A$ hits 18 year high

[Stephen65]

A$ breaks through the 88 cent barrier. Damn nice time to be buying astronomical equipment made in the USA. Only question is, since some commentators are predicting it could go even higher should we wait for an even better rate?

I remember travelling to the US once when the A$ was down around 50 cents, that was depressing.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by Stephen65

A$ breaks through the 88 cent barrier. Damn nice time to be buying astronomical equipment made in the USA. Only question is, since some commentators are predicting it could go even higher should we wait for an even better rate?

I remember travelling to the US once when the A$ was down around 50 cents, that was depressing.

We are the same over here against the $US. I have bought a good deal of astro gear in the last 6 weeks. First time in nearly 3 years I have spent money on telescope gear.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Yup - gone are the good 'ol pre-Keating days when our dollar was worth US$1.20+ and the Japanese yen was worth even less - I remember buying stuff in Japan when we lived there at 475 yen to the dollar.

Then again - we didn't compete very well in the international market place back then either....

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

this is dangerous

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

this is dangerous

Very very dangerous !!

[Shaun]

If i were buying from US i would buy now, sure it could go higher but it could also come back down.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Yeah, well, I just bought shares in Berkshire Hathaway. (I figure the US has got to make a recovery at some point, although probably not until after a certain incompetent incumbent is deposed.)

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Wish I'd held off on my last US purchase would have saved myself $550

[casstony]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

Yeah, well, I just bought shares in Berkshire Hathaway. (I figure the US has got to make a recovery at some point, although probably not until after a certain incompetent incumbent is deposed.)

From the little reading I've done it seems equally likely that the world economy will keep chugging along, or that it will crash due to a collapsing real estate bubble or forced US interest rate rises associated with it's massive foriegn debt.

[KG8]

don't anyone hold your breath waiting for the $US to ever rally back up to its old norms. Their public debt is nearly 9 Trillion and their household, business, financial and government sectors total in at a whopping $48 Trillion. Even a cursory thought will tell you this is un-playable at current rates and must be either defaulted on or paid back in deflated dollars.

For various reasons they can't default like the English did when their empire collapsed, so the US's only option is to devalue their dollar. Makes you wonder what is going to happen to all the poor souls in this nation who took out equity "re-mortgaged" and bought HSV's, pools and back decks in the belief that interest rates would stay low forever and that their house was going to double in price again? ( I call this the Great Australian Delusion )

You gotta pay the piper one day.

[ving (David)]

something is not quite right... hmm...

[ispom]

Hi Sentinel,
you are the most distant user of mine,

Distance: 18,002km

welcome, antipode !

[ispom]

Originally Posted by casstony

From the little reading I've done it seems equally likely that the world economy will keep chugging along, or that it will crash due to a collapsing real estate bubble or forced US interest rate rises associated with it's massive foriegn debt.

by the same reasons I think, the € (Euro) is so high like never in relation to the US $ :

1 EU = 1.37 USD

as the Euro was new, the course had been 1:1.18

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

And the Aus $ has been pretty much holding it's own agains the €

[Stephen65]

by the same reasons I think, the € (Euro) is so high like never in relation to the US $ :

1 EU = 1.37 USD

as the Euro was new, the course had been 1:1.18

That's actually been hurting European manufacturers of astro gear who want to sell into the US and who have been forced to raise their US dollar prices to compensate for the drop of the US$ against the Euro. I saw a post by Markus Ludes of APM to that effect on astromart.

But from our point of view as buyers using A$ its all good, the A$ is also at a peak against the yen it hasnt reached in a decade - Takahashi gear is becoming a lot more attractive at 105Y to the dollar than it was at 70.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Call me when I can get a paramount ME for $10,000 AUS

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by ispom

Hi Sentinel,
you are the most distant user of mine,

Distance: 18,002km

welcome, antipode !

You are a long way away!! Since the earth has a cricumfrence close to 40000 kms, there isn't much room to go much further.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by Stephen65

That's actually been hurting European manufacturers of astro gear who want to sell into the US and who have been forced to raise their US dollar prices to compensate for the drop of the US$ against the Euro.

It's hurting us in New Zealand, we rely on exports in US$. Also the tourist now has less money to spend over here

Also, people like Gary from Wildcard Innovations must be feeling it with the US being a major market for the Argo Navis.

Mind you, I built my dob originally when the NZ$ was worth US$0.40, six years ago. Talk about painful. Postage was a killer.

[digby dart]

The high Oz dollar should be good news for Oz Astronomers. Good for those importing direct but there seems to be little windfall for those buying locally - distributors would seem reluctant to pass on the the benefit. eg:

Nexstar 8se
$US1399+US190.88freight+GST=AU$2021.88.
AU$2999.00 - best local price found.
Difference = AU$977.19

CGE 800 XLT
$US3654+US256.80freight+GST=AU$4973.27.
AU$7499.00 - best local price found.
Difference = AU$2525.73

C11-SGT XLT
$US2279+US283.80freight+GST=AU$3259.05.
AU$4499.00 - best local price found.
Difference = AU$1239.95

C6-SGT XLT
$US999+US227.80freight+GST=AU$1560.09.
AU$2199.00 - best local price found.
Difference = AU$638.91

LX90GPS 12SC UHTC
$US3299+US225.80freight+GST=AU$4482.40.
AU$5695.00 - best local price found.
Difference = AU$1212.60

LX200R 12" UHTC
$US3299+~US262.80freight+GST=AU$6309.80.
AU$8295.00 - best local price found.
Difference = AU$1985.20

Taken on the Mastercard exchange rate which is less than the current exchange rate. No import tax due to the free trade agreement with the USA. 10% GST.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

With the US $ suffering and making our $ stronger, you know who is going to take credit for it.

"Vote for me, I made the Australian Dollar rise!"

And many will believe it.