SGM-FX insights

Fetters of Gold, Paper and Blockchain   The Dollar faces a challenge tomorrow when the US Federal Reserve releases its latest monetary policy decision. There are swelling expectations moving into the event that whether realised or undermined should spell considerable movement in the world’s foremost currency. Of course, the impact that the greenback itself has […]

America (Thirty-) First   Those worst affected by any ailment are usually the ones who go the furthest in order to defend themselves against it. Areas prone to flooding have the greatest flood defences and those in natural earthquake zones have structurally designed buildings. Sure, there are limiting factors to this axiom such as affordability […]

U.S. Employment   It is all too easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when analysing the weekly U.S. jobless claims which for the week ending 14-11-20 saw a rise of 742,000 as further business closures to combat rising Covid infections took their toll. This compared to 711,000 the previous week and a forecast […]

Knock knock   As the White House transitions to a mix of green envy and red hatred towards the unconfirmed President-elect Biden, the Dollar remains well bid. Across emerging market currencies the impact of Biden’s win has been unmistakably priced in with currencies such as the Mexican Peso and Chinese Yuan holding onto strong gains. […]

Oil-where is the price heading?   The price of WTI is currently drooping at $37.14 and with the USA and Libya due to increase production shortly, that price is unlikely to rise. Combined with OPEC’s forecast that demand for oil is now 2.5 million barrels per day lower for Q4 2020 than the 2019 forecast […]

US Dollar and a Biden Victory   Yesterday the market reflected the belief of a likely Biden victory which is expected in turn to cause a period of volatility. Biden is expected to spend large on an economic stimulus and to take a less restrictive approach to international trade which will strengthen other currencies versus […]

To the polls!   Today is Election Day in the United States with markets braced for considerable volatility expected through the rest of the week. Only around an hour ago campaigns finished with President Trump walking off a stage in Michigan, concluding his campaign in the same state as he did in 2016. It will […]

At the Start (of what promises to be a bumpy week for markets)   Following the major moves last week, it is as well to start with a reminder of where markets finished on Friday night ahead of the US Presidential Election: Oil having fallen by more than 10%, WTI at $35.72. The Dow at […]

US Election   With just 11 days to go to the US Presidential Election, every pundit worth his salt is drawing up the market risks and probabilities of the outcome despite the fact that no two elections can be the same. So making the assumption that more than enough has already been expended in the […]

Alphabet   It sounds dry stuff at first glance but on closer study smacks of chicanery or at the very least political opportunism. But with the US Department of Justice filing an anti trust case against Alphabet’s Google two weeks before the US Election in which one of the candidates has been outspoken on holding […]

CHF   Despite immense currency market intervention, the Swiss Franc has failed to depreciate meaningfully. The Swiss National Bank has conducted forex operations totalling tens of billions of Francs with little impact on the currency’s value. As a currency with safe-haven status, it finds itself the beneficiary of defensive demand during times of uncertainty and […]

Short Biden   Today marks three weeks until the US Presidential election. Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden leads rival and incumbent Donald Trump by some 10 percentage points. Some weeks ago, despite a lead in the polls, betting markets were more stubborn to revise the probability of a Biden win upwards. The presupposition of a […]