Aussie Falls as RBA Cut Growth Forecast

The Australian dollar tumbled as the Reserve Bank of Australia revised its growth forecast for this year downwardly, spurring speculation that more interest rate cuts will follow.The RBA forecast that nation’s gross domestic product will rise 3 percent, compared to the previous estimate of 3.5 percent. Inflation growth was revised from 3 percent to 2.5 percent. The central bank wrote in its policy statement:   ...

Continue Reading →

Euro Drops Ahead of Elections on Weekend

The euro was falling today as elections in European countries this weekend and the next week add to uncertainty regarding the ability of the eurozone to withstand its financial crisis.Greece is the country that was most damaged by the crisis and its parliamentary elections on May 6 are very important for the well-being of the euro. As Holger Schmieding, a chief economist at Berenberg Bank, outlined:    The biggest...

Continue Reading →

Pound Gains vs. Euro Ahead of Elections in France & Greece

The Great Britain pound gained against the euro today as Forex traders were nervous before the election in Greece and France this week. The currency fell against the US dollar despite the negative fundamental data from the United States.The French will vote in the final round of the presidential elections on May 6, while Greeks will choose a new parliament. Some participants use plenty of anti-euro rhetorics in their speeches....

Continue Reading →

GBP/USD Falls After Greek Bondholders Suffer Losses

The Great Britain pound slipped versus the US dollar as investors shunned European assets after private holders of Greek debt suffered losses on Greece’s bonds. The currency was still up against the euro and the Japanese yen.Greece used collective action clauses to increase participation of investors in the bond swap program. As a result, the International Swaps & Derivatives Association announced that “a Restructuring Credit...

Continue Reading →

UK Pound Gains against the US Dollar

The UK pound is rising against the US dollar, enjoying gains not seen for more than a week. The latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England is to keep it the same. Additionally, the Bank of England is going to keep its debt-purchase program on hold for now.The news that the Bank of England doesn’t feel it needs to continue with its quantitative easing program is welcome to many Forex traders, and is providing a measure...

Continue Reading →

UK Pound Declines against US Dollar

UK pound is declining against the US dollar today, thanks to general risk aversion weighing on high beta currencies, as well as disappointing economic data out of Great Britain. Against the euro, sterling is struggling as well, although there have been swings between gains and losses.The lastest UK housing data has been disappointing, showing that February housing prices were down 0.5% from the previous month. The news is discouraging...

Continue Reading →

GBP/USD Falls After Greek Bondholders Suffer Losses

The Great Britain pound slipped versus the US dollar as investors shunned European assets after private holders of Greek debt suffered losses on Greece’s bonds. The currency was still up against the euro and the Japanese yen.Greece used collective action clauses to increase participation of investors in the bond swap program. As a result, the International Swaps & Derivatives Association announced that “a Restructuring Credit...

Continue Reading →

Pound Falls as GDP Shrinks

The Great Britain pound fell today after a government report showed that the UK economy unexpectedly declined in the first quarter of this year, reducing appeal of the nation’s currency.Britain’s gross domestic product dropped 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2012, following the drop by 0.3 percent in the previous quarter. Traders were frustrated as analysts predicted a 0.1 percent increase. Gross value added grew 0.2 percent...

Continue Reading →

Rand Gains for Second Day on European Bonds & US Corporate Profits

The South African rand gained today for the second day after yields on European bonds fell, easing nervousness about Europe’s troubles, and as US corporate profits were above forecasts.Falling yields for Spanish, Italian and Dutch bonds gave investors hope that Europe may yet emerge from its financial crisis. Apple reported that it almost doubled its profit in the second fiscal quarter as demand for iPhone grew in China. All in...

Continue Reading →

Aussie Goes Down as CPI Growth Below Expectations

The Australian dollar fell today as a government report showed that nation’s consumer prices rose in the last quarter far slower that was anticipated by market analysts, triggering speculation about an interest rate cut.Australia’s Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 percent in the first quarter of 2012, while much bigger growth by 0.7 percent was predicted by economists. The trimmed mean CPI (core CPI) increase 0.3 percent, while forecasters...

Continue Reading →

Aussie Goes Down as CPI Growth Below Expectations

The Australian dollar fell today as a government report showed that nation’s consumer prices rose in the last quarter far slower that was anticipated by market analysts, triggering speculation about an interest rate cut.Australia’s Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 percent in the first quarter of 2012, while much bigger growth by 0.7 percent was predicted by economists. The trimmed mean CPI (core CPI) increase 0.3 percent, while forecasters...

Continue Reading →

Japanese Yen Mixed Today

Japanese yen is mixed today as Forex traders look for direction. There is a lot to think about today, in terms of news and forecasts, and currencies are part of the confusion. Yen has slipped against the euro after choppy trading, but is higher against the pound and the dollar.Japanese yen is down against the euro, which is gaining ground on the enthusiasm surrounding a solid Dutch bond auction — in spite of the recent resignation...

Continue Reading →

Euro Rangebound in Forex Trading

Euro is mostly rangebound today, making small gains against the US dollar, after a Dutch bond auction proved reasonably successful. The euro has been struggling lately due to concerns about the political stability of eurozone countries, as well as continued worries about Spain.Earlier, a bond auction in the Netherlands was deemed a success. There had been some questions about the bond auction, since the resignation of Prime Minister...

Continue Reading →

US Dollar Index Gains as Traders Consider Consolidation

Yesterday’s buoyant tone and risk appetite have receded, leaving the US dollar to log gains against some currencies right now. The dollar index is heading higher, as the greenback gains against some of its major counterparts, especially the euro and the yen.Yesterday, better news out of Europe, combined with an enthusiasm for stocks, led to a lower US dollar. The dollar index dropped below 80 as many traders looked for better...

Continue Reading →

Bank of Canada Comments Send Loonie Higher

Right now, the Canadian dollar is seeing gains against nearly all of its major counterparts as the Bank of Canada comes out sounding a bit hawkish. Loonie is finding support in general risk appetite as well, and receiving some help from higher oil prices.Everything seems to be going right for the Canadian dollar today. The BOC came out and said that putting a stop to stimulus measures might be a priority, and many are taking that...

Continue Reading →

Euro Lower Against Many Counterparts

Euro is lower against many of its counterparts today, dropping as concerns about the European debt situation continue to dominate the news. Spain is expected to auction off bonds today, and there are concerns about climbing yields. Additionally, there are expectations of a drop in investor confidence in Germany.Concerns about the eurozone are dominating news today as Forex traders consider that the sovereign debt situation might...

Continue Reading →

Obama threatens veto of highway bill over Keystone XL pipeline

Time for another showdown over energy policy.  House Republicans included a provision in the new highway bill extension (five months) that would force the Obama administration to approve the complete construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.  The White House reacted about as well as one would imagine:The White House on Tuesday threatened to veto House legislation to extend transportation programs because it contains...

Continue Reading →

CBS/NYT poll shows dead heat between Obama, Romney at 46%

So much for that eight-point lead in the secretly-weighted CNN poll, eh?  CBS gives us a sneak peek at their first general-election poll of the season, in partnership with the New York Times, and finds a dead heat in the mid-40s:Mitt Romney has closed the gap with President Obama among registered voters, a CBS News/New York Times poll released Wednesday found, putting the former Massachusetts governor in a dead heat with...

Continue Reading →

Great news: Senate record for shirking responsibility to continue through 2012 elections

Whew. For a while there, we thought that the streak might be coming to an end:Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) bowed to pressure from fellow Democrats on Tuesday and postponed a committee vote on a 2013 budget resolution, most likely until after the November elections.Conrad on Wednesday will begin a committee markup of a resolution based on the Bowles-Simpson deficit recommendations, but told reporters there...

Continue Reading →

Congresswoman lets the air out of the inflated student loan industry, says there’s no reason for it

In a radio interview today, North Carolina Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx recounted the way she worked her way through college and said “there’s no reason” for students to graduate with $80,000 or $200,000 in student-loan debt.ThinkProgress flagged the interview as though it somehow reflected poorly on Foxx, but I really fail to see how she’s not offering a hopeful message. She’s essentially just saying, “Hey kids, you don’t have...

Continue Reading →

Obama: OK, now immigration reform really is my top priority

Remember when Barack Obama said he was going to tackle immigration reform in his first year in office? At the time, he had majorities in both the House and the Senate. Now, though, he doesn’t — and, while he deeply cares about the issue and wants to do something to fix a broken system, he just can’t. That darn Congress — only half of which is Republican, mind you — won’t let him.He says he’ll make it his top priority post-reelection,...

Continue Reading →

UK Pound Paring Earlier Losses on US Data

UK pound is paring earlier losses against the US dollar right now, thanks to positive data in the United States, and a return to some level of risk appetite. Manufacturing improved more than expected, and US stocks are gaining right now, lending support to the sterling.While UK pound is still down on the day, better news in the United States is helping the sterling regain some of its strength. Earlier, a lot of the focus was on...

Continue Reading →

UK Pound Higher Against Greenback, Aussie

UK pound is finding some strength today against the US dollar and the Australian dollar. Sterling is rising against the greenback as risk appetite makes an appearance, and gaining against the Aussie as the news about China continues to weigh on the Down Under currency.UK pound has been struggling recently, thanks in large part to an unpopular budget announced by George Osborne. Concerns about the fact that the budget cuts spending,...

Continue Reading →

UK Pound Drops on Government Borrowing

UK pound is struggling today, dropping on the latest figures related to government borrowing. As the government prepares to share its new budget, it’s clear that there isn’t going to be much room for stimulus. The news has the sterling heading lower against the euro and the US dollar today.Borrowing figures for the British government show that, year-to-date in February, the UK government has borrowed 110 billion pounds. The news...

Continue Reading →

GBP Fluctuates After Jobless Claims Climb

The Great Britain pound fluctuated versus the US dollar today after a report showed that jobless claims rose last month more than was predicted. The currency was falling throughout the first half of the trading session, then rebounded and now fluctuates in a wide range.Claims for unemployment benefits rose by 7,200 jobs in February, following the 7,000 increase...

Continue Reading →

UK Pound Gains on Economic Data

UK pound is gaining today, thanks in part to better than expected economic data out of Great Britain. Good news is helping the pound against the US dollar and against the euro. While there are still some hurdles for sterling, right now the outlook is pretty good.UK trade deficit data came in under the estimate, showing a narrower than expected gap. Instead of 1.9 billion pounds of deficit, Britain saw 1.762 billion pounds. This...

Continue Reading →

Report: Rubio to endorse on “Hannity” tonight; Update: Yep, Romney

Drudge has busted out the red font for the occasion, which I guess makes this officially “news.” I wonder who it’ll be. The guy who just fired his campaign manager and started laying off staffers? The guy who struggles to win among electorates that aren’t heavily evangelical and who may well end up dropping his own home state? Or the guy with a prohibitive lead in delegates, who won Rubio’s home state in a landslide, and who’s...

Continue Reading →

Video: Obama message to Planned Parenthood supporters oddly silent about key Planned Parenthood service

Via the boss emeritus’s new Twitter aggregator Twitchy. I hate to say it but after watching this I think there might be something to the DNC’s “war on women” message. It’s inexplicable that the GOP wants to yank federal funding for this excellent health organization that provides cancer screenings and contraception and apparently nothing else. Can anyone blame the left for having a screeching, frothing-at-the-mouth fit whenever...

Continue Reading →

The Ed Morrissey Show: Gov. Mitt Romney, Duane Patterson, Week in Review

posted at 1:21 pm on March 23, 2012 by Ed MorrisseyToday, on the Ed Morrissey Show (special time: 2:45 pm ET), Governor Mitt Romney will join us for a few minutes as he campaigns in Louisiana.  I’ll ask him about Rick Santorum’s comments, the two-year anniversary of ObamaCare, how he will engage the conservative base, and perhaps a little on foreign policy, if we have the time.After, we’ll take a look at the past week with...

Continue Reading →

Obama team gaming out open support for gay marriage among top Democrats?

Greg Sargent gets the leak from a Democratic strategist in the loop on what could best be described as focus-group testing to change Barack Obama’s stated values system.  In the 2008 campaign, Obama opposed gay marriage while supporting civil unions and decrying discrimination, a rather safe position even in the Democratic Party.  No one really believed it, though, and almost ever since taking office Obama and his team...

Continue Reading →

No ObamaCare anniversary celebration for Obama

posted at 12:10 pm on March 21, 2012 by Ed MorrisseyIn just two days, Barack Obama will celebrate the two-year anniversary of his signature legislative achievement as President — ObamaCare. Or rather, he won’t celebrate it.  In fact, according to The Hill, the White House won’t even bother defending the bill against its critics in the days leading up to the Supreme Court review of ObamaCare:    President Obama...

Continue Reading →

Obama fundraising 28% off 2008 pace

posted at 9:50 am on March 21, 2012 by Ed MorrisseyYesterday I noted that the latest fundraising numbers for Barack Obama came to $45 million, but that combined his fundraising with that of the DNC.   Politico breaks it down further to find that the actual total money raised for Obama by three different committees in February comes to $39.4 million — far off of the pace of his 2008 fundraising:    Barack...

Continue Reading →

Royal Thai Air Force to Drop Water to Help Ease Haze

CHIANGRAI TIMES – In Chiang Rai, the smog problem was also very serious, with the amount of small dust particles touching 431.6 micrograms per cubic metre of air.Chiang Rai Governor Thanin Supasan said the provincial government was now securing the help of the Royal Thai Air Force in combating the smog.“Two RTAF planes will be deployed to sprinkle water in the sky over Chiang Rai so as to ease the problem,” he said.Water-sprinkling...

Continue Reading →

Thailand to Strengthen Trade with Canada

CHIANGRAI TIMES – Thailand is planning a major pitch to open free trade talks with Canada this week, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper begins his second Asia trip in three months.Thailand will sweeten its offer by positioning itself as a comfortable and safe entry point from which Canada could make further inroads throughout South Asia — raising the potential of a broader trade deal with the region’s emerging, 10-country bloc,...

Continue Reading →