Forex

Euro Outlook Clears as Funds Turn Bullish First Time in 3 Years

Published

7 years ago

June 19, 2017

Euro Outlook Clears as Funds Turn Bullish First Time in 3 Years

With political risks in the euro area receding, investors are becoming more confident in buying Europe’s shared currency.

CFTC data showed last week that leveraged funds increased their euro positions to “net long” in the week ended June 13 for the first time in more than three years. The euro is the top-performing Group-of-10 currency versus the dollar this year, climbing more than 6 percent and set for its biggest annual increase since 2007.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management has increased its exposure to the euro and European equity markets in the past few months, while Western Asset Global Mgmt Ltd., which has been underweight the shared currency since 2011, began buying it in December and boosted its position through April. Robeco Groep NV, which oversees 150 billion euros ($168 billion) of assets, said last week it opened a new long position in the shared currency versus the pound.

Emmanuel Macron’s victory in French parliamentary elections, an agreement between Greece and its creditors to release new loans and the defeat of the anti-establishment party Five Star Movement in the local vote in Italy are making investors more confident on the outlook for the shared currency. That compares with earlier in the year, when concerns over the rise of populism across Europe rekindled speculation of a possible breakup of the currency bloc.

“Political risks have reduced in Europe,” said Vincent Juvyns, global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, which oversees $1.8 trillion globally. The fund prefers to express its bullish view on euro against the yen. “We had a neutral position on euro and an underweight position on European equity markets at the start of the year which we have been gradually upgrading to overweight over the last couple of months.”

The euro was at $1.1181 as of 1:50 p.m. London time. It climbed to $1.1296 on June 14, its highest level since Nov. 9.

Bullish Views

“The positioning on euro has improved significantly,” Jeroen Blokland, a money manager at Robeco Investment Solutions in Rotterdam, said last week in an interview. He said he is bullish on the euro versus the pound, while keeping a neutral stance for now against the dollar.

“There was a huge election uncertainty premium in the euro,” Andrew Cormack, a London-based money manager at Western Asset Global Mgmt Ltd, which oversees about $433 billion, said in an interview on June 15. “The long-term fair value for euro is higher than where we are at the moment.” He sees fair value for the shared currency between $1.20 and $1.30.

UBS Wealth Management has recently upgraded its euro forecasts as the political risk diminished in the euro region, while Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which abandoned its call for the euro’s parity against the dollar, forecast $1.05 as the “low point” for the pair.

The Swiss bank is more sanguine on its trajectory, expecting the pair to hit $1.14 in three months and $1.16 in a six-month period, while Goldman expects the euro to hit $1.10 at the end of 2018. “The political sky is clearing over Europe,” Thomas Flury, head of currency research at UBS WM, said in a note to clients on June 15.

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Samed Olukoya

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.

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Naira

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 17th May 2024

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 17th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,540.

Published

18 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 17th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,540.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ₦1,560 and sold it at ₦1,550 on Thursday, May 16th, 2024.

This indicates a slight improvement in the Naira exchange rate when compared to today’s 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: ₦1,540
Selling Rate: ₦1,530

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.

Forex

SEC and ABCON Explore Collaboration for ‘Kolectyomoni’ Digital Currency Platform

Published

19 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has initiated talks with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to explore collaboration on its upcoming digital currency market platform, ‘Kolectyomoni’.

This move was underscored during an official visit by ABCON representatives to the newly appointed Director General of the SEC, Dr. Timi Agama. Aminu Gwadabe, President of ABCON, conveyed the association’s eagerness to engage with SEC to ensure the smooth operation of its digital currency platform.

Gwadabe emphasized that ABCON recognizes the regulatory oversight of SEC in the financial sector and seeks its guidance to navigate the complexities of the digital currency market.

He pointed out that while digital currencies hold immense potential for financial inclusion and innovation, they also present regulatory challenges that require collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Highlighting the significance of embracing digital currencies, Gwadabe noted, “The future of BDC’s business is digital currency.”

He stressed the growing adoption of digital currencies among Nigerians, citing statistics that reveal a rising number of participants in the digital currency ecosystem, with a substantial market size of $9 billion annually.

In response, Dr. Timi Agama expressed SEC’s openness to support and facilitate the growth of the digital currency sector in Nigeria.

He acknowledged ABCON’s initiative in launching the ‘Kolectyomoni’ platform and assured of SEC’s cooperation in providing regulatory guidance and oversight.

Agama reaffirmed SEC’s commitment to fostering innovation in the financial sector while ensuring investor protection and market integrity.

He underscored the importance of collaboration between regulators and industry players to develop robust frameworks that foster innovation and safeguard against potential risks.

Furthermore, Agama encouraged ABCON to finalize the development of the ‘Kolectyomoni’ digital currency platform and submit it to the SEC for thorough review and assessment by the technical team.

He emphasized the need for timely regulatory oversight to address emerging trends in the digital currency market and maintain regulatory compliance.

Naira

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 16th May 2024

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 16th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,560.

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 16th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,560.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ₦1,530 and sold it at ₦1,520 on Wednesday, May 15th, 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.