose 4.0% q/q in Q3, up 11.0% y/y, the highest reading since Q1 1998. According to BNP Paribas analysts, sterling gains following the UK GDP data are likely to be short lived providing renewed a medium term selling opportunity. GBPUSD is now approaching the 1.5875 high seen last week. A break above here could see sterling recovery back towards the 1.60/1.61 peaks seen over the past couple of months.

Britain Economic Overview: PM David Cameron is to strongly oppose demands from Brussels for significant increases in Britain's contribution to the EU budget and instead call for spending cuts when EU leaders meet in Brussels tomorrow. While the summit is expected to be dominated by Germany's demands for treaty changes to discipline states UK has made it clear he will not accept that the EU's budget should increase by 6 per cent at a time when national governments are paring back spending. Meanwhile leading indicators in the UK economy, along with the housing market have turned sharply lower suggesting that quantitative easing is still likely to be on the agenda, but likely to be delayed until the beginning of 2011.

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World Market Pulse Forex Update: Analyzing The G20 Sound Bites

By world market pulse team on October 25,2010

World currency markets have been largely sluggish in the past week. As the November date of the FOMC draws ever nearer, there has been a wait and watch situation developing especially about the level of any stimulus especially in light of some of US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner’s recent comments with respect to the major currency pairs.

Meanwhile the market sentiment turned out to be correct regarding the G20 finance ministers and central bankers meeting in South Korea as the meet failed to achieve anything of note apart from a few sound bites about monitoring the situation, and urging countries not to use their currencies as weapons of devaluation. Although the G20 meet made all the sound notes, analysts feel that it is unlikely to reverse the overall pressure on the US dollar as it continues to remain under pressure.

USD And Q3 GDP:

After the G20 meet failed to set any market tone, all eyes are now focussed on the coming week which can is a critical week for both the dollar as well as the pound as traders are keeping a close watch over the release of Q3 GDP figures for evidence of economic deterioration and the increased likelihood of further stimulus. Meanwhile the US dollar is continuing to show signs of a possible rebound as it continues to hold above key trend line support. The release of Q3 GDP on Friday where a figure of 2.2% is expected will in all likelihood be a key indicator of what sort of measures the Fed may embark on at the conclusion of its next meeting on November 3rd.

GBP: The pound is also set for a key week with the release on Tuesday of Q3 GDP where expectations are for a slip back to a figure of 0.4% which would be a shot in the arm for the dovish camp in the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC) for a further round of quantitative easing (QE) into the UK economy, and send the pound lower. The pound is currently trading near trend line support at 77.80 from its all-time lows on its trade weighted index at 73.05, set in early 2009. A break below this level could well target further sterling weakness in the near term. A break of this trend line could well target further sterling weakness towards this years low’s at 76.10.

World Market Pulse Euro Update: Traders are likely to remain in a Euro Bullish mode despite the firming up of the US dollar amid Improved Home Builder Confidence even as EUR together with Scandinavian currencies under performed the rest of G10 at the start of the week after investors sought to take profit on their USD-short positions. EU’s Economic and Monetary Commissioner Olli Rehn has meanwhile indicated that the currencies will feature prominently on the agenda after Eurogroup’s Chairman Juncker had said that there has been too much volatility between the main global currencies.

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World Market Pulse Forex Update: Analyzing G20 Sound Bites

By world market pulse team on October 25,2010

Meanwhile the market sentiment turned out to be correct regarding the G20 finance ministers and central bankers meeting in South Korea as the meet failed to achieve anything of note apart from a few sound bites about monitoring the situation, and urging countries not to use their currencies as weapons of devaluation. Although the G20 meet made all the sound notes, analysts feel that it is unlikely to reverse the overall pressure on the US dollar as it continues to remain under pressure.

USD and Q3 GDP:

After the G20 meet failed to set any market tone, all eyes are now focussed on the coming week which can is a critical week for both the dollar as well as the pound as traders are keeping a close watch over the release of Q3 GDP figures for evidence of economic deterioration and the increased likelihood of further stimulus. Meanwhile the US dollar is continuing to show signs of a possible rebound as it continues to hold above key trend line support. The release of Q3 GDP on Friday where a figure of 2.2% is expected will in all likelihood be a key indicator of what sort of measures the Fed may embark on at the conclusion of its next meeting on November 3rd.

GBP: The pound is also set for a key week with the release on Tuesday of Q3 GDP where expectations are for a slip back to a figure of 0.4% which would be a shot in the arm for the dovish camp in the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC) for a further round of quantitative easing (QE) into the UK economy, and send the pound lower. The pound is currently trading near trend line support at 77.80 from its all-time lows on its trade weighted index at 73.05, set in early 2009. A break below this level could well target further sterling weakness in the near term. A break of this trend line could well target further sterling weakness towards this years low’s at 76.10.

World Market Pulse Euro Update: Traders are likely to remain in a euro bullish mode despite the firming up of the US dollar amid Improved Home Builder Confidence even as EUR together with Scandinavian currencies under performed the rest of G10 at the start of the week after investors sought to take profit on their USD-short positions. EU’s Economic and Monetary Commissioner Olli Rehn has meanwhile indicated that the currencies will feature prominently on the agenda after Eurogroup’s Chairman Juncker had said that there has been too much volatility between the main global currencies.

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World Market Pulse Forex Weekly: G20 Meeting To Provide Direction?

By world market pulse team on October 22,2010

World currency markets have been largely sluggish as the continued US dollar roller coaster ride with the greenback continues to play around its recent 15 year lows against the yen. As the November date of the FOMC draws ever nearer, there is a wait and watch situation developing about the level of any stimulus especially in light of some of US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner’s recent comments with respect to the major currency pairs.

Low US Industrial Production: Meanwhile a worse then expected US industrial production figures for September at -0.2% against an expectation of a 0.2% gain, seems to reinforce the case for additional stimulus measures and saw the US dollar slide back from the highs of the day, especially against the euro as 10 year bond yields closed in the single currency’s favor for the first time in 10 months

Improved Home Builder Confidence had earlier helped the dollar to improve across the board after all three of the HMI’s components registered gains in October. The index of current sales conditions improved by 3 points to 16, the index for sales expectations for the next 6-months rose 5 points to 23 and the index gauging traffic of prospective buyers rose 2 points to 11. The improved data gave investors an excuse to lay off the buck as it briefly put into question the extent of Fed easing.

Some of the other potential catalysts that can act for a positive Dollar Index are discussed here.

G20 Finance Meet: With no US data ahead of this weekend’s G20 finance ministers and central bankers meeting in South Korea, it appears caution about being overly bearish on the dollar is starting to set in a little. Although traders and market analysts are waiting for the meet to conclude before jumping to any conclusions, the overall mood is that the meet is is unlikely to achieve anything of note apart from a few sound bites about monitoring the situation, and urging countries not to use their currencies as weapons of devaluation.

China Rate Hike: China’s central bank today raised its benchmark interest rates for the first time since December 2007, following signs the China’s economic slowdown is bottoming out in recent months. The interest rate increase comes as the economy has shown signs of rebounding from its slowdown in recent weeks, and ahead of a range of important data later this week. August retail sales quickened to 18.4% y/y, while industrial output quickened to 13.9% year/year, and both are forecast to accelerate further when September figures are released. Lending has also been strong, with new loans raising some 596B renminbi in September.

China Hike And Dollar Index: More than any US Data, the real thrust in the US Dollar appears to come from least expected quarters after a surprise move by China raised its one year lending and deposit rates by 25 basis points. Despite a number of Fed officials indicating that the US central bank will soon embark upon further monetary stimulus for the US economy it would appear that the Chinese may have done something the Fed had been unable to do and that is to stem the tide of negative sentiment against a rapidly falling greenback.

World Market Pulse Weekly Euro Update: Traders are likely to remain in a Euro Bullish mode despite the firming up of the US dollar amid Improved Home Builder Confidence even as EUR together with Scandinavian currencies under performed the rest of G10 at the start of the week after investors sought to take profit on their USD-short positions. EU’s Economic and Monetary Commissioner Olli Rehn has meanwhile indicated that the currencies will feature prominently on the agenda after Eurogroup’s Chairman Juncker had said that there has been too much volatility between the main global currencies.

According to analysts at CitiFx, ahead of the G20 meetings in Korea, euro area officials should continue to concentrate their efforts on promoting coordinated solution to the ‘currency wars’. In this regard we would expect to see further calls on EM economies to allow more flexibility of their currencies. At the same time there should be still fairly muted critique (if any) of the Fed plans to potentially add to its unconventional monetary policy accommodation. We think that the European officials continue to see the problems of euro area’s fiscally weak members as a far greater threat to its stability and growth outlook than the strong EUR of late.

Tracing China Rate Hike And Positive Dollar Index Correlation

By world market pulse team on October 20,2010

It’s been a down bound journey for the US Dollar in the distant past. After being under immense pressure in recent times the US Dollar not only witnessed its worst month since May 2009 against a basket of currencies and was caught in the currency war crossfire but an Improved Home Builder Confidence helped the dollar improved across the board following improvement in the housing market survey. All three of the HMI’s components registered gains in October. The index of current sales conditions improved by 3 points to 16, the index for sales expectations for the next 6-months rose 5 points to 23 and the index gauging traffic of prospective buyers rose 2 points to 11. The improved data gave investors an excuse to lay off the buck as it briefly put into question the extent of Fed easing.

Our analysts at World Market Pulse had already discussed the case of a positive US data triggering the Dollar Index in an earlier article. But more than the US Data, the real thrust in the US Dollar appears to come from least expected quarters after a surprise move by China raised its one year lending and deposit rates by 25 basis points. Despite a number of Fed officials indicating that the US central bank will soon embark upon further monetary stimulus for the US economy it would appear that the Chinese may have done something the Fed had been unable to do and that is to stem the tide of negative sentiment against a rapidly falling greenback. Testimony to the fact is that yesterday’s US dollar rally was the largest one day move up in the US dollar index since the 11th August, and if sustained throughout the remainder of this week could well be the start of a new phase of dollar strength.

Overview Of Chinese Rate Hike: China’s central bank today raised its benchmark interest rates for the first time since December 2007, following signs the China’s economic slowdown is bottoming out in recent months. The interest rate increase comes as the economy has shown signs of rebounding from its slowdown in recent weeks, and ahead of a range of important data later this week. August retail sales quickened to 18.4% y/y, while industrial output quickened to 13.9% year/year, and both are forecast to accelerate further when September
figures are released. Lending has also been strong, with new loans raising some 596B renminbi in September.

China Benchmark Interest Rates

USD-CNY Projections: While Chinese currency appreciation may not quite match the pace of the past month going forward, analysts still forecast a gain of a little more than 1.5% per quarter, targeting a USD/CNY rate of CNY6.25 in a year’s time, or a gain of around 6.5% from current levels. Moreover China’s domestic monetary policy measures (reserve requirement increases or interest rate hike) should act as a constraint on liquidity or offer more attractive returns on renminbi funds, which should both contribute to an upwards bias for the Chinese currency.

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World Market Pulse FX Update: Dollar Drive Amid Housing Data And Geithner Remarks

By world market pulse team on October 19,2010

The US dollar had its worst month since May 2009 against a basket of currencies. In fact for the last six weeks the US dollar has slid lower relentlessly on speculation that the Federal Reserve would embark on a further stimulus program to liven up the flagging US economy. In fact the US dollar index despite making new 8 month lows actually finished the day higher than when it started after the Fed chairman Bernanke's speech on Friday underlined the inevitability of such a move in the near future. The Dollar index however lost some ground towards the end of the day as doubts remained about the scale and the extent of any easing at next months Fed meeting. The US dollar did however gain some late support from some comments by US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, who stated in Paolo Alto that the US would not seek to devalue the dollar saying, "It is not a viable, feasible strategy and we will not engage in it.”

Low US Industrial Production: Meanwhile a worse then expected US industrial production figures for September at -0.2% against an expectation of a 0.2% gain, seems to reinforce the case for additional stimulus measures and saw the US dollar slide back from the highs of the day, especially against the euro as 10 year bond yields closed in the single currency’s favor for the first time in 10 months

Improved Home Builder Confidence: The dollar improved across the board following today’s improvement in the housing market survey. All three of the HMI’s components registered gains in October. The index of current sales conditions improved by 3 points to 16, the index for sales expectations for the next 6-months rose 5 points to 23 and the index gauging traffic of prospective buyers rose 2 points to 11. The improved data gave investors an excuse to lay off the buck as it briefly put into question the extent of Fed easing.

Some of the other potential catalysts that can act for a positive Dollar Index are discussed here.

A Case For A Positive US Data Triggering Dollar Index:

Linking Economic Data Release And USD

According to BNP Economic Research, US economists tend to react quickly to data releases. When data comes in weak, expectations are scaled back lower, increasing the chance of data exceeding expectations. Hence, the surprise indicator becomes very erratic. Hence, months of positive data surprises are often followed by a months with negative data surprises. Only, when there were severe growth deteriorations as in autumn 2006, summer 2008 and the May – July period of this year will the surprise indicator run negative readings for several months. US growth expectations have been scaled down suggesting that it will not take a lot to exceed low expectations.

ETFs Investment Options include

Rydex CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

FXE Tracks: Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.40%

PowerShares DB USD Index (UDN): The Index is a rules-based index composed solely of short USDX futures contracts. The USDX futures contract is designed to replicate the performance of being short the US Dollar against the following currencies: Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc.

Expense Ratio: 0.40%

iPath GBP/USD Exchange Rate ETN (GBB): The GBP/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the British pound and the U.S. dollar.

Expense Ratio: 0.40%

iPath EUR/USD Exchange Rate ETN (ERO): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

Expense Ratio: 0.40%

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Why Stronger EUR Is Here To Stay

By world market pulse team on October 19,2010

Traders are likely to remain in a Euro Bullish mode despite the firming up of the US dollar amid Improved Home Builder Confidence even as EUR together with Scandinavian currencies under performed the rest of G10 at the start of the week after investors sought to take profit on their USD-short positions. EU’s Economic and Monetary Commissioner Olli Rehn has meanwhile indicated that the currencies will feature prominently on the agenda after Eurogroup’s Chairman Juncker had said that there has been too much volatility between the main global currencies.

According to analysts at CitiFx, ahead of the G20 meetings in Korea, euro area officials should continue to concentrate their efforts on promoting coordinated solution to the ‘currency wars’. In this regard we would expect to see further calls on EM economies to allow more flexibility of their currencies. At the same time there should be still fairly muted critique (if any) of the Fed plans to potentially add to its unconventional monetary policy accommodation. We think that the European officials continue to see the problems of euro area’s fiscally weak members as a far greater threat to its stability and growth outlook than the strong EUR of late.

Possible ECB Intervention: Even though the basic decision to intervene on the FX market lies with the ECOFIN, the economy and finance (and budget) ministers of the euro zone member countries, there is a possibility that the ECB could still take part in the discussions as a consultant. Analysts feel that the ECB is thus much more closer to the decision making process than say the BoJ which acts as an agent of Japan's MoF. On the flip side, the ECB has shown very little desire so far to engage in any interventionist talk or indeed into discussions about the EURUSD level.

EURUSD – Friday’s daily chart posted a significant daily reversal, which could well indicate that a period of consolidation could well now be due. This daily candle is classified as “dark cloud cover” or a weaker form of engulfing pattern and yesterday’s down move stopped short of the 1.3800 levels rebounding from 1.3830. Meanwhile according to Deutsche Bank analysts, investors had no reason to sit on any open positions after the Fed chairman Bernanke's speech on Friday until the central bank begins QE2, as they had already received confirmation and the market had already processed the information. Given that a significant amount of euro-shorts were forced out during the euro-rally last week, the weakness on Friday afternoon is transformed into bull-market exhaustion this morning. Our risk limit was undercut, leaving us with a neutral outlook. Significant corrections will be in order below 1.3850.

Euro ETFs To Watch Out For:

Rydex CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

FXE Tracks: Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.40%

Short Euro ETFs

ProShares UltraShort Euro (EUO): ProShares UltraShort Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

EUO Tracks: Euro (-200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Short Euro ETN (DRR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

DRR Tracks: Double Short Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Long Euro ETFs

ProShares Ultra Euro (ULE): ProShares Ultra Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

ULE Tracks: Euro (200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Long Euro ETN (URR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

URR Tracks: Double Long Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

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Analysing Us Dollar Rebound Post Bernanke's Speech

By world market pulse team on October 18,2010

The US dollar had its worst month since May 2009 against a basket of currencies. In fact for the last six weeks the US dollar has slid lower relentlessly on speculation that the Federal Reserve has no choice left but to embark on a further stimulus program to liven up the flagging US economy. Forex experts are of the opinion that Fed chairman Bernanke's speech on Friday underlined the inevitability of such a move in the near future with the US dollar index despite making new 8 month lows actually finished the day higher than when it started. Friday’s move off trend line support at 76.10 from the all-time lows in March 2008 at 70.70 in the US dollar index has provoked some short covering beyond 77.00, but it would need a break above 78.00 to really get things going.

Although most experts agree that the drop in the dollar was mainly due to the Federal Reserve’s willingness to continue quantitative easing. An excess supply of dollars obviously leads to a fall in its value. Some traders attribute the dollar’s fall to the increase in risk appetite. This analysis does not ring true as the price of gold is making new highs, which actually signals risk aversion.

The movement in the dollar index has a lot of effect on commodities and other currencies, even if it does not replicate the action of the index but the USD needs some sort of a trigger mechanism to come out of its negative sluggish cycle.

EUR-USD: Friday’s late slide in the single currency and failure to close above 1.4000 suggests that we could well see a correction lower after the gains of recent weeks. A new high at 1.4155, just shy of the 1.4195 resistance soon gave way to a sharp sell-off closing below the 1.4000 level and generating a daily dark cloud cover candlestick reversal.

Some of the other potential catalysts that can act for a positive Dollar Index are dicussed here.
Linking Economic Data Release And USD

According to BNP Economic Research, US economists tend to react quickly to data releases. When data comes in weak, expectations are scaled back lower, increasing the chance of data exceeding expectations. Hence, the surprise indicator becomes very erratic. Hence, months of positive data surprises are often followed by a months with negative data surprises. Only, when there were severe growth deteriorations as in autumn 2006, summer 2008 and the May – July period of this year will the surprise indicator run negative readings for several months. US growth expectations have been scaled down suggesting that it will not take a lot to exceed low expectations.

World Market Pulse FX Update: Analyzing SEK Amid Lower Growth Forecast

By world market pulse team on October 16,2010

With the Swedish government revising its growth forecasts for 2011 lower in the budget presented Tuesday, citing the risk of slower growth developing in the eurozone as a result of fiscal austerity, there is a growing concern to see which way the Sweedish currency goes with almost 40% of Sweden’s exports heading to the eurozone is a rising concern. However, despite the prospect of slower exports to the eurozone, the government is still forecasting growth of 3.7% in 2011 and 3.4% in 2012. Although this is a downward revision from the earlier forecast of 4.0% growth for 2011, the pace of growth forecast by the Swedish government would still far outpace the anticipate growth in much of the developed world.

SEK Negatives: The Swedish government's latest budget has proposed SEK13bn of tax cuts and spending, experts feel that it they are in line with expectations and indications given ahead of the elections, but could very well prove insufficient to keep the economy on track if developments fail to meet the governments optimistic assumptions. Although Analysts at BNP Paribas feel that investors would still have to look to the emerging markets in Asia and Latin America to find a faster pace of growth as Swedish government estimates are on the optimistic side with BNP Paribas experts forecasting growth in Sweden of just 2.9% in 2011.

SEK Positives: Swedish data has been robust and better than the market had hoped for and Swedish rate expectations have risen accordingly. Despite the Fed moving towards further policy accommodation there is no concern at the Riksbank. Although there are rising concerns over the international environment and the level of the SEK, on the positive side, Riksbank’s survey of Swedish companies have revealed that that most corporations expect the economic climate to continue to improve over the next six months with a broad up turn in activity expected.

Amid all the negatives, experts continue to believe that there is still plenty of scope for the SEK to rally as Sweden continues to out perform its peers and the Riksbank looks to normalize momentary policy. Testimony to the fact is that the Swedish equity market has continued to outperform with the OMXC up 14.5% year-to-data (eurostox is currently down 6.4% year-to-date).

SEK TWI and Swedish Retail sales

Source: Reuters Ecowin Pro. The SEK is expected to extend gains as the Swedish economy is set to continue to out perform with the Riksbank maintaining its policy of normalizing monetary conditions. The SEK is still a long way from being overvalued on many measures, suggesting that concerns by some members of the Riksbank regarding the level of the SEK are unjustified.

SEK Projections: Analysts at BNP Paribas have recommended using any near-term EURSEK corrective rebound into the 9.32/9.34 area to establish renewed bearish strategies targeting the 8.90 area as NOKSEK is also set to extend the major down trend towards the 1.0970 area.

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Correlating Euro Movement With ECB Bond Purchase

By world market pulse team on October 14,2010

Strident remarks by Germany's Bundesbank president Axel Weber calling on the ECB to stop its government bond purchases has reopened the debate on whether bonds have been ineffective in easing strains in financial markets. Analysts have mentioned the case of Greek Bond yields that fell some 13 percent in Q3 after the program was initiated in response to that country’s crisis in May, it is hard to argue against the perceived benefits. What makes the statement more critical is that Axel Weber is considered as a prime candidate to the European Central Bank's top job, coming open next October.

Bullish Euro: Meanwhile a reading of the FOMC minutes has showed that a majority of the Committee members favor additional monetary accommodation even without the US economic outlook worsening which could mean the euro remains higher while the US dollar slips lower.

Traders are likely to remain in a Euro Bullish mode despite the firming up of the US dollar yesterday on what market participants describe as a wariness of any further intervention by the BoJ, and the increasing’ uncertainty over the size and timing of a much anticipated round of stimulus by the Fed.

USD: The movement in the dollar index however has a lot of effect on commodities and other currencies, even if it does not replicate the action of the index but the USD needs some sort of a trigger mechanism to come out of its negative sluggish cycle. Some of the points that can trigger the positive spike in the Dollar index are discussed here.

Fed Public Debate Grows: Meanwhile, the Fed’s members continued a very public debate of the central bank’s policy, with Kansas City President Hoenig stating that QE could do more harm than good while the newly appointed Fed Vice President Yellen voiced her concern about extraordinary low rates, saying they may motivate investors to ‘reach for yield’ by engaging in excessive risk-taking. If the public Fed debates are to be considered as the yardstick for future policies, its given the impression that Fed indeed has lot many options up its sleeve but there is a growing market view that Fed would not utilize any other choice and hold the rates near zero and to try to implement further accommodative measures simultaneously.

In FX markets, the mere thought that the Fed was considering adding more liquidity via QE was sufficient to weaken the dollar by 5.5% from mid-September to early October against its trade weighted currency basket and by over 9% against the euro.

Euro ETFs To Watch Out For:

Rydex CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

FXE Tracks: Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.40%

Short Euro ETFs

ProShares UltraShort Euro (EUO): ProShares UltraShort Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

EUO Tracks: Euro (-200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Short Euro ETN (DRR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

DRR Tracks: Double Short Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Long Euro ETFs

ProShares Ultra Euro (ULE): ProShares Ultra Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

ULE Tracks: Euro (200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Long Euro ETN (URR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

URR Tracks: Double Long Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Why the Euro Should Remain Bullish Despite Firming U.S. Dollar

By world market pulse team on October 14,2010

Traders are likely to remain in a Euro Bullish mode despite the firming up of the US dollar Tuesday on what market participants describe as a wariness of any further intervention by the BoJ, and the increasing uncertainty over the size and timing of a much anticipated round of stimulus by the Fed.

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USD Recovery: The US dollar had its worst month since May 2009 against a basket of currencies and the slight USD recovery is very welcome news even amongst the euro bulls, as it basically allows them the opportunity to enter their putative strategies at a more advantageous levels. The movement in the dollar index has a lot of affect on commodities and other currencies, even if it does not replicate the action of the index. But the USD needs some sort of a trigger mechanism to come out of its negative sluggish cycle. Some of the points that can trigger the positive spike in the Dollar index are discussed here.

Fed Public Debate Grows: Meanwhile, the Fed’s members continued a very public debate of the central bank’s policy, with Kansas City President Hoenig stating that QE could do more harm than good while the newly appointed Fed Vice President Yellen voiced her concern about extraordinary low rates, saying they may motivate investors to ‘reach for yield’ by engaging in excessive risk-taking. If the public Fed debates are to be considered as the yardstick for future policies, it's gives the impression that the Fed has many options up its sleeve. But there is a growing market view that the Fed would not utilize any other choice and instead hold the rates near zero to try to implement further accommodative measures simultaneously.

In FX markets, the mere thought that the Fed was considering adding more liquidity via QE was sufficient to weaken the dollar by 5.5% from mid-September to early October against its trade weighted currency basket and by over 9% against the euro.

Euro ETFs To Watch Out For:

Rydex CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE): The EUR/USD exchange rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the euro and the U.S. dollar.

FXE Tracks: Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.40%

Short Euro ETFs

ProShares UltraShort Euro (EUO): ProShares UltraShort Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

EUO Tracks: Euro (-200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Short Euro ETN (DRR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

DRR Tracks: Double Short Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Long Euro ETFs

ProShares Ultra Euro (ULE): ProShares Ultra Euro seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the U.S. Dollar price of the Euro.

ULE Tracks: Euro (200%) Index. Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Market Vectors-Double Long Euro ETN (URR): As the Index is two-times leveraged, for every 1% strengthening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the level of the Index will generally increase by 2%, while for every 1% weakening of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar, the Index will generally decrease by 2%.

URR Tracks: Double Long Euro Index. Expense Ratio: 0.65%

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Can GBP Beat The Double Dip To Stay Positive?

By world market pulse team on October 13,2010

Sterling traders have been worried over the news about falling house prices in the UK with the release of the RICS House price survey for September which indicated that the number of surveyors reporting falling home prices increased relative to those reporting increases. The release not only corroborated the view that the UK housing market continued cooling recently and weighed on sterling sentiment but is also one of main reasons why ‘double-dip’ is starting to reappear in market discussions after the pound lost a little ground yesterday.

Inflation Report Supporting GBP: Despite data pointing to weakening demand and a cooling housing market, the CPI data release out of the UK corroborates the view that QE2 is still only a distant prospect. The CPI release indicates that inflation remains well above inflation targets with headline CPI at 3.1%, core CPI at 2.7% and RPI at 4.6% (all year over year figures). The CPI figures were almost exactly in line with expectations although the RPI came in slightly higher than the expected 4.4%. Positive inflation surprises last month triggered a temporary correction higher in market inflation expectations as proxied by the implied rate of the UK 5y Inflation swap.

Analysts at World Market Pulse expect that the inflation support is likely to continue adding to the GBP strength in the short term despite the release of the RICS House price survey; while analysts at the Deutsche Bank believe the door to further near-term gains to 1.6090/110 remains open as long as support at 1.5800 is unbroken. Indeed, an early dip to 1.5860 would create the necessary risk-reward conditions for a new bullish

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Britain Economic Overview: The Bank of England has reported a decline in services output in both June and July. Consumer confidence deteriorated more than expected last month. Industrial output is off 11% from pre-recession levels and has been flat since February. Retail sales seem to be holding up pretty well but consumer credit was up a meager 0.2% y/y. Business lending has fallen for five consecutive months. The government feels the Bank of England can come to the rescue if the economy does show serious signs of faltering as cuts and tax hikes hit home. Maybe yes maybe no; the BoE interest rates remain at record lows but QE remains an option. However, with the planned deficit reduction it seems unlikely that economic growth can do anything other than head south over 2011.

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Correlating Financial Factors To Crude Oil Q4 Pricing

By world market pulse team on October 13,2010

Although the future of oil prices and related exchange traded funds are usually based on the basic fundamentals of demand and supply and the Crude oil prices did indeed fall after the American Petroleum Institute (API) report citing oversupply but its interesting to note that crude oil prices have been reacting more to the financial factors (such as moves in the S&P 500 index and the USD) much more as compared to the gross fundamentals of supply and demand.

Oil rose for a second straight session on Monday to top $83 as the dollar extended 15-year lows versus the yen and weakened against the euro, bolstering the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment.

Earlier, oil prices had hit a five-month peak near $83 a barrel, boosted by a slumping dollar after a BoJ rate cut and by tanker disruptions after a French strike and a closed Texan shipping route. November crude rose 1.42 percent to $82.63 per barrel, the highest settlement since closing at $86.19 on May 3rd.

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Crude Oil VS Financial Factors

An 8% stronger S&P 500 and a 4% weaker USD could very well push oil up to USD85/bbl level as a regression on oil as a function of the S&P 500 and the USD since September 1 suggests that current equity and currency levels are compatible with USD80/bbl oil.

Crude oil prices are not only highly sensitive to global political and economic developments but also the US dollar as most of the worldwide oil sales are denominated in dollars. Usually when the dollar’s value declines as against the euro, effective costs in dollars increases and so does the pricing of the crude. The dollar meanwhile reached its lowest level against the euro since February as speculation grows on an impending intervention by the US Federal Reserve to boost the ailing economy.

Comparison of NYMEX WTI and ICE Dollar Index futures,overlaid, since January 2000: (Source Bloomberg)

Oil Global Outlook:

According to the Oil Market Report released in September 2010 by The International Energy Agency (IEA), Global oil demand is projected to average 86.6 mb/d in 2010 and 87.9 mb/d in 2011. 2010 readings were revised marginally higher based on stronger data from OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. The report also projects global oil demand to grow by more than 25% in the coming 20 years:

For the short-term, investors are better off keeping an eye on market trends, geopolitical risk, credit issues while for the long-term, investors would consider the correlation with overall global growth and economic recovery, improved industrialization and growing oil demand from India and China.

Oil ETFs

United States Oil Fund (USO): The investment objective of USO is for changes in percentage terms of the units' net asset value to reflect the changes in percentage terms of the spot price of light, sweet crude oil, as measured by the changes in price of the futures contract on light, sweet crude oil traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange that is the near month contract to expire, less USO's expenses.

Expense Ratio: 0.80%

United States 12 Month Oil (USL): The investment objective of USL is to have the changes in percentage terms of the units' net asset value reflect the changes in percentage terms of the price of light, sweet crude oil, as measured by the changes in the average of the prices of 12 futures contracts on crude oil traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange

Expense Ratio: 0.86%

PowerShares DB Oil Fund (DBO): The Index is a rules-based index composed of futures contracts on Light Sweet Crude Oil (WTI) and is intended to reflect the performance of crude oil. You can't invest directly in an index.

Expense Ratio: 0.50%

The iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil Total Return Index ETN (OIL): The index reflects the returns that are potentially available through an unleveraged investment in the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures contract plus the Treasury Bill rate of interest that could be earned on funds committed to the trading of the underlying contracts.

Expense Ratio: 0.75%

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Analyzing The Worst Month Of The US Dollar

By world market pulse team on October 09,2010

The US dollar had its worst month since May 2009 against a basket of currencies when it came under pressure after the US government released its employment data last week. The U.S. durable goods orders data also forced the dollar index to fall below the key support level of 80 points over its seven month low 79.255. Such has been the pressure around the US Dollar that even better than expected GDP and jobless data have not been able to shake off the negative sentiment dragging the dollar lower.

Another factor not helping the US Dollar’s cause is the emergence of government interventions in currencies across the globe. Gone are the days when the currency of a country was regarded as a barometer of a country's economic conditions. As the global economies, business and market trends change momentum towards the east, the relationship between a country's economy and its currency is getting much more complicated as governments across the globe are assuming a bigger role in propping up the financial system and encouraging economic growth.

Although most experts agree that the drop in the dollar was mainly due to the Federal Reserve’s willingness to continue quantitative easing. An excess supply of dollars obviously leads to a fall in its value. Some traders attribute the dollar’s fall to the increase in risk appetite. This analysis does not ring true as the price of gold is making new highs, which actually signals risk aversion.

US Dollar - Chinese Yuan

Although its not just the yen but the Yuan as the depreciation of the Yuan compared to the Dollar has caused a growing tension between The U.S and China in recent weeks. The U.S is blaming the cheap Yuan for its economic issues and even financial sanctions against China have been on the cards. If these two giant economies are starting to threaten each other, the impact on the ever-slowing recovery could be enormous.

Meanwhile China's vice commerce minister has described the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee approved bill that would let the United States apply duties on goods from countries with undervalued currencies as being "redundant". The Yuan rose against the dollar on Monday even though the central bank lowered its mid-point after nine days of stronger fixings in the face of growing U.S. pressure on Beijing to let the currency rise faster.

China is the largest foreign buyer of U.S. government debt with holdings of nearly $847 billion as of July. China's central bank meanwhile fixed the Yuan’s daily mid-point versus the dollar at a weaker level on Thursday.

China's tight leash on the Yuan is under intense scrutiny as countries around the world look to export their way back to economic health, raising concerns they will intentionally weaken their currencies to gain an edge.

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US- China Trade War:

Just days after the reports of possible currency wars between nations have been in the limelight, after the drop in the US Dollar's value was attributed to the Federal Reserve’s willingness to continue quantitative easing, Beijing's Foreign Ministry has warned that the upcoming House of Representatives bill to penalize China for not letting the Yuan rise faster could seriously affect bilateral ties between the two giant nations.

The comments come after The U.S. House of Representatives began debate on legislation to put pressure on China to let its currency rise faster, fanning the flames of a long-running dispute over trade and jobs. The measure is most likely to be discussed in the U.S. congressional election on Nov. 2, with voters worried about their jobs and a sluggish economy. The Bill if passed would open the door to extra duties on Chinese goods entering the United States, some of which are already subject to special levies.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu has suggested that the US Congress should avoid steps that could harm relations between the two nations with Beijing being strongly opposed to the bill. Currency and economic experts don’t expect China to take things lying down and might be forced to retaliate if the bill is indeed signed into a law by President Obama. China Meanwhile has adopted a wait and watch approach as of now, but the if the statements coming out from Chinese sources are a barometer of the Chinese mindset, then we might be just sitting at the transition of currency wars into an ego and Trade war.

Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had earlier discussed the issue about China's currency and huge trade surplus on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly last week.

US Dollar- Japanese Yen:

After the Japanese government's intervention in the currency markets by weakening the Yen for the first time in six years, the counter strike from the Dollar came when the FED announced the readiness to introduce a new round of quantitative easing to boost the economy. After the latest move, Japanese experts have suggested that the dollar/yen might get caught between caution over another intervention by Japanese authorities and possible dollar selling by Japanese exporters ahead of the end of the first half of Japan's fiscal year.

The Us Dollar meanwhile got to within 30 points of the previous low yesterday before rallying as traders remain reluctant to push their luck with the Bank of Japan, ahead of today’s US ISM figures for September. The dollar is especially vulnerable to the vagaries of good and bad US data and a bad ISM number will in all probability see the dollar re-test and take out last months lows, and make a fresh 15 year low.

Early indications meanwhile suggest that these US dollar declines look set to continue for now as we head into a new month, and the final quarter of 2010, as the US dollar index heads back towards levels last seen in January this year.

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Tracing Job Data's Impact On Dollar Index And Forex Trends

By world market pulse team on October 09,2010

As if the business services firm ADP's latest installment of its National Employment Report, indicating that the situation for private employment in the U.S. took a turn for the worse in September was not bad enough, the dollar fell across the board as investors dumped the dollar for higher yielding and more lucrative currencies.

The ADP reported a loss of 39,000 jobs in the private sector against expectations of new job creation of 50,000. Although most optimists were surprised by the results, ADP said there was no clear momentum in employment as of now. Although its hard to please everyone, most analysts agree that ADP numbers are one of the best single predictors of the official payrolls number, even if there have been a handful of bad misses.

Most analysts believe that it would take a payrolls reading bigger than +150k to get the market to think the Fed would reconsider QE2 and even with neutral numbers, it is likely the market will hold and the USD is most likely to continue breaking through to new levels of weakness like 1.40 or higher in EURUSD. With a negative ADP outlook, the dollar index fell to its lowest levels since January at 77.619 from 77.811 while the euro hit a fresh 8-month high at 1.3918. Despite concerns over the Eurozone sovereign debt re- igniting, most analysts believe that the dollar might just continue its ongoing fall against the Euro.

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US Policy And The Weakening USD:

Given the recent USD weakening and unilateral actions on exchange rates, discussions between the G20 Deputy Finance Ministers and G7 Finance Ministers/Central Bank Governors are likely to feature currency games much more prominently than in the past couple of years. There is a deep concern that the US is likely to receive a strong degree of criticism for effectively ‘debasing’ the dollar via extremely accommodative monetary policy. Experts also feel that despite the criticism, the US government or Fed will not change course and if comments on the sidelines of the meetings foster expectation for action, eventual disappointment should only reinforce downward pressure upon USD.

Forex Trends Update: Goldman Sachs Global Economic report has meanwhile revised the majority of its FX forecasts to reflect broad dollar depreciation and it revised its euro forecasts to hit a whopping $1.55 in the next 12-months. Meanwhile, the pound hit a new 2-month high at 1.5938, while the CAD breached a new 5-month high at 1.0083, as it nears dollar parity. The riskier currencies also took advantage over its higher yields over the plummeting buck as the Australian Dollar hit a fresh 2-year high at 0.9781 while the New Zealand Dollar also hit a new 1-year high at 0.7537.

For more Forex Currency Trends and research articles visit http://Worldmarketpulse.com

Is Global Currency War A Clear Advantage To The Chinese Yuan?

By world market pulse team on October 09,2010

As the global economies, business and market trends change momentum towards the east, the relationship between a country's economy and its currency is getting much more complicated as governments across the globe are assuming a bigger role in propping up the financial system and encouraging economic growth. What started as a small echo with allegations on China to knowingly undervalue its currency has now grown into a currency war after the Japanese government's intervention in the currency markets by weakening the Yen for the first time in six years while the counter strike from the Dollar came when the FED announced the readiness to introduce a new round of quantitative easing to boost the economy. Such has been the impact of the recent currency games that IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has now joined those warning that governments are risking a currency war if they try to manipulate exchange rates to solve domestic problems.

Experts meanwhile feel that if the currency games continue for a long term, investor confidence in international currencies could break down to such an extent that it could lead to sharp changes in the near future. A few forex experts and analysts have expressed concern that Chinese Yuan could very well emerge as the next preferred currency of global trade as and when the dust settles down from the current tit for tat mechanism. If investor confidence is shaken up badly by the prolonged currency tug of war, the absence of any other credible alternative to the US dollar as the reserve currency of choice might just work in favor of the Chinese Yuan.

According to Joseph Yam, a former chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the yuan should become fully convertible, the domestic debt market in China should acquire depth, and a robust financial infrastructure should be put in place if the Chinese Yuan has to emerge as the preferred choice of the investors in the near future.

China and Hong Kong had earlier agreed to loosen rules regulating trading of the yuan in the territory in July, tweaking rules to allow the sale of yuan-denominated financial products and giving companies greater access to yuan funds. Much of the trade settlement business came from companies looking to re-denominate to yuan away from the US dollar, which most companies operating in China use to pay and issue invoices.

Although skeptics have questioned an such possibility because China as of now runs a balance-of-payment surplus by keeping its currency artificially pegged might find it extremely difficult to take the yuan global without changing its export focus but Guonan Ma, senior economist at the Bank for International Settlements believes that it isn’t entirely necessary for the yuan to become fully convertible for it to be gradually internationalized. There is another argument saying that if China can work its way around the problem by building good institutions, established rule of law, property rights, good corporate governance with long-term bond markets and stringent regulations

Meanwhile China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China, has already been trying to do by establishing currency swap agreements with central banks around the world.

The depreciation of the Yuan compared to the Dollar has already caused a growing tension between The U.S and China in recent weeks. The U.S is blaming the cheap Yuan for its economic issues and even financial sanctions against China have been on the cards. If these two giant economies are starting to threaten each other, the impact on the ever-slowing recovery could be enormous.

Reality Of The Chinese Currency Drama: China, from its earliest civilizations has always been a clever economy and it's certain that it would not enter into an economic suicide by blindly imitating the west. It is also quite clear that the Chinese government would not allow their currency to go down with the dollar ship as most of the export dependent companies of China which form big chunk of current Chinese economy may lose steam as most of them work on very thin margins. Although economists continue to be skeptical about the goodness of the Chinese currency moves, there is no doubt that China is ready to resume greater flexibility with its yuan.

Political Complications: Although financial analysts are divided over the issue, most political observers have been quite unanimous in saying that whether the yuan becomes more international if at all, politicians and Chinese policymakers are likely to loose their degree of freedom, as there would be deep international repercussions of their policy measures.

Whatever might be the case, most economists are of the view that the rise of the Yuan or renminbi is desperately needed as a multipolar system actually helps in stabilizing the international monetary system.

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

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