Swiss Franc Currency Index Trade-weighted index Swiss Franc, April 29(see more posts on Swiss Franc Index, ) Source: markets.fx.xom - Click to enlarge Swiss Franc Currency Index (3 years) The Swiss Franc index is the trade-weighted currency performance (see the currency basket)On a three years interval, the Swiss Franc had a weak performance. The dollar index was far stronger. The dollar makes up 33% of the...
Read More »NAFTA Trade Update
Summary: The trade tensions between the US and Canada set the Canadian dollar to lows for the year. The dollar’s downside momentum against the Mexican peso has eased. The Canadian dollar looks attractive not against the US dollar but against the peso. The Trump Administration has switched gears. During the campaign through the inauguration, Trump picked on Mexico. The rhetoric and threats drove the peso to...
Read More »Longevity and Income
Summary: Rich people live longer than poor people in the US. This disparity undermines the progressive nature of Social Security. Disparity of income seems more important than the slowdown in growth in explaining why few US people are doing better than their parents at the age of 30. Americans do not like to talk about class. Many like to think that there are no classes in the US and that sufficient hard work...
Read More »FX Daily, April 28: Markets Limp into Month End
Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, April 28(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge GBP/CHF The pound to Swiss Franc rate could hit 1.30 very soon as the market gets closer to this important level of resistance that could easily break through in the coming weeks. The overall expectations for the pound to strengthen on the back of a strong UK election for the Conservatives remain, the Franc should...
Read More »FX Daily, April 27: Several Developments ahead of the ECB meeting
Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, April 27(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge FX Rates The ECB meeting and the press conference that follows it is the main event. However, it has had to compete with the Bank of Japan and Riksbank meetings, as well as the further reflection of the tax reform proposals by the Trump Administration yesterday. Also, after a misdirection over pulling out of...
Read More »Draghi Does Nothing and Talks about It
Summary: Draghi confirms rate on hold and maintains easing bias. Growth risks are becoming more balanced. Inflation has yet to get on a sustained upward path. As widely expected, the ECB left its key rates and asset purchase plan intact. It reiterated its forward guidance that rates will remain at present levels or lower. Draghi was more confident about the economy, suggesting that the downside risks had...
Read More »FX Daily, April 26: Dollar Stabilizes Ahead of Trump and ECB
Swiss Franc EURCHF - Euro Swiss Franc, April 26(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge GBP/CHF Last week Theresa May called a snap General election due to take place on 8th June. Historically a snap election has caused the currency in question to weaken, however on this occasion Sterling strengthened. It was a shrewd move by May to call an election while the competition is so weak. A conservative...
Read More »Weekly Speculative Positions: CHF Position Stands at same Position
Swiss Franc Speculators were net short CHF in January 2015, shortly before the end of the peg, with 26.4K contracts. Then again in December 2015, when they expected a Fed rate hike, with 25.5K contracts. The biggest short CHF, however, happened in June 2007, when speculators were net short 80K contracts. Shortly after, the U.S. subprime crisis started. The carry trade against CHF collapsed. The...
Read More »FX Daily, April 25: Euro Consolidates Gains, Bond Market Sell-Off Continues
Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, April 25(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge GBP/CHF We have seen small gains made by the Euro against the Swiss Franc since the result of the first round of the Presidential elections in France, and indeed the Swiss Franc has generally weakened against most major currencies over the course of this week. The SNB (Swiss National Bank) have recently commented...
Read More »FX Daily, April 24: Dramatic Response to French Election
Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, April 24(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge FX Rates The results of the first round of the French election spurred a dramatic response in the capital markets. Our thesisthat there is no populist-nationalist wave sweeping the world is supported by the previous results in Austria, the Netherlands, and now France. The AfD in Germany is wilting in the polls, and...
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