Reuters: US Dollar Report: FOREX-Dollar rallies as U.S. budget impasse spurs safety bid

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FOREX-Dollar rallies as U.S. budget impasse spurs safety bid Dec 21st 2012, 16:58 Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:58am EST * "Fiscal cliff" uncertainty dents growth-linked currencies * Republicans spurn Boehner's Plan B on budget * Thin year-end markets may exacerbate currency moves By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK, Dec 21 (Reuters) - The dollar firmed on Friday as investors sought safety after U.S. budget negotiations to avert spending cuts and tax increases took a turn for the worse, fueling concerns the United States could slide into recession. The demand for the most liquid currencies, including the dollar and the yen, grew at the expense of growth-linked currencies such as the euro and Australian dollar after a budget plan by the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, failed to win support from his party. Boehner, in a news conference on Friday, said it is now up to Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress to reach a solution to the fiscal cliff. "While the latest developments have not scuttled the possibility of a broader budget agreement being reached, the timing is now very tight and the margin for error even slimmer," said Nick Bennenbroek, head of currency strategy at Wells Fargo Bank in New York. "Further U.S. dollar strength and foreign currency weakness is possible with the uncertain backdrop likely to persist for at least the next few days." Boehner's Plan B, which would have raised taxes only on those earning $1 million or more a year, was rejected by conservative Republicans who adamantly oppose any tax increases. The dollar index rose 0.4 percent to 79.611. Near-term resistance at the 200-week moving average of around 79.50 was breached as the greenback's rally gathered pace. The dollar rose significantly against growth-linked currencies such as the Australian and New Zealand dollars. The euro was down 0.5 percent at $1.3172, its worst daily showing in two weeks. Europe's common currency had been in demand in recent sessions on improved sentiment on euro zone assets and earlier optimism on the U.S. fiscal cliff. The dollar, meanwhile, lagged the yen, as investors trimmed large short positions against the Japanese currency after the Bank of Japan this week increased its asset purchase program by less than some had expected. The dollar was down 0.3 percent at 84.14 yen, below its recent 20-month high of 84.62 yen. The yen also rose against the euro, with the single currency down 0.8 percent at 110.81 yen. Both the dollar and the yen, the most liquid currencies, are likely to be in demand as long as the outcome of the U.S. budget talks remains uncertain. Gains could be exacerbated in thin market conditions before the year's end. IMPLIED VOLS RISE The Australian dollar fell to US$1.0410, its lowest level since Dec. 4. The Aussie last changed hands at US$1.0417, down 0.6 percent. The New Zealand dollar dropped 1.2 percent to US$0.8147. In the options market, near-term implied volatility rose as uncertainty about the budget talks grew. Demand to hedge against excessive price swings usually rises during times of financial uncertainty. One-month implied volatility rose to 7.2, from around 6.8 earlier this week. The rise reflected a jump in the volatility index for European stocks as investors sought to hedge against sharp corrections in share prices. Traders also reported demand for dollar/yen implied volatilities. One-month dollar/yen volatility rose above 8 vols from around 7 in the middle of the week. Traders pared bets against the yen, which has been pressured in recent weeks by expectations that a new Japanese government will push the Bank of Japan into more forceful monetary easing. Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints

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