Day: May 5, 2011

May 5
2011

Swiss Franc Gains on Safety Demand, Rates Outlook

The Swiss franc against most major currencies as stocks and commodities declined and on speculation that the central bank will raise the interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 0.7 percent, while the Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of raw materials lost 1.8 percent. The indebtedness of developed countries continues to restrain investors’ willingness to risk. Vice President of the Swiss National Bank Thomas Jordan said that the central bank will […]

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May 5
2011

ECB Holds Key Rate, EUR/USD Sinks

EUR/USD slumped today after the European Central Bank kept its main interest rate unchanged. (Event A on the chart.) ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet said that the policy maker will watch the inflation “very closely”, suggesting that the Bank may lift rates in June. The euro’s rally stalled this weak and the EUR/USD currency pair was weakening today, but ECB rates decision turned the gradual decline into a sharp […]

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May 5
2011

Retail Sales Make Unpleasant Surprise, Sending AUD Down

The Australian dollar fell today, posting the fourth day of losses against its US counterpart, after the report showed an unexpected drop of the Australian retail sales. Australian retail sales fell 0.5 percent in March, after the four month of increases, including the rise by 0.8 percent in February. Forecast promised a growth by 0.6 percent. The decline of sales shows that the Australian consumers remain cautious in their spending and unsure about their economic […]

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