Pound Declines Before Policy Makers Meeting

The pound lost versus several

key-currencies today and specially versus its regional rival, the euro, as traders speculate that U.K.’s financial authorities will insist in quantitative easing measures to stimulate the British economy, affecting the sterling outlook in currency markets.

The British currency posted a declining session versus most of the 16 main traded currencies two days before a Bank of England policy makers meeting, where, according to analysts, the current asset purchasing program will not be suspended, declining even further attractiveness for the pound, as the recession in the U.K. remains rather significant and measures are necessary to attempt starting a faster economic acceleration in the country. Even if the real estate market is providing positive data in the U.K. since November, the sentiment regarding the economic future in the nation is rather misty, stopping the pound to advance in foreign-exchange markets.

U.K.’s central bank strategy is following a different, and dovish, path than most of the wealthy nation’s policy makers. While interest rate hikes talks are a global trend, in the U.K., quantitative easing extensions are still possible, and this has a intense impact in the pound’s rates.

EUR/GBP traded at 0.8979 as of 19:10 GMT from a previous reading of 0.8945 yesterday. GBP/USD traded at 1.5983 from 1.6090.

Romanian Leu Hits 6-Month High as Political Crisis Eases

The Romanian leu rallied today versus the euro and the U.S. dollar as interest rates were unexpectedly cut in the country after a political crisis that delayed an IMF bailout finally ended, adding confidence that stability in the parliament will lead the nation towards a faster recovery.

After interest rates were cut today to 7.5 percent at the lowest level in a year, the leu rose versus most of the main currencies, as a political crisis ended regarding disputes that affected the process of obtaining and using a $30 billion bailout provided by the International Monetary Fund to the Eastern European nation. The optimism regarding better economic days for Romania with political stabilization helped the leu to rally today.

EUR/RON closed at 4.1838 from an opening rate of 4.2137. USD/RON ended the day at 2.9033 from 2.9139.

Mexican Peso Extends Rally on U.S.

The Mexican peso is benefiting from the U.S. economic outlook for 2010, as Mexico has the U.S. as the main destination for its exports, both raw and manufactured, and an accelerated growth of its neighbor is helping Mexico’s currency to gain in

foreign-exchange markets.

The peso continued to profit today from a better confidence towards its main trading partner, the U.S., as well as for increased crude oil rates, since the Latin American nation is one of the main oil suppliers for the U.S. together with Canada, helping the peso and the loonie to trade high in the beginning of 2010.

USD/MXN traded at 12.8190 as of 20:13 GMT from an opening rate of 12.8750.

Pound Falls Further on BOE Meeting Outcome

he pound declined for another day after policy makers agreed unanimously to extend stimulus in order to rescue the faltering British economy from the longest recession in the last decades, decreasing attractiveness for an already weakened currency in

foreign-exchange markets.

The U.S. dollar traded near a two-month high versus the British pound after this month’s central bank meeting talks published today indicated that all policy makers opted for extending its bond purchase program to revive the nation’s economy, despite admitting it has not been as effective as previously expected. Another decision from the Bank of England did not surprised traders as benchmark interest rates in the country remained at an all time record low of 0.5 percent, since the economy does not provide conditions even for speculative movements suggesting rate hikes in a foreseeable future.

The outlook for the pound depreciated as quantitative easing measures taken by the Bank of England has been ineffective, and the country’s resilience has been disappointing not only for traders and analysts, but for the population as well, setting pound-priced assets as one of the least appealing ones among the 6 top traded currencies.

GBP/USD traded at 1.5956 as of 12:58 GMT from a yesterday’s price of 1.6055. EUR/GBP climbed up to 0.8948 from 0.8895.

U.S. Dollar Declines on Frustrating Housing Report

A long winning streak for the greenback versus currencies like the euro and the Aussie dollar was stopped after a housing report was published today bringing rather negative figures much below estimates, providing support for other currencies to pare losses versus the U.S. dollar.

The dollar declined sharply versus the yen and the Swiss franc after several days rallying versus most of the 6 main traded currencies after a new home sales report indicated much worse numbers than the previous report and forecasts, emerging doubts regarding the pace of recovery for the world’s wealthiest economy, as traders use the circumstances to take profit and repatriate capital invested in the dollar after a rally that started in the beginning of the month when positive reports fueled speculations that interest rates could be hiked sooner than expected by the Federal Reserve.

Not all sectors of the U.S. economy are providing optimistic data, according to analysts. Today’s movement is a combination of consequences caused by the negative housing report, but also a natural correction after so many days of gains for the greenback, as some speculative positions are sold.

EUR/USD traded at 1.4346 as of 17:32 GMT from a previous reading of 1.4251 yesterday. USD/CHF traded at 1.0368 from 1.0489 yesterday.

Russia’s Ruble Climbs Further as Oil Touches $75

The Russian currency benefited from another day of growing demand for the crude oil, providing support for the ruble to advance versus the euro, dollar and the pound, as the demand for energy rises in the coldest season of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

After the crude oil touched $75 a barrel in New York today, the ruble continued its previous days advances versus most of the main currencies as the economic outlook for the world’s biggest energy exporter in 2010 is very optimistic, with an annual growth up to 5 percent expected for the coming year.

USD/RUB traded at 30.19 as of 18:10 GMT from an opening rate of 30.57 today.

If you want to comment on the Russian Ruble’s recent action or have any questions regarding this currency, please, feel free to reply below.

Romanian Leu Hits Record High on New Prime Minister

The Romanian leu touched the highest level in three months versus the euro after the country’s parliament chose its new prime minister, lifting speculations that a political crisis could influence the country’s economy negatively.

After the Romanian Parliament approved a new government led by prime minister Emil Boc, speculations that loan approvals necessary for stabilizing the Eastern European economy would not be approved disappeared, helping the leu to advance versus the dollar and the euro as concerns that the country could suffer a credit downgrade cooled down.

EUR/RON closed today at 4.1982 from an opening rate of 4.2173.

If you want to comment on the Romanian leu’s recent action or have any questions regarding this currency, please, feel free to reply below.