In Japan, they call it “powerful monetary easing.” In practice, it is anything but. QQE with all its added letters is so authoritative that it is knocked sideways by the smallest of economic and financial breezes. If it truly worked the way it was supposed to, the Bank of Japan or any central bank would only need it for the shortest of timeframes. That would be powerful stuff. Instead, in June last year the narrative...
Read More »FX Daily, February 21: Aussie Slammed by Dalian Coal Embargo, While Firmer Flash PMI does Euro Little Good
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.04% at 1.1347 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, February 21(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: merkets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The US dollar is firm against most major and emerging market currencies. There is more optimism on US-Chinese trade as a series of understandings are drafted, and an extension past March 1 of the tariff freeze is reportedly in the...
Read More »Switzerland’s first female fighter pilot takes to the skies
Fanny Chollet is the first woman to qualify as a fighter pilot in Switzerland, having started her training in 2012. --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or subscribe to our YouTube channel: Website: http://www.swissinfo.ch Channel: http://www.youtube.com/swissinfovideos Subscribe:...
Read More »Switzerland’s first female fighter pilot takes to the skies
Fanny Chollet is the first woman to qualify as a fighter pilot in Switzerland, having started her training in 2012. --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or subscribe to our YouTube channel: Website: http://www.swissinfo.ch Channel: http://www.youtube.com/swissinfovideos Subscribe:...
Read More »Cool Video: Fox Business–Stocks and the US Consumer
Varney and Company on Fox Business TV - Click to enlarge I joined Varney and Company on Fox Business TV earlier today. Varney had liked by bullish call on stocks from the end of last year, but seemed dismayed that I have turned cautious. I suggested that the S&P are approaching a key area a little above 2800 that has capped in Q4 18. In addition to these chart points, I am concerned that the S&P 500 has rallied...
Read More »UBS to appeal record €3.7 billion French tax fraud fine
France’s national financial crimes unit estimates around €10 billion went unreported to French tax authorities from 2004 to 2012. (Keystone) A French court on Wednesday found Swiss bank UBS guilty of illicit solicitation and laundering of the proceeds of tax fraud, imposing a hefty fine of €3.7 billion (CHF4.2 billion). The bank was convicted of illegally helping wealthy French clients evade tax authorities in France....
Read More »Getting Back Up To Speed On Loss Of Speed in US Economy
For much of 2018, the idea of “overseas turmoil” lived up to its name. At least in economic terms. Market-wise, there was a lot domestically to draw anyone’s honest attention. Warnings were everywhere by the end of the year. And that was what has been at issue. Some said Europe and China are on their own, the US is cocooned in a tax cut-fueled boom. Decoupling, only now the other way around. The Bureau of Economic...
Read More »UBS Shares Tumble As French Judge Slaps Bank With $5.1 Billion Tax Evasion Fine
In a landmark ruling that sent a clear message to other banks battling misconduct investigations in French courts, a Paris court on Wednesday found UBS guilty of having actively helped some of its wealthy French clients hide money from French tax authorities in undeclared Swiss bank accounts, and ordered the bank to pay a $5.1 billion fine. The fine represents a record sum in France, and isn’t too far below the $6...
Read More »FX Daily, February 20: US-China Trade and Brexit Dominate Ahead of FOMC Minutes
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.12% at 1.1337 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, February 20(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The US dollar is narrowly mixed against the major currencies, but the strongest currency today is the Chinese yuan, following reports that US wants China to keep the yuan stable and not offset US tariffs with currency depreciation. The...
Read More »Strong Trade Balance Data Supports the Franc
The Swiss Franc has been boosted during early morning trading as investors find the latest Trade Balance data supportive of the economy, with the Trade Balance data coming in showing a surplus of CHF3bn. The strength of the Swiss economy is its exports; in watches, chocolate and specialized industrial engineering. The franc has risen marginally and this could represent a stronger Swiss franc down the line as investors...
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