Monday, November 3, 2008

Forex Market Update - U.S. Dollar Still Low

Viewed by some as an upset in the forex market, U.S. currency almost hit a record low recently when compared to other major currencies. There still remains some pressure coming from China when reviewing recent comments that mention the possibility of the nation diversifying reserves separate from the American dollar.The U.S. dollar hit a rock bottom record low of 1.4729 when put next to the euro, and 2.1070 when compared to the pound. This was only after Cheng Siwei, vice chairman of China's National People's Congress, mentioned that the nation may change to “stronger” forms of currency.Jeffery Lacker, president of the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank, also made some comments that support the Reserve's choice to slash key Federal fund rates by 1/2 of a point. Lacker, who does not actively vote on the Federal board, mentioned that the Federal Reserve most likely “did the right thing” when referring to the recent rate cuts.Thomson IFR Markets representative Rhonda Staskow mentioned that Lacker's remarks “also suggest that there is a great deal of uncertainty over the sub-prime/housing/CDO issue and how that will play out.”Staskow also mentioned that, “A crisis of confidence of the dollar and over the asset levels of banks continues.”

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