Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts

Monday, 25 October 2010

G20 hails a result for minnows

The US dollar has been sold across the board today as the G20 meeting over the weekend came to the agreement to shun competitive currency devaluation.

At the meeting in South Korea (nicely timed for corporate hospitality at the grand prix), a surprise deal was struck to give emerging nations a bigger voice in the IMF, recognising the power shift away from the traditional West. This recognition of a new ‘world order’ could be exacerbated by the dichotomy of what will happen over the next twelve months. As stated before, it is the developing nations of the East and South America that will be the driving engines to pull the world economy through these dark days. Whereas, the established West (US, EU and UK) languishes in their own self-pity and inability to compete. Action needs to be taken, but will extra monetary stimulus be enough to answer the West’s prayers? Governments need to help prop up private enterprise, after all it is these companies and their employees that pay the taxes.

In other news, sterling has hit a 7 month low against the euro today on concerns that the Bank of England may be veering towards more monetary easing to revive the flagging economy. However, if the rate of inflation stay at 3% or higher, can Mervyn and the boys really ‘print’ more money and artificially inflate the economy?

Friday, 22 October 2010

G20 meeting this weekend

The market seems fairly stable today as investors are hesitant to take out positions ahead of this weekend’s G20 meeting between the world’s financial leaders.

The US is raising the stakes in calling for countries to avoid using their currencies to gain economic advantage. US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, in a letter to the G20 finance pointed out that ‘emerging economies with undervalued currencies and solid reserves must allow their currencies to adjust in line with fundamentals.’ Of course, every financial leader of emerging economies will be looking to poopoo this as a weaker currency makes their exports much more attractive.

Leaders of more developed economies will be looking to strike some kind of accord to secure this agreement in principle, however pushing it through will be a lot harder in practice. It is highly unlikely that a binding agreement will be reached this weekend as heads of the developing economies will protest about the ability of countries such as the US and the UK to structure huge bailout packages.

In other news, sterling’s decline continues as it faces a sixth straight week lower against the euro. With the downward pressure associated with that fateful phrase “quantitative easing” in the UK and US showing little signs of abating, this trend is set to continue at least ahead of the Fed’s Nov 3rd meeting. Maybe if the French can protest for long enough, the eurozone’s debt issues will take their rightful place at the fore of the market’s focus.

Have a good weekend!

Tom Hampton
Analyst – Caxton FX

Monday, 27 September 2010

A day of little movement

On a day with a near empty data calendar, sterling has managed to regain some of its losses against the euro to the more respectable level of €1.1750. Against the US dollar, the pound pushed higher still to a seven week high at $1.5850.

The biggest story of the day is the single currency hitting its highest level against the greenback since April, just touching over $1.35. Speculation that the Federal Reserve will take additional steps to ease monetary policy has helped to depress the dollar over the past fortnight. However, expect to see this price fall slightly as fresh concerns over the health of the European banking sector are beginning to emerge after the bailout of Anglo Irish Bank to the tune of a reported €34billion.

In other news, the Chinese Yuan climbed to its highest level since 1993 amid speculation that the government will allow the currency to appreciate faster than originally expected. The engine room of the world seems to not only be fuelling global economic activity, but it is now lending its hand at controlling the foreign exchange market!

Thursday, 17 June 2010

Caxton FX launches dedicated currency report for NGOs

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), who operate overseas, regularly require ‘exotic’ currencies whose movements are rarely publicised.

Caxton FX, foreign exchange and payments specialist, understands the importance for NGOs managing risk within the volatile currency markets. Daily analysis of ‘hard’ currencies such as the US dollar and euro are readily available and although useful, NGOs, such as charities, often need information regarding softer currencies.

According to a report by “Stamp Out Poverty”* between £20 - £50,000,000 is being lost by UK Charities by the method they transfer money overseas. Regular analysis of currencies across the developing world could be used as a tool to help make informed decisions regarding currency transfers.

Caxton FX is pleased to announce the launch of their NGO Currency Report this week. The inaugural report, which forecasts over 30 world currencies during a 6 month period, provides a clear and concise overview of each currency to aid budgeting and planning.

To join the distribution list or for further information, send an email to charities@caxtonfx.com


* “Missing millions” http://www.stampoutpoverty.org/?lid=11155