HKMA steps in as Hong Kong dollar hits weak end of trading band

By Donny Kwok and Twinnie Siu
HONG KONG, April 13 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's de facto central bank stepped into the currency market again in U.S. trading hours, buying HK$2.442 billion ($311 million) in Hong Kong dollars from the foreign exchange market as the local currency hit the weaker end of its trading range.
On Thursday, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said it bought HK$816 million from the currency market.
This was the first time since the trading band was introduced in 2005 that the weak-side convertibility undertaking (CU) at 7.85 to keep the Hong Kong dollar closely pegged to the U.S. currency had been triggered.
The HKMA said the undertaking was triggered in London trading hours.
"I reiterate that the HKMA will buy Hong Kong dollars (HKD) and sell US dollars at 7.85 level to ensure that the HKD exchange rate will not weaken beyond 7.8500," Norman Chan, chief executive of HKMA, said in a statement.
"Such operations are normal and in accordance with the design of the Linked Exchange Rate System."
The Hong Kong dollar touched the lower end of the central bank's trading band target as the interest rate gap between the greenback and the local currency widened.
As the former British colony pegs its currency to the dollar, its money market rates should mirror those of its U.S. counterpart, but the gap has now widened to more than 117 basis points since the U.S. Federal Reserve started raising interest rates from the ultra-low levels adopted in the 2008 financial crisis.
Hong Kong's markets have remained flush with excess cash, keeping a lid on Hong Kong dollar interest rates.
Most market participants do not see the current bout of weakness as a threat to the currency peg even though high liquidity stemming from Chinese and overseas investment into Hong Kong's domestic markets is anchoring short-term interest rates and putting downward pressure on the currency.
The latest intervention, bringing the total amount of local currency bought to HK$3.258 billion, will reduce the aggregate balance - the sum of balances on clearing accounts maintained by banks with the HKMA - to HK$176.52 billion on April 16, according to Reuters data.
The Hong Kong dollar is pegged at 7.8 to the U.S. dollar, but can trade between the high and low limits of 7.75 and 7.85. Under the currency peg, the HKMA is obliged to intervene when the Hong Kong dollar hits 7.75 or 7.85 to keep the band intact.

Better down to 0.01, then can buy many.

If price still, better down to 0.10. I want to buy

China is the world's biggest crude consumer and buys most of its oil from Russia. However, most settlements are still in US dollars. The launch of the petro-yuan now allows Moscow and Beijing to use national currencies instead.
China and Russia are actively reducing dependence on the dollar in bilateral trade. In October 2017, Beijing launched a payment system for transactions in yuan and Russian rubles. This means that settlements for Russian oil deliveries to China, which have reached 60 million tons per year, can be done without using the dollar.

After Monday's launch of the yuan-backed oil futures in Shanghai, there have been negotiation between Russia and China on mutual promotion of oil futures in national currencies, RIA Novosti reported. In 2016, the St. Petersburg exchange in Russia launched Urals oil futures in the Russian ruble, and support from China could prop up Russian crude futures.

China's new oil benchmark had a hugely successful debut. On the first day of trading in Shanghai, 62,500 contracts with more than 62 million barrels of crude traded for a notional value of nearly 27 billion yuan ($4 billion), Zerohedge reported. Glencore, Trafigura, Freepoint Commodities and other huge oil-trading corporations took part.

Russia held its position as China's largest crude oil supplier in February. Russia supplied 5.052 million tons, or 1.32 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, up 17.8 percent from a year earlier, according to Reuters, quoting the Chinese General Administration of Customs.

The increase in volume happened as a result of a second Sino-Russian oil pipeline, which began operations on January 1. It doubled China’s capacity to pump oil from the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) system. ESPO connects Russia and China with a direct pipeline

After the election, myr may uptrend to 3.50 against USD.

After the GE14, it shoot up to 3.50 against USD

After GE14, ringgit may go up to 3.50 against USD.

Fabio Teixeira / Pacific / Barcroft via Getty Images
Currency speculators continue to shun the US dollar.
Net short positioning among this cohort has hit the highest level in nearly four years.
Traders favouring the Japanese yen and commodity currencies such as the Australian, Canadian and New Zealand dollars.
The US dollar remains on the nose with currency traders.

According to ANZ Bank, citing data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) latest Commitment of Traders (CoT) report, leveraged funds sold the greenback again last week, leaving net short positioning in the dollar at the highest level since May 2014.

This chart from ANZ shows net US dollar positioning overlaid against movements in the US dollar index, or DXY.

Fabio Teixeira / Pacific / Barcroft via Getty Images
Currency speculators continue to shun the US dollar.
Net short positioning among this cohort has hit the highest level in nearly four years.
Traders favouring the Japanese yen and commodity currencies such as the Australian, Canadian and New Zealand dollars.
The US dollar remains on the nose with currency traders.

According to ANZ Bank, citing data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) latest Commitment of Traders (CoT) report, leveraged funds sold the greenback again last week, leaving net short positioning in the dollar at the highest level since May 2014.

This chart from ANZ shows net US dollar positioning overlaid against movements in the US dollar index, or DXY.

China Prepares Death Blow To The Dollar
By ZeroHedge - Mar 24, 2018, 12:00 PM CDT China Dollar

On March 26 China will finally launch a yuan-dominated oil futures contract. Over the last decade there have been a number of “false-starts,” but this time the contract has gotten approval from China’s State Council.

With that approval, the “petroyuan” will become real and China will set out to challenge the “petrodollar” for dominance. Adam Levinson, managing partner and chief investment officer at hedge fund manager Graticule Asset Management Asia (GAMA), already warned last year that China launching a yuan-denominated oil futures contract will shock those investors who have not been paying attention.

This could be a death blow for an already weakening U.S. dollar, and the rise of the yuan as the dominant world currency.

But this isn’t just some slow, news day “fad” that will fizzle in a few days.

China Prepares Death Blow To The Dollar
By ZeroHedge - Mar 24, 2018, 12:00 PM CDT China Dollar

On March 26 China will finally launch a yuan-dominated oil futures contract. Over the last decade there have been a number of “false-starts,” but this time the contract has gotten approval from China’s State Council.

With that approval, the “petroyuan” will become real and China will set out to challenge the “petrodollar” for dominance. Adam Levinson, managing partner and chief investment officer at hedge fund manager Graticule Asset Management Asia (GAMA), already warned last year that China launching a yuan-denominated oil futures contract will shock those investors who have not been paying attention.

This could be a death blow for an already weakening U.S. dollar, and the rise of the yuan as the dominant world currency.

But this isn’t just some slow, news day “fad” that will fizzle in a few days.

Oil price crosses $70 amid Iran deal tensions
24 MARCH 2018
Oil prices rose as investors saw increasing possibility that the US could withdraw from the historic Iran nuclear deal.

Crude oil prices posted their biggest weekly gain in eight months with rising geopolitical risk in the Middle East threatening security supply once again.


International benchmark Brent crude gained 6.6 percent this week, briefly reaching $70.58 a barrel on Friday.

American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 5.7 percent this week and climbed as high as $66 a barrel.

While both benchmarks reached Friday their highest level since January 29, they also posted their best weekly gains since the last week of July 2017.

Oil price crosses $70 amid Iran deal tensions
24 MARCH 2018
Oil prices rose as investors saw increasing possibility that the US could withdraw from the historic Iran nuclear deal.

Crude oil prices posted their biggest weekly gain in eight months with rising geopolitical risk in the Middle East threatening security supply once again.


International benchmark Brent crude gained 6.6 percent this week, briefly reaching $70.58 a barrel on Friday.

American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 5.7 percent this week and climbed as high as $66 a barrel.

While both benchmarks reached Friday their highest level since January 29, they also posted their best weekly gains since the last week of July 2017.

Safe haven are eur,jpy,chf,gold

Currencies vulnerable to trade war are hkd,nzd,aud,usd,cad,try,cny,

China is taking a measured approach with its proposal to slap retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, according to experts.

Beijing on Friday said it may target 128 U.S. products with an import value of only $3 billion in response to President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports.

U.S. goods exported to China in 2016 totaled $115.6 billion, according to official data. Given the size of the two countries' trade, Beijing's limited focus on just $3 billion of U.S. imports is "very cautious," according to a former assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China Affairs.

China is taking a measured approach with its proposal to slap retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, according to experts.

Beijing on Friday said it may target 128 U.S. products with an import value of only $3 billion in response to President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports.

U.S. goods exported to China in 2016 totaled $115.6 billion, according to official data. Given the size of the two countries' trade, Beijing's limited focus on just $3 billion of U.S. imports is "very cautious," according to a former assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China Affairs.

Brent uptrend $69 per barrel and above.

The dollar slumped on Friday, sliding the most against the yen, as traders moved into currencies considered more safe. The move came as U.S. political worries returned, on reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was planning to fire his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster.

The dollar slumped on Friday, sliding the most against the yen, as traders moved into currencies considered more safe. The move came as U.S. political worries returned, on reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was planning to fire his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster.

Post removed.Why?

Post removed.Why?

When will the right issue come out? Until now, no news.

Is epf goreng up? If does, then be cautious. May goreng temporary and dump to you guy. At the end, it will fall. Ada untung banyak, boleh jual dulu.

Si botak will not fry the share. He will release the umpan and pancing the fish. The fishes is people who chase the share.

So long only up few cents. Waste of time to collect it.

I don't believe psiptek will going up. Just up little bit to pancing you guy.

US Government shuts down for second time in 2018 as Congress misses deadline.

US Government shuts down for second time in 2018 as Congress misses deadline.

US Government shuts down for second time in 2018 as Congress misses deadline.

London bisc

London biscuit

London biscuit

Psiptek

Psiptek

Psiptek

Brent crude break $70 and above.

Brent crude break $70 and above.

Brent crude break $70 and above.

US shutdown begins as Senate fails to pass new budget
20 January 2018 US & Canada
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US shutdown begins as Senate fails to pass new budget
20 January 2018 US & Canada
Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp

BUDGET Published January 20, 2018
Government braces for shutdown as Senate fails to meet deadline for spending deal
Adam Shaw By Adam Shaw, Alex Pappas, Matt Richardson | Fox News

BUDGET Published January 20, 2018
Government braces for shutdown as Senate fails to meet deadline for spending deal
Adam Shaw By Adam Shaw, Alex Pappas, Matt Richardson | Fox News

U.S. Shutdown Starts as Senate Democrats Block GOP Funding Plan
By Laura Litvan , Erik Wasson , and Anna Edgerton
January 20, 2018, 1:18 PM GMT+8
Updated on January 20, 2018, 1:42 PM GMT+8
Government funding set to end at midnight Friday without deal
Both parties unable to break deadlock over immigration
The U.S. government officially entered a partial shutdown early Saturday as Senate Democrats and a handful of Republicans blocked a House-passed bill to fund the government after the two parties failed to break their deadlock over immigration.

U.S. Shutdown Starts as Senate Democrats Block GOP Funding Plan
By Laura Litvan , Erik Wasson , and Anna Edgerton
January 20, 2018, 1:18 PM GMT+8
Updated on January 20, 2018, 1:42 PM GMT+8
Government funding set to end at midnight Friday without deal
Both parties unable to break deadlock over immigration
The U.S. government officially entered a partial shutdown early Saturday as Senate Democrats and a handful of Republicans blocked a House-passed bill to fund the government after the two parties failed to break their deadlock over immigration.

Brent price reached near $78/barrel.

Brent price now at $77.92/barrel

Oil could hit $80 per barrel by the end of 2018, says portfolio manager
Published 8 Mins Ago
CNBC.com
It's not preposterous to expect oil prices to hit $80 per barrel by the end of 2018, said Yoon Chou Chong, head of Asian equities at Natixis Asset Management
Production cuts and the need to maintain stability ahead of the widely-anticipated Saudi Aramco IPO will support oil prices, Chong said
Asian stocks, in particular Chinese shares, also have room to gain further, he added

This year could mark a comeback for commodities, with oil potentially hitting $80 per barrel, a portfolio manager said on Wednesday.

Oil could hit $80 per barrel by the end of 2018, says portfolio manager
Published 8 Mins Ago
CNBC.com
It's not preposterous to expect oil prices to hit $80 per barrel by the end of 2018, said Yoon Chou Chong, head of Asian equities at Natixis Asset Management
Production cuts and the need to maintain stability ahead of the widely-anticipated Saudi Aramco IPO will support oil prices, Chong said
Asian stocks, in particular Chinese shares, also have room to gain further, he added

This year could mark a comeback for commodities, with oil potentially hitting $80 per barrel, a portfolio manager said on Wednesday.

Iranian Crisis Could Send Oil To $100
By Nick Cunningham - Jan 02, 2018, 6:00 PM CST
Oil
Oil prices started the year on a high note as some geopolitical tension pushed aside bearish concerns. Both WTI and Brent opened above $60 per barrel for the first time in years.

The protests in Iran were the main driver of the bullish sentiment in the oil market. Anti-government demonstrations swept across the country in recent days, and unlike the widespread protests in 2009, the current rallies are related to economic woes and are also taking place in more cities than just Tehran. “Growing unrest in Iran set the table for a bullish start to 2018,” the Schork Report said in a note to clients on January 2.

At least 14 people have been killed in the protests and an estimated 450 have been arrested. It is the most serious challenge to the Iranian government in years, and Iran’s Supreme Leader put the blame on foreign agents, presumably the United States. “In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus to create troubles for the Islamic Republic,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.

Meanwhile, tension over North Korea – although not a new development – could be spreading to include a spat between the U.S. and Russia as well as the U.S. and China. Reuters reported late last week that Russian oil tankers have sent fuel to North Korea on multiple occasions in the last few months by transferring cargoes at sea. If true, the actions would amount to a violation of UN sanctions. Sources told Reuters that there is no evidence that the Russian state was involved, but the news has raised the specter of U.S.-Russian tension as Washington seeks a hard line on Pyongyang.