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Dollar slides to fresh euro low Dollar slides to fresh euro low
(about 2 hours later)
The dollar has fallen to a new record low against the euro, amid continued fears over the state of the US economy and worsening credit conditions.The dollar has fallen to a new record low against the euro, amid continued fears over the state of the US economy and worsening credit conditions.
The US Federal Reserve has cut a key lending rate, but the move failed to buoy investor confidence.The US Federal Reserve has cut a key lending rate, but the move failed to buoy investor confidence.
At one stage on Monday morning it took $1.5904 to buy a euro. At one stage it took $1.5904 to buy one euro, before it strengthened to $1.5761 in afternoon trade in New York.
With giant investment bank Bear Stearns needing emergency rescue, investors are concerned other banks may follow suit, as the credit crunch claims casualties. With giant investment bank Bear Stearns needing emergency rescue, investors are concerned other banks may follow suit.
"It has certainly been something of an historic weekend, with an emergency Fed rate cut and news that JP Morgan intends to acquire Bear Stearns marking the next chapter in the credit crisis," said James Hughes of CMC Markets in London.
"Unsurprisingly this has been broadly bad news for the dollar with [the] euro-dollar managing a short-lived breach above 1.5900," he said.
'Alarming''Alarming'
JP Morgan Chase is to acquire Bear Stearns, Wall Street's fifth-largest investment bank, for $2 a share - a fraction of its previous value. JP Morgan Chase is set to acquire Bear Stearns, Wall Street's fifth-largest investment bank, for $2 a share - a fraction of its previous value.
"This is not the kind of help you want to see. Bear Stearns getting sold at $2 is alarming," said Peter Boockvar, equity strategist at Miller Tabak in New York."This is not the kind of help you want to see. Bear Stearns getting sold at $2 is alarming," said Peter Boockvar, equity strategist at Miller Tabak in New York.
"When you see the Fed relying on tools that haven't been used since the Depression, it's alarming," he said."When you see the Fed relying on tools that haven't been used since the Depression, it's alarming," he said.
On Sunday, the US Central Bank lowered the discount rate - the rate given to financial institutions - to 3.25% from 3.5%. In a surprise move on Sunday, the US central bank lowered the discount rate - the rate given to financial institutions - to 3.25% from 3.5%.
As the greenback continues to weaken, investors are opting to place their money in commodities, contributing to the sharp rise in oil prices.As the greenback continues to weaken, investors are opting to place their money in commodities, contributing to the sharp rise in oil prices.
Sweet crude oil climbed to a new high approaching $112 a barrel. Sweet crude oil climbed to a new high approaching $112 a barrel, before later slipping to $107.
"Gold will be the main beneficiary [of the falling dollar] as a hedge against global risk," said Australia & New Zealand Bank senior commodities analyst Mark Pervan."Gold will be the main beneficiary [of the falling dollar] as a hedge against global risk," said Australia & New Zealand Bank senior commodities analyst Mark Pervan.
The dollar also weakened to 95.72 yen, its lowest since August 1995.The dollar also weakened to 95.72 yen, its lowest since August 1995.
The move is likely to hurt Japanese exports to the US.