Archive for July, 2010

Vladimir Putin seek to cut the percentage of foreign currency loans more then 50 %. He imposed new tax breaks with reductions for local loans compared to foreign loans.

Russian Debt levels

Russian companies have $294 billion of international and 12.8 trillion rubles ($410.8 billion) of local loans, according to Bank of Russia.

Lower inflation and borrowing costs

The interest rate has been cut 14 times in Russia the last year, to 7.75 % in July. At the same time, inflation gone down drastically from over 10 % to 5.8 % in June. (more…)

Nationalbanken, Denmark’s centralbank, released info about their currency reserve yesterday. And it’s clear that there have not been much action by the Danish centralbank.

It apprears the currency reserve descreased 2.2 million DKK to 438.4 million DKK. The new balance is a result of sold Danish currency for 1 million DKK and a foreign loan for 1.2 million DKK.

There was no interventions by the Nationalbank in June.

Just in time to Singapore Youth Olympics (14-26 August, 2010), Singapore launches Commemorative Coins.

An alternative to Singapore dollar? Perhaps not, but below you find some of the most colorful coins we seem in a long time.

• The $10 gold proof-like coin will come in 1/4 oz of 999.9 gold. Mintage of 5000 coins.
• The $5 silver proof-like coin will come in 1 oz of 999 fine silver with hologram effect. Mintage of 10 000 pieces.
• $2 Bi-Metal brilliant uncirculated condition, with a mintage of 30 000 coins.

Grab one now – there is only a limited edition of the Singapore Youth Olympic Coins.

The British pound also experienced increased resistance on Monday after the first quarter of UK economic data was worse than previously expected. There are many indications now that the recession been worse than expected and economic growth lower then earlier estimated.

UK inflation way over target level

The country’s inflation in recent months is now 3.7%, significantly above the Bank of Englands target level of 2%. Britain could be forced to raise interest rates relatively soon, as MPC member Andrew Sentance already voted for. But Mr. Archer at the Bank of England believes inflation is on a downward trend and believe rates will be kept at 0.5% throughout 2010 and well into in 2011. How credible is the new government and how well will they keep Britain’s a currency? If the BOE will not to curb inflation in the near future you can expect the British pound to decrease significantly.

When do you think Britain will raise interest rates?

The Canadian Dollar is advancing against it’s major trading partners, in particular USD.

For the first time since April (2010), CAD is heading towards 1.0 in exchange rate with the USD. Rising commodity prices and any unexpected rise in unemployment or inflation can easily make the Canadian Dollar stronger then the American dollar.

So, when Do you think the Canadian dollar will be stronger then the American counterpart, if ever?

Norges Bank made an official statement regarding fx purchases in July. They promised to not purchase any foreign currency in the current month.

They are otherwise one of the usual suspect for large transactions in foreign currency, especially when considerable amounts of petroleum are sold from Norway. The monthly allocations are determined by The Ministry of Finance every month.

The Norwegian Krone has strengthen from 9.15 to 8 for one Euro the latest year. Many currency analysts expect the NOK to rise even further.