BigusDicus

Most countries that sell product offshore want a weak currency. https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-president-trump-finally-getting-a-weaker-dollar-11562583605 Is President Trump Finally Getting a Weaker Dollar? The U.S. currency has slipped from recent highs, and analysts say it may be in for a steady decline A bank employee in Mexico City making adjustments on a board that displays the exchange rate between the Mexican peso and U.S. dollar.PHOTO: CARLOS JASSO/REUTERS By Ira Iosebashvili July 8, 2019 7:00 am ET President Trump has repeatedly bashed the dollar’s strength in recent years, only for the currency to grind higher. Now, analysts say, the U.S. currency may finally be primed for a decline, albeit a slow and steady one. The WSJ Dollar Index, which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of 16 others, has slipped 1.1% from its recent highs, though it surged Friday following an upbeat jobs report. Those declines have come as net investor bets on a higher dollar have dropped to their lowest levels in a year, according to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Scotiabank. Whittled AwayNet futures bets on the dollarSource: Scotiabank, CFTC .billion2014’15’16’17’18’19-30-20-10010203040$50June 7, 2016x$12.32 billion Mr. Trump has said the stronger dollar places the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage to other economies. He has also criticized other countries for allowing their currencies to weaken against the greenback. The currency’s recent declines could accelerate if the Federal Reserve eases monetary policy in the coming months by cutting interest rates, a move the central bank has recently signaled. Rate cuts tend to weaken the dollar by making it less attractive to yield-seeking investors. However, a stronger-than-expected jobs report Friday forced some traders to unwind bets on sharply lower interest rates later this year. The report is increasing the focus on this week’s minutes from the Fed’s most recent meeting and upcoming inflation figures. At the same time, some analysts believe the U.S. may more actively discourage other countries from pushing up the dollar by weakening their own currencies. The Treasury recently enlarged the list of countries it monitors for currency manipulation and changed some of the criteria it uses to evaluate such cases. Under the expanded criteria, the Treasury added five countries to the watch list: Italy, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. The list already included China, Germany, South Korea and Japan. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS How have your views on interest rates and the dollar changed recently? Join the conversation below. The expanded list was part of the Treasury’s semiannual currency report, which is used to discourage countries from devaluing their currencies so that exports are cheaper for U.S. markets. The designation can be applied to countries that meet the following criteria: actively intervening in their currency markets; having large trade surpluses with the U.S.; and having large overall current-account surpluses. Analysts at Standard Chartered noted in a recent report that the dollar has weakened during the last three Republican administrations, a move they attribute to the fallout from fiscal easing policies that GOP presidents—including Mr. Trump—have favored. “There does seem to be a case for longer-term dollar decline, and it is just possible that the long-term could be about to start,” said Steven Barrow, the bank’s head of G-10 strategy. “We still stick to our view that the dollar will be lower when Trump leaves office than the day he joined.” Write to Ira Iosebashvili at ira.iosebashvili@wsj.com

Excellent analysis!

I must admit "scarpered" is a new word to me. Then again, I have led a sheltered life....

I stayed at the Merlin 10-12 times over a 2-3 year period. Associated with 20-25 diffident guys, mainly US Navy or contractors. Do not recall any of us ever having to pay a joiner fee. Never booked directly, always handled by someone within the group. Was told we received the "Navy special rate". Memory is it was around $25-27/nt including breakfast. Was a nice hotel, bit frayed at the edges. All were disappointed when they closed. We migrate to Flipper Lodge on Soi 8 for a few years...

I do not recall a joiner fee at the Merlin? Stayed at the Montien next door once for a couple days, joiner fee of 500 baht.

Yes, a low dollar is bad for those who travel/live abroad. But it is good for most American businesses. And that is what is important. Inconvenient for some of us, but good for the country.

There you go. Generally speaking women can be caty to other women, much meaner than men....then again it could have been a simple mistake. Regardless I am sure you too walk proudly!

Agreed. Sounds like he was just being mean.

I am sure you walk with pride 😁

Classic Camel Toe....

AOC briefly takes Pelosi's spot in presiding over House; reportedly youngest woman to wield gavel https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-presides-over-house

Up periscope.....

She looks like she could be fun. I would spank her....