The U.S. Dollar and the British Pound Tag Important 2015 Milestones

On Friday, July 17, 2015, the U.S. dollar index (UUP) closed just below the short-term downtrend in place since it made a multi-year high in March. And for those who fear a strong dollar is bad for the U.S. economy, or at least the stock market, the S&P 500 (SPY) is apparently out to prove … Read more

The British Pound Suddenly Reverses Course

Perhaps as a great irony, the British pound (FXB) is suddenly losing favor even as the euro appears to stabilize in the wake of the latest drama in Greece. Since touching the 0.70 level last week, the euro has made steady gains against the British pound as seen here in EUR/GBP. Now, the British pound … Read more

Why the Pound Failed to Rally After the Scots Said No to Independence

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on September 21, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) The people have spoken…and so apparently have the markets. The people of Scotland voted firmly in favor staying within the United Kingdom. In response, the British pound (FXB) sank sharply, defying … 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

Forex Setup Week (August 10, 2014): Major Trends In Play

Currency markets have been providing some excitement during the past several weeks. Some will ascribe it to lower liquidity, but I think that explanation is too easy. Major adjustments are likely underway in sentiment and positioning, so traders will do well to review charts on at least a weekly basis to assess the bigger picture … 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

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

Carney Rate Hike Talk Drives Over-Eager Buying of the British Pound

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on June 12, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) After artfully fending off questions about the timing for higher interest rates, Mark Carney finally gave the market throngs a clearer hint: {snip} Mark Carney on timing of first rate rise: … Read more

Carney Delivers A Buying Opportunity in the British Pound With Talk Of “Evolving Guidance”

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on January 27, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) “Escape velocity won’t come cheap.” – Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England (BoE), January 24, 2014 This was Governor Carney’s warning to the audience at the Davos CBI British … Read more