Daily trading commentaries

Trading commentaries and briefings from the leading FX specialists, market analysts, traders and dealers.

Euro fears return

30 April 2012, Phil McHugh, Currencies Direct
Fears in Europe have escalated a notch amid growing concern on both economic data and political cohesion.

Aussie holds no RBA fears

30 April 2012, Michael Derks, FxPro
Not even the possibility of a 50bp rate cut at tonight’s RBA meeting has intimidated the Aussie over recent trading sessions.

US GDP figure at 2.2% against expectations of a 2.6% figure

30 April 2012, Richard Driver, CaxtonFX
The US GDP figure for the first quarter of 2012 came in at 2.2% (annualised), against expectations of a 2.6% figure.

Markets defying gravity

30 April 2012, Simon Denham, Capital Spreads
The markets seem to be defying gravity at the moment as they brushed off the weaker than expected US GDP figures on Friday.

Sterling remains at long-term highs

30 April 2012, Mark Deans, Moneycorp
With rockets on London rooftops and nuclear submarines patrolling the Thames the government is certainly taking Olympic Games security seriously.

Calm Asian markets, one eye on the RBA (and holidays!) tomorrow

30 April 2012, Andrew Timothy Robinson, Saxo Bank
It was a quiet start in Asia to what will be a busy week, with holidays in Japan and China impacting activity. Currencies were range-bound and barely changed from Friday’s New York closing levels.

Us dollar tumbled towards eight-month lows against pound on Friday

30 April 2012, Mark Bolsom, Travelex
The US dollar tumbled towards eight-month lows against the British pound on Friday after weaker-than-expected US first quarter growth.

The dollar’s gentle descent

30 April 2012, Michael Derks, FxPro
Some of the major dollar crosses are at levels not witnessed for some time – cable for instance reached a 7mth high at just under 1.63 overnight. Indeed, the pound has been something of a revelation so far this year.

The dollar’s downward drift

27 April 2012, Michael Derks, FxPro
It has been gradual, but the dollar has been drifting downwards over the past two weeks. Not that we are talking about a big move mind you – the dollar index is down by roughly 1.5%.

Jordan defends franc ceiling

27 April 2012, Michael Derks, FxPro
New SNB President Thomas Jordan proclaimed that the central bank’s determination was unwavering and that the strength of the currency remained a “major challenge” for the economy.

Spanish woes increase as unemployment hits 24.4%

27 April 2012, Alistair Cotton, Currencies Direct
As we’ve found out in the UK over the last few weeks it never rains, it pours. The weather in Spain is much better, but economically the situation continues to be grim.

Should Spain be spared?

27 April 2012, Simon Smith, FxPro
Like it or not, it’s Spain that is the focus this Friday. One has to wonder about the efficiency of markets when we see both currencies and bonds react to S&P’s announcement that it has cut the rating by two notches, to BBB+.