Another Shot for the Turkish Lira After Big Rate Hike and Record Reserves

monster rate hike (Credit: Ping Timeout, Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games - Soccer | Jalan Besar Stadium on Flickr)

A week ago, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) hiked its policy interest rate another whopping 500 basis points to 40%. The response in currency markets was a collective yawn. The CBRT explained that while inflation performed in-line with expectations, “the existing level of domestic demand, the stickiness in services inflation, and … Read more

The Turkish Lira’s Surge: How CBRT’s Monster Rate Hike Changes the Game

monster rate hike (Credit: Ping Timeout, Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games - Soccer | Jalan Besar Stadium on Flickr)

After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s “war of economic independence” came to an official end, I waited for evidence that the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) would get serious about fighting inflation. The monetary evidence may have arrived on August 24th in the form of a monster rate hike from 17% to 25%. In … Read more

A New Lesson In Parabolic Price Action from the Turkish Lira

A month ago I asked “how long can a parabolic Turkish lira last?” The answer turned out to be a month. However, the path to the end included two false conclusions and a massive blow-off top. The trading in the Turkish lira (USD/TRY) provided a new lesson in parabolic price action. Parabolic trading is inherently … Read more

Erdogan Slams the Turkish Lira With Surprise Change at the Central Bank

Financial markets hate surprises. Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan slammed currency markets to start the week. Two Days after the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) hiked interest rates again (this time from 17 to 19%), Erdogan replaced the governor. The sacking occurred on Saturday, but the market clearly needed a lot more time … Read more

Forex Critical: Another Key Test for the Turkish Lira

The U.S. dollar versus the Turkish lira (USD/TRY) is testing 200DMA support after drifting through 50DMA support.

In late August, I wrote about a bad turn for the Turkish lira. Over two months later, the lira is around the same price levels in USD/TRY and EUR/TRY – two key pairs for the lira – but the path to this point has featured plenty of volatility. From a technical perspective, USD/TRY is testing … Read more

Forex Critical: A Bad Turn for the Turkish Lira

The U.S. Dollar vs the Turkish lira (USD/TRY) confirmed its 50DMA breakout with a second higher close.

The honeymoon seems already over for the new governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). After the promotion of Murat Uysal to governor of the CBRT, I concluded the Turkish lira would weaken. That weakness lasted all of one day, and the lira proceeded to bounce around in a range. Next … Read more

Turkish Lira Survives A Rate Cut And Comes Out With Stronger Prospects

The U.S. dollar versus the Turkish lira (USD/TRY) is rapidly heading downward for a test of 200DMA support.

Perhaps President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was right all along? It seems rate cuts are exactly what Turkey needs. As global central banks pedal backward on monetary policy, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) stands out with its extremely high rates. The CBRT got here as part of a fight against persistent and … Read more

Leadership Change at Turkey’s Central Bank Means Fresh Lira Weakness

The week of trading in foreign exchange began with the shock announcement of a leadership change at the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). Murat Uysal, the Deputy Governor since June 9, 2016, was promoted to Governor. Uysal replaced Murat Cetinkaya who had been Governor since April, 2016. Cetinkaya actively resisted calls from … Read more

Forex Critical – Turkish Lira Gains Fresh Strength on Central Bank and Political Moves

On May 10th, the Turkish lira finally sprung back to life after USD/TRY hit a 7-month high. The move came right on the heels of another move by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) to adjust its reserve requirements in a way to support the currency: “Considering the latest developments in financial … Read more

Forex Critical: The Organized Chaos of the Turkish Lira

The British pound (FXB) is not the only currency trading in well-defined chaos. The Turkish lira stumbled into the week in the wake of the political uncertainty and forex chaos caused by the cancellation of the results of Istanbul’s recent municipal elections. USD/TRY soared at one point about 3%. The renewed political uncertainty reportedly comes … Read more