The Greek issue drags on ... and on - Business Works
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The Greek issue drags on ... and on

Richard Driver of Caxton FX The euro is holding up remarkably well given the weight of concern that is surrounding Greece and, indeed, Portugal. Last Monday’s (30th Jan) EU Summit saw Germany’s deficit control proposals finalized and the official scheduling of the &ruro;500bn permanent bailout fund’s (the EFSF) introduction for July this year. Positive steps, but hardly game-changers.

The issue that continues to obsess the financial markets is Greece. Talks over private sector involvement in a Greek debt swap, which will involve significant write downs on investor holdings of Greek debt, have been the primary focus of the markets for some time now. Time and again we have been assured a deal was imminent, but deadlines have been repeatedly been missed and negotiations are ongoing. On balance, there is probably a feeling that a deal will be reached in the end, which will avoid a Greek default for now. However, we are not anticipating a major euro relief rally on the back of any positive announcement.

This is explained by the issues that remain even if a Greek default is averted. Portugal is clearly next in the firing line; Portuguese bond yields reaching fresh record highs is evidence of this. Rating agency Fitch added to the pressure in the bond markets by downgrading several eurozone states last week, including heavyweights Spain and Italy. The euro has actually made a strong start to the year, largely as a result of short-covering, but we maintain a bearish view on the single unit.

UK growth figures raise hope of U-shaped recovery

Last week’s UK PMI figures were broadly very encouraging; the services sector grew at its fastest pace in ten months, whilst the manufacturing sector bounced back into positive growth. The UK construction sector posted another poor figure, but the data as a whole represents a source of hope that Britain can avoid a double-dip recession. This week’s manufacturing and industrial production figures are also expected to return to growth.

This will all be insufficient to dissuade the Bank of England from introducing further monetary easing to the UK economy at Thursday’s meeting (in the form of further QE). However, it should be enough to convince Mervyn King & Co to add £50bn rather than £75bn of QE, which should reduce the downside risks to sterling. The ECB also meet on Thursday and it could well cut its 1.00% interest rate by a further 0.25%, though they may choose to wait a further month.

US recovery continues to impress

Economic figures out of the US economy are on a clear uptrend at present. This was evidenced most importantly by the key monthly labour market update, which revealed 243 thousand jobs were added to payrolls (the most in nine months). Risk appetite away from the US dollar increased as a result of the announcement, but has since been hemmed in by growing frustrations surrounding Greece.

End of week forecast
GBP / EUR 1.21
GBP / USD 1.59
EUR / USD 1.31
GBP / AUD 1.47

Sterling is trading at 1.2050 against the euro, in the middle of a range that has persisted throughout the start of this year and should continue to do so over the coming sessions. Trading up at $1.58, sterling is performing excellently against the US dollar and may keep on climbing for now, but is due a pullback soon.



Richard Driver is a Currency Market Analyst with Caxton FX and can be contacted via: www.caxtonfx.com

This brief is prepared by Caxton FX Ltd for information purposes only and may contain personal views that are not the opinion of the company. This is not an offer to purchase or sell any security or an investment advertisement. Caxton FX Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, although foreign exchange transactions with Caxton FX are regulated by HM Revenue and Customs. This email does not constitute advice for any foreign exchange transaction, nor is it intended as a solicitation for funds or recommendation to trade.




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