SGM-FX insights

Grace Hopper 1907-1992   GH had a sparkling career stemming from an insatiable curiosity for knowledge as a child; she went on to enjoy a first class education at Vassar College followed by a PhD in mathematics at Yale University. Having extended her mathematics knowledge into a career in what became computer science, Grace Hopper […]

How low can you go?   With Euro-Dollar at two year highs, the rapid sell-off in the Dollar is in question. The trade weighted Dollar index is flashing oversold suggesting the broad-based USD sell off that has been underway since June could be running out of steam. A direct counter party to many fx trades […]

GBP: the Pound Between the Scylla of a weak USD and the Charybdis of a strong EUR   Last week GBP finished a whisker short of USD 1.28 and notched up its best week for some time versus USD. Against the EUR however it was a different story. EUR strong at EUR/USD 1.1650 which meant […]

Australia   With their budget deficit already at a record at A$86 Billion versus a budgeted A$ 5 Billion surplus, Australia is forecasting it to get much worse at A$184 Billion this coming year. AUD at 1.41 versus USD.     South Korea   For the first time in 17 years, South Korea has entered […]

A new Gold Standard?   Global stocks flinched this week as the US Administration ordered the close of the Chinese consulate in Houston. The abrupt closure was justified on grounds of national defence and in particular spying concerns. China has promised to retaliate if Washington does not reconsider its decision, marking the closure a serious […]

Nifty   The Nifty Index has lived up to its name: the Nifty (Fifty) comprises 50 of the largest Indian stocks on the National Stock Exchange and fleet of foot investors who bought on March 24 this year will be congratulating themselves today on a 43% rise in their fortunes with the Nifty Fifty now […]

Russia   This is how it works in a pandemic affected Russia under President Putin: he simply instructed his officials yesterday to “fully restore the labour market” and stated his displeasure that 3 million or 6.3% of Russians were unemployed. USD/Ruble at 71.22.     Saudi Arabia   Spare a thought for the citizens of […]

Global Japanification     I’m told that when you make a risotto, you’re supposed to add the stock a ladle at a time and let it evaporate/absorb. Have you ever just dumped the lot in and feared you’ve ruined the whole dish? How about building a fire. Have you ever smothered it in so much […]

UK Economy   Economists professed disappointment at yesterday’s release of the 1.8% rebound in the UK economy in May and GBP sold off accordingly. While housing starts and manufacturing showed improvement, this was not enough for the economists. May was the month that the UK was still pretty much fully locked down and in addition […]

Hats off, Masks on   In March this year, the pandemic unmasked the fragility of European risk sharing (pardon the pun). Not only did the Union not have adequate risk sharing procedures in place on the fiscal and monetary front but it also felt like every man for himself. Cross border state aid and the […]

What’s safer than a Swiss Bank?   The answer turns out to be a Swiss rock vault carved out of a mountain. Bruega Mega Safe are offering clients ready to spring a minimum of $500,000 for a space in the vault that will be the size of 10 football pitches and will house gold, art, […]

US Dollar   Pretty much across the board yesterday the greenback saw declines including against the Chinese Yuan up 2.5% since its low two months ago, the Euro, GBP, Swedish Kronor, Norwegian Kronor and NZ Dollar. Some of this was prompted by a further rise in Chinese equities ( CSI300 Index on a 5 year […]