I suspect that given the fickleness of fate's finger, one might be just as well wet that finger to test the wind or enter the gipsy's tent and cross a palm with silver to glean the currency's future. 2012 will be an extraordinary year; a year of years. The wind of change will blow away the smoke when the mirrors will reflect the nakedness of those wearing the magic clothes on Wall Street and Capitol Hill together with the befuddled nincompoops in Brussels. I wouldn't flatter Brazil with any cards of its own to play in this game; Brazil is simply the tits & ass serving drinks to the players at the table while relying on their tips in this global economic symbiosis.

Given the possibility of recession or depression in a changing world, I hesitate to predict anything other than to be afraid, be very afraid.

Originally posted by Esprit I wouldn't flatter Brazil with any cards of its own to play in this game; Brazil is simply the tits & ass serving drinks to the players at the table while relying on their tips in this global economic symbiosis.

Ahhh... my aphorismatic high for the evening! 

After that, who needs drinks?  I think I just might be be the designated driver tonight.

Given the incredible variables on the global stage that are dominated by both unsustainable sovereign debt intermingled and continually aggravated by the gaggle of seductive clitoral tickling inept politicians that are fumbling at the wrong orifice, it's impossible to predict future exchange rates. The world markets are broken despite the appearance of normality. Long term investment has been replaced by short term casino-type gambling, the rush to safety to the dollar with its negative returns, gold, cash under the mattress and prime real-estate. In short, the world is in a state of flux and stands discredited by the moral hazard procured by the collective subcontracting its ethics; human behaviour at its savage best; if its legal, it's moral. Frankly I'm more concerned by the prospect of inflation rather than irrational exchange rates. For what it's worth, I don't see the Real taking a dive.

Why would anyone (in their right mind, of course) would exchange a currency of a country with a relativly stable and diversified economy for federal reserve toilet paper or better yet for the make-beleif artificial monetary concoction in the final stages of agonizing demise?

These first three months might present the window of opportunity some of us are looking for....

"Some 157 billion euros ($203 billion) in debt will mature in the 17-member euro area in the first three months of 2012."