About Piponomics

Piponomics Author

Economics plays a huge role in the foreign exchange market. I enjoy looking at economic trends and trying to see how it affects currencies and life in general. I will post my thoughts and observations here. I'm throwing macroeconomics, forex trading, pop culture, and everyday life into a pot and hopefully the final product are lessons that are easy for you to consume.

Latest Posts

March 2011

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Archives

March 2011
Monthly Archive

Trading the Non-Farm Payrolls

It's time for the Non-Farm Payrolls report, folks! Are we in for a fun, fun, fun Friday? Or will we see bears attack faster than Rebecca Black could say "kickin' in the backseat?" Read on to see how you can trade the NFP report!… More…

Make Moolah Playing the Comdollahs!

If you're a big fan of the commodity currencies, namely, the Aussie, Kiwi, and Loonie, then you're in luck because tomorrow is packed with top-tier reports for each comdoll! … More…

Politics Makes People Looney, But Not the Loonie!

After talking about the downfall of Merkel's party yesterday, let's now shift our political lenses on Canada. Last Friday three out of four political parties in the parliament ganged up and toppled the governing party, the Conservative Party of Canada. So what inspired all the hate?… More…

The Fall of Merkel's Party (and the Euro)

Give the Greens a round of applause! Over the weekend, the Green Party managed to win the state elections in Baden-Watternberg and end the 58-year rule of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). … More…

Spanish Bailout On The Horizon?

Last week, Portugal dominated the headlines when parliament decided not to pass the proposed budget. If you're wondering why this didn't cause too much of a ruckus in the markets, look no further than the World Cup champions and siesta kings, Spain. … More…

U.K. 2011 Budget: Love it or Hate it?

Being a once-a-year event, the U.K.'s annual budget release naturally drew a lot of feedback from the markets. But unlike the cast of Jersey Shore, which I'm sure we can unanimously agree to hate, the U.K.'s 2011 budget had bits for us to love and loathe. Let ole Forex Gump fill you in on the good bits and bad!… More…

Is Portugal Next in Line for a Bailout?

It's hard to play nice on the political playground. Just ask now-ex Prime Minister José Socrates who walked out of his post yesterday after parliament rejected his proposed austerity measures. … More…

The 411 on Libya and Yemen

Earlier this year, we saw some political uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. These revolts inspired movements in other nations in the Middle East. For those of you who have been too busy watching American Idol or rooting for your alma maters in the NCAA March Madness, here's a short update on what's been happening in Libya and Yemen. … More…

A Classic Case of Good vs. Bad

With mixed economic themes popping up in markets lately, I wouldn't be surprised if you've been catching falling knives! Fear not, my forex minions. I've sorted out the good news from the bad, and I even wrote a few tips on trading the current market themes surrounding the U.S. … More…

How the Earthquake in Japan Will Rock Commodities and Equities

It's been ten days since the massive earthquake, but the market spotlight is still focused on Japan. I've already talked about the yen, now let me give you the lowdown on the effects of the calamity on the commodities and equities markets.… More…

China's Dynamic RRR: What's That All About?

Last Friday the People's Bank of China raised its reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for the sixth time since October 2010. While the announcement was no surprise to the markets, something tells me that the PBoC's next moves could shake things up a bit.… More…

Is the U.K. Ready for the Chancellor's Holler?

Word on the street is that Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is going to stun Britain on Wednesday with more than just his incandescent smile. Yup! He promises to present the most pro-growth budget plan of this generation. But can he really sweep the Britons off their feet?… More…

The Bank of Japan Calls for Teamwork!

Rebecca Black couldn't have been more right when she said "It's Friday, Friday... Gotta get down on Friday." (Yes, shame on me for quoting the song.) Yesterday, the Group of Seven (G-7) pledged once again to combine all their mighty powers to launch a coordinated currency intervention to stabilize the yen. … More…

3 Exotic Currencies You Should Consider Buying

With markets focused on risk aversion, it won't be long before low-yielding favorites like the dollar, yen, and the franc become overvalued. Here are three exotic currencies you should consider buying when your favorite safe havens start to lose steam...… More…

BOJ Intervention: Can It Work?

I dunno about you, but I was pretty stunned when I woke up this morning and saw the HUGE move among yen pairs. With the yen now at an all-time high, it has led to speculations that the BOJ now has no choice but to intervene in the markets. The question is, can it work?… More…

FOMC: Optimistic But Not Yet Hawkish

While all eyes were on the ruckus in the Middle East and a possible nuclear breakdown in Japan, markets largely overlooked the Fed's FOMC statement released last Tuesday. Did traders miss out on a big announcement, or did the Fed just play the straddle card yet again?… More…

Pact for the Euro: Is There A Catch?

After being bombarded with heart-wrenching news from Japan, I think we could all use a break from the heartache. So let's shift our attention to the euro zone and discuss the "Pact for the Euro," a we're-all-in-this-together tale that should give our spirits a much-needed lift!… More…

Japan's Foundations Shaken... But the Yen Remains Strong

Last Friday, a huge 8.9 magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Japan. The natural disaster caused billions of dollars in damage and claimed at least 1,600 lives. It was a sad event not only for Japan but for the rest of the world as well.… More…

Curse of the Trade Deficit: China Gets Hit!

A couple of sleepless nights ago, I wrote about how the world's third largest economy printed a trade deficit for the first time in two years. Well, guess what? China, which is currently holding the number two spot in the global economy, also suffered its first trade deficit in almost a year!… More…

Spain's Debt Rating Slips To AA2

Last Thursday credit ratings agency Moody's rocked the euro's world when it downgraded Spain's ratings from Aa1 to Aa2. Read on to know why!… More…

RBNZ Rate Cut: First of Many to Come?

What's up with the RBNZ's 0.50% interest rate cut?! Traders knew that a cut was coming, but what was surprising was that they slashed rates twice as much as the projected 0.25% cut! Will this be enough to shield NZ from a double-dip?… More…

Should Japan Be Worried about Its Trade Deficit?

Japan saw its first trade deficit in two years for January 2011, causing its current account balance to shrink by nearly half. Duhn, duhn, duhnnn! Is the world's third largest economy in danger?… More…

Who is Ben Broadbent?

A couple days ago, the BOE made the big announcement that Andrew Sentance will be walking out the door come June. But who is this mysterious former Goldman Sachs employee who has come to replace our beloved long-time hawk? Pipsters, say goodbye to Andrew Sentance, and hello to Ben Broadbent!… More…

Here Comes a Rate Hike from the ECB...

While it wasn't a surprise that the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep its interest rates on hold at 1.00% last week, I bet many weren't expecting ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet to be uber hawkish on the markets!… More…

U.S. Labor Market Comeback

HOORAY FOR JOBS! No, I'm not talking about the genius that is Steve Jobs who recently unveiled the iPad 2. I'm referring to the impressive figures revealed in the U.S. jobs report for February! Let's dig beneath the headline figures to find out whether the labor market's comeback can last...… More…

Chinese Inflation in the Hands of the PBoC?

Earlier this week, a couple of reports were released which showed that Chinese growth might be cooling. What are am I talking about, you ask? Don't worry, I bet you're not the only one who got caught up with the news about the ongoing tension in Libya... or Justin Beiber's girlfriend.… More…

BOC Holds Rates at 1.00%... But Until When?

I bet it didn't come off as a surprise that the Bank of Canada (BOC) kept rates on hold at 1.00% during their March monetary policy decision. This marked the fourth time that the central bank decided to sit on its hands and wait for more convincing signs of an economic recovery.… More…

Your Guide to Tomorrow's NFP Report

I know some of you are still going gaga for Apple's latest product of pure awesomeness, but let me interrupt your research on the iPad 2 with an NFP preview. What should you expect? How can you make some moolah to get you your new toy?… More…

RBA Policy Decision: Better Safe than Sorry?

It looks like the Reserve Bank of Australia is sitting tight for another month! As expected, the RBA decided in its latest monetary policy meeting to keep its interest rates at 4.75%. But given the ongoing concerns on rising commodity prices, did the RBA members make the right decision?… More…

Deflation in Japan: Another Never-ending Story

While most countries have been complaining about inflation, Japan isn't quite on the same boat. It's still caught in a battle with a totally different beast: deflation. Is this something Japan should be happy about or is it something to fear?… More…

"The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen."
Sarah Brown
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