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NO QE3: What are the Implications for the Dollar?

Jun. 25th 2011

The verdict is nearly in; there will be no QE3. The second round of quantitative easing (“QE2”) will expire at the end of this month, and while it will not be unwound for quite some time, the Fed has indicated that it will not be followed by yet another round. The question on the minds of forex traders, of course, is what does this mean for the Dollar?

In his most recent press conference, Ben Bernanke, himself, indicated that QE3 was unlikely. According to a survey conducted by Bloomberg News, the majority of FX analysts (65%) believe him. Simply, the circumstances don’t support further easing. To be sure, the unemployment rate remains high, and the economy is teetering on the verge of double-dip recession. However, the last two rounds did little to address either of these problems, and companies have hoarded cash rather than investing in new plant and workers.

Interest rates are still hovering around record lows, and there isn’t anything to be gained from trying to lower them further. Besides, given that inflation is now above 3% – due to an explosion in good and energy prices – QE3 would simply be too risky. Economist Ken Goldstein summarized the situation as follows: “We will come to the end of QE2 and largely we mark about how little happened when it ended and that’s also an argument about why there may not be persuasive argument to do a QE3.”

On the other hand, there are some analysts who think that QE3 is inevitable (29%). PIMCO’s Bill Gross, manager of the world’s biggest bond fund, recently indicated that, “Next Jackson Hole in August will likely hint at QE3/interest rate caps.” (Personally, I think that he’s probably just bitter that his forecast of a decline in Treasury Bond prices hasn’t materialized). One columnist wrote that the Fed’s arm will be twisted by the ongoing collapse of the housing market, while others have argued that the recent decline in the S&P 500 will spur the Fed into action. Most of us, however, believe that the Fed will adopt a wait-and-see approach before ultimately conceding that more easing is necessary.

For now at least, then, the prevailing assumption is that there will not be a QE3. As for how forex markets have digested this news, they have taken it in stride. The Dollar is now holding its value, and as I wrote in a previous post, it may even have bottomed out. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the Euro is being punished by another flare-up in the sovereign debt crisis and investors are getting nervous about bubbles in emerging market currencies, all of which provide support for the dollar.

The fact that QE2 will soon end without having triggered financial apocalypse or hyperinflation – as some cassandras initially predicted – is something that is worth nothing. Of course, the proceeds of QE1 and QE2 will be recycled indefinitely into the markets, and forex investors can’t completely put quantitative easing behind them. Still, that there won’t be any more additional cash injected into commodities markets and emerging economy asset markets means that one of the main sources of downward pressure on the dollar has been eliminated.

Ironically, it is possible that the unveiling of QE3 could actually cause the dollar to rally. The reason is that there is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty in the markets, which provides the dollar with some safe haven demand. If the Fed were to concede that all is not well on the economic front and respond by more money printing, it could drive some safe haven flows into the US, even to the extent that it would overwhelm outflows driven by concerns over inflation.

Personally, I think the dollar will continue to hold its value, and perhaps even appreciate slightly in the near-term, as forex markets dither over the way forward.

http://www.forexblog.org/2011/06/has-the-us-dollar-hit-bottom.html
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Posted by Adam Kritzer | in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Introduction to Technical Analysis: “Morning Fake-out”

May. 8th 2011
As regular readers of this blog are probably aware, I rarely post about technical analysis. Simply, I’m not well-acquainted with its nuances, and I would probably sound like a dilettante if I tried to offer some serious advice on the subject. That being said, I read an interesting overview of a particular technical strategy (in the San Francisco Gate, of all places…please hold your laughter), that appealed to me on a number of levels, and that I would like to to share below.
 
Contrary to popular belief, the forex market is not a 24-hour market. Given time differences and market overlap, it’s true that it’s possible to trade forex 24 hours a day, six days a week. In practice, however, the markets are observably more active/liquid at certain regular hours. Anecdotally, it seems that many traders focus their trading at these hours, since the opportunities for profit (and losses, to be fair) are greatest at these times.
 
The author of the article (Investopedia contributor Cory Mitchell) has specifically identified the opening of certain key markets (typically 9AM local time; actual time will vary based on your location). Prior to opening, the markets may appear calm before a sudden onslaught of trading activity, as banks move to establish new positions for the day, stop orders are cleared, and the market struggles to find direction. In every major market, there are a handful of currency pairs that dominate trading in that market, and that traders should pay special attention to at the open. Tokyo has the Yen; London has the Pound, Euro, and Franc; New York has the US Dollar.
 
This confusion may create an opportunity if a so-called “fake-out” occurs. Basically, the market will suddenly lurch in one direction, and trading desks might latch (mistakenly) onto this pattern with the goal of reaping early morning profits. In some cases, this break-out will just as quickly reverse course, and a dominant trend will re-establish itself. Those who have correctly anticipated this can enter the market in the direction of the dominant trend and ride the wave in that direction as it entrenches.
 
I like this strategy because I think it is grounded in human psychology. Basically, it speaks to early-morning overzealousness by poor traders that is quickly overcome by broader market forces, which will re-assert themselves when opportunity resurfaces. Of course, the market is zero-sum, which means that all profits are necessarily earned at the expense of those caught trading what in hindsight was a false breakout.
 
Of course, trading the morning fake-out is hardly this simplistic, and those that are curious to learn more would be wise to read the original article. Still, I think it offers a few convenient lessons for aspiring technical traders, and even for fundamental traders with shorter time horizons. First, understand that the market is inherently busier at some times of the day than others. Second, understand that while the trend is still your friend, there are micro-trends which may be moving in the opposite direction from the macro-trend. Third, make sure to establish stops, so that if you are unlucky enough to get caught trading in the direction of the fake-out, your losses are limited. Finally, it’s worth remembering that the forex market is inherently zero-sum. While an overall bear market is categorically impossible, so is an overall bull market. That means that any profits you earn must be at the expense of unskilled/unlucky traders. The only way you will come out ahead is if you are not one of them! 
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Posted by Adam Kritzer | in Uncategorized | No Comments »

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