Bernard Hickey details the key news overnight in 90 seconds at 9 am in association with Bank of New Zealand, including news the New Zealand dollar rose to 76.2 USc overnight, its highest level since July 2008.
Financial markets are transfixed by the prospect of a second round of Quantitative Easing or money printing (QEII) by the US Federal Reserve after it commented that it was set to do more to boost the US economy and wanted to revive inflationary expectations.
The Australian dollar rose to a post-float (1983) high of 99.3 USc overnight, moving up as investors looked to exit the devaluing currencies such as the US dollar and Yen. Risk appetites are also elevated as the US stock market surged on hopes QEII will revive the world's largest economy.
The gold price meanwhile rose to fresh record highs around US$1,370/oz on fears about competitive devaluations of Fiat currencies.
Worsening the concerns about the currency wars, China posted a 25% increase in exports and increased its foreign reserves to US$2.65 billion. America and some others are blaming China for not allowing its currency to rise quickly vs the US dollar. A strong export performance and rising currency reserves are signs China's currency remains undervalued and that the pressure will remain on for a revaluation, or for competitive devaluations in retaliation.
Chile is expected to intervene to try to pull its currency lower vs the US dollar and Thailand announced details of its new bond tax on foreign investors, includuing a 15% withholding tax on capital gains and interest payments.
Back in New Zealand, a Parliamentary report has warned of Peak Oil and a supply crunch from 2012.
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