The prickly pear cactus jelly threat… and TFN’s 2009 prediction for the euro
February 17, 2009 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
The “contrarian” havens… commodities, foreign markets, foreign currencies… are crashing right alongside U.S. equities. Here’ where we see the euro trading by December 2009
by J. Christoph Amberger
Baltimore—TFN: Yesterday morning, I endangered national security.
Catching an early flight out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where my son had been fencing at the Junior Olympics, I was caught smuggling a [...]
Time to hedge against this major currency
January 30, 2009 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
U.S. GDP growth numbers and Japanese industrial output are contracting rapidly. But so are most non-dollar currencies. In fact, rumors of speculators driving euro and ruble into the ground abound on the markets!
by J. Christoph Amberger
Baltimore—TFN: The numbers are in: In the last quarter of 2008, the U.S. economy shrank at an annualized rate of 3.8%. [...]
What ever happened to Alicia Silverstone?
Don’t you think it’s quite amazing just how poorly those much-touted “safe havens” did when it really counted… by J. Christoph Amberger Baltimore—TFN: What ever happened to the 1990’s Clueless starlet Alicia Silverstone? More relevantly, perhaps, what ever happened to “safe-haven” currencies?Reportedly not insisting on being paid in euros...
Buy Vallourec (VK), Fresenius (FME) & Syngenta (SYNN) for the European recession
August 25, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
“With economic growth likely to slow, investors will take a greater interest in firms with clearly visible profitability, operating in strongly growing markets. Here are three examples.” — Cedric de Fonclare
Blogger’s note: Each week our friends over at MoneyWeek in London ask a professional investor where he or she is investing [...]
Euro drops on record German inflation
August 19, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
The European Central Bank (ECB) considers inflation its biggest enemy. How successfully are they fighting it? Well, with the German PPI up a whopping 9%, they seem to be doing a bang-up job!
by Nina Koeppen, Wall Street Journal
Baltimore — (TFN): German gross domestic product fell 0.5% in the second quarter from the first three months [...]
Economic slowdown in Europe: German GDP may have shrunk by -1%
August 9, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
Weak German economic growth numbers worry Economists — and spell trouble for the euro.
by Spiegel Online
Baltimore — (TFN): The German economy — still the engine of Europe — may have shrunk in the second quarter, according to early reports, and the outlook for industrial production isn’t lively. After a good start to 2008, Germany could [...]
Recession Watch: Is the Euro Headed for a Crash?
August 7, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
“But while there seems to have been more or less a straight fight between the States and us (the UK) as to who actually plunges into a recession first, within the last few weeks another strong contender for this dubious prize has emerged. The eurozone now looks like it [...]
Dollar trend reversal: Is it time to short the euro and go long the dollar?
August 5, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
After the rout in oil, gold and commodities, the U.S. dollar may be in for a trend reversal. Is it may time to short the euro yet?
by J. Christoph Amberger
Baltimore — (TFN): The dollar rebounded to a seven-week high at $1.5454 per against the euro as the Fed kept interest rates unchanged. The dollar rallied [...]
Why the Euro Won’t Replace the Dollar
July 25, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · 1 Comment
“A more immediate concern is the growing divergence of European economies. Two big European economies, Italy and Spain, are perceived as more risky than the two core members of the Eurozone, Germany and France.” — Lord William Rees-Mogg
by Lord William Rees-Mogg
Baltimore and London — (TFN): In the last year, the euro [...]
Low dollar is starting to hurt
American financial gurus consider an overvalued currency the end-all be-all of national monetary policy. European manufacturers and exporters are disagreeing. Click here to view the show… Read moreStagflation Will Kill the Carry Trader
June 12, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
“Throw stagflation into the mix, and the whole picture changes. This is exactly what’s happening now. The rules are changing but no one seems to have informed ‘the players’ yet.” — Sean Hyman
by Sean Hyman
Baltimore – (TFN): For a long time now, if you had a background in stock trading, [...]
Oil Prices Jump Higher on EU Warning
June 5, 2008 · Filed Under Oil and Energy · Comment
“It’s not excluded that, after having carefully examined the situation, that we could decide to move our rates for a small amount at our next meeting. I didn’t say it’s certain. I said it’s possible.” — European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet
by Stephanie Grimmett
Baltimore – (TFN): You can blame a frenchman [...]
Foreign Investment: Iceland’s krona hits the skids
May 20, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
“Banks all over the world have spent much of the few years bingeing on cheap money, but Iceland’s taken the whole thing to quite an extreme. Its big players – the likes of Landsbanki and Kaupthing – have been on an extraordinary borrowing spree, sucking in vast quantities of cash to fund lending and acquisitions [...]
Technical Indicators: Is a dollar reversal imminent?
May 20, 2008 · Filed Under US Stocks and Markets · Comment
Baltimore — (TFN): On April 29, net shorts on a decline in the euro came in at 21,315— compared with net longs of 18,907 a week earlier, according to the CFTC. Currency strategists now expect the dollar reversal to reach $1.52 within the next few days.
So far, the U.S. currency has appreciated 4 percent from [...]
Technical Indicators: Your latest TFN podcast is now online
Baltimore — (TFN): Net shorts on a decline in the euro came in at 21,315— compared with net longs of 18,907 a week earlier, according to the CFTC. Currency strategists now expect the dollar reversal to reach $1.52 within the next few days: The podcast for our latest TFN 60-Second Buzz video, featuring J. Christoph [...]Technical Indicators: Is a dollar reversal imminent?
Baltimore — (TFN): Short positions on the euro have been increasing. An increasing number of traders expect the dollar to appreciate against the euro and other currencies. But could a dollar reversal ring in a deflating of the commodities bubble? Click here to join the show! ****Make sure you sign up for our FREE TFN News Feed [...]Fed Rate Cut: Bernanke’s silver bullets
May 2, 2008 · Filed Under US Stocks and Markets · Comment
“At this point, Ben Bernanke has to feel like Barney Fife. Remember how on the Andy Griffith Show, Andy only gave Barney one bullet and he had to keep it in his pocket? Mr. Bernanke has to feel like he is running out of bullets and needs [...]
Dollar weakness: Strong euro threatens European industry
April 24, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
Blogger’s Note: The record low exchange rate of the dollar against the euro and yen is seen as a harbinger of doom for the U.S. economy. It should be pointed out, however, that the global, export-driven economy favors two things: Cheap labor. And a cheap currency. Accordingly, European businesses consider the low dollar as a [...]
Oil Prices: Profit from the new highs
April 23, 2008 · Filed Under Oil and Energy · Comment
“If we’re only considering economic factors, the steep crude prices now being predicted would be unlikely to stick for any protracted period.” — Martin Hutchinson
by Martin Hutchinson
Baltimore – (TFN): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said a few months ago that if the United States invades Iran, we could expect to [...]
Foreign Investment: Profit from Italy’s election
April 23, 2008 · Filed Under International Investing · Comment
“All this would make you think Italy was a basket case, except for one fact.” — Martin Hutchinson
by Martin Hutchinson
Baltimore – (TFN): Italian elections have traditionally been confusing, with one weak center-left coalition government replacing another. But the election held on April 13-14 was unusual for Italy, as it produced a [...]