Gold Shines As The Financial Storm Continues

Daily Forex Fundamentals | Written by Easy Forex | Jul 15 08 01:26 GMT |


U.S. Dollar Trading (USD) staged a minor recovery during the Asian and European sessions as the markets digested the latest plan from the Treasury to stabilize the Government Sponsored Entities (GSE) Freddie Mac and Fannie May. Gains were reversed in the US session as equities turned south on doubts about the viability of the government GSE backstop. In the U.S. share markets, the NASDAQ was down 26 points (0.90%) and the Dow Jones was down 45 points (0.41%). Crude Oil closed up $0.20 ending the New York session at $145.18 per barrel. Looking ahead, June PPI is expected to rise 1.3% slightly slower than 1.4% in May while the Core PPI is seen at 0.3%. Markets will be paying attention to Fed Chief Bernanke as he gives his semiannual monetary policy testimony.

The Euro (EUR) was able to pare losses sustained from the GSE’s rescue plan as the market focused on regional banks when the FIDC commented that more banks are expected to fail in the US. May Industrial Production came in weak at -1.9% confirming the slowdown in the Eurozone. Overall the EUR/USD traded with a low of 1.5842 and a high of 1.5971 before closing the day at 1.5908 in the New York session. Looking ahead, the July German Zew survey is seen at -55 from -52.4 in June.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) was sold as stocks recovered and risk taking came back into the market but as equities turned south in the US session the USD/JPY gave up all of its gains. EUR/JPY came off new year highs of 169.67 early in the Asian session as the EUR/USD came off highs. Overall the USDJPY traded with a low of 106.06 and a high of 106.81 before closing the day around 106.16 in the New York session. Looking ahead, Bank of Japan interest rate announcement and the BOJ monthly report released during the Asian session.

The Sterling (GBP) took advantage of USD weakness during the US session regaining the 1.9900 level. June PPI input was slightly lower than expected at 2.1% contributing to a more dovish stance the BoE is expected to take on interest rates into the future. The BoE”s Kate Barker was reported as saying that the central bank is concerned about keeping rates too tight allowing the economy to weaken more than is necessary. Overall the GBP/USD traded with a low of 1.9816 and a high of 1.9962 before closing the day at 1.9941 in the New York session. Looking ahead, June CPI seen at 0.4% down slightly form 0.6% in May but year on year is expected to jump to 3.6% from 3.3%.

The Australian Dollar (AUD) was able to sustain the new levels above .9700 as gold continued to make solid gains. AUD/NZD reached new record highs trading above 1.2750. In NZD data we had the 2nd Quarter CPI coming in at 4.0% year on year and May Core Retail Sales rising 0.7%. Overall the AUD/USD traded with a low of 0.9665 and a high of 0.9735 before closing the day at 0.9721. Looking ahead, the RBA meeting minutes will be scrutinized for future rate movement.

Gold (XAU) had another good day as investors flocked to the precious metal seen as a safe haven and inflation hedge. Overall trading with a low of USD$954.40 and high of USD$974.65 ending the New York session at USD$972 an ounce.

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