SNB & CHF

Views From the Top of the Skyscraper Index On a warm Friday Los Angeles morning in spring of 2016, we found ourselves standing at the busy corner of Wilshire Boulevard and South Figueroa Street.  We were walking back to our office following a client wire brushing for events beyond our control.  But we had other thoughts on our mind. Standing amid a mob of pedestrians, we gazed up at the skeleton frame of what would...

In a CEPR discussion paper, Cedric Tille argues that Switzerland’s international linkages have been transformed over the last decade. Abstract: - Click to enlarge Over the last decade, the economic linkages between Switzerland and the rest of the world have been transformed. First, merchanting and the chemical industry account for an increasing share of international trade, with chemicals exports expanding...

Former Fed Chairman warns of bond bubble, stagflation “Moving into a … stagflation not seen since the 1970s” This will not be “good for asset prices” 10 Yr Gov bond yields fell from 15.8% in 1981 to 2.3% Interest rates will not stay low, will rise ‘reasonably fast’ “Normal” interest rates in 4%-5% range Inflation will not stay at historically low levels Gold “protects savings” and is “store of value” Gold is the...

Keith Weiner talks about money and what real money (gold) is. He argues that gold can’t circulate without an interest rate so his big push is to give gold a yield. So to transition to a gold standard, Keith argues gold must have an interest rate first.  Also, many confuse the terms of speculation vs. investment and Keith makes a clear distinction between these two terms and they’re actually opposites. And should the average person invest in gold miners? All this and more...

Erik Townsend welcomes Jeffrey Snider to MacroVoices. Erik and Jeffrey discuss: -- Understanding Eurodollars and the Eurodollar shortage -- The real drivers . Erik Townsend welcomes Jeffrey Snider to MacroVoices. Erik and Jeffrey discuss: -- Understanding Eurodollars and the Eurodollar shortage -- The real drivers . Erik Townsend welcomes Jeffrey Snider to MacroVoices. Erik and Jeffrey discuss: -- Understanding Eurodollars and the Eurodollar shortage -- The real drivers . Erik Townsend...

Keith Weiner talks about money and what real money (gold) is. He argues that gold can’t circulate without an interest rate so his big push is to give gold a yield. So to transition to a gold standard, Keith argues gold must have an interest rate first.  Also, many confuse the terms of speculation vs. investment and Keith makes a clear distinction between these two terms and they’re actually opposites. And should the average person invest in gold miners? All this and more answered! Don’t...

Bern, 02.08.2017 – Consumer sentiment in Switzerland is on the rise again in July. The index reached -3 points – well above the long-term average (-9 points). This confirms the recovery in sentiment from the lows following the sharp rise in the Swiss franc. In comparison to the survey of April, consumers’ expectations for economic growth and for the job market have become considerably more optimistic. In contrast,...

Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.68% to 1.472CHF. EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, August 02(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Trends The euro’s strength is surely partly a reflection of US dollar weakness, but it is also a reflection of the improved sentiment among investors. The initial dollar losses at the start of the year was largely a correction that is common after...

My best estimate as of June 2017 with respect to total above ground gold reserves within the Chinese domestic market is 20,193 tonnes. The majority of these reserves are held by the citizenry, an estimated 16,193 tonnes; the residual 4,000 tonnes, which is a speculative yet conservative estimate, is held by the Chinese central bank the People’s Bank of China. I’m aware I’ve been absent from writing about the Chinese...

© Pressureua | Dreamstime A recent report by the Reuters Institute shows a fall in trust in news media in Switzerland. They survey shows that only 46% trust news overall. This is down 4% compared to the year before. The report suggests this is an effect of the debate around ‘fake news’ resulting from the presidential election in the US, a subject that dominated Swiss media at the time. Despite the recent fall, Swiss...