Markets Down Last Week

Markets around the globe posted record losses last week but following a meeting of Eurozone leaders over the weekend Asian markets slowly climbed and as of Monday Asia Pacific index gained 7.7% after dropping 20% last week ; the worst performance in its history. While stock markets remain volatile globally Forex opportunities are abundant on currency exchange markets.

Hang Seng Up

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng rose strongly in afternoon trading, and gained 10.2% in afternoon trading. Stock markets throughout Asia rose with the Singapore market gaining 6.6%, followed by Korea with a 3.8% gain. India’s Sensex gained 7.7%, China posted gains of 4.12%. Japan’

s stock market was closed for a national holiday but Japanese interbank FX traders remain optimistic.

Light Trading

Light trading in Asian markets indicates that Asian traders are waiting to see how the US and European bailout plans will affect Wall Street. Over the weekend European central banks suggested they would follow the UK’

s lead by buying stakes in struggling banks and underwriting interbank loans. The US bailout plan is slowly taking effect and it is hoped that recapitalizing banks will unfreeze credit markets.

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The Bailout Bill

Forex markets are wondering if the overwhelming passage of a revised bailout bill will have any influence on the House when the projected vote takes place Friday. No matter what action the house takes it is sure to make for a wild weekend in global markets including Forex markets. The US dollar currently is higher than 12 of the 16 most traded currencies. The strong dollar is offering investors many Forex opportunities and at present Forex markets remain relatively stable compared to stock markets, allowing for FX traders to take advantage of the current situation.

US Manufacturing Sector

The US also faced bad news from its manufacturing sector with the manufacturing index falling to its lowest level in six years. Weak demand for US products coupled with consumer uneasiness with current economic conditions, higher food and fuel prices, and the future for the manufacturing does not look good. US consumers saw any wage gains

made in the past few years disappear limiting consumer spending. This trend is expected to last until at least the end of the year and could result in more job losses. In the US consumer confidence is at its lowest since 2000.

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World Events and Forex Opportunities

World events have a profound effect on Forex markets. What seem to be minor events can cause currencies to rise and fall. Forex traders must stay well informed about events in several categories. Obviously the main categories would be political events and financial events and trends. News is now global and individuals have access to news sources that were nonexistent a decade ago. Many websites specialize in world financial news and the venerable Wall Street Journal is now online, some such websites even ofer easy to use FX converter tools.

Follow the News For Forex Opportunities

Many novice Forex traders mistakenly believe that only economic news has an effect on Forex markets. Nothing could be further from the truth. Using the United States as an example many investors are uncertain of the direction the United States will take and at the present time the election of 2008 is too close to call. Recently U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Monday the crisis sweeping Lehman Brothers and other Wall Street firms posed a major threat to the U.S. economy and underscored the need to modernize the financial system. Mr. McCain, on the other hand has claimed that the US economy is ‘fundamentally strong’. Backtracking Mr. McCain said that he did not mean that the American economy was strong but, “I was talking about the fundamentals of America, which is the workers, their productivity, their innovation, their incredible performance for many, many years”

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The US presidential election has traditionally had an effect on Forex markets and investors would be wise to follow US political events especially since the US dollar is the dominant currency in Forex markets. No matter who wins the US presidential election the perception of the new president and his policies will have a major effect in currency markets. While the outcome of the election is too close to call the dollar remains strong and continues to provide the same Forex opportunities as in the past.

Economic Events and Forex Opportunities

Economic events obviously have a major effect on Forex markets. Since currencies are traded in pairs following events in both countries would be prudent. Economic events that can affect Forex opportunities and markets include, GDP, retail sales, industrial production, changes in interest rates, mortgage markets, factory orders, trade balances, farm reports, balance of trade, national debt, and other factors too numerous to list.

Services For Forex Investors

Fortunately there are online news services that specialize in political and financial news. Investors may sign up for very specific alerts dealing with the minutest aspect of world economies and how they are expected to affect Forex opportunities. For those who wish to have control of their Forex trades following world events is essential for making informed decisions. Forex trading requires research, education, discipline, patience, and occasionally nerves of steel.