Impact of BoJ Intervention on Yen Wanes

The Japanese yen jumped against all other most-traded currencies today as traders fled to safety of the yen, fearing the financial problems of the US and Europe.

The Japanese policy makers signaled that they may take steps to curb gains of the currency. In fact, the Bank of Japan already intervened on August 4, but the impact of the move almost waned at present. This situation isn’t unlike the one in Switzerland, where the central bank also fights with appreciation of the nation’s currency and also losing this battle.

USD/JPY fell from 77.74 to 77.04 as of 9:09 GMT today. EUR/JPY went down from 110.23 to 109.74 while it reached the low of 109.09 during the day.

Australian Dollar Attempts Stop Decline, Fails

The Australian dollar attempted to pare its losses today after Asian stocks rebounded, but this attempt wasn’t successful, meaning that the currency heads for a ninth straight session of losses.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index posted a decline of 1.7 percent, rebounding from the drop by 5.5 percent. The Australian currency also rebounded from its intraday decline by 2.5 percent against the US dollar, but currently resumed movement to the downside. The present economic conditions simply aren’t good for the currencies that are related to growth and commodities.

AUD/USD traded at 1.0160 today as of 9:38 GMT after falling earlier from 1.0186 to 0.9926.

Fed Plans Keep Zero Rates till 2013, Dollar Hurt

The US dollar slumped against some other currencies, including the euro, the yen and the franc, after the Federal Reserve kept its key Federal Fund rate near zero and signaled that it may keep interest rates exceptionally low till mid-2013.

The Federal Open Market Committee said in its statement that “economic growth so far this year has been considerably slower than the Committee had expected”. The FOMC outlined the current problems of the US economy, such as ”a deterioration in overall labor market conditions in recent months”, growing unemployment and depressed housing sector. As a result the Committee announced:

To promote the ongoing economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at levels consistent with its mandate, the Committee decided today to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent. The Committee currently anticipates that economic conditions–including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run–are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through mid-2013.

The euro reacted favorably to the statement at first, but erased gains later. The drop was short-lived, though, and currently EUR/USD shows a strong rally. The Swiss franc reached yet another record against the greenback before retreating. The franc currently moves down against the dollar, but it’s likely just a temporary correction after a strong rally.

EUR/USD surged from 1.4176 to 1.4339 as of 20:21 GMT today. USD/JPY dropped from 77.74 to 77.03. USD/CHF slumped from 0.7545 to 0.7197 and reached earlier its new all-time low of 0.7083.

Pound Drops with Higher Trade Deficit

The Great Britain pound dropped after macroeconomic data provided today some unpleasant surprises, including the unexpected growth of trade balance deficit and decline of manufacturing.

The UK trade balance deficit widened to £8.9 billion in June from £8.5 billion in May. Traders hoped for decrease of the deficit to £8.2 billion. Manufacturing production declined with the annual rate of 0.4 percent in June. The contraction followed the advance by 1.8 percent in the month before. Market analysts predicted an increase by 0.3 percent.

Riots in London and other cities of Britain lead to massive damage to property and left one person dead. Several hundred was arrested. Police is busy with containing the riots and rumors state that army may be employed.

GBP/USD was little changed at 1.6302 as of 23:58 GMT after opening at 1.6315, rising as high as 1.6409 and falling as low as 1.6175. EUR/GBP jumped from 0.8688 to 0.8804 and GBP/JPY slipped from 126.82 to 124.49 before trading at 125.74.

Consumer Sentiment Curbs Appeal of Aussie

The Australian dollar resumed its movement down after the yesterday’s gains as consumer sentiment declined this month, reducing attractiveness of the nation’s currency.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment index fell 3.5 percent in August from July. This declined followed the drop by 8.3 percent in July. The Aussie (the nickname of the Australian currency) also weakened as the pledge of the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates stable hasn’t reduced pessimism among Forex traders.

AUD/USD retreated from 1.0353 to 1.0343 as of 11:51 GMT after jumping to 1.0414 today. AUD/JPY fell from 79.66 to 79.15, following the advance to 80.34.

SNB Moves In, Franc Moves Back

The Swiss franc retreated today from the yesterday’s records against the dollar and the euro as the Swiss National Bank expanded measures aimed to tame the excessive appreciation of the currency.

The SNB repeated that a strong currency is a ”threat” to the nation’s economy. As a result, the bank decided to increase pressure on the franc:

In the light of these developments, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is taking additional measures against the strength of the Swiss franc. It will again significantly increase the supply of liquidity to the Swiss franc money market.

To increase liquidity, the SNB “will additionally conduct foreign exchange swap transactions”.

USD/CHF climbed from 0.7205 to 0.7257 as of 10:11 GMT and reached the intraday high of 0.7331. EUR/CHF advanced from 1.0365 to 1.0426 after it dropped yesterday to the record low of 1.0089.

SNB Moves In, Franc Moves Back

The Swiss franc retreated today from the yesterday’s records against the dollar and the euro as the Swiss National Bank expanded measures aimed to tame the excessive appreciation of the currency.

The SNB repeated that a strong currency is a ”threat” to the nation’s economy. As a result, the bank decided to increase pressure on the franc:

In the light of these developments, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is taking additional measures against the strength of the Swiss franc. It will again significantly increase the supply of liquidity to the Swiss franc money market.

To increase liquidity, the SNB “will additionally conduct foreign exchange swap transactions”.

USD/CHF climbed from 0.7205 to 0.7257 as of 10:11 GMT and reached the intraday high of 0.7331. EUR/CHF advanced from 1.0365 to 1.0426 after it dropped yesterday to the record low of 1.0089.

Canadian Dollar Receives Hit from US

Canada’s dollar plunged today as demand for the nation’s assets deteriorated because of pessimistic outlook for the economy of the biggest nation’s trading partner — the US.

The depressed mood caused fall of equities and decline of commodities. The MSCI World Index of stocks slumped 1.9 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell as much as 2.1 percent.

There are positive sing, though, that may precede a change of the trend. The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.4 percent. Crude oil, the main export of Canada, rallied 3.2 percent to $81.82 per barrel. Yield on the two-year government bonds fell five basis points to 0.81 percent.

USD/CAD jumped from 0.9771 to 0.9921 as of 19:19 GMT today. EUR/CAD advanced from 1.4044 to 1.4088 after reaching the intraday high of 1.4174. CAD/JPY fell from 78.70 to 77.38 and declined during the day to 76.82, the lowest level since March 2009.

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The Ed Morrissey Show: Guy Benson, Scott Hennen

Today on The Ed Morrissey Show (3 pm ET), Guy Benson starts us off with a look at the hot issues of the day, including the Mitch McConnell proposal on the debt ceiling and the food fight on the Right over it. In the second half, conservative talk show host Scott Hennen joins us during his own broadcast! Yes, TEMS will be simulcast for the final 30 minutes on KNOX 1310 in Grand Forks, ND, while Scott and I talk about his new book, Grass Roots: A Commonsense Action Agenda for America.

The Ed Morrissey Show and its dynamic chatroom can be seen on the permanent TEMS page — be sure to join us, and don’t forget to keep up with the debate on my Facebook page, too!

We’ll also cover the the case of Marizela Perez, who has been missing in the Seattle area for more three months. Marizela’s case has a connection here at Hot Air, as she is the cousin of the Boss Emeritus, Michelle Malkin. Michelle is trying to spread the word through Facebook and Q13Fox/KCPQ in Seattle. We want to encourage prayers for Marizela’s family, and also try to reach anyone in the area who knows where Marizela might be and ask them to contact the police.

The search has its own website now, Find Marizela, for the latest in the efforts to bring Marizela home. There is also a fund for the family to keep the search efforts going. Be sure to check there and at Michelle’s site for further developments, and keep the family in your prayers.

America’s Most Wanted is now on the case, too.

Michelle had an update last week:

Four months ago today, my cousin Marizela Perez disappeared from the University District in Seattle, Washington. I am devastated to tell you once again that there are no new leads or breaks in the case. Her parents have exhausted their work leave and have had to return to the East Coast. The family is weighing various legal and investigative avenues to pursue. As I reported in May, the quest to obtain Marizela’s online/text info has been an uphill battle. After months of pressing, we finally received a search warrant two weeks ago related to the case. It had been signed by a judge on April 22; we gained access to it in late June. …

Marizela’s Google web history was not included. The Seattle Police Department will not disclose the actual Google records to her parents so that they could pursue the search for Marizela on their own.