Opalesque Commodities Briefing » Currencies http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:13:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Australia resources shares offer value, but is long slide over? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125860 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125860#comments Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:09:45 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125860 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125860>Article Link</a> Big price declines and a sharply weaker Australian dollar have made shares in Australian resources companies more attractive on paper. But China’s cooling economy and a rising U.S. dollar are giving some investors the shivers. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125860 Emerging markets currencies dive on Fed http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125853 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125853#comments Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:07:26 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125853 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125853>Article Link</a> The Mexican peso and other emerging-market currencies dived against the dollar Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed could moderate its asset purchases later this year. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125853 Ruble falls most in two months as ministry seeks weaker currency http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125833 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125833#comments Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:17:20 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125833 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125833>Article Link</a> The ruble sank the most in two months as oil fell and investors bet on declines after the Finance Minister supported a weaker currency. The ruble dropped 1.1 percent against the central bank’s dollar-euro basket, the most since April 17, to trade at 36.8825 by 1:26 p.m. in Moscow. The yield on OFZ ruble bonds due 2027 rose eight basis points to 7.64 percent. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125833 Brazilian currency touches four-year low, prompting intervention http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125832 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125832#comments Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:17:09 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125832 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125832>Article Link</a> Brazil’s real touched a four-year low, prompting the central bank to intervene for a second straight day as a report showed higher-than-forecast inflation. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125832 Asia currency sell-off goes from bad to ugly http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125817 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125817#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:17:00 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125817 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125817>Article Link</a> Asian currencies have been battered lately by talk of the U.S. Federal tapering its massive stimulus program and analysts expect the pummeling to continue as other major drivers that led the currencies to appreciate now face pressure. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125817 Iranian rial currency targeted for destruction http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125816 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125816#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:16:43 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125816 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125816>Article Link</a> Effective July 1st, the United States has authorized new sanctions directly targeting the already-devalued Iranian rial with penalties for transacting or holding the currency outside of Iran. This represents the first time that the U.S. has focused specifically on the Iranian monetary unit itself and the ninth set of sanctions President Barack Obama has imposed against Iran. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125816 Have gold and silver stopped responding to dollar’s price action? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125799 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125799#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:12:55 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125799 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125799>Article Link</a> Gold cannot be printed or manufactured in contrast to the currency. That’s why over the long term it has kept its value as the ultimate currency. There can be no “gold war.” However, we often hear about a currency war. Sounds familiar, where did we hear this before? (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125799 Euro becomes the port in a storm http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125795 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125795#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:11:46 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125795 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125795>Article Link</a> The euro is emerging as an unlikely oasis in the latest bout of market turmoil. Assets ranging from Japanese stocks to emerging-market bonds to U.S. Treasurys have slumped this spring, as investors brace for the possible pullback from easy-money policies by the world’s major central banks. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125795 Currency rorting unlikely in world’s biggest market http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125794 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125794#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:05:24 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125794 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125794>Article Link</a> Market manipulation aficionados have had a field day since the global financial crisis, but short-selling attacks in markets as diverse as equities and gold and the London Interbank interest-rate fixing scandal would be put in the shade if this week’s reports that currency trading has been systematically rorted were confirmed. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125794 Silver: Whether a commodity or a currency, it’s still a buy http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125783 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125783#comments Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:19:19 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125783 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125783>Article Link</a> When most people think of precious metals, gold is what springs to mind. Silver, the less glamorous shiny metal, gets forgotten. If it is remembered at all, the temptation is to lump it in with the yellow stuff as the Kardashians of the financial world; pretty to look at and interesting at times, but fundamentally of no use to society. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125783 Indian currency slides to all-time low http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125775 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125775#comments Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:17:14 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125775 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125775>Article Link</a> As the Indian currency slides to an all-time low against the dollar, the Indian Finance Minister is trying to bolster confidence in the country’s flagging economy. The rupee’s slide this week came on the heels of steady losses over the last month. Overall the Indian currency has slipped by 8 percent since the start of May. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125775 In global currency war II, shots fired over India http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125753 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125753#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:58:34 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125753 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125753>Article Link</a> Japan’s Central Bank may want a weaker currency, but the Reserve Bank of India wants nothing to do with a weaker rupee. On Tuesday, the RBI stepped in to save the currency with major currency purchases as the rupee slipped to a new low. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125753 Israel’s Fischer sees yield surge easing currency war http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125752 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125752#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:58:19 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125752 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125752>Article Link</a> The temptation for central banks to engage in competitive devaluation is fading as rising Treasury yields diminish the allure of assets in emerging markets, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125752 Canada dollar rises against commodity peers as outlooks diverge http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125731 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125731#comments Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:33:20 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125731 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125731>Article Link</a> The Canadian dollar rose to its highest point in almost three years versus its Australian counterpart as traders speculated the North American economy will lead global growth. Canada’s currency fluctuated against the U.S. dollar as oil dropped as much as 1.8 percent before a report forecast to show stockpiles fell last week in the U.S., the largest customer of Canadian crude. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125731 Whose currency can weaken fastest? But at what cost? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125708 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125708#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:10:18 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125708 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125708>Article Link</a> In Brazil they just conducted a swap operation to try and support t the currency as the Brazilian real moved to 2.16 intra-day lows before the operation. If they are in trying to support the currency now after spending the last 18 months trying to weaken, this is a bit of cruel irony for Finance Minister Mantega, President Rousseff, and the Brazil Central Bank. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125708 Yen’s rebound poses currencies headache http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125670 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125670#comments Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:03:09 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125670 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125670>Article Link</a> It looked like the world’s easiest trade. Hedge funds made billions on it. Some investors made 30 per cent in a matter of months. Yet selling Japan’s currency has lately become a headache. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125670 Yen jumps, commodity currencies feel the heat http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125669 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125669#comments Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:02:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125669 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125669>Article Link</a> The yen was sharply higher on Thursday as a rout in Japanese stocks forced investors out of popular carry trades, while commodity currencies were under fierce pressure with the Australian dollar wallowing at 19-month lows. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125669 Tough times ahead in commodity currency ETFs? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125651 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125651#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:08:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125651 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125651>Article Link</a> Commodities are facing a choppy 2013, with the volatility intensifying in recent weeks. Products in a variety of segments have seen rough sessions due to a strong dollar and uncertain demand in many key markets. This is especially true given some of the fundamental factors surrounding the global economy, and the outlook going forward. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125651 Latvia to adopt the euro currency http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125648 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125648#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:07:32 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125648 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125648>Article Link</a> Latvia is set to become the 18th country to adopt the euro as its currency, following an EU decision that the country now satisfies the conditions for joining the Eurozone. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125648 Emerging-market currencies slide in ‘panic mode’ http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125647 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125647#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:07:18 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125647 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125647>Article Link</a> The South African rand led a broad-based slide among emerging-market currencies Wednesday as investors grew increasingly jittery ahead of a critical U.S. jobs report. Investors are gearing up for the prospect of Federal Reserve tapering its bond-buying stimulus program. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125647 US targets Iranian currency with fresh sanctions http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125624 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125624#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:49:25 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125624 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125624>Article Link</a> The US has unveiled fresh sanctions against Iran, targeting its currency, as it increases the pressure on Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme. These include penalties on anyone facilitating “significant” transactions in the rial or holding significant amounts of the currency outside Iran. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125624 Latvia’s Euro path shows allure of crisis-hit currency, for some http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125623 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125623#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:49:12 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125623 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125623>Article Link</a> Five countries on emergency aid, six consecutive quarters of economic contraction and 19 million people out of work haven’t dimmed the euro’s allure for small states that, like Latvia, have nowhere else to turn. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125623 Wasn’t a weaker currency supposed to help Brazil? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125605 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125605#comments Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:09:46 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125605 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125605>Article Link</a> When the Brazilian real was strengthening like gangbusters against the dollar, all the way to R$1.55 back in July of 2008, the government both loved it and hated it. They loved it because it meant the world loved Brazil and Brazil, with its nagging (and misplaced) inferiority complex, was mighty proud of its strong currency. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125605 Virtual currency: Too much Liberty? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125604 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125604#comments Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:09:32 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125604 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125604>Article Link</a> Users in the mushrooming world of digital currencies were in for a shock, when Liberty Reserve was accused of money-laundering operations amounting to $6 billion. “If Al Capone were alive today, this is how he would be hiding his money,” said U.S. prosecutors about Liberty Reserve, the popular digital currency site. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125604 AU$: game over for the world’s most over-valued currency? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125585 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125585#comments Mon, 03 Jun 2013 03:10:27 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125585 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125585>Article Link</a> Australian bonds have been a darling of the strategic bond sector for some time but as the Australian dollar (AUD) – the world’s most overpriced currency on a trade weighted basis – breaks down, is the Oz trade over? (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125585 What next for commodity markets? Will there be gains? How will USD, gold behave? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125583 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125583#comments Mon, 03 Jun 2013 03:09:50 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125583 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125583>Article Link</a> The Bank also expects USD rally in the second half of 2013 with its economists providing for a EUR/USD forecast of 1.23 for one year. The bank states that in the context of this happening, a broad based rally in commodities would be few and far between. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125583 US dollar losing hold as world’s currency http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125567 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125567#comments Fri, 31 May 2013 00:50:43 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125567 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125567>Article Link</a> With each year the American dollar is shrinking in percentage as the world’s currency supply. The implications could mean a serious decrease in the dollar’s influence as countries around the world look for alternatives. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125567 Cheer up, Aussies. You’re winning the currency war http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125566 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125566#comments Fri, 31 May 2013 00:50:28 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125566 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125566>Article Link</a> Everyone loves a weaker currency, right? There’s a currency war on, don’t you know. Well, Australians are not necessarily big fans, it turns out. The Australian dollar has been whacked of late. From the heady heights of $1.05 against its U.S. cousin last month, it made it almost as low as $0.95 earlier this week. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125566 Not all emerging currencies are equal http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125523 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125523#comments Wed, 29 May 2013 00:52:17 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125523 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125523>Article Link</a> The received wisdom is dollar strength = weaker emerging market currencies. See here for my colleague Mike Dolan’s take on this. But as Mike’s article does point out, all emerging markets are not equal. It follows therefore that any waves of dollar strength and higher U.S. yields will hit them to varying degrees. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125523 Promise and peril of virtual currencies http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125522 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125522#comments Wed, 29 May 2013 00:52:03 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125522 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125522>Article Link</a> The crackdown on money-transfer service Liberty Reserve highlights the growing challenges virtual currencies face as they gain wider use among businesses and consumers. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125522 Gold, Silver: Comparisons to real estate and fiat currency printing rates http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125506 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125506#comments Tue, 28 May 2013 05:11:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125506 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125506>Article Link</a> The natural ratio of the occurrence of silver to gold in the ground is typically estimated at roughly nine ounces of silver to one ounce of gold, and yet the recent trading price ratio of 62 to one is almost seven times higher. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125506 Commodity currencies lose out to havens http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125502 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125502#comments Tue, 28 May 2013 05:09:38 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125502 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125502>Article Link</a> Commodity currencies fell and haven currencies gained ground following a volatile week in the global foreign exchange markets that saw investors take profits on bets that the US dollar would strengthen. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125502 Is it all downhill for commodity currencies? http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125501 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125501#comments Tue, 28 May 2013 05:09:23 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125501 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125501>Article Link</a> The recent sell-off in commodity currencies triggered by a fall in demand for resources and the rush to buy U.S. dollar, may continue, say analysts, as the need to diversify capital dwindles. Commodity prices have been hammered by worries that China’s economic recovery is slowing, along with the U.S Federal Reserve hinting at a possible cutback to its stimulus plans, which is boosting the U.S. dollar. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125501 The Dollar a ‘commodity currency’? it just might happen http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125500 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125500#comments Tue, 28 May 2013 05:09:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125500 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125500>Article Link</a> The United States is in the midst of a surge in energy production, one that could realign one of the market’s most reliable barometers: the inverse link between the U.S. dollar and oil. Gnerally speaking, what’s good for the dollar tends to be negative for oil, and vice versa—but the U.S. oil boom might be altering that rule of thumb. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125500 The failure of fiat currencies http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125481 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125481#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 01:25:33 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125481 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125481>Article Link</a> Fiat currencies are paper monies issued andcirculated by government legislation and decreed as a country’s legal tender tofunction as a medium of exchange for all transactions of goods and serviceswithin its economy. Only the federalgovernment has the power and the authority to issue currency notes fordistribution throughout the nation. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125481 Massive money easing in rich countries making Latam currencies too strong http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125480 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125480#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 01:25:16 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125480 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125480>Article Link</a> Currency strength due to stimulus measures in the developed world is currently Latin America’s Achilles’ heel, though the region’s macroeconomic management is a bright spot, the head of the United Nations’ body for the region said on Monday. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125480 Strong currencies, weaker exports threaten Latin America: U.N. http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125464 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125464#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 05:40:07 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125464 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125464>Article Link</a> Currency strength due to stimulus measures in the developed world is currently Latin America’s Achilles’ heel, though the region’s macroeconomic management is a bright spot, the head of the United Nations’ body for the region told Reuters. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125464 Eurozone recession is now longest in currency bloc http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125446 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125446#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 00:55:26 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125446 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125446>Article Link</a> The eurozone is now in its longest ever recession — a stubborn slump that has surpassed even the calamity that hit the region in the financial crisis of 2008-2009. The European Union statistics office said Wednesday that nine of the 17 EU countries that use the euro are in recession, with France a notable addition to the list. Overall, the eurozone’s economy contracted for the sixth straight quarter, shrinking by 0.2 percent in the January-March period from the previous three months. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125446 G7 reaffirms commitment on currency depreciation http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125428 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125428#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 00:58:38 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125428 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125428>Article Link</a> The world’s leading finance ministers gave their tacit approval to the soaring US dollar and plunging Japanese yen at the weekend, but international divisions over economic strategy and European banking union remained unresolved. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125428 Top 10 weirdest currencies in the world http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125427 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125427#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 00:58:19 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125427 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125427>Article Link</a> Unusual and rare objects always seem to be a favorite with collectors; the weirder, the better. The same applies to money. Some currencies don’t even look like our regular perception of what money should be, but served as legit cash at some point in history. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125427 Barter and alternative currencies flourish in crisis-ridden Spain http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125408 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125408#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 01:30:37 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125408 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125408>Article Link</a> The “mora” is one of many people’s currencies springing up in Spain as the economic crisis advances, inspired by old methods such as barter or time-banks. The mora has been around now for a year, and there are over 400 users throughout some 10 municipalities in the Sierra Norte de Madrid region. Several establishments have also signed up to accept payment in moras. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125408 Yen remains a haven currency despite sharp fall http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125391 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125391#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 04:07:28 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125391 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125391>Article Link</a> It may be hard to accept, given the yen’s recent sharp fall, but the Japanese unit remains in the eyes of many a haven currency. The dollar’s rise above Y100 is not just a function of Bank of Japan easing, but also the benign market of late. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125391 Unilever says go long as currencies extend rally: Southeast Asia http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125369 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125369#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 00:20:40 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125369 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125369>Article Link</a> Unilever (ULVR), the seller of Lipton tea and Dove shampoo, expects Southeast Asia’s currencies to strengthen further against the U.S. dollar and euro in the next few years as foreign investment boosts economic growth. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125369 The case, and risks, for Asian currencies http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125357 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125357#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 03:11:39 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125357 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125357>Article Link</a> Emerging Asian currencies such as the Malaysian ringgit have come back with a vengeance, and their gains might not be done yet. The Malaysian ringgit has gained more than 2% against the dollar so far this month, after the country’s ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Najib Razak won recent national elections. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125357 Britain should worry about its own currency union http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125345 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125345#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 03:21:48 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125345 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125345>Article Link</a> Britain is blessed in having an integrated economy and the ability to depreciate sterling. The eurozone, by contrast, is cursed by its fragmented nature, internal contradictions and fixed exchange rates for individual members. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125345 Long-term investors bet on commodity currencies falling http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125343 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125343#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 02:26:31 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125343 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125343>Article Link</a> The Australian, Canadian and New Zealand dollars may be set for a decline, dragged down by a slowdown in China and a sharp fall in commodity prices. Tuesday’s 0.8 percent slide by the Aussie versus the U.S. dollar, prompted by a rate cut, was just a foretaste. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125343 What the US dollar can tell us about the oil market http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125338 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125338#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 02:25:05 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125338 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125338>Article Link</a> Many investors study supply and demand statistics to figure out where they think the oil price is going. But by far, the biggest factor that determines the oil price is the US dollar, says Donald Dony, who pens The Technical Speculator investment newsletter. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125338 Brazil currency still overvalued from exporter perspective-vale http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125329 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125329#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 02:22:33 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125329 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125329>Article Link</a> Brazilian exporters are facing a major crunch when it comes to both cost and revenue, according to Murilo Ferreira, president of mining giant Vale, Brazil’s largest single exporter. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125329 How Singapore’s currency club fell apart http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125309 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125309#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 03:32:39 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125309 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125309>Article Link</a> Mukesh Kumar Chhaganlal said he tried to warn his manager at UBS AG about the “increasingly unrealistic” currency rates being set last year for the Indonesian rupiah against the dollar. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125309 German euro founder calls for ‘catastrophic’ currency to be broken up http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125293 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125293#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 01:57:45 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125293 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125293>Article Link</a> Oskar Lafontaine, the German finance minister who launched the euro, has called for a break-up of the single currency to let southern Europe recover, warning that the current course is “leading to disaster”. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125293 China seeks strategy to control its currency http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125292 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125292#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 01:57:32 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125292 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125292>Article Link</a> It is indisputable that China is over-issuing currency. But the reasons behind China’s massive liquidity growth – and the most effective strategy for controlling it – are less obvious. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125292 Independence currency plan ‘could prompt bank run’ http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125271 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125271#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 03:13:22 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125271 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125271>Article Link</a> A move to a separate Scottish currency could see Scottish-based savers and depositors rushing for the Border to ensure their cash stays in sterling, a leading economist has warned. After pro-independence supporters criticised Alex Salmond’s “keep the pound” policy, a major conference in Edinburgh heard that, while a switch to a new Scottish currency was feasible, it could trigger turmoil in high-street banks. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125271 Year of the yuan: China’s explosive currency goes global http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125248 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125248#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 03:19:34 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125248 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125248>Article Link</a> The ‘people’s currency’ of China is redefining the global economic monetary system. The closed-capital pariah is blossoming into a reserve standard and is hedging appeal against the indebted dollar and the untested euro, piquing foreign interest. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125248 The single Gulf currency: Getting it right http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125221 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125221#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:30:57 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125221 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125221>Article Link</a> A single currency for the Gulf countries has long been recognized as a logical development to boost economic development and interstate trade. Since it was agreed upon in 2008, dates for its introduction have come and gone. However, as the problems of the European Monetary Union have demonstrated so clearly, it is absolutely essential that a single currency be built upon solid and entirely workable terms. The euro’s troubles stem in large part from the fact that it was driven by political considerations, by enthusiasts for greater and faster political integration. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125221 China’s big dilemma — Currency reform http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125201 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125201#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:50:43 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125201 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125201>Article Link</a> China’s central bank has been talking tough on currency reform while it has also intensified market intervention, highlighting the fine line it must walk in trying to liberalize the yuan. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125201 The world wisely edges away from talk of a currency war http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125200 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125200#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:50:29 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125200 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125200>Article Link</a> The diplomatic communiqués that follow international summits are rarely noteworthy. They have to be acceptable to everyone, so tend toward the lowest common denominator. But the Group of 20’s most recent communiqué, following its meeting on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, contains one sentence of consequence. “Monetary policy,” it reads, “should be directed toward domestic price stability and continuing to support economic recovery according to the respective mandates of central banks”. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125200 ADB president-elect Nakao: No currency union likely for Asia http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125199 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125199#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:49:33 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125199 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125199>Article Link</a> The president-elect of the Asian Development Bank, Takehiko Nakao, said a common currency isn’t desirable for Asia, drawing a clear distinction with the euro zone, to which some Asian countries have looked as a model for regional economic integration.In a press conference Friday after being elected head of the Manila-based regional development bank, former Japanese vice finance minister Nakao said Asia “is not yet at a stage to think about a currency union.” (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125199 Russian ruble leads emerging-market currency rally http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125181 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125181#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:28:55 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125181 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125181>Article Link</a> The Russian ruble rallied to lead emerging-market currencies’ gains Thursday, buoyed by the continued recovery in commodity prices. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125181 Currency questions for Scotland http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125162 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125162#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:45:08 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125162 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125162>Article Link</a> Even if Scotland votes for independence and manages to keep the pound (No currency union with independent Scotland, says Osborne, 24 April), there’s another problem facing its choice of currency. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125162 Commodity-based currencies remain convoluted – UBS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125161 http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125161#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:44:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125161 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?p=125161>Article Link</a> UBS Strategists, Gareth Berry and Geoffrey Yu take a technical perspective at today’s commodity-based currencies and outline the technical positions. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/Commodities_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=125161