SNB & CHF

The Best Thing About the EU is J.C. Juncker’s Alcoholism We recently discussed the post-Brexit landscape with a friend (in fact, our editor), who bemoaned that “the EU is led by a drunkard”. Our immediate reaction to this was to exclaim: “That’s the best thing about the EU!” Why do we think so? It makes this overpaid, useless bureaucrat human. Not only that, it clearly raises his entertainment value. As our regular...

30.06.2016 09:15  – FSO, Demography and Migration (0353-1606-50) More paternity acknowledgements and divorces Neuchâtel, 30.06.2016 (FSO) – Births outside marriage, paternity acknowledgements and divorces increased in 2015. There was also a rise in births in general and in deaths. Marriages and registered partnerships declined. These are the definitive findings of the Vital Statistics from the Federal Statistical...

FX Rates No fundamental development can compare with the UK decision to leave the EU. It has set off a chain reaction whose outcome is still far from clear.   Sterling is firm, alongside most of the major and emerging market currencies today.  Sterling narrowly edged above yesterday’s highs to reach almost $1.3425 before encountering selling pressure. Click to enlarge. Equity fund managers may find themselves over...

Jan took the opportunity at the latest Coinsilium investor event to ask to Adrian Eidelman of RSK Labs (Rootstock) some key questions about smart contracts, RSK's involvement with Coinsilium and what 2016 holds.

The UBS Consumption Indicator rose to 1.35 points in May from 1.24, extending its positive month-on-month run. The indicator was, however, adversely affected by the recently released employment figures for 1Q 2016. Zurich, 29 June 2016 – The UBS Consumption Indicator’s rise to 1.35 in May from 1.24 points represents a month-on-month improvement, albeit one measured from a lower level. The April figures were revised...

Jan took the opportunity at the latest Coinsilium investor event to ask to Adrian Eidelman of RSK Labs (Rootstock) some key questions about smart contracts, RSK's involvement with Coinsilium and what 2016 holds.

The global capital markets are stabilizing for the first time since the UK referendum.  It is not uncommon for markets to move in the direction of underlying trends on Friday’s; see follow-through gains on Monday, and a reversal on Tuesday.  That is what is happening today.  Turnaround Tuesday after such dramatic price action over the last two sessions has the feel of the proverbial dead cat bounce. Brexit There has...

The Swiss Sovereign Money Initiative targets the Swiss banks, that already today are quite conservative in giving new loans.  It fails to target the real responsible of the massive Swiss money creation, the Swiss National Bank. “If you want to continue to be slaves of the banks and pay the cost of your own slavery, then let bankers continue to create money and control credit.” –Josiah Stamp Isaac Davis, Staff...

“We’re moving into a global recession that has nothing to do with Brexit,” warns Marc Faber stressing that Britain leaving the EU would not be disastrous, saying that if Switzerland can operate in a “single” market and outside of the EU so can Britain.  “Brexit is a victory of ordinary people, common sense and people who are prepared to take responsibility for the sake of freedom against a political and...

Summary If conditions are exceptional, isn’t BOJ intervention more likely? If conditions are exceptional, the ban on European government supporting banks might not be valid. Italy is leading the charge in Europe. How exceptional are market developments? Much rests on the answer. If these are extraordinary circumstances, then Japanese intervention becomes more likely. Of course, Japanese policymakers have been...