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Oil is among the winners following the surprisingly strong unemployment report released by the government on Friday (March 5). Jobless claims and unemployment numbers both came in lower than expected for February according to the Labor Department. US employers slashed just 36,000 jobs during the month of February compared to a forecast of 50,000. Unemployment held steady at 9.7 per cent compared to analysts predictions of a small increase to 9.8 per cent. Friday’s data supports recent analyst comments that the economy finally is in recovery with a confirmation of ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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A positive report on jobs Wednesday (March 3) showed a slight increase in the number of employed workers in the US. This was a strong enough sign to prompt some analysts to suggest unemployment and a bad jobs market could be bottoming out. The solid economic news was enough to drive oil prices higher despite the latest Energy Information Administration report that shows relatively high levels of crude stockpiles in the US. With more employed people, the market expectation is that demand by businesses and consumers for oil-based products ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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The news of a prospective Greek bail-out plan put together by France and Germany may well go some way to soothe investor concerns about a sovereign default in Europe and has gone some way to stabilising the Euro in the short term, especially against sterling which has undergone a torrid last 7 days. Under the plan as much as €30bn worth of Greek debt would be purchased in the form of bonds, through their respective state owned banks, but there will be onerous strings attached as the Greeks will have ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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The dollar has been firming up in the last several weeks, thanks in large part to growing expectations of a tighter monetary policy leading to higher interest rates. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tried to reassure Americans and quash some of those assumptions with his comments to Congress about the economy Wednesday (February 24). Bernanke says he anticipated interest rates remaining low to give the still recovering economy and uncertain housing sectors time to grow. While he still seems very optimistic about the direction of things, Bernanke did seem ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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There are three basic reasons for doing a weekend analysis. The first reason is that you want to establish a "big picture" view of a particular market in which you are interested. Doing this analysis over the weekend, when the markets are closed, is helpful because such an analysis can be made when the markets are not in dynamic flux and, therefore, you don't need to react to situations as they are unfolding.

Secondly, the analysis will help you to set up your trading plans for the coming week, which in turn will help you to decide what trading plans you might want to implement. Remember, shooting from the hip can leave a hole in ...

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The Fed made a move Thursday (February 18) to boost the emergency loan rate that it charges banks from .50 per cent to .75 per cent. While the Central Bank says the hike in its “discount” rate is not going to affect consumers, it is widely believed that this is just the first in several moves to return lending rates to normal as the economy improves. Definitely a sign that the Fed appears comfortable that the worst of the economic downturn is over, the rate hike decision sparked a boost ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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Gold prices have been on the rebound in the last two weeks after touching a near-term low at price on February 5th of $1,052.25. With a current (February 17) gold spot rate of $1,114.70 per ounce, the commodity has increased in worth by over $60 in 12 days. Though down slightly from yesterday’s New York Mercantile Exchange gold price close of $1,117.80, gold is still up around $15 from the February 15th close price of $1,099.50. Gold has historically moved inversely with the value of the dollar, which held true during ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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The US Commerce Department reported Friday (February 12) morning that January retail sales grew by .5 per cent, which was higher than the .3 per cent forecasted by analysts. Wal-Mart and other big department stores were seen as the major catalyst for the growth, which suggests a more conventional increase in consumer spending on retail purchases. Currency speculators jumped on the news by investing in more dollars relative to foreign currencies including the Pound, Euro and Yen. They apparently see this news as another sign that the US economy ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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The US dollar has started February in the same vein that it finished January, buoyed by evidence of US economic recovery, after Friday’s GDP numbers, and fears that China will implement measures to control its economic growth. The dollar has also remained supported over sovereign debt concerns in, not only Greece, but also Spain and Portugal as the dollar index traded at its highest levels since July last year. These fears are being compounded by widening spreads differentials between 10 year German ,and Greek and Portuguese bonds. EURUSD - the Euro has ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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The dollar has grown stronger to start this week, gaining ground against most major currencies and commodities, the Japanese yen, being the prominent exception. The gold price spot rate is at $1,091, after a Tuesday New York Mercantile Exchange close just below $1,100. The gold rate is well below its all time high of $1,218.25 near the end of 2009. Oil prices actually climbed a bit Wednesday morning to $75 after a Tuesday New York settle price of $74.71. Investors are waiting for the latest report on US inventory levels. ...Forex Rate - Forex and Exchange rates

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