The Euro slid precipitously across the board yesterday especially against the US Dollar, the lowest since 2003, closing the trading day at 1.1077. There are a multitude of factors contributing to this weakness, from Greece’s bailout extension to a belief from 37% of pollsters that Greece will still leave the Euro-Zone as it owes IMF 1.5 billion Euro’s a month. To add to the depreciating Euro is negative yields on Bonds as the ECB gets ready to ramp up its assets purchases plan, Quantitative Easing (QE). It will be a different format at to how the United States implemented their QE program but it has been reported that everyone involved is not totally clear on important details, as the financial system deteriorates further.
The ECB meets today in Cyprus and no doubt Draghi will have have some explaining and clarification to do along with new forecasts for Inflation and Growth. Draghi has admitted mistakes have been made and did not take into account the latest drop in OIL prices in his calculations.
OIL (WTI) made a nice recovery during the US session yesterday March 04, to close the day at 51.57 up from the low of 49.58. (open 50.52) even when US Inventories still remain at record highs.
India surprisingly cut it benchmark Interest Rate 0.25% to be at 7.5%. India is the largest Gold purchaser in the world and this lowering had a negative affect as Gold slipped below the 1200 mark to a low 1198.92 and closing the day out just above the psychological mark at 1200.34. It is also a 61.8% retracement area from a Daily chart Nov. 07 low to a high on Jan. 22. and will provide some strong support as committed Bulls will try to protect this line in the sand.
The Canadian Dollar had a strong day as Interest Rates were kept on hold as financial situations there have eased somewhat since January, says Bank of Canada. The CAD had a 73 pip gain on the day against the US Dollar.
The strongest currency within the majors was the New Zealand as it was on fire especially against the GBP, EURO and YEN. The Aussie Dollar held its own price as quarterly GDP did rise but Banking giant ANZ said results were too soft and more Interest Rate cuts are needed.
Wall Street was down yesterday, off record highs, on low volume as the big Boys await Friday’s NON Farm Payroll results.
News for Thursday March 05:
AUSTRALIA – Retail Sales and all important Trade Balance
GREAT BRITAIN – official Bank Interest Rate and MPC statement
EUROPE – ECB press Conference and Interest Rate statement (Cyprus)
UNITED STATES – Unemployment Claims
CANADA – Ivey PMI – leading indicator