Collinson FX Market Commentary- December 21, 2012 - Boehner's Plan B

by Collinson FX on 23 Dec 2012
Collinson FX market Commentary: December 21, 2012

http://itunes.apple.com/app/collinsonfx/id533360650?mt=8!Click_here to find out how to get CollinsonFX's free iPhone app

Boehner attempted to pass 'Plan B', which raised taxes on those earning over $1,000,000, but faced rebellion. Republicans baulked at raising taxes on anyone as this is a bridge too far! This weakened the Speaker and perhaps threatened his post and may put some steel into him.

Obama and the Senate Democrats must now face the prospect of the 'Fiscal Cliff' and an almost certain recession as they have pushed too far. Obama has demanded a compromise which means 'his way or the highway!' His immediate goal was destruction of the Republicans in Congress and was typical of the Political gamesmanship that has highlighted his Presidency. He has certainly changed America but not to a way that gives hope.

The markets does not lie and equities crashed with the news killing risk appetite which pushed the EUR back to 1.3175 despite QE infintiy times 2 plus a couple more trillion.Consumer Confidence in the US fell to 72.9 and Kansas City Manufacturing fell 2%. Economic data will reflect the Political impasse despite the seeds of a recovery.

Obama has overplayed his hand and now we come in to Christmas. Holidays will mean break in hostilities but the urgency will redline after Santa has departed. Not a happy prospect but what's new?

Commodities have continued to be impacted by the lack of confidence with the AUD testing 1.0400 on the downside and the KIWI 0.8225.

Next week will be quiet due to the holidays but could offer a Political surprise from Washington!

Collinson FX market Commentary: December 20, 2012

Fiscal Cliff negotiations continued to dominate markets which remain slow with participants preoccupied with seasonal festivities. Low volume confirms the lack of interest in trading with equities taking a spell from the Santa rally and commodities drifting.

Hardened to the arguments of the repercussions resulting from Fiscal Cliff horse trading, indifference has emerged. A deal will be done regarding tax rises as it seems it is just a matter of how much!? Republicans have their tails between there legs and look set to capitulate to the left.

The problem is spending, as outlined by Merkel, and Political failure to address the critical fiscal imbalance will collapse the system. The fiscal incompetence is an indictment of the failure of Political systems in the Western world. Demand for commodities slipped, dragging associated currencies lower with the AUD falling below 1.0500 and the KIWI 0.8365.

In the US, the much vaunted recovery in housing took a dent with Housing Starts plunging 3%, contradicting one of the main premise for economic recovery in the US. Don't bet your house on it!

Collinson FX market Commentary: December 19, 2012

The 'Santa Rally' continued with positive news from Europe and rising hopes in the Fiscal Cliff negotiations. In Europe, S&P raised the outlook raising Greek debt rating from Junk Bond status, clearly believing in the commitment of EU leaders.

The EUR rallied to 1.3225 and the GBP 1.6250 with the usual positive season sentiments flowing through markets. Most Politicians are off the stage and the lack of presence certainly raises positive market vibes. The sheer lack of faith in Politicians from both the left and right have reinforced the crumbling support of institutions that have built Western nations.

The entitlement society has dragged Western democracies into the toilet with debt overwhelming the viability of nations. In the US, the White House rejected the Boehner offer to raise taxes on those earning over $1 Million and allow Bush taxes to remain. Obama has not offered significant spending cuts that are the root of the crises. Remember these revenues and cuts are multiplied by 10 as they are talking about a ten year budgetary period.

Why not talk in multiple of 100 so the numbers can become even more meaningless and relevant. To put this in perspective....the US Government is more than $1 Trillion p.a.($10 Trillion 10 year) and they are proposing cuts of $100 Billion ($1 Trillion 10 year)! Keep in mind these cuts are not actual cuts but cuts to growth in expenditure already budgeted. This will not even slow the compounding growth of the deficit and debt that will overwhelm the nations finances in the short term.

Meanwhile the Christmas rally continues with the seasonal rally in equities. Commodities failed to respond to the Christmas spirit and remained steady. The AUD held 1.0530 and the KIWI 0.8425 with markets trading very thin volume over the holiday season. This is likely to continue until participants return in the New Year with any deal in the Fiscal Cliff negotiations likely to be marginal.

Collinson FX market Commentary: December 18, 2012

The last full trading week before Christmas promises to be light in trading volume with only major Eco-political events having an impact. Today stocks rallied after positive news from the Fiscal Cliff negotiations. Speaker Boehner has offered further considerations in form of a tax rise on those earning $1,000,000 plus.

Obama has not agreed but the continued bi-partisanship from the Republicans may force his hand. His form has offered precedence and has not always been in line with popular demand so expectations must be reserved with Democrats cocky after the recent election. Equities rallied on the developments and the currencies remained attracted to risk. The EUR traded 1.3150 with Merkel commenting on necessary structural reforms that must be addressed.

She spoke of the over generous welfare/entitlement societies that are drowning Western nations in debt. This sacred cow will be heavily resisted by the left but the simple fact of a fall in the number of tax payers does not allow such largesse. In the US, The Empire Manufacturing Survey continued to degenerate falling a further 8.1% but economic data was swamped by political negotiations.

The Santa Rally resumed with no fundamental moves expected this side of the New year apart from Fiscal Cliff developments. The AUD remained steady trading over 1.0500 and the KIWI 0.8400 reflecting the strong appetite for risk in the face of a devastated Big Dollar.

For more on Collinson FX and market information see:
www.collinsonfx.com and www.collinsonwealthmanagement.com

Countries: | NZ: 0800 338 838 | AU: 1800 143 415 | NY: 1888 6257 833 | UK: 0800 0285 834 |

Disclaimer: The details expressed in this website and accompanying documents or transmissions are for information purposes only and are not intended as a solicitation for funds or a recommendation to trade. Collinson Forex Ltd accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages suffered through any act or omission taken as a result of reading or interpreting any of the information contained or related to this site.