Euro Currency Zone to Downsize?

The Euroland euro common currency zone is experiencing growing pains. The value of the Euro currency (EUR) has declined from the 1.50 USD to 1 EUR level one year ago to hitting the 1.27 USD level last week. Why the decline?

Greece and its weak country sisters of Spain and Portugal are in the midst of a debt economic crisis. Spain itself remains in a depression with 20 percent unemployment.

And of course, the natural level of purchasing power parity suggesting a 1.20 USD to 1 EUR is the current natural trading level.

The idea of Germany bailing out and subsidizing the Greeks does not sit to well with many Germans. Many in Greece particularly in the public sector have generous benifits and lofty wages. A bail out is a short term band aid solution but it will not solve the problem. Greece's total debt load is exploding as its fiscal shortfall estimated at 14 percent of GDP. If a proposed bailout from Germany takes hold, Greece's total debt to GDP will rise upwards to 150 percent of GDP which is unsustainable.

The concept of the euro and a common currency makes sense if trade between one or more countries is extensive and if they have similar living standards and GDP per captia output. With Greece, they should never have been permitted entry into the euro zone in the first place. At least not now, perhaps in 20 years? Their economy is inefficient and not productive.

The choice for Greece is simple. Either roll back wages for public servants as they did in Latvia. That is, devalue the cost structure if they wish to remain in euro wage purchasing power parity while promoting tax and trade policies to boost foreign direct investment. The goal would be to increase national wealth via private sector investment. Or, the other option is to leave the euro zone and return the Greek drachma as national currency. The drachma will accordingly devalue in relation to the euro and public servants can be paid in local currency without a nominal pay cut.

Tough choices are ahead for Greece, Spain and Portugal. In our view, the euro will survive but not before growing pains are addressed. The EUR currency zone grew to quickly, too many countries too fast. The zone should downsize, stabilize and then gradually propel forward in the years ahead as new prospective member countries be in a stronger economic position for potential membership from the outset.

A US-dollar (USD) rebound around the corner?

The business media and pundits have all but declared the USD dead in the water. The question is, dead against what? When looking at currency valuations, a currency has to compared to another currency, usually in pairs.

Lets take a look at the USD and the Eurloand euro (EUR). In July 2008, it took 1.588 USD on average to buy one EUR. Today, it takes slightly less at 1.49 USD. The EUR itself may see significant short term headwinds in currency valuations as Greece, a signficant member within the Euro common currency zone is in serious economic difficulty. Greece's budget deficit is off the map, the economy is imploding and there is now talk of even Greece defaulting on its national debt. If Greece defaults, it will forced to leave the EUR and quite possibly return the drachma back to circulation within Greece as their new national currency. This currency event would be an economic earthquake in EUR trading valuations for several months. Accordingly, capital outflows out ot the Eurozone may see the USD benefit to a stronger exchange valuation. At present, the USD as measured by purchasing power parity is undervalued to the EUR by 20 percent, a valuation of 1.3 USD to 1 EUR is quite feasible by mid 2010.

The Japanese Yen has steadily increased in value to the USD since July 2008 from a valuation of 106 JPY to the USD to its current 89 JPY level. Much of the media talks about the US total debt ceiling approaching 90 to 100 percent of GDP depending on what figures you look at. But that is the general figure for the US debt at this time. Japan on the other hand has a national debt over twice as large as America's as measured as percentage of GDP. True, the majority of Japan's debt is held by domestic investors unlike the U.S., but Japan finds itself in a precarious position with other issues of significant concern. Their population is declining in numbers unlike the United States where the population base is growing. Japan's economy is not as diversified as America's. Further, Japan lacks the abundance of natural resources that America holds. With deflation still taking hold in Japan, it is a fair bet that the U.S. will likely see higher nominal interest rates down road before Japan. Don't be surprised to see an exchange valuation reversal in the near term with the USD breaking the 100 JPY level within 6 months. As measured by purchasing power parity, the USD is currently 25 percent undervalued to the Japanese yen.

Finally, lets look at gold. Gold is a great measure against all fiat currencies. Gold is due for a pullback currently holding at the 1150 USD per ounce level - a tremendous rally over the last year in USD gold valuation. However, it should be noted that gold like fiat currencies can trade illogical at times as well. Usually, gold and the USD trade inversely. When the USD falls, gold rises and vice versa. In the short term, it would not surprise us if we see both the USD and gold rising in value at the same time with gold approaching 1300 USD per ounce in 2010.

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