A major 8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan overnight in the United States, Friday afternoon in Northeast Asia.
Japan is the third largest consumer oil and the emotional response from speculators quickly knocked light sweet crude futures below $100. In early Friday morning New York NYMEX trade, crude futures are worth $100.05 per barrel
The dollar has made gains against both the euro and pound in sync with the declines in oil prices. The euro currently gets $1.37726, down two pips from recent highs. A pound is worth $1.59929, down nearly four …

Despite an initial blip early in the day, the news of Moody’s rating downgrade for Greece had little overall impact on the euro, as the single currency continues to be supported by talk of higher interest rates from the ECB at its April meeting. The EUR hit a four month high against the dollar yesterday, breaking through $1.40, before consolidating just below this level later in the trading session.
Many see the single currency as on track to retest the highs of almost $1.43 seen last November, as it is …

We’re back to the exciting first Friday of the month and the market awaits this afternoons NFP and unemployment rates. Previously we saw just 36k increase in the NFP with a 9% unemployment rate. This low NFP was put down to bad weather in the States and now todays expectation is much higher at 185k increase in jobs. Off this forecast we have seen USD buying against the GB Pound this morning, with the pair dropping from the 1.62 highs. Note that the Euro is a different story following Tichets …

Major financial markets are reacting early Thursday (March 3) morning to word from the Arab League that it is seeking ways to end the crisis in Libya.
Heightened revolution and political tension in the Middle East has dominated global news during the last few months. It has also impacted speculation in many investment markets.
Gold prices moved past $1,440 on Wednesday, but have pulsed back to an early Thursday spot rate of $1,422.60 on the New York NYMEX. Oil prices have also dipped a bit. One barrel of light sweet crude oil …

Gold prices reached new heights on Tuesday (March 1) as increasing global political tension and buying in China helped drive speculation.
After an intraday move just over $1,435, gold closed Tuesday’s traded at a record closing price of $1,433.20. One ounce of gold currently fetches $1,432.50 in early Wednesday morning New York NYMEX trade.
According to top analysts, gold prices are moving higher partly because of global political tensions, but also because of significant gold buying in China, which is the second leading producer of gold in the world.
UBS AG has reported …

Sterling rallied to a 13 month high against the US Dollar on Tuesday after stronger than expected UK economic data fuelled speculation that UK interest rates will rise well before those in other developed economies. Hawkish comments from Bank of England that inflation will remain high this year helped support the Pounds movement, reaching a high of 1.6328 in intra-day trading and a low of 1.6255 which now acts as support. Speculative traders are continuing to ‘short’ the US Dollar at present, mainly due to the dovish comments from Mervin …