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The U.S. dollar is coming under increasing pressure on several fronts. First and foremost is oil. Oil closed at $102 per barrel Wednesday for the first time in over two years. Oil has been driven upwards by the turmoil in the Middle East. The Libyan situation is getting worse with both sides vowing to fight on. There is unrest throughout the Arab region. The great fear for the West is that oil flows may be disrupted. The U.S. dollar usually moves inversely to oil. Today the March futures closed at 76.689, down .394
swiss franc posts
FeedU.S. Dollar Is Getting Hammered
UBS: Getting the Trust Back
UBS (UBS), which is the biggest bank in Switzerland, has had a long road to recovery. But according to its fourth-quarter report, it looks like the firm is finally getting back on its feet. Net income increased by 7.1% to $1.35 billion. Actually, the firm was profitable for all of 2010, which was the first time since 2006.
There were some headwinds in the quarter, though. One was the strength of the Swiss franc. Also, UBS had to make some adjustments because of the changes in the fixed income market.
Dollar Hits Low Against the Swiss Franc
Three intermarket commodities are on the move today. The Financial Times reported that the U.S. dollar hit a low against the Swiss franc.
Why is this noteworthy? First the Swiss franc is a separate currency, not part of the euro. With Europe in disarray, the only safe currency is the Swiss franc. Anyone wanting to hedge against the eurozone getting worse would buy the Swiss franc. On the futures market, the March Swiss is trading at 1.05610, up 0.0138 (9:20 EDT). The March U.S. dollar is trading at 80.18, down 0.49.
Swiss Franc at Record High Against Euro
Why buy the Swiss franc? There are many reasons. Here are just a few:
- The Swiss franc is the stand-alone currency of Switzerland. By this we mean that Switzerland is not part of the European Union and does not use the euro as its currency.
- The Swiss franc offers currency exposure to Europe, while not subject to problems of countries like Greece and Spain defaulting on their sovereign debt.
Euro's Woes Prompt Borrowers to Issue Bonds in Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars
One consequence from the euro's woes? You guessed it: increased bond deals in currencies other than the euro. The Canadian dollar and the Swiss franc are tops on borrowers' lists, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, as investors flee the euro amid concern about European government debt.
The euro strengthened about 1.2 cents versus the dollar to $1.2328 on Tuesday at mid-day, however the currency is still down about 14% versus the greenback so far this year.
Continue reading Euro's Woes Prompt Borrowers to Issue Bonds in Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars
Sell the U.S. Dollar and Buy the Swiss Franc: BNP Paribas
Here's an intercurrency spread trade recommended by BNP Paribas SA. A spread trade is when you sell one currency and buy another, looking for the trade to go in your direction. In this case, the recommendation is to sell the U.S. dollar and buy the Swiss Franc. This means the expectation is for the dollar to go down and the Swiss Franc to go up.
BNP Paribas is one of the world's largest currency traders. The basis for the trade is technical. In other words, the recommendation is made strictly on price movement, without regard for fundamental factors such as strength of one economy over the other.
Continue reading Sell the U.S. Dollar and Buy the Swiss Franc: BNP Paribas
Dollar's safe-haven status may end with liquidity actions, budget deficit
What's one possible consequence of the major interventions by the U.S Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury?The dollar's safe-haven status may end, or at least diminish as the increased dollars in supply lowers the dollar's value and perhaps increases inflation.
On Wednesday, the dollar fell after the Fed Tuesday cut its key, short-term interest rate by 75 basis points to a targeted 0.00%-0.25% basis point range, and also said it would continue to use non-traditional techniques to keep markets liquid. The dollar weakened about 1 cent to $1.4094 versus the euro, about 2 cents to $1.5353 versus the British pound, and about 1.6 cents to $1.1076 versus the Swiss franc. The dollar also fell about one-half yen to 88.46 against Japan's yen.
In one scenario, low interest rates, a recovering global economy and a re-emergence of risk appetite drive institutional investors out of the dollar in favor of stronger major currencies, such as Japan's yen and the Swiss franc. The U.S.'s rising budget deficit also would weigh on the dollar.
However, the above scenario is not guaranteed, so says economist Richard Felson. Under a different scenario, the dollar weakens somewhat on the aforementioned lower interest rates and liquidity actions, but then the dollar firms and rises, as the U.S. economy recovers before the European and Asian economies do.
Continue reading Dollar's safe-haven status may end with liquidity actions, budget deficit
Dollar plunges to 13-year low vs yen after Senate rejects Big 3 bailout
The dollar plunged to a 13-year low against Japan's yen Friday, as currency traders sensed a further-deteriorating U.S. economy on the heels of the U.S. Senate's rejection of the Big Three rescue package. The dollar plunged more than 3 yen -- an enormous move in the currency market -- to 88.40 early Friday before recovering slightly to 89.50 yen. The dollar also fell about one-quarter cent versus the euro to $1.3375 and one-half cent versus the Swiss franc to $1.1785.
Currency Trader Andrew Resnick told BloggingStocks Friday traders sense that U.S. stock investments will perform even worse now in 2009, as a disruption / cessation of operations by General Motors (NYSE: GM), Ford (NYSE: F), and Chrysler will further decrease commercial activity, and GDP -- making U.S. investments less attractive.
"Currency traders are running for the hills now. They're running out of U.S. investments, which is bearish for the dollar. The yen is rising primarily as a safe haven and as a risk-aversion play, as it typically has during the financial crisis," Resnick said. "Japan's economy isn't that strong, it's in recession too, but as long as it doesn't contract as much as the U.S., traders will prefer the yen over the dollar," Resnick added that he was presently long with the yen versus the dollar, and long with the yen versus the euro.
Further, Resnick said he expects the dollar to fall to 75 yen, if public policy efforts aren't revived to save the U.S. auto sector.
Continue reading Dollar plunges to 13-year low vs yen after Senate rejects Big 3 bailout
What's the strongest currency in the world?
Here's an icebreaker for your next cocktail party or dinner party. (This one is sure to impress your friends and colleagues even more than explaining the market and economic significance of credit default swaps.)
Q: What's the strongest currency in the world?
Well, let's evaluate the world's major currencies and hone in on the answer.
- The dollar -- For the last few decades, the dollar was the world's strongest currency. After all, it is the world's reserve currency. However, recent history has not been too kind to the dollar -- the dollar's value has declined throughout the decade -- and the near-term outlook does not look good, either. Massive government spending to both end the financial crisis and put the U.S. economy on a sustainable growth track means additional inflation, if not dollar devaluation, is likely. Nix the dollar as the world's strongest currency.
- The British pound -- At one point in history, the sun never set on the British Empire, and the pound was the world's reserve currency. Although the pound has been strong this decade, likely additional interest rate cuts and fiscal stimulus to jump start the economy of Her Majesty's Kingdom, as John Lennon would refer to his native land, means the pound is likely to lose value in the year ahead. Nix the pound as the world's strongest currency.
- The euro -- The euro has challenged the dollar for reserve currency status this decade, and has gained versus the buck for most of that time, but you guessed it: the heavy hand of the financial crisis is beginning to take a toll. For example, Germany alone has approved a 650 billion euro (or $500 billion) bank rescue plan. That's equivalent to the U.S. putting in place a $2.5 trillion plan. Wow. Let's hope Germany doesn't have to use most of it. Of course, the euro zone is more than Germany, but severe stagnation in Germany suggests several more interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank. Nix the euro as the world's strongest currency.
Continue reading What's the strongest currency in the world?
Dollar rises vs. euro and pound, but no cause for celebration
Now one would think that the dollar, viewed as the source of much of the world's commodity price inflation this decade, rising from long-term lows would be a cause for celebration.Not exactly.
While the dollar's rally against most of the world's other major currencies does mean commodity price pressures are likely to continue to subside -- and that's good news for inflation, economists say -- the dollar is nevertheless rising for the wrong reason. Namely, an economic slowdown in Europe.
Euro, pound plunge on recession concerns
"It's not so much as the dollar is strengthening but that the euro and pound are weakening on the likelihood that central banks in Europe will have to cut interest rates more to deal with a recession," economist Peter Dawson said. "Europe is also seen as later in the business cycle than the U.S., which means the U.S. economy is likely to recover sooner, which also helps the dollar. "
Continue reading Dollar rises vs. euro and pound, but no cause for celebration
Dollar rises on U.S. government plan to stabilize credit markets
Cautious optimism. A step forward. A ray of light.That was the stance currency traders took earlier Friday toward the U.S. Treasury's and U.S. Federal Reserve's plan, The New York Times reported, to move distressed/bad assets from the balance sheets of American financial institutions into a new government institution in order to check a U.S. credit crunch that by most all accounts was expanding into a global financial crisis.
"It's likely to mean higher inflation and certainly higher taxes in the United States and a further decline in the dollar, at least over the next six months, so the plan has its risks. But considering the freeze that was likely to grip the capital markets it's probably the best of a poor choice set," currency trader Andrew Resnick said.
Dollars rises on proposed government initiative
The dollar rose sharply across the board on word of the U.S. Government plan, which has the tentative consent of the U.S. Congress, following a special meeting Thursday night on Capitol Hill; Congress is expected to debate legislation for the program next week, Bloomberg News reported Friday. The dollar rose about 1 cent to $1.4213 and $1.8060 versus the euro and British pound, respectively, and about 2 yen to 107.50 versus Japan's yen.
Resnick said that in addition to the removal, over time, of distressed/bad debt -- much of it mortgage-related -- the Treasury's/Fed's plan to use $50 billion from the U.S. Government's Exchange Stabilization Fund to insure money market funds for a year is maintaining liquidity in credit markets and "will reduce the fear that's sort of come to take on a life of its own."
"First we had the attack on Lehman [Brothers], which many people feel could have survived if people continued to do business with them. Then there was the massive decline in the shares of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, two solid firms. When it started to spread to money market funds, with people pulling their money out on rumors and innuendo, everybody on the trading desks said, 'This is absurd and totally irrational. Something has to be done to stop this [expletive] nonsense,' " Resnick said. "Well, the federal government did something."
Continue reading Dollar rises on U.S. government plan to stabilize credit markets
Dollar holding up (so far), despite credit, stock market woes
A flight to the dollar? Amid the United States' worst financial crisis in more than 20 years, perhaps since The Great Depression of the 1930s? It seems almost paradoxical, but that's the reality. So far. Stay tuned, an economist says.
The dollar has lost ground versus the world's other major currencies, amid this latest round of write-offs, bankruptcies and mortgage-asset-related stress on Wall Street, but the greenback has not plunged. In fact, the dollar is off its lows registered early Monday.
In early Tuesday trading, the dollar rose about a half-cent versus the euro to $1.4198, 1.5 cents versus the British pound to $1.7854, and a half-cent versus the Swiss franc to $1.1101. However, the dollar fell about 1 yen to 103.68 versus Japan's yen.
Themes: flight to quality, de-leveraging
Economist David H. Wang told BloggingStocks Tuesday the dollar's recent track displays two tendencies: a flight to quality and an unwinding of the carry trade -- i.e. a global de-leveraging.
"Although the U.S. Government and taxpayers are likely to spend more to deal with this financial crisis, and that implies more dollars in supply and inflation, institutional investors fear a decline or collapse in stock markets around the world, and are piling into the dollar," Wang said. "That is offsetting the dollar-weakening-effect of more U.S. Government spending. Essentially, it is flight to quality, so far."
The dollar has lost ground versus the world's other major currencies, amid this latest round of write-offs, bankruptcies and mortgage-asset-related stress on Wall Street, but the greenback has not plunged. In fact, the dollar is off its lows registered early Monday.
In early Tuesday trading, the dollar rose about a half-cent versus the euro to $1.4198, 1.5 cents versus the British pound to $1.7854, and a half-cent versus the Swiss franc to $1.1101. However, the dollar fell about 1 yen to 103.68 versus Japan's yen.
Themes: flight to quality, de-leveraging
Economist David H. Wang told BloggingStocks Tuesday the dollar's recent track displays two tendencies: a flight to quality and an unwinding of the carry trade -- i.e. a global de-leveraging.
"Although the U.S. Government and taxpayers are likely to spend more to deal with this financial crisis, and that implies more dollars in supply and inflation, institutional investors fear a decline or collapse in stock markets around the world, and are piling into the dollar," Wang said. "That is offsetting the dollar-weakening-effect of more U.S. Government spending. Essentially, it is flight to quality, so far."
Continue reading Dollar holding up (so far), despite credit, stock market woes
'AIG could be a much bigger problem than Lehman Brothers'
The dollar Monday recovered from lows registered earlier in the session, but traders said uncertainty permeated the currency market, given the unprecedented developments in the global financial system.
"We're in unchartered waters, and no one is certain about the impact on the dollar or the financial system," currency trader Andrew Resnick told BloggingStocks earlier Monday. "The logical, rational view is that the dollar will fall based on the expectation of increased government spending and borrowing to deal with the widening financial crisis. But a major dollar fall may not occur if the markets judge the worst is over. That's why a lot of traders are flat now." Resnick added that he was flat, or had no open currency trading positions.
The dollar initially fell early Monday morning about 1.5-2% against the euro, British pound, yen and Swiss franc, but recovered somewhat after the European Central Bank and the Bank of England joined the U.S. Federal Reserve in taking action to calm the financial markets jolted by Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) bankruptcy filing, Bloomberg News reported Monday.
ECB, BOE, Fed all add liquidity to system
The ECB awarded banks a one-day, money market auction of $30 billion that was three times oversubscribed, while the BOE loaned banks $9 billion for three days. Earlier, the Fed expanded the collateral it will accept for loans to securities firms.
"We're in unchartered waters, and no one is certain about the impact on the dollar or the financial system," currency trader Andrew Resnick told BloggingStocks earlier Monday. "The logical, rational view is that the dollar will fall based on the expectation of increased government spending and borrowing to deal with the widening financial crisis. But a major dollar fall may not occur if the markets judge the worst is over. That's why a lot of traders are flat now." Resnick added that he was flat, or had no open currency trading positions.
The dollar initially fell early Monday morning about 1.5-2% against the euro, British pound, yen and Swiss franc, but recovered somewhat after the European Central Bank and the Bank of England joined the U.S. Federal Reserve in taking action to calm the financial markets jolted by Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) bankruptcy filing, Bloomberg News reported Monday.
ECB, BOE, Fed all add liquidity to system
The ECB awarded banks a one-day, money market auction of $30 billion that was three times oversubscribed, while the BOE loaned banks $9 billion for three days. Earlier, the Fed expanded the collateral it will accept for loans to securities firms.
Continue reading 'AIG could be a much bigger problem than Lehman Brothers'
Dollar is steady despite U.S. Government's $5 trillion debt 'increase'
The U.S. Government 'adds' $5 trillion in debt, but the dollar doesn't fall. How is this possible?
"Because the currency markets months ago had already factored-in or priced into the dollar some form of U.S. Government takeover of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," Andrew Resnick, currency trader, told BloggingStocks Monday.
The U.S. Treasury will buy as much as $200 billion in new, senior, preferred stock in Fannie (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie (NYSE: FRE) as part of its takeover of the government service giants, whose business models ran into trouble as the housing boom ended and mortgage defaults soared. The large, potential increase in government spending/borrowing would appear to be unquestionably dollar-bearish. Not so, says Resnick.
"The bailout is going to cost the U.S. Government and taxpayers more money, there's no doubt about that. But if it represents the first step toward reaching a bottom in the housing mess and at the same time stabilizes credit markets, that would be dollar bullish," Resnick said. "And that's the currency market's view at the present time."
Indeed, the dollar showed little signs of a collapse Monday. After dipping early Monday morning in Asia, the dollar firmed and was up about one-half cent to $1.4430 versus the euro, and added three-tenths of a cent versus the British pound. The dollar was rose about 1 yen to 108.52 versus Japan's yen and rose 1 cent to $1.1290 versus the Swiss Franc.
"Because the currency markets months ago had already factored-in or priced into the dollar some form of U.S. Government takeover of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," Andrew Resnick, currency trader, told BloggingStocks Monday.
The U.S. Treasury will buy as much as $200 billion in new, senior, preferred stock in Fannie (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie (NYSE: FRE) as part of its takeover of the government service giants, whose business models ran into trouble as the housing boom ended and mortgage defaults soared. The large, potential increase in government spending/borrowing would appear to be unquestionably dollar-bearish. Not so, says Resnick.
"The bailout is going to cost the U.S. Government and taxpayers more money, there's no doubt about that. But if it represents the first step toward reaching a bottom in the housing mess and at the same time stabilizes credit markets, that would be dollar bullish," Resnick said. "And that's the currency market's view at the present time."
Indeed, the dollar showed little signs of a collapse Monday. After dipping early Monday morning in Asia, the dollar firmed and was up about one-half cent to $1.4430 versus the euro, and added three-tenths of a cent versus the British pound. The dollar was rose about 1 yen to 108.52 versus Japan's yen and rose 1 cent to $1.1290 versus the Swiss Franc.
Continue reading Dollar is steady despite U.S. Government's $5 trillion debt 'increase'
Dollar registers another strong week, but will the rally last?
The dollar Friday was on course to record its fifth consecutive weekly gain, propelled higher by the prospect that economies in Europe may be later in the recession/expansion economic cycle than the United States.
The above suggests the Bank of England and the European Central Bank will have to cut interest rates -- itself a bullish factor for the dollar -- with the U.S. economy recovering sooner than the economies in the United Kingdom and euro-zone -- another dollar-bullish circumstance.
On Friday, the dollar strengthened 1.5 cents to $1.4675 versus the euro, and about seven-tenths of a cent to $1.8632 versus the British pound. The dollar also rose about 1 yen to 110.61 versus Japan's yen and about one-half cent to $1.0988 versus the Swiss franc.
From dollar-bear to dollar-skeptic
Currency Trader Andrew Resnick said he's not a dollar bull yet, but the changing global economic landscape has moved him from the dollar-bear category to "the dollar-skeptic category."
"Clearly, fundamentals are shifting in favor of the dollar. Global growth is slowing, taking pressure off commodity prices. Export gains are lowering the U.S. trade deficit, and there's now a better than 60% chance Europe [including the U.K.] will have to cut interest rates," Resnick said. "Those are the best fundamentals for the dollar in about three years." Resnick added that he's presently flat, or had no open currency trading positions.
The above suggests the Bank of England and the European Central Bank will have to cut interest rates -- itself a bullish factor for the dollar -- with the U.S. economy recovering sooner than the economies in the United Kingdom and euro-zone -- another dollar-bullish circumstance.
On Friday, the dollar strengthened 1.5 cents to $1.4675 versus the euro, and about seven-tenths of a cent to $1.8632 versus the British pound. The dollar also rose about 1 yen to 110.61 versus Japan's yen and about one-half cent to $1.0988 versus the Swiss franc.
From dollar-bear to dollar-skeptic
Currency Trader Andrew Resnick said he's not a dollar bull yet, but the changing global economic landscape has moved him from the dollar-bear category to "the dollar-skeptic category."
"Clearly, fundamentals are shifting in favor of the dollar. Global growth is slowing, taking pressure off commodity prices. Export gains are lowering the U.S. trade deficit, and there's now a better than 60% chance Europe [including the U.K.] will have to cut interest rates," Resnick said. "Those are the best fundamentals for the dollar in about three years." Resnick added that he's presently flat, or had no open currency trading positions.
Continue reading Dollar registers another strong week, but will the rally last?
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