Why The Euro Is Rising And Why It Can't Last

Lior Alkalay - INO.com Contributor - Forex


For the investors who are watching the Euro, its latest behavior might appear bewildering. After all, the ECB, slightly undershooting expectations, still increased its target asset purchases to roughly €1.5tn. At the same time, the ECB cut the deposit rate to -0.3%. And let's not forget the goings on over on the other side of the Atlantic. There, the Federal Reserve is gearing towards its first rate hike in almost a decade. What, then, could possibly incentivize investors to buy Euros? And can it last?

Draghi's Words Hit a Nerve

When investors expect more central bank easing, they also expect the obligatory rhetoric. But what they hate is when the rhetoric is of a very specific sort. In this case, it is when a central banker stresses the limitations of monetary stimulus. Yet, in practically the same breath, they drive home the need for more government input. And essentially, that is exactly what Mario Draghi said.

Now, when the Fed unleashed similar rhetoric, it was seen as a signal that its ammunition might be running out. Earlier this year, the BoJ had made a similar statement in an attempt to lower expectations of more stimulus. Continue reading "Why The Euro Is Rising And Why It Can't Last"

Trading Tip #5 - Diversification

Diversify Your Portfolio: Diversification is key to your long-term success.

12 Days of Trading Tips Day 5

I'm sure you've heard the expression, "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket" (one of those market cliches). It's great advice, the last thing you want to do is lock all of your capital into one market or sector. This will provide you and your portfolio protection from a catastrophic event in a single sector.

Do you have a diversified portfolio? Not sure? You can use the following list of markets as a starting point to check your portfolio. Are you invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and private equity assets?

The end of the year is a great time to sit back, look at your investments and make sure that you are diversified and protected.

Every success with MarketClub,
Adam Hewison
President, INO.com
Co-Creator, MarketClub

Join MarketClub with this Special Holiday Offer..

Trading Tip #4 - Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect: After you've studied and developed a plan it's time to practice. 12 Days of Trading Tips Day 4

Paper trading is a tool for new and old traders alike, much like an athlete practicing their trade is crucial to their success. Practicing allows you to learn and tweak your trading strategy without losing real money. Much like online education, there are a bunch of paper trading websites out there and some even have games tied to them.

Most brokers have this function built in as well. If you've watched financial TV as of late, I'm sure you've seen the newest commercial by one of the big online brokers touting this very feature to gain new customers. That should tell you how powerful practicing is.

Every success with MarketClub,
Adam Hewison
President, INO.com
Co-Creator, MarketClub

Join MarketClub with this Special Holiday Offer..

Why Your Bank Deposits May Be at Risk

By: Elliott Wave International

Elliott Wave International's July issue of The Elliott Wave Theorist reminds us why bank depositors need to prepare for the worst before a nation's financial system is gripped by crisis:

You can't wait until a monetary system collapses to protect your wealth. Just ask the Greeks. One day they were free to access all their savings at banks, and the next day the banks' doors were closed. Depositors' only relief was a dispensation allowing depositors to withdraw up to 60 euros a day.

You may be tempted to think that such a situation is unlikely to occur in Europe's advanced economies like France, Great Britain and Germany.But another severe economic downturn could bring historic bank failures.

Why? Because the banking system never fully recovered from the 2007-2009 financial crisis.

Here's a chart of three of Europe's largest banks: Continue reading "Why Your Bank Deposits May Be at Risk"

Weekly Futures Recap With Mike Seery

We've asked Michael Seery of SEERYFUTURES.COM to give our INO readers a weekly recap of the Futures market. He has been Senior Analyst for close to 15 years and has extensive knowledge of all of the commodity and option markets.

Michael frequently appears on multiple business networks including Bloomberg news, Fox Business, CNBC Worldwide, CNN Business, and Bloomberg TV. He is also a guest on First Business, which is a national and internationally syndicated business show.

Crude Oil Futures

Crude oil futures in the January contract finished lower for the 6th consecutive trading session settling in New York last Friday at 39.97 while currently trading at 35.69 a barrel down over $4 dollars for the trading week hitting a 7 year low as I had a short position in heating oil and not in crude oil which was disappointing because crude oil continues to move lower as well. Heating oil has been the leader in this complex due to extreme warm weather in the northeastern part of the United States as that product was down another 700 points once again as there is very little demand causing crude oil prices to continue to move lower as I'm certainly not recommending any type of bullish position. Crude oil prices are trading far below their 20 and 100 day moving average telling you that the short-term trend is to the downside as I think prices could trade as low as $30 in the coming weeks, but the easy money has already been made to the downside as gasoline prices were higher once again as spreading between heating oil and gasoline continues almost on a daily basis. The reason for the rise in gasoline prices is the fact of strong demand because people are driving and taking advantage of the warm weather, but eventually the cold weather is coming and then I think that gas prices will react negatively and catch up to the rest of the complex. Continue reading "Weekly Futures Recap With Mike Seery"