17 January 2012

SP Futures Intraday



Cynical trade on light volume.

Within a range and a longer term trend, the markets and the supporting commentary from the financial news demimonde are pure manipulation.

And it appears that the Fed was aware of this artificiality as early as 2004 when it allowed the global banks inflate a fraudulent housing bubble in the US and in Europe, and failed in its responsibilities as regulator in addition to managing monetary policy and employment.

The better to loot them all, my dears. The privileged few must have their due, and honest work with all its risk is not on their agenda.


People's Bank of China Opens Direct Currency Swaps with Dubai and the UAE



This is not a particularly large deal, but it is another sign of the continuing erosion of the ad hoc Bretton Woods II currency regime and a growing disorder in global banking. Change is not just coming, it's here.

The usual US public reponse is dismissive: 'where else will they put their money?'

But behind the scenes the US is working very hard on this, often in conjunction with the Banks of England and at times Japan, to move to an alternative in the SDR based on a composition favorable to the dollar and the pound and the yen.   Europe is being held off balance by the ratings agencies, suffering from a crisis in leadership and coherent policy.  Germany is being urged to accept a 'separate peace' and assume a more powerful and controlling role on the Continent.

A significant area of contention is the petro-dollar, hence the heavy and continuing US military presence in the region.

But don't count out China, Russia, India and South America. Never play checkers when the other guys are playing chess (or Go).

Press Release
People's Bank of China

January 17, 2012 - People's Bank of China, Dubai and the UAE Central Bank have signed bilateral currency swap agreements, aimed at strengthening bilateral financial cooperation and promote bilateral trade and investment and jointly safeguard regional financial stability.

The 35 billion yuan swap / 200 million dirhams, is valid for three years and may be extended by mutual agreement.

16 January 2012

Martin Luther King Day 2012



Martin Luther King's Last Speech



Speech from 3 April 1968, Church of God in Christ, Memphis, Tennessee

On 4 April 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

13 January 2012

Gold Daily and Silver Weekly Charts



A pause and consolidation accentuated with an intraday bear raid that did not quite stick.

US markets will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day.