http://www.gftforex.com/resources/analysis/analyst.asp?analyst=Boris%20SchlossbergThe latest market commentary from Boris Schlossberg, Director of Research, GFT (c) 2009, GFT. All rights reserved.5http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1085/fri-may-1Fri, 01 May 2009 05:43:06 GMThttp://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1084/thu-apr-30Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:40:42 GMThttp://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1083/wed-apr-29Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:37:13 GMTAnother night of risk aversion has lifted the yen to a six week high against the euro and a four week high against the buck as WHO raised the alert status of the swine flu crisis from 3 to 4. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general for health security and environment noted that the increased threat level “signifies that we have taken a step closer to pandemic. It is also possible that as the situation evolves over the next few days we could move into Stage 5.” http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1082/yen-hits-multi-week-highs-as-tension-mountsTue, 28 Apr 2009 06:04:22 GMTJapan’s retail sales fell for a seventh consecutive month in March as weakening labor market prompted households to cut spending in a clear sign that Japan’s economy is seeing no evidence of a rebound in consumer demand. Sales declined by 3.9% earlier which was actually a bit better than the market consensus of a 4.7% drop, but despite the slightly better than forecast numbers, today’s retails sales data confirms the fact the world’s second largest economy remains mired in the worst economic slump in the post war era. Yesterday, the Japanese government forecast that the economy will shrink by 3.3% in 2009. http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1098/why-japan-is-swine-flus-greatest-victimTue, 28 Apr 2009 01:01:45 GMTThe EUR/USD was lower by more than 100 points at the start of the week’s trade today, as fear of a spreading swine flu epidemic gripped global capital markets. Centered in Mexico, the swine flu outbreak has managed to kill more than 80 people, but the latest cases in US and Canada have not resulted in any further fatalities so far. Human to human infection of swine flu is spread through touch and sneezing and is treatable with antibiotics. Investors in Asia, still haunted by memories of SARS outbreak in 2003 were quick to react, selling high beta currencies while seeking refuge in the dollar and the yen. http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1081/euro-lower-as-risk-returns-on-swine-flu-scareMon, 27 Apr 2009 05:02:35 GMTThe outbreak of swine flu triggered a wave of risk aversion in Asian currency trade today with the region especially concerned given its recent history with SARS virus. Health officials were on alert across the globe against the pandemic with Mexico acting as the epicenter of the disease while cases of the outbreak were confirmed in US and Canada. http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1091/swine-flu-creates-fear-in-the-currency-marketsMon, 27 Apr 2009 03:43:55 GMTLess than expected decline in the Durable Goods Orders along with higher than projected new home sales added to optimism of a possible bottom in the economic downturn. U.S. New Home Sales fell 0.6% in March from 358,000 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 356,000. Nonetheless, overabundance of unsold new homes and competition from foreclosed properties situated a 12% drop in the median sales price from a year earlier to $201,400. http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1087/durable-goods-orders-and-new-home-sales-show-signs-of-recoveryFri, 24 Apr 2009 14:27:18 GMTThe euro rally continued in early European trade today after the IFO survey of business confidence handily beat expectations printing at 83.7 vs. consensus calls of 82.1. The IFO release was the third positive economic surprise from the EZ this week, following on the heels of better ZEW and PMI data numbers. As a result the EUR/USD has rallied more than 300 points off the week’s lows as short covering continue unabated. http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1041/has-eurusd-turned-the-cornerFri, 24 Apr 2009 05:48:29 GMTThe IFO survey of business expectations printed much better than expected confirming other data points from the Eurozone this week that showed a possible turn to the upside in the region’s economy. The IFO survey recorded a reading of 83.7 versus consensus expectations of 82.4. More importantly the Current Assessment figures improved to 83.6 from 82.7 the month prior. http://www.gftforex.com/analysis/1079/ifo-beats-eurusd-rally-rolls-onFri, 24 Apr 2009 04:34:54 GMT