SNB Moves In, Franc Moves Back

Swiss francThe Swiss franc retreated today from the yesterday’s records against the dollar and the euro as the Swiss National Bank expanded measures aimed to tame the excessive appreciation of the currency.

The SNB repeated that a strong currency is a ”threat” to the nation’s economy. As a result, the bank decided to increase pressure on the franc:

    In the light of these developments, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is taking additional measures against the strength of the Swiss franc. It will again significantly increase the supply of liquidity to the Swiss franc money market.

To increase liquidity, the SNB “will additionally conduct foreign exchange swap transactions”.

USD/CHF climbed from 0.7205 to 0.7257 as of 10:11 GMT and reached the intraday high of 0.7331. EUR/CHF advanced from 1.0365 to 1.0426 after it dropped yesterday to the record low of 1.0089.

If you have any questions, comments or opinions regarding the Swiss Franc, feel free to post them using the commentary form below.

Earlier News About the Swiss Franc:

    Fed Plans Keep Zero Rates till 2013, Dollar Hurt (2011-08-09)
    CHF at New Record vs. USD, Gains vs. Other Currencies (2011-08-08)
    Intervention: Way to Weaker Franc or Bluff of SNB? (2011-08-08)
    Swiss Franc Prevails Despite Intervention (2011-08-04)
    Siwss Franc Retreats From Maximums (2011-08-03)


This entry was posted on TopForexNews on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 at 10:11 am and is filed under Swiss Franc. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Fed Plans Keep Zero Rates till 2013, Dollar Hurt

US DollarThe US dollar slumped against some other currencies, including the euro, the yen and the franc, after the Federal Reserve kept its key Federal Fund rate near zero and signaled that it may keep interest rates exceptionally low till mid-2013.

The Federal Open Market Committee said in its statement that “economic growth so far this year has been considerably slower than the Committee had expected”. The FOMC outlined the current problems of the US economy, such as ”a deterioration in overall labor market conditions in recent months”, growing unemployment and depressed housing sector. As a result the Committee announced:

    To promote the ongoing economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at levels consistent with its mandate, the Committee decided today to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent. The Committee currently anticipates that economic conditions–including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run–are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through mid-2013.

The euro reacted favorably to the statement at first, but erased gains later. The drop was short-lived, though, and currently EUR/USD shows a strong rally. The Swiss franc reached yet another record against the greenback before retreating. The franc currently moves down against the dollar, but it’s likely just a temporary correction after a strong rally.

EUR/USD surged from 1.4176 to 1.4339 as of 20:21 GMT today. USD/JPY dropped from 77.74 to 77.03. USD/CHF slumped from 0.7545 to 0.7197 and reached earlier its new all-time low of 0.7083.

If you have any questions, comments or opinions regarding the Swiss Franc, feel free to post them using the commentary form below.

Earlier News About the Swiss Franc:

    CHF at New Record vs. USD, Gains vs. Other Currencies (2011-08-08)
    Intervention: Way to Weaker Franc or Bluff of SNB? (2011-08-08)
    Swiss Franc Prevails Despite Intervention (2011-08-04)
    Siwss Franc Retreats From Maximums (2011-08-03)
    Swiss Franc on Record Against Everything (2011-08-01)


This entry was posted on TopForexNews on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 at 8:21 pm and is filed under Swiss Franc. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Australian Dollar Attempts Stop Decline, Fails

Australian dollarThe Australian dollar attempted to pare its losses today after Asian stocks rebounded, but this attempt wasn’t successful, meaning that the currency heads for a ninth straight session of losses.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index posted a decline of 1.7 percent, rebounding from the drop by 5.5 percent. The Australian currency also rebounded from its intraday decline by 2.5 percent against the US dollar, but currently resumed movement to the downside. The present economic conditions simply aren’t good for the currencies that are related to growth and commodities.

AUD/USD traded at 1.0160 today as of 9:38 GMT after falling earlier from 1.0186 to 0.9926.

If you have any questions, comments or opinions regarding the Australian Dollar, feel free to post them using the commentary form below.

Earlier News About the Australian Dollar:

    Eighth Session of Suffering for Aussie (2011-08-08)
    AUD Down on Economic Outlook Revision (2011-08-05)
    Australian Dollar Continues Its Correction on Weak Retail Sales (2011-08-03)
    AUD Surges Against Everything on Higher Inflation Numbers (2011-07-27)
    Aussie Rises on Rate Expectations, US Problems (2011-07-25)


This entry was posted on TopForexNews on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 at 9:39 am and is filed under Australian Dollar. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Impact of BoJ Intervention on Yen Wanes

Japanese yenThe Japanese yen jumped against all other most-traded currencies today as traders fled to safety of the yen, fearing the financial problems of the US and Europe.

The Japanese policy makers signaled that they may take steps to curb gains of the currency. In fact, the Bank of Japan already intervened on August 4, but the impact of the move almost waned at present. This situation isn’t unlike the one in Switzerland, where the central bank also fights with appreciation of the nation’s currency and also losing this battle.

USD/JPY fell from 77.74 to 77.04 as of 9:09 GMT today. EUR/JPY went down from 110.23 to 109.74 while it reached the low of 109.09 during the day.

If you have any questions, comments or opinions regarding the Japanese Yen, feel free to post them using the commentary form below.

Earlier News About the Japanese Yen:

    Yen Slumps on BoJ Intervention (2011-08-04)
    Yen Gains on Greece & US Debt Problems (2011-07-28)
    EU Summit Eases Need for Safety, Yen Drops (2011-07-22)
    Second Week of Gains for Yen, Will BOJ Intervene? (2011-07-16)
    Yen Declines as Chinese Economy Grows (2011-07-13)


This entry was posted on TopForexNews on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 at 9:10 am and is filed under Japanese Yen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Risk Aversion Gains Upper Hand in Currency Trading

Greece, China weigh on forex market

Greece and China are weighing on the forex market today, sending many currencies lower. The U.S. dollar is higher against most other currencies right now, gaining as forex traders look for a safe haven.

Right now, only the U.K. pound is having much luck against the greenback. Indeed, concerns about what's next for the euro zone are weighing on the forex market, and worries about China are starting to show. China might have more troubled loans than originally thought. Without China to back up the U.S. in an economic recovery, there are worries about another global recession.

It will be interesting to see what happens next. With the budget deficit still an issue in the U.S., and with concerns about what's happening in other countries, it is little surprise that risk aversion is the story today.

Oil Prices Continue to Rise, Helped by a Lower U.S. Dollar

Greenback and oil prices

Last week, the U.S. tapped its strategic reserves, and the IEA released oil into the markets. The move temporarily sent oil prices lower, but they have been stubbornly higher recently.

Some of it has to do with speculation that demand could pick up. However, the lower U.S. dollar has something to with it as well. Oil prices and the dollar often move inversely to each other, and because oil prices are denominated in dollars, when the dollar falls, oil prices tend to rise.

With a weaker U.S. dollar expected in forex trading for a while, there will be little check higher oil prices -- even as reserves are tapped.

U.S. Dollar Down in Forex Trading

Greenback lower in currency trading

With all the optimism and risk appetite as a result of expectations of a Greek bailout, it is little surprise that the U.S. dollar is lower in forex trading.

Greenback is down in currency trading on the FX market today, thanks to renewed appetite for risk. The Aussie is gaining as gold prices rise, loonie is getting support from higher oil prices, and the euro is rising as China pledges its support.

Additionally, there is an expectation that soon forex traders will turn their attention to the U.S. economy, which is flagging. Recovery can't seem to take hold, and that is causing concerns about what could help if the world's largest economy can't hack it. It is little surprise that, for now, the U.S. dollar is struggling.