Sunday, 24 August 2008

US Stocks Rally Taking Dollar For The Ride| ForexGen


U.S. Dollar Trading (USD) rallied before Fed Chief Bernanke's speech on speculation that Lehman Brother's may receive capital from the Korean Development Bank. Also supporting was a massive drop in Oil on the back of easing geopolitical concerns and reopening of major pipelines in Turkey. Bernanke took some of the wind out of the Dollar's rally though with comments that slowing US growth would mediate inflation concerns indicating that the Fed would be able to keep target rates low for an extended period of time. In the U.S. share markets, the NASDAQ was up 34 points (1.44%) and the Dow Jones was up 197 points (1.73%). Crude Oil closed down $6.59 ending the New York session at $114.59 per barrel. Looking ahead, July Home Sales are forecast at 4.9 Million up from 4.86 Million in June.


The Euro (EUR) pulled back from Thursday's highs as Oil retreated and the USD rallied broadly. Eurozone data did little to support with the June Current Account blowing out to -8.2 Billion. Industrial Orders for June were better than forecast although still negative, down -0.3% in June or -7.4% Y/Y. Overall the EUR/USD traded with a low of 1.4759 and a high of 1.4909 before closing the day at 1.4790 in the New York session.


The Japanese Yen (JPY) reversed Thursday's losses gaining all day to reclaim the 110 level driven by buoyant equities and renewed risk appetite. Monetary Policy Minutes showed Bank of Japans concern with rising global Inflation and growing downside risks. Overall the USDJPY traded with a low of 108.33 and a high of 110.15 before closing the day around 109.90 in the New York session.

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