Economic Calendar

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Renewed Woes Over Sovereign Debt Ratings with UK and US are at Risk!

Daily Forex Fundamentals | Written by ecPulse.com | Dec 08 09 11:18 GMT |

Moody's managed to add to the ongoing volatility in the market, as their latest edition of their Aaa Sovereign Monitor, that assesses their top eight Aaa rated countries, of which the most important are the US, the UK, Germany and France. Where the financial crisis has hit those economies badly and managed to strike their financial sector and force the governments to extend their helping hand and increase their lending swelling their public deficits.

The worrisome part was revolving as usual around the United States and the United Kingdom ratings. Moody's sees that those two nations are not at all immune to testing the Aaa boundary which is known as the point of “no return”.

Despite the four named nations being indeed stricken by the crisis, and though four of the nations still have “stable” Aaa top rating by Moody's Germany and France still have their “resistant” category unlike the case for the United Kingdom and the United States which have shifted lower to “resilient” and at risk of sinking further to “vulnerable” as the deficit continues to expand further beyond proportionate representation of the GDP which is already weak affecting by that the governments' capabilities of extending their borrowing.

To understand the depth of the ratings, both nations are still among the Aaa top ratings by Moody's yet that class has also categorize by itself, which are “resistant”, “resilient”, and “vulnerable” and as we said with France and Germany with still a “resistant” classification the other two are lower at a “resilient” categorization and risk sinking further to the “point of no return”!

The troubles for the weak UK economy continue to expand, especially as the incoming fundamentals remain very weak and the economy lags behind others well. Adding to the agony already floating in the market over Dubai World debt default, which UK's biggest four banks are deeply involved with, with an already fragile financial sector, comes the warning from Moody's and though they are still stable within the Aaa ratings they are surely not immune of testing the lower limit!

Moody's scare comes just a day ahead of Darling's Pre-budget testimony tomorrow, and after he yesterday reiterated his resilient stance of preferring to do too much than too little to help the economy rest ashore. His stance implies that further measures might be extended to the economy at the point the deficit swelled high signaling that he will delay his attention to acting upon the highest deficit since WWII, saying “I do think we need to make a determined effort to get our debt down”!

Gross debt to GDP ratio has swollen since the start of the crisis estimated to end the year at 69% of the GDP compared to 44% at the end of 2007. The budget deficit also exceeded the EU 3.0% golden rule and according to the European Commission it now stands above 10% of the GDP.

Ecpulse

disclaimer: The content of ecPulse.com and any page in the website contain information for investors/traders and is not a recommendation to buy or sell currencies, stocks, gold, silver & energies, nor an offer to buy or sell currencies, stocks, gold, silver & energies. The information provided reflects the writers' opinions that deemed reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. ecPulse is not liable for any losses or damages, monetary or otherwise that result. I recommend that anyone trades currencies, stocks, gold, silver & energies should do so with caution and consult with a broker before doing so. Prior performance may not be indicative of future performance. Currencies, stocks gold, silver &energies presented should be considered speculative with a high degree of volatility and risk





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London Session Recap

Daily Forex Fundamentals | Written by Forex.com | Dec 08 09 11:16 GMT |

Dollar buying early in the European session failed to find any follow through. EUR/USD pushed down to around USD1.4783 before EUR buyers stepped in and took the EUR back towards its overnight highs around 1.4860. Concerns that Dubai World is struggling to restructure its debt had weighed heavily on Dubai stocks this morning. Asian stocks were also bias lower overnight. In contrast, risk appetite clawed back a little ground in Europe allowing most equities to push a touch higher.

Bernanke’s reminder that there are significant headwinds facing the economy is a strong indication that US interest rates will be low for some time yet. This appears to suggest that there may still be life in the USD carry trade and that the USD’s inverse correlation with the carry trade may not be over yet. That said, last week’s payrolls data is a strong reminder that this trade does have a limited shelf life indicating that significant upside in EUR/USD is still likely to be limited near-term. Forthcoming data releases will be crucial for the USD from this point. A wave of better US data will likely to needed to reassert the threat of Fed tightening and to stop EUR/USD creeping back above the 1.4900 handle.

Sterling was shaken early in the London session following a comment from Moody’s that the US and the UK may test the boundaries of the Aaa rating in view of the deteriorating position of their budget deficits. More bad news for the UK came with the publication of worst than expected production data. Manufacturing remained flat on the month which will further fears that the sector could be stalling. This news followed a report from the BRC that annual growth in retail sales slowed in Nov. Some relief was granted by another good set of house price data but EUR/GBP trended higher through the morning, presently stalling in the 0.9090 area.

USD/JPY has continued to trend lower, finding support at JPY88.60. The Japanese government’s announcement of a USD 81 bln fiscal stimulus package was met with criticism of it being too little too late. That said, the appallingly large debt burden in Japan remains a considerable constraint to further spending. Japan’s Tankan report is due next week.

Key focus today will be the BoC policy meeting. The market will be looking to see if the BoC stray from its reassurance to keep policy on hold until the middle of next year. Canadian housing starts are also due.

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DISCLAIMER: The information and opinions in this report are for general information use only and are not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase of sale of any currency. All opinions and information contained in this report are subject to change without notice. This report has been prepared without regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any particular recipient. While the information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, author does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness, nor does author assume any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss that may result from the reliance by any person upon any such information or opinions.





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Forex Technical Analysis

Daily Forex Technicals | Written by DeltaStock Inc. | Dec 08 09 11:05 GMT |

EUR/USD

Current level-1.4817

EUR/USD is in a broad consolidation, after bottoming at 1.2331 (Oct.28,2008). Technical indicators are neutral, and trading is situated above the 50- and 200-Day SMA, currently projected at 1.4793 and 1.3523.

Yesterday's break below 1.4801 signals a continuation of the negative bias towards 1.4623, en route to 1.4450 major support area. Although the bottom at 1.4757 has been confirmed to be the final of the slide from 1.5146, current rebound is corrective in nature and precedes next drowning towards 1.4623. Intraday bias is positive for a break above 1.4856 and will target 1.4910 resistance area. Crucial on the upside is 1.4970.

Resistance Support
intraday intraweek intraday intraweek
1.4910 1.5146 1.4796 1.4450
1.4970 1.5290 1.4757 1.3740

USD/JPY

Current level - 89.00

The overall downtrend has been renewed with the recent break below 87.12. Trading is situated below the 50- and 200-day SMA, currently projected at 94.86 and 94.84.

The pair is still in the downtrend from 90.77 and is currently heading for a precise test of the 88.50 support zone. A reversal around 88.19-50 is to be expected and it should provoke a rise towards 90.77, en route to 92.40 major resistance

Resistance Support
intraday intraweek intraday intraweek
90.77 92.40 88.50 84.79
91.58 95.60 87.50 79.60

GBP/USD

Current level- 1.6369

The pair is in a downtrend after peaking at 1.7042. Trading is situated above the 50- and 200-day SMA, currently projected at 1.6454 and 1.5258.

Current rebound from yesterday's minor bottom at 1.6312 is corrective in nature and precedes next slide towards 1.6250, en route to 1.6130. Important resistance on the upside remains 1.6519 area.

Resistance Support
intraday intraweek intraday intraweek
1.6519 1.6850 1.6313 1.6130
1.6723 1.7042 1.6250 1.5706

DeltaStock Inc. - Online Forex & Securities Broker
www.deltastock.com

RISK DISCLAIMER: These analyses are for information purposes only. They DO NOT post a BUY or SELL recommendation for any of the financial instruments herein analyzed. The information is obtained from generally accessible data sources. The forecasts made are based on technical analysis. However, Delta Stock’s Analyst Dept. also takes into consideration a number of fundamental and macroeconomic factors, which we believe impact the price moves of the observed instruments. Delta Stock Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions in these materials, nor shall it be liable for damages arising out of any person's reliance upon the information on this page. Delta Stock Inc. shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, losses or unrealized gains that may result. Any information is subject to change without notice.





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U.K. Manufacturing Production Unexpectedly Stalled

By Scott Hamilton

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. manufacturing unexpectedly stalled in October, a sign the economy is struggling to shake off the longest recession on record.

Factory output was unchanged after gaining 1.5 percent in September, the Office for National Statistics said today in London. Economists predicted a 0.4 percent increase, according to the median of 21 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey.

Bank of England policy makers will probably maintain their bond-purchase plan at 200 billion pounds ($328 billion) this week as they assess whether the economy has shaken off the slump. Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said yesterday that he would rather suffer criticism for removing support for the economy too late than too early.

“At first glance it is below expectations, but it was coming off a strong month in September,” said Peter Dixon, an economist at Commerzbank AG in London. “All in all, I’m not too worried about it. Most of the data is pointing towards a stabilization and it’s still consistent with a recovery.”

The pound was little changed after the data and traded at $1.6358 at 9:47 a.m. in London, down 0.7 percent from yesterday.

Of the 13 categories in manufacturing, four rose, led by machinery and equipment, the statistics office said. Nine fell, and the biggest decline was in electrical and optical gear.

Smiths Group Plc, the world’s biggest maker of mechanical seals for the energy and marine industries, said Nov. 17 demand from manufacturers for its seals and aftermarket services had declined since the end of July.

Forecast

U.K. factory production will begin growing again next year as exports rebound, the Engineering Employers Federation said yesterday. Production will grow 0.9 percent in 2010 after contracting 10.4 percent this year, according to the London- based lobby group.

Overall industrial production, which includes mining, quarrying, utilities, oil and gas and accounts for 17 percent of the economy, was unchanged on the month and dropped 8.4 percent from a year earlier, the statistics office said.

Production fell 0.9 percent in the third quarter, revised down from a 0.8 percent drop. The revision will have a “negative” effect on the gross domestic product estimate for the quarter, officials said.

The U.K. economy contracted 0.3 percent in the three months through September, the sixth quarter of contraction, making this the longest slump since records began in 1955.

The Bank of England will this week decide to keep unchanged its bond program, according to all 38 economists in a Bloomberg News survey. All 53 economists in a separate survey said policy makers will also hold their key interest rate at 0.5 percent. The bank announces its decision at noon in London on Dec. 10.

To contact the reporter on this story: Scott Hamilton in London at shamilton8@bloomberg.net.





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U.K. Retail Sales Annual Growth Slowed in November, BRC Says

By Jennifer Ryan

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. retail sales increased at a slower annual pace in November as Britons curbed spending on food, the British Retail Consortium said.

Sales at stores open at least 12 months rose 1.8 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 3.8 percent gain in October, the London-based BRC said in an e-mailed statement today. Food sales rose 2.1 percent in the three months through November, the smallest gain this year.

“We would have expected much stronger growth,” Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, said in the statement. “Uncertainty over jobs and future tax increases and government spending cuts is making customers more cautious.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling will present tax and spending plans to Parliament tomorrow as he tries to curb Britain’s deficit while supporting the economy. The Bank of England may hold its bond-purchase plan at 200 billion pounds ($328 billion) this week as policy makers assess if the recession has ended.

Sales of non-food items rose 3.3 percent in the three months through November, the biggest gain this year, the BRC said. The report measures changes in the actual value of retail sales and doesn’t adjust for price changes.

“Once the fact that food sales growth slowed further is factored in, largely reflecting lower food price inflation, it represents a solid start to Christmas trading,” Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG, which conducts the retail survey with the BRC, said in the statement.

John Lewis Partnership Plc, owner of the namesake department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, said this week that sales rose 13.8 percent in the week ending Dec. 5, fueled by demand for electronic games and other toys.

“This is the earliest time in the Christmas season that a figure in excess of 100 million pounds has been reached,” the company said in a statement.

Retailers make the bulk of their annual profits in the holiday season. The number of shoppers entering stores dropped 4.8 percent from a year earlier at the Dec. 5-6 weekend, FootFall data from Experian Plc showed yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jennifer Ryan in London at Jryan13@bloomberg.net





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German Industrial Production Unexpectedly Declines

By Frances Robinson

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- German industrial output unexpectedly fell for the first time in three months in October, led by a drop in production of energy and of investment goods such as machinery.

Output decreased 1.8 percent from September, when it advanced 3.1 percent, the Economy Ministry in Berlin said today. Economists forecast a 1 percent gain, according to the median of 38 estimates in a Bloomberg survey. From a year earlier, production declined 12.4 percent when adjusted for the number of work days.

Germany’s recovery from its worst recession since World War II may slow as the impact of government stimulus measures, such as the now-expired cash-for-clunkers program, wane and a stronger euro damps exports. Factory orders unexpectedly fell for the first time in eight months in October, the ministry said yesterday, led by a decline in sales abroad.

“The orders disappointed and these numbers move in sync,” said Aline Schuiling, an economist at Fortis Bank Nederland in Amsterdam. “The German industrial sector is in a strong recovery phase. One month doesn’t change that. The underlying trend remains healthy.”

Manufacturing output fell 1.6 percent in October, driven by a 3.5 percent drop in production of investment goods, today’s report showed. Energy production declined 3.4 percent and construction output dropped 2.4 percent.

‘Less Dynamism’

“The overall trend for industrial production still points upward,” the ministry said in a statement. “The recovery of industrial production should continue in the fourth quarter, albeit with less dynamism.”

German stocks erased gains after the report and yields on German two-year bonds extended their decline to 1.25 percent at 12:05 p.m. in Frankfurt from 1.32 percent this morning. The euro was little changed at $1.4829. The currency’s 20 percent gain since mid-February may hurt exports by making them more expensive.

Daimler AG, the world’s second-largest maker of luxury cars, has said that it will shift production of its best-selling Mercedes-Benz C-Class model to Alabama to reduce its reliance on German factories and take advantage of the cheaper dollar.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is spending about 85 billion euros ($126 billion) on measures to stimulate growth, including a 2,500-euro payment for people who junk an old car to buy a new one. That subsidy expired in September.

The Bundesbank nevertheless on Dec. 4 raised its growth forecasts, saying that exports, business investment and private consumption will grow in importance as fiscal stimulus measures expire. It expects gross domestic product to increase 1.6 percent next year after dropping 4.9 percent this year.

German economic growth accelerated to 0.7 percent in the third quarter from 0.4 percent in the second, when it pulled out of recession. Business confidence increased to a 15-month high in November, suggesting the economic recovery may gather pace next year.

To contact the reporter on this story: Frances Robinson in Frankfurt at frobinson6@bloomberg.net




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U.K. Pound Declines Against Dollar, Euro After Moody’s Report

By Keith Jenkins

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- The pound fell against the dollar and the euro after Moody’s Investors Service described the U.K. as weaker than top-rated peers including Germany and France.

Britain and the U.S. had “resilient” Aaa ratings, as opposed to the “resistant” top ratings on Canada, Germany and France, Moody’s said in a report today. None of the top-rated countries was “vulnerable,” or had public finances that were “stretched beyond the point of ‘no return’ to the Aaa category,” according to the report. U.K Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said yesterday the economy remains too fragile to take more steps to repair the deficit this year.

“The Moody’s story was clearly one significant factor affecting sterling,” said Simon Derrick, chief currency strategist at Bank of New York Mellon Corp. in London, “Also the comments from Darling weighed on the currency.”

The pound dropped 0.6 percent to $1.6354 as of 10 a.m. in London, and weakened 0.8 percent to 90.86 pence per euro.

Darling said yesterday he would rather suffer criticism for removing support for the economy too late than too early, suggesting he will put off extra measures to reduce Britain’s biggest budget deficit since World War II.

“While assumed capacity for fiscal adjustment currently supports the maintenance of the Aaa rating of the U.K. government, this assumption will have to be validated by actions in the not too distant future,” said Moody’s.

Manufacturing Stalls

The pound was little changed after a report showed U.K. manufacturing unexpectedly stalled in October, a sign the economy is struggling to shake off the longest recession on record. Factory output was unchanged after gaining 1.5 percent in September, the Office for National Statistics said today in London. Economists predicted a 0.4 percent increase, according to the median of 21 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey.

The data is unlikely to change the “bearish pound sentiment,” wrote Valentin Marinov, a senior foreign-exchange strategist at Commerzbank in London, in a research report.

“Even if both releases point to a continuing recovery, we doubt that they will dispel investor concerns about further underperformance of the U.K. economy in the near term,” he wrote before the release of manufacturing data.

To contact the reporter on this story: Keith Jenkins in London at Kjenkins3@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 05:07 EST



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Euro Set for ‘Long-Term’ Drop to 2008 Low: Technical Analysis

By Candice Zachariahs

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- The euro may have a “long-term, multi-month” drop toward its 2008 low, falling below support at $1.4625, BNP Paribas SA said, citing trading patterns.

The single currency declined 1.3 percent on Dec. 4, the most since June 15, triggering a break of the currency’s uptrend in March, Andrew Chaveriat, a technical analyst at BNP Paribas in New York, wrote in a research note yesterday.

“Euro-dollar is in position to have completed its March rally,” he wrote. A drop below $1.4625 “would confirm a major top is in place and that euro-dollar is at the early stages of a long-term, multi-month decline potentially re- testing or breaking the $1.2330 October 2008 cycle low.”

A decline through $1.4625, near the November low, would confirm a top at $1.5144, which the euro touched Nov. 25, the bank said. That level is also near the 76.4 percent Fibonacci retracement of the euro’s fall from its all-time high of $1.6038 in July 2008 to $1.2330 in October of last year.

The euro, which has gained 6.2 percent against the dollar this year and 17 percent since March, traded at $1.4840 as of 9:34 a.m. in Tokyo from $1.4827 in New York.

Support levels are areas on a chart where orders to buy a currency versus a counterpart may be clustered, and a break through those levels typically signals further declines.

Fibonacci charts are based on the theory that securities tend to rise or fall by specific percentages after reaching a new high or low.

In technical analysis, investors and analysts study charts of trading patterns and prices to forecast changes in a security, commodity, currency or index.

To contact the reporter on this story: Candice Zachariahs in Sydney at czachariahs2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 7, 2009 19:44 EST



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Citigroup Said to Push for Bailout-Payback Agreement This Week

By Bradley Keoun

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc. Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit is pressing the U.S. Treasury Department and regulators to agree as soon as this week on a plan to pay back $20 billion remaining from a government bailout, people familiar with the matter said.

Pandit, 52, wants an agreement in place this week or next, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. He accelerated efforts after last week’s announcement by Bank of America Corp. that it had won approval to pay back $45 billion of taxpayer funds and exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program, they said.

Citigroup is trying to avoid being the only large U.S. bank left on “exceptional assistance,” a Treasury designation reserved for companies including American International Group Inc. and General Motors Co. that are surviving on taxpayer aid. Such companies are subject to government-imposed pay limits that may make Citigroup vulnerable to employee-poaching by unfettered Wall Street rivals.

“We do not comment on individual institutions but it’s fair to say that since Bank of America announced its intention to repay the government, others are pursuing discussions to understand what needs to be done to move ahead with repayment,” Treasury spokesman Andrew Williams said. “We continue to believe that banks and our financial system are better off with private capital instead of government capital.” Jon Diat, a spokesman for New York-based Citigroup, declined to comment.

‘As Soon as Possible’

In October, Pandit said he was “focused on repaying TARP as soon as possible.” He said, “We’re going to do so in consultation with the government and our regulators.”

Citigroup, which took $45 billion of TARP funds last year, in September converted about $25 billion of that into common stock, equivalent to a 34 percent stake. The Treasury Department, which is free to sell the stock at any time, is holding off on a sale until a plan can be reached with regulators for a payback of all remaining obligations from the bailout, a person close to the Treasury said last week.

Citigroup still has $20 billion in bailout funds along with guarantees from the Treasury, FDIC and Federal Reserve on $301 billion of devalued securities, mortgages, auto loans, commercial real estate and other assets. Citigroup paid $7 billion in advance for the guarantees, which last five to 10 years, depending on the type of underlying assets.

The lender’s exit plan may be more complicated than Bank of America’s because the government must decide how to handle the Treasury’s common stake and what to do about the asset guarantees, the person close to the department said.

Regulators

The bank’s regulators, which include the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., haven’t commented on when the bank might be allowed to exit.

The government is trying to wind down bailout programs extended as financial markets convulsed late last year. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in a Dec. 4 interview that most taxpayer money injected into banks through the Troubled Asset Relief Program will eventually be recovered.

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley, all based in New York, repaid bailout funds in June. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co., with $25 billion of TARP money, isn’t subject to pay limits because it never needed a second helping of bailout funds.

Citigroup’s talks with regulators likely will center on the amount of capital the bank must raise to assure it can weather expected loan losses, the people familiar with the matter said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Bradley Keoun in New York at bkeoun@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 7, 2009 22:17 EST



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Bernanke Signals Fed Will Maintain Its Outlook for Low Rates

By Craig Torres

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Open Market Committee will probably maintain its outlook for a long period of low interest rates next week as tight credit and high unemployment weigh on the economy, Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke signaled.

Fed officials meet for the last time this year Dec. 15-16 after a report last week showing employers cut the fewest jobs in November since the recession began in December 2007. The report prompted some investors to raise bets the Fed would increase rates by the third quarter of 2010.

Treasuries climbed yesterday after Bernanke set back those perceptions, saying the economy faces “formidable headwinds.” He repeated the language of the last Fed statement in November foreseeing an “extended period” of low rates and said inflation might subside while joblessness may fall at a pace that’s “slower than we would like.”

“Despite the positive surprise from last week’s employment report, it is way too early for the Fed to begin exiting,” said Mark Gertler, a professor of economics at New York University who worked with Bernanke on research on the Great Depression before he became Fed chairman. “When the time does come, however, the Fed will be prepared.”

Yields on two-year notes fell 7 basis points to 0.76 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.3 percent to 1,103.25 after rising as much as 0.4 percent.

The FOMC said last month that its benchmark interest rate, which has been close to zero for a year, would remain low as long as inflation is subdued and the unemployment rate fails to decline. Bernanke said yesterday those conditions haven’t changed.

Inflation Expectations

“Right now we are still looking at the extended period given that conditions remain -- low rates of utilization, subdued inflation trends and stable long-term inflation expectations,” the Fed chief said in response to a question after a speech at the Economic Club of Washington. “That remains where we are.”

The consumer price index, minus food and energy, rose at a 1.7 percent annual pace in October, up from 1.5 percent the previous month. The core inflation rate rose at a 1.4 percent pace in August, the lowest rate since February 2004.

“We are going to have to continue to look at the economy,” Bernanke told moderator David Rubenstein, president of the economic club and co-founder of the Carlyle Group, the private equity firm. “Obviously there has been some signs of strength recently, we will want to factor that in as we talk about this next week.”

Dudley Comments


In separate remarks yesterday, New York Fed president William Dudley said the unemployment rate is “much too high.” If labor markets remain weak and inflation low, “it will be appropriate to keep the federal funds target exceptionally low for an extended period,” he told the Columbia University World Leaders Forum in New York.

Bernanke explained why the economy is unlikely to bounce back quickly. The job market “remains weak” while “bank- dependent borrowers” such as households and small business are having difficulty obtaining loans, he said. Consumer spending is “unlikely to grow rapidly” as unemployment weighs on confidence, he said.

Consumer credit in the U.S. fell by $3.51 billion, or 1.7 percent at an annual rate, to $2.48 trillion in October, according to a Fed report released yesterday. Borrowing dropped by $8.77 billion in September, less than previously estimated. Consumer credit has fallen for ninth straight months.

Growth Forecast

U.S. central bankers said last month the economy will expand in a range of 2.5 to 3.5 percent in 2010, according to the central tendency of their outlook, which excludes the three highest and three lowest projections.

That rate of growth will only drive unemployment down to a 9.3 to 9.7 percent range next year, Fed officials forecast. More than 7.2 million jobs have been lost since the start of the recession.

“We still have some way to go before we can be assured that the recovery will be self-sustaining,” the Fed Chairman said. “My best guess at this point is that we will continue to see modest economic growth next year -- sufficient to bring down the unemployment rate, but at a pace slower than we would like.”

Bernanke “certainly hasn’t done a 180 degree turn because of one payroll number,” said Michael Feroli, economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York. Risks to the economy “don’t seem balanced at all” in Bernanke’s view.

JPMorgan Chase predicts the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged until the second quarter of 2011. Feroli said that an expansion one percentage point faster than the economy’s potential growth rate, which JPMorgan estimates at around 2.25 percent, would lower then unemployment rate by around four tenths of 1 percent in a year.

To contact the reporter on this story: Craig Torres in Washington at ctorres3@bloomberg.net: Shobhana Chandra in Washington at +1- schandra1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 00:00 EST


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Yen Climbs as Signs of Slowing Recovery Spur Demand for Safety

By Lukanyo Mnyanda and Yasuhiko Seki

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- The yen rose against the euro and higher-yielding peers as signs the global economic recovery is losing momentum spurred demand for the currency as a refuge.

The yen gained versus its 16 most-traded counterparts monitored by Bloomberg before reports this week that may show German industrial production slowed and the U.S. trade deficit widened. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said yesterday the U.S. faces “formidable headwinds.” The pound fell after Moody’s Investors Service said the U.S. and the U.K. have “resilient” Aaa ratings, as opposed to the “resistant” top ratings of Canada, Germany and France.

“It’s the broad retrenchment in markets more than anything else” driving the yen, said Simon Derrick, London-based chief currency strategist at BNY Mellon Corp., the world’s biggest custody bank. “Calling it a retreat from risk sounds too simplistic, but there is a natural desire as we get into the holiday season for people to lock in their profit.”

The yen strengthened to 131.86 per euro as of 9:45 a.m. in London, from 132.71 yesterday in New York, and appreciated to 88.82 per dollar, from 89.51. The dollar was at $1.4846 per euro, from $1.4827 yesterday, when it appreciated to $1.4756, the strongest level since Nov. 4.


Industrial production in Germany expanded 1 percent in October from a month earlier, the Economy Ministry in Berlin will say at noon local time, according to the median estimate of 38 economists in a Bloomberg survey. The U.S. trade deficit widened to $36.9 billion in October, from $36.5 billion in September, according to a separate Bloomberg survey before the Commerce Department report in two days.

Yen Strength

The yen strengthened to 11.9400 against the South African rand, from 11.9933 yesterday. It also gained a second day versus the Australian dollar, trading at 81.19 yen, from 81.69.

“We still have some way to go before we can be assured that the recovery will be self-sustaining,” Bernanke said in a speech to the Economic Club of Washington. “My best guess at this point is that we will continue to see modest economic growth next year -- sufficient to bring down the unemployment rate, but at a pace slower than we would like.”

Futures on the Chicago Board of Trade showed a 46 percent chance yesterday the Fed will raise the target lending rate by at least a quarter-percentage point by its June meeting, down from 54 percent a day earlier. The central bank next meets to review borrowing costs on Dec. 16.

The dollar has declined 5.9 percent this year against the euro as the Fed kept the target rate between zero and 0.25 percent and bought assets in a bid to lower borrowing costs. The European Central Bank’s main refinancing rate is at 1 percent, also a record low.

Japan Package

The yen tends to strengthen amid economic and financial turmoil because Japan’s trade surplus makes it less reliant on foreign capital. The nation’s current-account surplus increased 42.7 percent to 1.4 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) in October from a year earlier, the Ministry of Finance said today.

Japan’s government also today unveiled a 7.2 trillion yen economic spending package. The plan includes 3.5 trillion yen to help regions, 600 billion yen for employment and 800 billion yen on environmental initiatives, the Cabinet said in a statement.

The currency also rose amid speculation Japanese officials won’t act to weaken it even as they say they are concerned about the effect of yen strength on the economy.

‘Still in Doubt’

“People are still in doubt about whether the Bank of Japan will intervene and put action behind their words,” said Niels Christensen, a currency strategist in Copenhagen at Nordea Bank AB. “Bernanke definitely ruled out a rate hike for a very long time and that’s also putting downward pressure on dollar-yen.”

The pound weakened after Moody’s said the U.K.’s and U.S.’s finances are deteriorating and may “therefore test the Aaa boundaries.” None of the top-rated countries is “vulnerable,” or have public finances that are “stretched beyond the point of ‘no return’ to the Aaa category,” the ratings company said.

The pound dropped to $1.6351, from $1.6446 yesterday, and weakened to 90.88 pence per euro, from 90.16 pence.

Demand for the yen also strengthened on speculation companies including Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. will bring home funds from share and asset sales.

“Japanese firms, such as those raising capital from selling shares and assets abroad, are likely to repatriate money,” said Tsutomu Soma, a bond and currency dealer at Okasan Securities Co. Ltd. in Tokyo. “This is a yen-positive factor.”

Hitachi said in a statement last month it may sell 400 million shares to Japanese investors and 600 million shares to overseas buyers at a price to be set between Dec. 7 and Dec. 10. Mitsubishi UFJ plans to offer about 1 trillion yen of stock, according to documents sent to investors. The price for the sale will be set as early as Dec. 14, said Daiwa Securities Group Inc., one of the underwriters.

To contact the reporters on this story: Lukanyo Mnyanda in London at lmnyanda@bloomberg.net; Yasuhiko Seki in Tokyo at yseki5@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 05:28 EST


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Crude Oil Rises, Snapping Four Days of Losses, as Dollar Falls

By Rachel Graham

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose in New York, snapping four days of losses, as a weaker dollar buoyed demand for commodities as a currency hedge.

The dollar traded as low as $1.4867 against the euro, from $1.4827 yesterday. The U.S. currency rose the past two days, bolstered partly by a better-than-forecast U.S. jobless report on Dec. 4.

“If we see a weakening dollar we’ll see stronger oil prices,” said Gerrit Zambo, a trader with Bayerische Landesbank in Munich. “It’s too early to say whether recent dollar gains are sustainable.”

Crude oil for January delivery rose as much as 46 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $74.39 a barrel and traded at $74.12 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 9:56 a.m. London time.

Brent crude oil for January settlement on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange rose as much as 59 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $77.02 a barrel and was at $76.80 at 9:56 a.m.

A weekly U.S. government report tomorrow is expected to show crude supply in the world’s biggest energy consumer rose last week for a third week.

Stockpiles of crude oil added 500,000 barrels in the week ended Dec. 4 from 339.9 million the prior week, according to a Bloomberg survey. The Energy Department is scheduled to release the data at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in Washington.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rachel Graham in London rgraham13@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 05:12 EST



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Coffee Deficit to Widen as Output Drops, Osorio Says

By Claire Leow and Van Nguyen

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- A global coffee deficit is likely to widen this year after bad weather hurt crops, International Coffee Organization Executive Director Nestor Osorio said.

Global supply in the year that began Oct. 1 will be 123 million to 125 million bags, while consumption is estimated at 132 million, Osorio said at a conference today. This compares with the previous year’s output of 128 million and demand of 130 million. Each bag is 60 kilograms.

Declining output after heavy rains in Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia, three of the four largest growers, and increasing domestic consumption in producing nations may curb supplies, boosting prices. The mild-tasting arabica, used by Starbucks Corp., climbed 30 percent this year, outpacing a 12 percent drop in robusta beans used in instant coffee and espresso.

“The weather has been erratic,” Osorio said in Ho Chi Minh City. “January and February will be crucial for the Brazilian harvest, and also for Vietnam.”

Robusta for January delivery in London declined 0.9 percent to $1,365 a metric ton today after jumping 4.3 percent yesterday on speculation Vietnamese farmers may hold back supplies.

“Global coffee prices will rise in the coming months on short supply,” Luong Van Tu, chairman of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association, said in an interview today.

March-delivery arabica dropped 0.3 percent to $1.4615 a pound on ICE Futures U.S. after climbing as much as 4.6 percent yesterday to $1.4790, the highest price for a most-active contract since Sept. 5, 2008.

Brazilian Supply

Growers in Brazil, the world’s biggest producer, will likely supply about 39 million bags this crop year, down from 46 million bags last year, Osorio said.

Vietnam, the second-largest producer, may see production slump as much as 20 percent to 17.5 million bags, said Tu. His forecast, equivalent to 1.05 million tons, compares with a range between 1.08 million tons and 1.2 million tons in a Bloomberg survey of five producers and traders.

Rainfall slashed output in Colombia to a 35-year low last season, helping boost prices of arabica.

In Colombia, which was overtaken by Indonesia as third- largest grower last year, “the new crop will still be a very low one,” after rains delayed flowering, Osorio said. Production will be 9 million to 10 million bags, up from 8.5 million last year.

Local Consumption

“Vietnam is very well implanted” as a world supplier, Osorio said. That’s important as producing countries with large populations such as Brazil and Indonesia are increasing domestic consumption, potentially reducing supplies for export, he said.

Producing countries now account for 26 percent of world consumption and emerging countries 18 percent, he said.

Between 2000 and 2008, demand from traditional markets such as North America and Europe expanded 0.9 percent to 68.6 million bags, while consumption in producing countries increased 3.8 percent to 35.9 million bags. Demand growth was highest in emerging markets at 5.5 percent, he said.

“Brazilians and Indonesians are drinking more coffee,” which has implications for exports, he said.

In Vietnam, where the government devalued the currency on Nov. 25 in an attempt to revive flagging exports, “the benefits of currency and devaluation have been offset by inflation,” Osorio said. The appreciation of the currencies of Brazil and Colombia has “reduced the benefit of higher prices,” he said.

Coffee is Vietnam’s second-most valuable crop after rice, with export earnings of $1.7 billion in the 2008-2009 year, Tu said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Claire Leow in Ho Chi Minh City at cleow@bloomberg.net; Van Nguyen at vnguyen23@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 06:35 EST



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Soybeans Climb for Second Day on Signs of Increasing Demand

By Luzi Ann Javier

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Soybeans climbed for a second day on increasing signs of improving demand for U.S. supplies, prompting analysts to forecast lower stockpiles in the world’s largest grower and exporter next year.

Soybeans inspected for export at U.S. ports surged 24 percent to 58.3 million bushels in the week ended Dec. 3, from a week earlier, government figures published yesterday showed.

The price of soybeans “is certainly being fueled by expectations of increased imports,” Jonathan Barratt, managing director at Commodity Broking Services Pty in Sydney, said by phone today. China’s purchases are “holding up the market quite nicely,” he said.

Soybeans for January delivery added 1 percent to $10.63 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade at 11:22 a.m. Paris time, adding to yesterday’s 1 percent gain.

U.S. soybean stocks may be 235 million bushels before the 2010 harvest, lower than the 270 million bushels forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in November, according to an average estimate of 21 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News.

Volumes inspected at U.S. ports are up 37 percent to 542.6 million bushels in the marketing year that began Sept. 1 through Dec. 3, the USDA said yesterday.

Soybean production in Mexico, the world’s third-largest importer, may drop 34 percent to 105,000 metric tons this year, from 160,000 tons last year, boosting demand for imports, the USDA said in a report yesterday.

Wheat Rallies

Wheat for March delivery climbed 1 percent to $5.5325 a bushel, the first gain in six days. Milling wheat for January delivery traded on Liffe in Paris was unchanged at 129.75 euros ($192.68) a metric ton.

Output in Australia, the world’s fourth-largest wheat exporter, may drop 3 percent from a previous forecast to 22 million tons in the year ending June 30, the Canberra-based Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics said today in an e-mailed statement. That compares with its September prediction of 22.7 million tons and last year’s revised crop of 20.9 million tons.

“That’s still relatively okay,” said Commodity Broking’s Barratt, referring to the Australian output. A weaker dollar may be providing support to wheat and corn prices, he said.

The Dollar Index, which tracks the value of the dollar against six major currencies, slipped 0.2 percent to 75.625 at 11:24 a.m. Paris time.

March-delivery corn also climbed for the first time in six sessions, adding 1.7 percent to $3.9025. The contract had lost 8.1 percent in the five sessions through yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: L



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Most Asian Stocks Drop on U.S. Growth Concern; Canon Falls

By Jonathan Burgos and Anna Kitanaka

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Most Asian stocks declined, led by finance and energy companies, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the U.S. economy faces “formidable headwinds.”

Canon Inc., which gets 28 percent of its revenue from the Americas, declined 1.1 percent in Tokyo. PetroChina Co. lost 1.4 percent in Hong Kong after oil prices fell. Tokyo Tatemono Co. tumbled 7 percent after shareholders cut their stakes in the developer. Nintendo Co., which makes the Wii game console, gained 1.4 percent after a market researcher said the company’s new Super Mario Bros. title broke a sales record.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was little changed at 120.61 as of 5:03 p.m. in Tokyo, with five stocks declining for every four that rose. The gauge has rallied 71 percent from a five-year low on March 9 on signs stimulus measures were reviving global growth.

“The market is looking for guidance for stronger profit growth,” said Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy at Sydney-based AMP Capital Investors, which oversees about $89 billion globally. “Whenever anyone makes a negative comment or cautious comment like Bernanke did, it obviously upsets the market a little bit.”


The Nikkei 225 Stock Average slipped 0.3 percent in Japan, where the government unveiled a 7.2 trillion yen ($81 billion) economic spending package. South Korea’s Kospi Index sank 0.3 percent in Seoul.

China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.1 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.2 percent. Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd., Hong Kong’s largest operator of dry-bulk vessels, fell 1.6 percent after freight rates fell.

Financial Shares

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index lost 0.1 percent even as business confidence rose in November to its highest level in more than seven years. Commonwealth Bank of Australia dropped 1.3 percent as Nomura Holdings Inc. said plans by regulators to improve banks’ capital strength will erode profits.

Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index were little changed. The gauge lost 0.3 percent yesterday, with financial shares leading the drop. The Fed’s Bernanke said the U.S. economy “confronts some formidable headwinds that seem likely to keep the pace of expansion moderate.”

Stocks have rallied in the past nine months on signs lower interest rates and more than $2 trillion of government spending were lifting economies around the world out of recession. Australian business confidence climbed last month to its highest level since May 2002, while Thailand’s consumer confidence rebounded, according to reports released today.

Government Support

Japanese corporate bankruptcies fell for a fourth month in November to their lowest level in almost two years, a sign that government measures to support smaller firms are working. Including the package announced today, the Japanese government has earmarked more than 29 trillion yen to boost the economy since September 2008.

Canon, the world’s largest camera maker, declined 1.1 percent to 3,710 yen. Foxconn International Holdings Ltd., the world’s biggest contract maker of mobile-phones, slumped 2.8 percent to HK$8.07.

Nintendo climbed 1.4 percent to 21,880 yen. The company’s “New Super Mario Bros. Wii” sold 937,000 copies in Japan in its first four days, the best domestic debut for a Wii console game, according to market researched Enterbrain Inc.

“The consensus view is that we’ll have more moderate growth than we did coming out of previous downturns,” said Matt Riordan, who helps manage about $5.1 billion at Paradice Investment Management in Sydney. “The companies we’re talking to are seeing signs of things improving. The big question from where we sit now is the speed by which it happens.”

Rally Since March

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index’s rally from its March low has outpaced gains of 63 percent by the S&P 500 and 57 percent for Europe’s Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index. Stocks in MSCI’s Asian index are valued at 22 times estimated earnings, compared with 18 times for the S&P 500 and 16 times for the Stoxx 600.

Mitsui & Co., which gets half of its sales from commodities, dropped 1.6 percent to 1,276 yen. Jiangxi Copper Co., China’s biggest producer of the metal, slipped 1.1 percent to 42.62 yuan in Shanghai.

The London Metals Index, a gauge of six metals including aluminum and copper, fell 0.8 percent yesterday, taking a three- day decline to 2.1 percent.

PetroChina, the nation’s biggest oil producer, fell 1.4 percent to HK$9.69. Inpex Corp., Japan’s largest oil explorer, lost 0.6 percent to 679,000 yen. Crude oil for January delivery dropped 2 percent to $73.93 a barrel yesterday in New York, extending losses for a fourth day.

Australian Banks

Tokyo Tatemono slumped 7 percent to 304 yen. Mizuho Corporate Bank slashed its stake in the developer to 10.08 percent from 5.51 percent while Morgan Stanley Japan Securities Co. cut its shares to 5.35 percent from 6.08 percent, according to filings to Japan’s Ministry of Finance.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, dropped 1.3 percent to A$53.09. National Australia Bank Ltd., the country’s third-biggest lender, dipped 0.4 percent to A$27.89.

Nomura said liquidity rules proposed by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority would force the country’s four- biggest banks to sell more bonds overseas, increasing funding charges and eroding as much as A$440 million annually from each bank’s profit.

Shipping stocks declined after the Baltic Dry Index, which measures the cost of shipping commodities, dropped 1.7 percent yesterday in London, snapping three days of gains.

Pacific Basin fell 1.6 percent to HK$6.04. China Cosco Holdings Co., the world’s largest operator of dry-bulk vessels, dipped 3.1 percent to 15.01 yuan in Shanghai. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., the world’s largest operator of iron-ore vessels, dropped 3.3 percent to 498 yen.

Paperlinx Ltd., an Australian supplier of office paper, magazines and packaging materials, advanced 8.8 percent to 55.5 Australian cents after Merrill Lynch & Co. upgraded the stock to “buy” and Credit Suisse Group AG raised it to “neutral.” Both banks previously rated the stock “underperform.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Burgos in Singapore at jburgos4@bloomberg.net; Anna Kitanaka in Tokyo at akitanaka@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 04:05 EST


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European Stocks Extend Losses; Stoxx 600 Index Declines 0.8%

By Andrew Rummer

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks slid for a second day as German industrial output unexpectedly declined in October and Nakheel PJSC posted a first-half loss.

The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index retreated 0.8 percent to 245.92 as of 11:33 a.m. in London, erasing an earlier gain of 0.2 percent.


Nakheel, the Dubai World-owned property developer seeking to renegotiate debt, had a first-half loss of 13.4 billion dirhams ($3.65 billion) as revenue fell and it wrote down the value of land and property, according to a document obtained by Bloomberg News.

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 06:34 EST


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S&P 500 to Rally 13% Through 2010, Goldman Sachs Says

By Adam Haigh and Roger Neill

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index may climb 13 percent by the end of next year as interest rates remain low, revenue grows and investors pour money into U.S. stocks, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. strategists.

The benchmark gauge for U.S. shares may rise to the 1,250 level by the end of 2010 as operating earnings per share surge 33 percent to $76, driven by an 8.9 percent increase in sales, strategists led by New York-based David Kostin wrote in a report dated yesterday. Individuals, institutional investors and companies will divert $600 billion into U.S. equities next year equal to 6 percent of the S&P 500’s market value, they wrote.


The S&P 500 has surged 63 percent from a 12-year low on March 9 as governments committed about $12 trillion and central banks cut interest rates to record lows to end the first global recession since World War II and revive credit markets. Goldman Sachs economists estimate the Federal Reserve will maintain its benchmark interest rate at 0 percent to 0.25 percent until at least 2012, according to the report.

Investors may pull money out of equity market during the second half of 2010 amid concerns about the strength of the economic recovery and before the Fed begins a process of “tightening” monetary policy, according to the report.

“Continued profit margin resiliency from prior aggressive cost reductions should drive strong returns in early 2010 and push the S&P 500 towards 1,300,” Kostin’s team wrote in the report. “We will be wrong if the Fed heads for the ‘Exit’ sooner than we expect.”

The S&P 500 forecast of 1,250 for the end of 2010 is 13 percent higher than its close at 1,103.25 yesterday.

To contact the reporters on this story: Adam Haigh in London at ahaigh1@bloomberg.net; Roger Neill in London at rneill3@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 04:45 EST


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U.S. Stock Futures Retreat; S&P 500 Contract Declines 0.3%

By Roger Neill

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures declined, reversing early gains, as German industrial output unexpectedly fell and Nakheel PJSC, the Dubai World-owned property developer seeking to renegotiate debt, reported a loss.

Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index expiring this month slipped 2.9, or 0.3 percent, to 1,100.80 at 11:33 a.m. in London, having advanced as much as 0.3 perent earlier.

Last Updated: December 8, 2009 06:34 EST



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