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

Poor Wholesale Sales Deliver An Excuse to Sell the Canadian Dollar

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on February 20, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) Since reaching an inflation-adjusted high (at the time) in May, 2012, Canada’s wholesale sales have been relatively stagnant except a one-month surge the following May that beat the high (I used … Read more

The Bank of Canada Welcomes A Weaker Currency And A Bullish U.S. Economy

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on February 3, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) On January 22, 2014, the Bank of Canada left its target overnight interest rate at 1%. However, the Canadian dollar (FXC) slid quickly against the U.S. dollar anyway as the currency … Read more

Continued Momentum in Residential Construction Employment Doesn’t Stop Slide in Home Builder Shares

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on March 11, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) After employment in residential construction put on a surprisingly strong showing amidst a generally dismal January employment report, I decided to keep closer tabs on this important indicator of health in … Read more