Fed Fails to Inspire Despite Extending Operation Twist; A$ Eases from 7-Week Highs

By Chris Gore | June 20 2012 7:25 PM

U.S markets failed to build on Tuesday's gains with investors - for the most part - uninspired by the Fed's plans to extend 'operation twist' given the buildup in expectations leading up to the event. After surging initially, the U.S dollar soon pared gains which promoted strength across risk currencies such as the Aussie dollar which peaked at 7-week highs before easing back below 102-figure in the ensuing period. The Euro followed a similar pattern with a break through $US1.27 levels but met resistance around the $US1.2740 level before easing below the figure as the session drew to a close.

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The U.S. Federal Reserve building is seen in Washington June 29, 2011.

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At the very least it appears the Fed have appeased market expectations with the extension of operation twist, but the absence of any new outright initiatives such as a third round of quantitative easing produced significant volatility rather than any sustained bounce across the risk spectrum.Operation twist involves the swapping of short-dated treasuries in exchange for longer term treasuries in an effort to support the ailing U.S housing market. The effectiveness of such measures also remain doubtful given a large portion of prospective U.S home buyers simply don't have the credit score needed to gain the loan approval for property investment. As anticipated the Fed kept rates at record lows and maintained their pledge to keep rates exceptionally low through to 2014. The growth outlook for 2012 was also lowered to between 1.9 and 2.4 percent, against previous projections of between 2.4 and 2.9 percent. Key U.S indices finished the day slightly lower with the DOW and S&P losing 0.10 and 0.17 percent respectively.

Across the Atlantic, we've finally received a sense of closure to Greece's political woes with New Democracy Party leader Antonis Samaras sworn in as Greece's new Prime Minister after successfully negotiating the terms of a cohesive government with the Pasok political party. With a favorable result already priced-in, it appears it was largely a 'buy the rumor, sell the fact' scenario with key European indices finishing only slightly higher on the day. Despite what's turned into years of economic turmoil from Greece, there's a sense it's only just the beginning, with Samaras now set to do battle with its bankers (Germany) to renegotiate the terms required to receive further financial aid.

True to form, the final statement from G20 leaders after their two-day meeting in Mexico produced little more than a pledge of solidarity with the forthcoming European Summit now the event expected to yield some concrete initiatives. Leaders vowed to take the necessary actions to strengthen global growth and restore confidence with an aim to integrate their banking sector and kick-starting growth.

The day ahead will see the focus turn to China with the HSBC flash manufacturing PMI due for release at 14:30 AEST. At the time of writing the Aussie dollar is buying 101.75 US cents.