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UBS: AUD and NZD may drop

Analysts at UBS still think current strength of the Aussie and the kiwi is overdone. In their view, both currencies are pricing in the Fed monetary easing and the ECB re-entering government bond markets. If the regulators don’t act, both risky currencies will depreciate.

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Photo: MSN

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Staff changes in the SNB

Fritz Zurbruegg will join the 3-person governing board of the Swiss National Bank and work together with Chairman Thomas Jordan and Vice Chairman Jean-Pierre Danthine. Zurbruegg, 52, used to be the head of the federal budget office. His work at the SNB starts on August 1. As you probably remember, Philipp Hildebrand, the former chief of the Swiss central bank resigned after a currency trading scandal in January. Zurbruegg will now be tasked, along with Mr. Jordan and Mr. Danthine, with maintaining the currency cap and managing forex reserves so as to keep the Swiss franc pegged to the euro at 1.20 euro per franc.

"He's a very good and experienced economist, who had excellent international contacts due to his many years in Washington," said Aymo Brunetti, former head of the government's economics secretariat (SECO) and now head of a research institute at the University of Berne, who worked closely with Zurbruegg during the financial crisis. "He can stand his own ground in the global arena, and from my point of view this quality is at the current time a particular asset for the central bank."

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Photo Reuters

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SNB’s euro holdings rose, but it reported profit

When we speak about the demand for euro, it’s necessary to remember about such a big player as the Swiss National Bank which has accumulated more than 300 billion Swiss francs ($309 billion) of foreign currencies over the last 3 years.

According to the data released today, the SNB recorded a profit 6.5 billion Swiss francs ($6.63 billion) in the first half of 2012 as the value of its foreign currency holdings increased. This reinforces the central bank’s ability to keep EUR/CHF above 1.20.

UBS: Today’s figures of the SNB’s reserve allocation have showed that SNB’s holdings of euro increased from 51% in Q1 to 60% in Q2. EUR/USD was declining and the negative pressure on the single currency was mounting, so the SNB had to buy big amounts of single currency. At the same time, “the rise in allocations in the ‘others’ category suggests the central bank had been an active buyer of currencies including AUD, SEK, DKK, SGD and KRW, as listed by the central bank. Although their purchases may not explain all of the outperformance in currencies such as SEK and AUD, it may have encouraged other market participants to join the rush for high-quality assets.”

Analysts at Citigroup claim that the SNB will have to diminish its euro holdings at some point as its current position is extremely risky. So, even if euro gets on recovery track, there will a seller – an what a seller!

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Photo from blog.mktgeist.com

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AUD/USD: technical comments

AUD/USD strengthens for a fifth consecutive day, touching a new four-month high on Tuesday. Yesterday the bulls managed to fix above $1.0500. The pair tested the upper boundary of the upward channel existing since mid-June, but then slid down. On the daily and H4 chart the pair trades above the up-directed 200-, 100- and 50-period MAs.

In our view, a medium-term uptrend looks rather resilient: the next strong resistance lies only at $1.0750/60 (Sep. and Oct. 2011 maximums) and at $1.0855 (2012 maximum). Bulls have a clear advantage above $1.0475 (April 27 maximum, beginning of a sharp May decline). However, we concede a correction to $1.0400 (middle of the channel) and to $1.0280 (lower boundary and the 200-day MA). Exit from the upward channel will pave the ground for a further decline to $1.0176 (July 25 minimum) and to $1.0100 (July 12 minimum).

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Chart. Daily AUD/USD

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QE3 is possible, but “in reserve for now”

When one thinks about the Fed these days, the most common question which comes to mind is “When?” – When will Bernanke and his colleagues finally announce QE3? It’s been already more than a year since QE2 finished and the talk about the next round has begun. The question is as pressing as it could be as the Federal Reserve announces its policy stance tomorrow. Experts answer: “Later, not tomorrow”.

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Rabobank: “The fact that the Committee extended its current asset purchase program, Operation Twist, at its last meeting in June would present a substantial hurdle to launching another asset purchase program (QE3 or sterilized purchases) this week. The Committee may prefer to have some ammunition left to offset the fiscal cliff, which will present itself at the start of 2013. Therefore, we would probably have to see a further deterioration in economic data or at least a prolonged episode of the weak data that we are seeing now, before the Fed makes that decision. However, the Fed does have other options that may offer some support in the meantime.”

NAB: “With little momentum in the economy, a high level of uncertainty about the future pace of growth and both unemployment and inflation below the Fed’s view of their desirable level, additional monetary easing is extremely likely. We suspect this won’t mean an announcement of additional QE following the meeting currently underway, given ‘operation twist’, which is intended to impact on the economy in a similar way to QE, extended in the previous meeting this appears too soon. A more likely intermediate step would be to extend the Fed’s forward guidance on how long the Feds Fund Rate will remain exceptionally low from late 2014 into 2015. However, the Fed Chairman has explicitly identified further QE as one of the measures they would consider if they decided to ease policy further. Therefore, additional QE is possible, although it may be kept in reserve for now.”

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Image from williambanzai7.blogspot.com

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GBP/USD: technical comments

GBP/USD declines for a second consecutive day after on Friday the pair reached a five-week high. Sterling tested the upper boundary of a sideways channel aligned with the 200-day MA, but then slipped back. On the H4 chart GBP/USD trades above the up-headed 200-, 100- and 50-day MAs. The pair has been bouncing in a flat since June after trading in a bearish channel in May.

In our view, GBP/USD is likely to remain in a sideway channel in the nearest future because of the strong resistance levels concentrated in the $1.5743/80 area. A close above $1.5780 could open the way for a further rise to $1.5904. On a downside the next support for the pair out of the bounds of the sideways channel lies at $1.5392 (July 12 minimum) and at $1.5267/33 (June and 2012 minimums).

daily_gbpusd_31.07._14-00.gif

Chart. Daily GBP/USD

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USD/JPY: technical & fundamental

USD/JPY has once again settled in the 78.30/00 area after on Friday it tested levels above 78.60, but didn’t manage to stay there. So, for now there’s a range trading.

Resistance: 78.30, 78.45 (July 20 minimum, 50-period MA on H4 chart), 78.80 (July 20 maximum), 79.00, 80.00.

Support: 78.00, 77.95 (July 23 minimum), 77.65 (June minimum), 77.35 (February 15 minimum, January 6 and 19 maximums).

On the fundamental front, the key factors are, of course, the Fed’s meeting and the risk of BOJ intervention. If the Fed doesn’t mention QE3, this will have a positive impact on USD/JPY. The same positive reaction of the pair will be if US non-farm payrolls are higher than consensus (+100K).

RBS: “The key factor in the JPY's recent gains appears to be unsatisfied demand for safe haven assets and the lack of viable alternatives. However it is possible the BOJ have become emboldened to defend a higher level in USD/JPY nearer 77, judging by recent rhetoric from Azumi. We continue to see a case for a much weaker JPY over the medium-term.”

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Chart. Daily USD/JPY

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Roubini: 5 reasons why US growth will slow

Nouriel Roubini is ‘cheering us up’ with another article in which he prophesizes gloomy future fort the US. Well, one can’t write something optimistic after he’s officially dubbed “Dr. Doom”, can he?

Roubini gave 5 reasons why US economic growth will slow further in the second half of 2012 and be even lower in 2013:

1. US GDP growth in the second quarter has decelerated from a mediocre 1.8% in Q1 to 1.5% in Q2, as job creation – averaging 70,000 a month – fell sharply.

2. Expectations of the “fiscal cliff” – automatic tax increases and spending cuts set for the end of this year – and the presidential elections will affect spending and growth.

3. The fiscal cliff would amount to a 4.5%-of-GDP drag on growth in 2013 if all tax cuts and transfer payments were allowed to expire and draconian spending cuts were triggered. Tax increases and spending cuts will be milder, but even if the fiscal cliff turns out to be a mere 0.5% of GDP and annual growth at the end of the year is just 1.5%, as seems likely, the fiscal drag will suffice to slow the economy to stall speed: a growth rate of barely 1%.

4. Growth in disposable income has been sustained since last year by another $1.4 trillion in tax cuts and extended transfer payments. That means US is stealing some growth from the future.

5. Negative external factors: escalating euro zone crisis, an increasingly hard landing for China, a generalized slowdown of emerging-market economies and the risk of higher oil prices in 2013 as the conflict with Iran progresses.

Roubini expects more QE from the Fed, but the economist thinks it won’t be efficient as US interest rates are already extremely low. US dollar will remain strong due to the risk aversion created by Europe and amid easing in other countries. As a result, the policies won’t help and US growth will be weaker. According to Roubini, significant equity-price correction could trigger the contraction of US economy in 2013.

The review is based on Mr. Roubini’s article for Project-Syndicate, 2012

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Source: The Australian

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Commerzbank: EUR/USD may rise a bit more

Technical analysts at Commerzbank claim that although the bulls didn’t manage to push EUR/USD above $1.2391 (23.6% Fib of the pair’s decline in 2012), there’s still a chance for more correction as long as euro remains above $1.2115.

The specialists warn, however, that on the upside the single currency’s ability for correction is limited $1.2546/1.2748 and the longer term prospects of EUR/USD for are bearish.

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Chart. Daily EUR/USD

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BoE is likely to stay on hold

On a Thursday meeting the Bank of England is expected to leave interest rate at 0.50% and QE unchanged at 375 billion pounds despite the figures released last week showed the economy contracted by 0.7% in Q2. Most analysts expect the regulator to hold over the further policy easing at least until November when the latest 50 billion pounds QE round will have been completed. Markets wait for the BoE comments on the current economic situation: recent UK releases were negative.

UK monetary authorities have become increasingly worried by the state of the banking system, that’s why on Wednesday they launch a funding for lending scheme (FLS). The program aims to solve problems with the credit supply by offering participating banks cheap funding, but only if they use it to make loans.

According to economists at Investec Asset Management group, FLS is the beginning of a new British monetary policy. In current economic circumstances simple rate cuts or money printing aren’t reliable enough to resolve the crisis.

Specialists at RBS expect the BoE to remain on hold as the regulator will assess the impact of the lending scheme and the development of the global economic situation.

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August 1: economy and currencies

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EUR/USD keeps trading on the upside in the range between $1.2250 and $1.2390 (23.6% and 38.2% Fibo retracement from 2012 decline). Spanish 10-year bond yield rose to 6.7% yesterday, while Italian – above 6%.

There is some economic data released today in Europe, but not much: Spanish and Italian July PMIs and final euro zone manufacturing PMI (the revised figures will likely confirm the lowest reading since June 2009). Germany will sell up to 4 billion euro in 5-year notes at 06:00 GMT. US session is going to be more eventful with ADP at 12:15 GMT, US ISM manufacturing PMI at 14:00 GMT and the FOMC statement at 18:15 GMT.

Demand for the greenback is broadly limited on the expectations that the pace of hiring in the US slowed (ADP private payrolls – cons.: +121K, prev.: +176K) and the Fed will signal additional stimulus.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index of stocks declined by 0.6%, demonstrating a first drop in a week. Demand for risky assets fell after reports today indicated a manufacturing slowdown in China (Manufacturing PMI declined to 50.1 in July vs. a 50.4 forecast and a previous reading 50.2, while HSBC Final Manufacturing PMI fell to 49.3). However, Aussie, kiwi and loonie remain strong as the influence of China’s data was offset by speculation the Fed may ease monetary policy on today’s meeting. According to analysts at Westpac, the Aussie will benefit a lot if the Fed goes ahead with QE.

USD/JPY tempered morning drop with an upward movement, while GBP/USD declines for a third consecutive day.

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Analysts doubt the ECB’s resolve

When the ECB President Mario Draghi pledged to do whatever it takes to preserve euro, the market’s reactions was very positive: we saw EUR/USD rising by more than 170 pips. The week hasn’t passed since Draghi’s comments, yet many experts have become skeptical doubting that the ECB is really able and willing to do enough to help the single currency survive the crisis.

Bloomberg cites 2 unnamed central bank officials who said that Draghi’s proposal involves the EFSF buying government debt on the primary market together with ECB purchases on the secondary market, while further interest-rate cuts and long-term loans to banks are also possible.

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Image from http://blog.optionsclick.com

Westpac: "The ECB meeting this Thursday might not be the huge event it’s being built up to be. What we see on Thursday is potentially going be a little bit lukewarm and a disappointment to the market. The euro rescue maneuvers will not necessarily give investors a reason to buy the common currency: if one of those moves is a rate cut, then it's not obvious that you want to be buying the euro on that decision.”

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ: “The euro could benefit momentarily if the ECB says it will buy bonds. But that will probably provide a good opportunity to sell the euro.”

Commerzbank: “There’s a very high risk for disappointment. In the foreign-exchange market there’s a lot of expectations priced in already.”

Even if the ECB acts on Thursday, many experts think the impact of its action will be temporary unless there is a sustainable economic recovery in southern Europe.

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AUD/USD: technical comments

AUD/USD strengthens for a sixth consecutive day, trading close to a new four-month high at $1.5037 (July 31 maximum). The pair trades close to the upper boundary of the upward channel existing since mid-June, but scruples breaking it. On the daily and H4 chart the pair trades above the up-directed 200-, 100- and 50-period MAs.

In our view, a medium-term uptrend looks rather resilient: the next strong resistance lies only at $1.0750/60 (Sep. and Oct. 2011 maximums) and at $1.0855 (2012 maximum). Bulls have a clear advantage above $1.0475 (April 27 maximum, beginning of a sharp May decline). However, we concede a correction to $1.0400 (middle of the channel) and to $1.0280 (lower boundary and the 200-day MA). Yesterday a shooting star candlestick formed on a daily chart. Exit from the upward channel will pave the ground for a further decline to $1.0176 (July 25 minimum) and to $1.0100 (July 12 minimum).

daily_audusd_01.08_12-14.gif

Chart. Daily AUD/USD

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USD/JPY: technical comments

The bears pulled the greenback down to test 77.90, but then USD/JPY returned back above the key support of 78.00. So, what we see is a range trading inside the small 78.30/00 region.

The broader technical picture remains negative (see the daily chart where the 50-day MA is going to dive under the 200-day one).

Resistance: 78.30, 78.45 (July 20 minimum, 50-period MA on H4 chart), 78.80 (July 20 maximum), 78.65 (July 27 maximums, June 15 minimums), 79.00, 80.00.

Support: 78.00, 77.95 (July 23 minimum), 77.65 (June minimum), 77.35 (February 15 minimum, January 6 and 19 maximums).

Analysts at RBS recommend opening longs at the current levels as the Bank of Japan may surprise the markets next week.

h4_usdjpy_12-18.gif

Chart. H4 USD/JPY

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Key options expiring today

Market prices tend to move towards the strike price at the time large vanilla options (ordinary put and call options) expire. It happens (all things equal) as each side of the deal seeks to hedge its risk exposure. This action is most noticeable ahead of 10 a.m. New York time when the majority of options expire (2 p.m. GMT).

Here are the key options expiring today:

EUR/USD: $1.2200, $1.2220, $1.2300, $1.2350, $1.2400 (large);

GBP/USD: $1.5850;

USD/JPY: 78.40, 78.50, 79.00;

AUD/USD: $1.0500;

EUR/GBP: 0.7800;

GBP/JPY: 122.50.

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AUD's in demand as reserve and safe haven

From a fundamental point of view, the Australian currency is supported on Wednesday ahead of the Fed meeting results. Most analysts believe any policy easing signals from US will sap demand for the greenback and lift the high-yielding currencies. Moreover, economists expect RBA to stay on hold in August and to post upbeat comments on the Australian economic conditions.

According to specialists at OCBC, AUD/USD is likely to hold its ground in a short term. Increased risk appetite and expected demand for the Aussie as a reserve currency support the bullish forecasts. What is more, any monetary easing signals from central banks may also keep the pair supported.

Analysts at RBS also expect AUD/USD to remain in a bullish trend as the Australian economy looks healthy compared with the other countries. In their view, weak major currency fundamental data are likely to increase sovereign and safe haven flow towards the Aussie.

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Photo: shutterstock.com

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UBS: CAD will strengthen vs. USD

Analysts at UBS expect USD/CAD to trade around the parity for some time and then go down below 1.0000 reaching 0.9800 within a month. In their view, loonie will be supported by the ongoing worldwide commodity demand.

The specialists point out that Canada’s May GDP was slightly disappointing (only 0.1% increase) due to weaker manufacturing sector with the negative effects offset by mining, oil and gas extraction, which contributed most to the nation’s economic growth.

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Also note that the pair USD/CAD had so far breached an important support at 1.0050 – this level supported the prices late in 2011 and acted as resistance in February-May 2012.

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Chart. Daily USD/CAD

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GBP/USD: technical comments

GBP/USD declines for a third consecutive day after the pair reached a five-week high at $1.5767 on Friday. The pair has been bouncing in a flat range since June after trading in a bearish channel in May. Sterling tested the upper boundary of a sideways channel aligned with the 200-day MA, but now moves into the middle of the range. On the H4 chart GBP/USD trades above the 200-, 100- and 50-day MAs.

In our view, GBP/USD is likely to remain in a sideway channel in the nearest future because of the strong resistance levels concentrated in the $1.5743/80 area. A close above $1.5780 could open the way for a further rise to $1.5904. On a downside the next support for the pair out of the bounds of the sideways channel lies at $1.5392 (July 12 minimum) and at $1.5267/33 (June and 2012 minimums).

daily_gbpusd_01.08_13-49.gif

Chart. Daily GBP/USD

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JP Morgan: scenarios for EUR

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Analysts at JP Morgan try to clarify the load of information and different factors we have in the euro area by distinguishing scenarios of euro’s potential future moves.

According to the specialists, one may expect EUR/USD trading up and down around $1.2000 as the ECB and the Federal Reserve act.

Down

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If the crisis in Europe escalates, EUR/USD will slide below $1.2000.

The key elements of this scenario are: discussions of Greece’s exit from the EMU, Italy and/or Spain losing access to the debt markets, failure of Greek government, the end of Greece’s financing program if EU doesn’t reach consensus with Greek government, the rejection of ESM by German Constitutional Court, the election of anti-EMU party in the Netherlands.

Up

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If the situation improves, EUR/USD will be able to return above $1.2500 in Q3.

The key elements of this scenario are: the launch of QE3 by the Fed, the signal from EU parliaments about their intention to fast-track banking union and transfer costs of Spanish bank recapitalization to the region, the ECB’s restart of direct bond purchases or granting ESM a banking license with a higher lending ceiling, the focus on US fiscal cliff and the concerns about sovereign rating in run-up to US Presidential election.

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ECB: Draghi vs. Weidmann

It seems that nationalities have a great impact on the ECB’s policymakers. The central bank meets tomorrow, but Italian central banker Mario Draghi, the ECB President, and German Jens Weidmann who heads Bundesbank have quite different opinions on how the central bank should act in the current crisis.

Draghi pledged last week that the ECB would “do whatever it takes to preserve the euro.” The market’s speculating that Draghi proposes the central bank to restart bond purchases in order to lower the borrowing costs for the troubled euro zone nations.

Weidmann made clear he loathes such move as it, according to Bundesbank would risk violating the ECB charter's ban on central-bank funding of government debt.

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(Ansa)

Of course, at first glance Weidmann is not a big force in the ECB's 23-member Governing council. However, WSJ experts say that But “boxing the Bundesbank into a corner could undermine Mr. Draghi's credibility” in Germany, the leading economy of the currency union.

Weidmann has already opposed the ECB decisions for several times. At the same time, he doesn’t have any allies. Some ECB officials claim that Bundesbank’s discord undermines the central bank’s efforts to overcome the crisis as this way the region’s monetary authorities seem uncertain in their actions.

For now, the compromise would be if on Thursday the ECB announces its intention to buy bonds and to take other measures, without yet implementing them.

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ADP comes better than expected

ADP employment report showed that US companies added 163K jobs in July (cons.: +121K, prev.: +176K).

Economists often use ADP figures to adjust their expectations ahead of official non-farm payrolls report. According to the forecasts, NFP added 100K in July, while the unemployment rate remained at 8.2%.

Note though that since April 2010 initial estimate has either overstated or understated the Labor Department’s initial reading on private payrolls by 72K on average.

All eyes are now focused at the Fed’s decision due at 18:15 GMT.

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Captain America © Marvel Comics

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Big Mac index: currencies vs. US dollar

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The Big Mac Index is published by The Economist and is based on the theory of purchasing-power parity: in the long run, exchange rates should adjust to equal the price of a basket of goods and services in different countries.

The journal has chosen McDonald’s Big Mac to play the role of such basket – this product is sold in every country worth analyzing. In short, The Economist compares the Big Mac prices in different countries and derives exchange rates from these ratios. By comparing the obtained rates with the nominal exchange rates the economists conclude whether the currencies are at parity, undervalued or overvalued.

Below you may see US dollar’s against a broad range of currencies. Note that the greenback is largely under-valued against the major currencies and over-valued against the emerging market currencies, with some notable exceptions.

Remember that, according to market’s mechanisms, the undervalue currency will tend to appreciate and vice versa. From what we see now, one may expect the major currencies will have to depreciate against the emerging market currencies.

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Source: The Economist

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USD: history repeats itself?

Many analysts believe these anxious days the Fed is closer than ever to launch the third round of quantitative easing (QE3), a monetary measure where the government buys bonds for newly created money. The Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has recently hinted the regulator could take further action if needed.

We propose you to have a look at the Wall Street Journal Dollar index in order to draw a parallel between summer 2010 and summer 2012. The point is that in June 2010 the greenback hit a 15-month high as the euro zone’s crisis was arising. In August the index declined steadily after Bernanke said the Fed is considering a second round of bond purchases among other options to support the US economy. QE2 was formally announced only in November, but the greenback has already hit the bottom: the easing was already priced in by the markets.

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As for 2012, the index hit a 22-month high on July 24. It is plain that the situation in Europe has worsened in comparison to 2010. Bernanke has recently said that there are several options the Fed could consider taking if things get worse. One can expect the greenback the greenback to be sold off in anticipation of the program. However, if and when the program will be officially launched, the move will be priced in and the dollar will likely start a new uptrend.

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USD: Fed refrains from stimulus

The long-awaited decision of US central bank is finally out. The Federal Reserve didn’t announce additional stimulus. The Fed said in a statement it will provide additional accommodation as needed amid a slowing economy.

The policymakers kept the benchmark interest rate in the 0-0.25% range. As for other policies, Operation Twist remains in place till the year-end – the Fed is swapping $667 billion in short-term debt in its holdings for longer-term securities to cap borrowing costs.

EUR/USD fell to the minimum in almost a week. USD/JPY jumped by about 40 pips. AUD/USD lost almost 70 pips dropping from 4-month maximum.

BMO: “Anybody looking for even a mild outcome of monetary policy easing was disappointed. It continues to be like an absurdist play where we’re all waiting for the Fed to act on QE3 and it never arrives. Given the current state of the economy, there shouldn’t be an expectation the Fed is going to act on quantitative easing.”

Still many players continue expecting more action from the Fed.

RBS: “There’s more data coming that could give the Fed reason to act. This doesn’t necessarily take away from potential action in the future.”

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August 2: economy and currencies

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The greenback soared against its major counterparts after the FOMC meeting results were released on Wednesday (the Fed refrained from easing, but said it is ready to undertake measures if needed). However, after the first shock the market took its course.

EUR/USD rose from American and Asian sessions’ minimum at $1.2217 where it fell due to the FOMC statement to the levels around $1.2255. The main events today are, with no doubts, the results of the ECB’s meeting at 11:45 GMT and Mario Draghi’s speech 45 minutes later which will either confirm or deny the pledge to “do whatever needed to save euro” which the central banker gave last week. While bracing yourself for the meeting, watch EU PPI at 09:00 GMT and Spanish 10-year bond auction in the afternoon. The nation’s 10-year yields were at 6.72% yesterday, down from the record maximum of 7.74% hit so far. Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti will meet Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy in Madrid – surely the leaders of the 2 troubled economies have much to discuss.

AUD/USD strengthens after positive Australian retail sales data (+1.0% in June vs. previous +0.8% and a consensus + 0.6%) and trade balance (0.01B trade surplus vs. forecasted and previous deficit). Yesterday the pair slid below $1.0475. NZD/USD trades on the upside, consolidating around the $0.8080 area after yesterday’s drop. However, gains in the Aussie and kiwi are tempered ahead of the ECB: market players fear that any ECB measures announced on today’s meeting to be enough to resolve the region’s debt crisis.

GBP/USD gains after yesterday’s sharp fall. On today’s meeting the BoE is not expected to do any monetary easing steps as the regulator waits to see if their stimulus expansion and new bank-funding plan will boost credit and help pull the UK out of a double-dip recession. The yen weakened against many of its counterparts after the IMF said it’s “moderately overvalued,” easing the way for Japan to try to weaken the currency to aid exporters.

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