EYE-BALL Guru on – Another reason the Australian Treasurer deserves his DUNCE-HAT – Part II!!!

Title: Another reason the Australian Treasurer deserves his DUNCE-HAT – Part II…

The Swiss Central Bank today acted to protect its own economy – it took the market by surprise when it announced it was fixing its currency to the EURO at CHF1.20 to the Euro.  The chart contained in the copy of the story shows the markets response.The story over the wire read: Swiss National Bank acts to weaken strong franc  The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has set a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 francs to the euro, saying the current value of the franc is a threat to the economy. The SNB said it would enforce the minimum rate by buying foreign currency in unlimited quantities. The move had an immediate effect, with the euro rising from about 1.10 francs before the announcement to 1.21 francs. It is the latest attempt by the central bank to weaken its currency, which has been at export-damaging record highs. The SNB has previously said that it would increase available deposits to commercial banks, as well as cut interest rates. The Swiss government has also said it would increase its spending by 2bn francs to help boost the domestic economy. ‘Utmost determination’ In a statement, the SNB said: “The current massive overvaluation of the Swiss franc poses an acute threat to the Swiss economy and carries the risk of a deflationary development. “The Swiss National Bank is therefore aiming for a substantial and sustained weakening of the Swiss franc. With immediate effect, it will no longer tolerate a EUR/CHF exchange rate below the minimum rate of CHF 1.20. “The SNB will enforce this minimum rate with the utmost determination and is prepared to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities.” The Swiss stock market, the Zurich SMI, rose 4% after the announcement, with exporters the biggest risers. ‘Grand scale’ The European Central Bank issued a short statement saying the decision had been taken by the Swiss National Bank “under its own responsibility”. Jeremy Cook, chief economist at World First, said the resulting currency movement was “the single largest foreign exchange move I have ever seen”. Against the franc, the euro climbed 9%, the dollar rose 7.7% and sterling gained 7.8% within minutes of the announcment. “This dwarfs moves seen post-Lehman Brothers, 7/7, and other major geopolitical events in the past decade,” Mr Cook said. “The Swiss have had enough. This is intervention on a grand scale. “This turns up the heat on the eurozone and other economies who have benefited from weakening their currency in the past couple of years.” Once again the Australian Treasurer and the RBA are shown to be complete “dunces” – for many months this blog site has pounded the Australian Treasurer and the RBA over the high value of the A$ – [see links below to read previous posts.] Previous posts on this same issue can be read using the links below: 22nd Aug – Another reason the Australian Treasurer deserves his DUNCEHAT: 26th June – What would happen if the A$ was devalued: 25th June – The Australian Treasurer – Mr Wayne SWAN – a Bridesmaid – a Jack-in-the-Box Puppet – or just wickedly incompetent … 2nd April – The real value of the A$ … Given this devaluation – and the swiftness the Swiss Central Bank (SCB) has acted over the last 3-4 months to curtail the appreciation of their currency – this latest action gives new meaning to determination.   It also shows up the lack of action and pure idiocy of Mr Swan as the Australian Treasurer over the last 4 odd years – and the collective stupidity of the RBA’s policy to only focus on “inflation” indicators to monitor the Australian economy. The $A Billion’s being shipped off-shore in raw materials and agriculture is returning to Australia as a fraction of what it was when the A$ traded in the A$.70-.80c range – this is where the A$vUS$ has averaged over the last 40 odd years. The current levels have created the two-speed economy every economist and forecaster has blamed for Australia’s economic woes – and as a response the Government and the RBA have not acted or responded to the rise of the A$. There was a time when the RBA would step into the markets to take the heat out of the currency – this often had the sting to squash over-buying or selling – this appears on the RBA record of activities to be a thing of the past – particularly when currency targeting should have been of focus. TRhis in-action and the policy of maintaining relative high interest rates has underpinned any reason to sell the A$ – it continues to be so even now – The SCB showed some insight to protect their economy – as a contrast the RBA under the Treasurer’s direction has shown no intent to prevent the A$ from rising.  This represents gross incompetence on a scale that has cost Australian Retailers, exporters, tourism operators, manufacturers and the mining and agriculture sectors $100’s billions. It’s time for SWAN to offer his head and acknowledge his incompetence. ________________________________________ The EYE-BALL GURU …