Connect with us

Forex

Dollar Climbs, Commodities Decline as Traders Assess Fed Timing

Published

on

Bureau Of Engraving And Printing Prints New Anti-Counterfeit 100 Dollar Bills

The Fed effect reverberated through global markets, pushing the dollar up and commodities down as traders increased bets on higher borrowing costs in the world’s largest economy.

The dollar climbed against all of its major peers, while global stocks were set for the longest slide since June after hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials last week. Oil slumped below $47 a barrel as metals retreated. The S&P 500 Index advanced after a report showing further improvement in consumer purchases underscored the strength of the U.S. economy. Treasury yields retreated after Friday’s surge. Japanese shares led gains among the world’s biggest equity markets after central bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda reiterated a pledge to boost monetary stimulus if needed.

Almost unthinkable two months ago, the prospect of a rate increase next month is now back on the table, with the probability rising to 42 percent from 24 percent in the space of a week. Fed Chair Janet Yellen said Friday in Jackson Hole the case for an increase is getting stronger, while Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer indicated a tightening is possible at the next review. Those comments will sharpen the focus on Friday’s monthly U.S. payrolls report to gauge whether the economy is strong enough to sustain higher borrowing costs.

“If they manage to raise rates that will be relatively good news but it does entail a little bit more tightening in the system,” said Samy Chaar, a Geneva-based strategist at Lombard Odier, which manages about $170 billion.

A report on Monday showed American consumers boosted spending for a fourth month in July, bolstered by stronger income gains, sending the biggest part of the U.S. economy to a solid third-quarter start. The 0.3 percent rise matched forecasts and followed a 0.5 percent increase the prior month that was revised up, Commerce Department data showed. Incomes rose 0.4 percent, the most in three months. Payrolls data on Friday are forecast to show 180,000 jobs were added in August, according to economists.

Stocks

The S&P 500 rose 0.1 percent at 9:30 a.m. in New York.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index retreated 0.3 percent. A gauge of auto makers posted the biggest decline, while sliding oil prices dragged energy producers lower. The volume of shares changing hands today was 70 percent lower than the 30-day average as U.K. markets were closed for a holiday.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell 0.8 percent as almost two stocks declined for every one that advanced.

Fischer reiterated in an interview on CNBC that the possibility exists for two rate increases this year, starting as soon as September.

“The market has realized that the Fed meant it when it said two hikes are possible this year, repricing the September Fed hike chance,” said Aurelija Augulyte, a strategist at Nordea Markets in Copenhagen. It’s negative for “dollar-financing needs and puts pressure on commodity prices and hence, emerging-market exports,” she said.

Japanese stocks advanced as a weaker yen boosted the outlook for exporters. The Topix index climbed 2 percent as Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. jumped at least 3.9 percent.

Currencies

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index gained 0.3 percent, after surging 0.8 percent on Friday. The yen fell 0.4 percent, after sliding 1.3 percent in the last session, and the euro fell to a two-week low. The pound weakened 0.5 percent.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Currency Index fell 0.8 percent, with South Korea’s won sliding 1 percent. Most of the central banks that are tracked by Bloomberg in both Asia and Europe have cut interest rates this year.
South Africa’s rand weakened 1.1 percent, after a 5.9 percent weekly loss. The currency posted its steepest slide of the year last week on concern that a stand-off between South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the country’s police could lead to Gordhan’s ouster.

Commodities

The Bloomberg Commodity Index, which measures returns on raw materials is down a fourth day, trimming a monthly advance as oil and precious metals fell.

West Texas Intermediate crude slid 1.4 percent to $46.98 a barrel amid doubts producers will agree on a deal to stabilize the market when suppliers meet next month for informal talks. A similar proposal was made in February, but a meeting in April ended with no final accord.

“The likelihood of them actually agreeing to some kind of production freeze is relatively low,” Daniel Hynes, a senior commodity strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Sydney, said in a Bloomberg television interview.

Gold extended its longest losing run since May to a 7th day, falling as much as 0.5 percent after losing 1.5 percent last week. Silver touched the lowest price in almost two months.

Bonds

Germany’s benchmark 10-year bond yield increased as much as four basis points to minus 0.035 percent, before being one basis point higher at minus 0.06 percent. The yield on similar-maturity French bonds was one basis point higher at 0.178 percent, having jumped earlier by four basis points.

Euro-area bonds are also coming under pressure with Spain’s acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy set to face a confidence vote Tuesday, and governments set to reissue debt after a summer lull that saw Germany the sole issuer last week. Countries in the region may sell about 30 billion euros ($34 billion) this week, according to Commerzbank AG.

“We treat the market rather defensively over the coming days and weeks” partly due to “heavy supply and Fed repricing,” Ciaran O’Hagan, head of European rates strategy at Societe Generale SA in Paris, wrote in a client note.

The yield on 10-year Treasuries fell three basis point to 1.60 percent, after jumping six basis points to a two-month high in the last session. Fed funds futures showed there is a 65 percent chance that Yellen will raise interest rates by year-end.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

Continue Reading
Comments

Naira

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 9th May 2024

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 9th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,450.

Published

on

Naira Exchange Rates - Investors King

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 9th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,450.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ₦1,440 and sold it at ₦1,430 on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024.

This indicates a decline in the Naira exchange rate compared to the current rate.

The black market rate plays a crucial role for investors and participants, offering a real-time reflection of currency dynamics outside official or regulated exchange channels.

Monitoring these rates provides insights into the immediate value of the Naira against the dollar, guiding decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.

It’s important to note that while the black market offers valuable insights, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize its existence.

The CBN advises individuals engaging in forex transactions to utilize official banking channels, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulatory frameworks.

How much is dollar to naira today in the black market

For those navigating the currency exchange landscape, here are the latest figures for the black market exchange rate:

  • Buying Rate: ₦1,450
  • Selling Rate: ₦1,440

As economic conditions continue to evolve, staying informed about currency exchange rates empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions. While the black market provides immediate insights, adherence to regulatory guidelines ensures stability and transparency in forex transactions.

Continue Reading

Black Market Rate

EFCC Raids Wuse Zone 4 Market, Clashes with Bureau De Change Operators

Published

on

EFCC

Tensions escalated in the bustling Wuse Zone 4 Market as operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a raid targeting Bureau De Change (BDC) operators on Tuesday.

The raid, intended to curb illegal currency trading and enforce regulatory compliance, quickly turned confrontational, resulting in clashes between the EFCC agents and currency traders.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as the operatives attempted to apprehend BDC operators, who resisted the arrests vehemently.

The situation escalated to the point where gunshots were fired, and vehicles belonging to the EFCC were damaged.

Two currency traders, speaking anonymously, confirmed the events, citing frustration and desperation among the traders as the underlying cause of the resistance.

According to one witness, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, the traders’ reaction was fueled by their perception that the EFCC’s arrests were becoming excessively frequent and motivated primarily by a desire to extort money from them.

“Yesterday (Monday), they arrested traders, but they faced resistance today. People are getting tired and desperate,” the witness explained.

Another trader echoed similar sentiments, warning that continued raids by the anti-corruption agency could escalate into violence and potentially lead to fatalities. “If this thing continues like this, that means they would kill people,” the trader cautioned.

The growing frustration among traders stems from their belief that the EFCC’s actions, which often culminate in monetary fines, serve more as revenue-generating measures than effective regulatory enforcement.

The EFCC’s resurgence in raiding activities is part of its broader efforts to stabilize the Nigerian naira and combat illegal currency speculation.

In recent weeks, the commission has intensified its crackdown on suspected currency speculators and fraudulent foreign exchange practices.

However, despite these efforts, the naira has continued to depreciate, reflecting the challenges facing Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

Traders at the Wuse Zone 4 Market highlighted the market’s volatility, with fluctuations in exchange rates making it increasingly difficult to predict trading outcomes. One trader, identified as Malam Yahu, expressed concern over the market’s instability and the challenges it poses for traders.

“Right now, the market is just fluctuating, and the naira is not stable at all,” he lamented. Yahu highlighted the impact of the EFCC raids on trading activities, noting how traders refrained from transactions to avoid potential losses.

At the official market, data from the FMDQ exchange securities revealed a sharp depreciation of the naira, raising concerns about rapid fluctuations and market volatility.

The intraday high and low of the naira against the dollar further underscored the challenges facing Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

As the EFCC continues its crackdown on illicit currency trading, the clashes in the Wuse Zone 4 Market serve as a stark reminder of the underlying tensions and frustrations prevalent among currency traders.

The agency faces the daunting task of balancing enforcement actions with addressing the root causes of illegal trading, amidst ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

Continue Reading

Forex

Nigerian Companies Settle Dollar Debts as Central Bank Reforms Bolster Forex Liquidity

Published

on

Forex Weekly Outlook March 6 - 10

In a significant development for Nigeria’s corporate landscape, several major companies have begun to settle their long-standing dollar debts following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent reforms that bolstered dollar supply.

The reforms have provided much-needed relief to businesses grappling with forex scarcity and overdue obligations.

Among the notable firms taking advantage of the improved forex liquidity are MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, BUA Foods Plc, and Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Ltd.’s Nigeria unit.

These companies, some of the largest players in Africa’s most populous nation, have reported that they are now able to access dollars to meet their foreign currency obligations, marking a stark reversal from previous struggles with forex shortages.

MTN Nigeria, the country’s leading mobile operator, disclosed that it utilized the enhanced liquidity in the forex market to significantly reduce its letters of credit obligations by 41.6%, slashing it down to $243.4 million from $416.6 million in December.

Chief Financial Officer Modupe Kadiri emphasized this move as a strategic measure to mitigate losses during an investor conference call last week.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s reform measures, implemented since the beginning of the year, have been instrumental in driving this positive change. These measures include raising the benchmark interest rate by 600 basis points to attract capital inflows and abandoning the currency’s peg, allowing the market to determine the exchange rate of the naira.

After years of unconventional currency management that deterred investors and exacerbated forex scarcity, these reforms have injected new life into Nigeria’s forex market.

According to Tatonga Rusike, a sub-Saharan Africa economist at Bank of America Corp., portfolio flows have responded positively to the reforms, leading to a substantial increase in average daily forex turnover, which has more than doubled from 2023 lows.

Recent data from Chapel Hill Denham indicates a remarkable surge in dollar liquidity, with a 90% jump to $160.8 million on Tuesday compared to the previous day.

Also, the central bank’s proactive approach, including selling dollars to money traders to enhance distribution to retail users, has further contributed to the improved forex liquidity environment.

The positive impact of increased dollar liquidity is evident across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

BUA Foods, the country’s largest food and beverage company, reported a 6% reduction in debts during the first quarter of this year, attributed to improved dollar availability.

Similarly, Cadbury Nigeria has been able to fulfill all its dollar requirements from the official market since the beginning of the year, leading to a drop in local-currency cash reserves.

Economists and industry experts view the enhanced forex liquidity as a welcome development that provides companies with a much-needed reprieve to settle debts and navigate the effects of currency devaluation.

Adetilewa Adebajo, economist and chief executive at Lagos-based CFG Advisory, emphasized the importance of sustaining liquidity to support the turnaround desired by companies.

He stressed the need for positive real rates, matching interest rates with inflation, and fiscal responsibility to ensure continued economic stability and growth.

As Nigerian companies take advantage of improved forex liquidity to address long-standing financial challenges, the success of the central bank’s reforms will be closely monitored, with hopes for sustained liquidity and economic recovery in the months ahead.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending