Quietly the Swiss Franc Presses the Swiss National Bank’s Nerves Again

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on November 5, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) Suddenly, the Swiss franc (FXF) is nearing the 1.20 floor against the euro again. Almost three months ago, I thought the Swiss franc was hurtling toward a retest of the longstanding … Read more

Apple Drives Australian Retail Sales, Trade Balance Worsens, and Reserve Bank Stays Steady

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on November 4, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) Tuesday morning in Australia was a busy time for economic news. First, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the release of the Apple (AAPL) iPhone 6 helped drive electrical and … Read more

Jobs Numbers Underline Echo Dovish Canadian Monetary Policy, Halting Rally in Canadian Dollar

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 12, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) Ever since the Federal Reserve decision on monetary policy on March 19th, the Canadian dollar (FXC) has staged a strong recovery, increasing about 3.4% over that time. Canada’s weak employment report … Read more

Forex Positioning Update: Short Euro, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Long Pound

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on April 7, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) There was a lot of action last week in the foreign exchange market. This piece is a quick update on how I have adjusted and/or maintained positioning in select currencies: the … Read more

United Kingdom Manufacturing PMI Should Bookend the Decline in the British Pound

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on August 1, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) The British pound (FXB) has experienced a steep and near continuous decline ever since it hit new multi-year highs in July against the U.S. dollar. {snip} Source: FreeStockCharts.com After a strong … Read more

The Federal Reserve’s Latest Policy Decision Frustrates Bears and Central Banks Alike

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on June 21, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) “There is no mechanical formula.” This is the response Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen gave to a reporter who tried to press her on the rules and timing for the first … Read more

A June UK Manufacturing PMI Full of Superlatives Suggests Rate Hikes This Year

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on July 1, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) The British pound (FXB) responded so strongly to the June Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI® report that I decided to read it and go beyond the headlines. I found a report full … Read more

A Stubbornly Strong Australian Dollar Introduces A Risk Factor into Economic Forecasts

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on June 26, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) Australia’s Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) recently released its Resources and Energy quarterly for the June, 2014 quarter containing a notably more cautious tone toward the Australian dollar (FXA) … Read more

Plunge In Australia’s Trade Balance Could Mean Weaker Dollar Ahead

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on July 2, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) I was just getting accustomed to the idea that iron ore prices could plunge without impacting the Australian dollar (FXA). Now comes a surprisingly large plunge in Australia’s trade balance. On … Read more

Residential Employment Plows Ahead As Housing Indicators Stabilize

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 5, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) The latest U.S. non-farm employment report showed another strong print for employment in residential construction. For the 31st month in a row, seasonally adjusted employment in residential construction showed year-over-year growth. … Read more