SNB & CHF

– FOMC minutes show uncertainty and concern about markets are affecting officials’ decision-making – Officials were cautious when evaluating market conditions and the ‘damaging effects on the economy’ – Worry about ‘potential buildup of financial imbalances’ and a sharp reversal in asset prices’ – Members seem oblivious to impact of inflation on households and savings – Physical gold and silver remain the only assets...

There are a number of events and economic reports in the week ahead that will help shape the investment climate in the weeks and months ahead. In recognition of the importance of initial conditions, let’s briefly summarize the performance of the dollar and main asset markets. After recovering from a five-month decline in September and October, the dollar has lost ground against all the major currencies here in November,...

Stock Markets EM FX ended the holiday-shortened week on a soft note. While most were up on the entire week, notable laggards were TRY, CLP, and ZAR. All three currencies underperformed due to rising political risks, and we suspect that will continue. We believe MXN and BRL are likely to rejoin the laggards in the coming days. Stock Markets Emerging Markets, November 22 Source: economist.com - Click to enlarge...

© Luis Pablo Escoto Hernandez | Dreamstime - Click to enlarge A recent report by Travail.Suisse shows around 40% of Swiss workers report feeling often or very often stressed by their work.Stress and emotional exhaustion is a daily reality for many says Travail.Suisse. Between 2015 and 2017, the percentage suffering work related stress or emotional exhaustion has risen from 38% to 48%. A key issue appears to be loss...

The wealthiest people in one of the world’s wealthiest nations – Switzerland, have increased their assets by CHF60 billion over the past year. According to the latest edition of the German-language business magazine, Bilanz, the 300 richest residents of the country have assets totalling CHF674 billion.    + Read why Switzerland is attractive to wealthy foreigners The richest family on the list remains IKEA’s...

– Geopolitical risk highest “in four decades” should push gold higher – Citi – Elections, political and macroeconomic crises and war lead to gold investment – Political uncertainty in Germany means “gold likely to remain in good demand as a safe haven” say Commerzbank–  “There has rarely been such political uncertainty in Germany at any time in the country’s post-war history” – Commerzbank – Reduce counter party risk:...

Identifying social media and mobile phones as addictive is only the first step in a much more complex investigation. For everyone who remembers the Early Days of social media and mobile phones, it’s been quite a ride from My Space and awkward texting on tiny screens to the current alarm over the addictive nature of social media and mobile telephony. The emergence of withering criticism of Facebook and Google is a new...

  Standing In Your Way Governments across the planet will go to any length to meddle in the lives and private affairs of their citizens.  This is what our experiences and observations have shown.  What gives? For one, politicians have an aversion to freedom and liberty.  They want to control your behavior, choices, and decisions.  What’s more, they want to use your money to do so. As this by now famous cartoon...