Monday 29 November 2010

The euro in free fall

The euro has fallen to two month lows against the US dollar and sterling, hitting $1.3066 and €1.1891 respectively.

A confirmed bailout package of €85billion has not managed to sooth the markets fears over the state of the eurozone as a whole. The issue has escalated so far that the single currency has fallen below its 200 day moving average and the next key target is €1.30. Investors expect further losses given the uncertainty surrounding the fiscal outlook of the regions ‘peripheral’ countries. With the state of the economies of countries like Spain and Portugal, it is hard to see light at the end of the tunnel. To put things into perspective, Spain’s economy is twice the size of Portugal, Ireland and Greece combined. A bailout package for the Spaniards would make anything we have seen so far insignificant.

With very little out this week from the UK, all eyes will be on EUR/USD, with the UK currency a mere spectator. Look for any bad news results from the eurozone and Friday’s Non-Farm Employment Change figures. Having heard very little of the results of the South Korean’s and the American’s sea trials over the weekend, an escalation in problems over there will only have a negative effect on the 16 nation currency.

Tom Hampton

Analyst – Caxton FX