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Home / Futures Blog / Quantitative easing arrives with whimper, not with a bang

Quantitative easing arrives with whimper, not with a bang

November 3, 2010 by Daniels Trading

For months, every trade and every movement in commodities futures, stock index futures, bonds, currency futures and emerging markets has been tied by analysts and pundits to the arrival of quantitative easing. At times, it seems more (virtual, electronic) ink has been spilled on the Fed's response to the ongoing economic malaise than on the problem itself.

The day has finally arrived – and despite some whiplash in the precious metals markets, the response was surprisingly subdued.

"Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability," the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement. "Currently, the unemployment rate is elevated, and measures of underlying inflation are somewhat low, relative to levels that the Committee judges to be consistent, over the longer run, with its dual mandate. Although the Committee anticipates a gradual return to higher levels of resource utilization in a context of price stability, progress toward its objectives has been disappointingly slow."

Both silver and gold futures convulsed in the moments after the Federal Reserve announced that it would buy $600 billion worth of Treasury notes. Some investors speculated – without cause – that big banks had front-run the announcement to some degree.

Gold futures were down $8.70 to $1,348.20 per troy ounce, while silver futures rose just 0.22 percent to $24.89 per troy ounce.

"The reality is that the gold market had already priced in the easing, and now it has to deal with deflationary worries," Frank McGhee, the head dealer at Integrated Brokerage Services in Chicago, told Bloomberg News. "With deflation, initially, you have a general devaluation in all asset classes before money goes back into gold."

Crude oil, on the other hand, gained momentum after the announcement, with Brent crude oil futures up 1.39 percent to $86.60 per barrel. Oil, unlike gold and silver,  isn't a pure monetary play – if the stimulus does succeed in revving up the United States' economic engine, oil consumption should rise overall.

Cocoa, coffee, cotton and sugar have been volatile all year – the softs have been hit by dramatic meteorological events around the globe, from devastating, lethal flooding in Pakistan to a brutal coldsnap in China. 

Cocoa futures were down 1.69 percent to $2,799 per metric ton, while on the IntercontinentalExchange "C" arabica coffee futures slipped 1.63 percent to 196.15 per pound. Cotton, however, was able to keep its bullish momentum – it will take more than a Fed announcement to shift the fundamentals of a commodity where supply keeps falling so far short of demand, particularly in fast-growing China.

"The demand from China shows no signs of slowdown," Mike Stevens, an independent trader in Mandeville, Louisiana, told Bloomberg. "No price level surprises me anymore."

The same couldn't be said of copper futures, which dropped off after the announcement. The red metal ended the day down 0.36 percent to 382.50 cents per pound, 

The UBS Bloomberg CMCI commodities index ended the day at 1,499.19, down 1.18 from the day's open.

Risk Disclosure

This material is conveyed as a solicitation for entering into a derivatives transaction.

This material has been prepared by a Daniels Trading broker who provides research market commentary and trade recommendations as part of his or her solicitation for accounts and solicitation for trades; however, Daniels Trading does not maintain a research department as defined in CFTC Rule 1.71. Daniels Trading, its principals, brokers and employees may trade in derivatives for their own accounts or for the accounts of others. Due to various factors (such as risk tolerance, margin requirements, trading objectives, short term vs. long term strategies, technical vs. fundamental market analysis, and other factors) such trading may result in the initiation or liquidation of positions that are different from or contrary to the opinions and recommendations contained therein.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or commodity options can be substantial, and therefore investors should understand the risks involved in taking leveraged positions and must assume responsibility for the risks associated with such investments and for their results.

Trade recommendations and profit/loss calculations may not include commissions and fees. Please consult your broker for details based on your trading arrangement and commission setup.

You should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources. You should read the "risk disclosure" webpage accessed at www.DanielsTrading.com at the bottom of the homepage. Daniels Trading is not affiliated with nor does it endorse any third-party trading system, newsletter or other similar service. Daniels Trading does not guarantee or verify any performance claims made by such systems or service.

Filed Under: Archived News

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is an independent futures brokerage firm located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading is built on a culture of trust committed to the firm’s mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

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Risk Disclosure

This material is conveyed as a solicitation for entering into a derivatives transaction.

This material has been prepared by a Daniels Trading broker who provides research market commentary and trade recommendations as part of his or her solicitation for accounts and solicitation for trades; however, Daniels Trading does not maintain a research department as defined in CFTC Rule 1.71. Daniels Trading, its principals, brokers and employees may trade in derivatives for their own accounts or for the accounts of others. Due to various factors (such as risk tolerance, margin requirements, trading objectives, short term vs. long term strategies, technical vs. fundamental market analysis, and other factors) such trading may result in the initiation or liquidation of positions that are different from or contrary to the opinions and recommendations contained therein.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or commodity options can be substantial, and therefore investors should understand the risks involved in taking leveraged positions and must assume responsibility for the risks associated with such investments and for their results.

Trade recommendations and profit/loss calculations may not include commissions and fees. Please consult your broker for details based on your trading arrangement and commission setup.

You should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources. You should read the "risk disclosure" webpage accessed at www.DanielsTrading.com at the bottom of the homepage. Daniels Trading is not affiliated with nor does it endorse any third-party trading system, newsletter or other similar service. Daniels Trading does not guarantee or verify any performance claims made by such systems or service.

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