SNB & CHF

An internal combustion engine that is leaking oil presents a difficult dilemma. In most cases, the leak itself is obscured if not completely hidden. You can only tell that there’s a problem because of secondary signs and observations. If you find dark stains underneath your car, for example, or if your engine smells of thick, bitter unpleasantness, you’d be wise to consider the possibility. There’s also the potential for the engine to overheat and maybe even...

There are many who use the coronavirus crisis to blame freedom to trade for the current epidemic. And, of course, there are those who are already arguing for autarky, closing our borders, and producing everything locally. But we have been living in a world that relies on trade between different populations since the birth of civilization. For example, eight thousand years ago, there was an intense trade in lapis lazuli, a semiprecious blue stone, between what is now...

Unlike the federal government, state and local governments in America can’t just create money out of thin air. So when tax revenues go down, that money is simply not available to the state legislatures and city councils anymore. These governments either have to borrow the money or raise taxes and hope the tax hike itself doesn’t cause total revenue to fall. The tax revenues in these states, cities, and counties are heavily dependent on economy activity. That is,...

Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.12% to 1.0528 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, April 15(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The recovery in equities stalled, and the risk-off mood has helped lift the US dollar, which had been trending lower. Taiwan and Malaysia were notable exceptions in the Asia Pacific regions to the heavier equity tone. The Nikkei gave back almost 0.5% after surging more than 3% on...

Bread in Geneva costs considerably more than bread in Zurich, but far less than a loaf in New York. (© Keystone / Martial Trezzini ) Zurich and Geneva are still among the world’s ten most expensive cities, but both have slid down the rankings since last year. The full effect of the coronavirus crisis remains to be seen. In the Economist Intelligence Unit’sexternal link annual report comparing the cost of living in cities around the world, Zurich is tied for 5th place...

The virus news stream is mostly positive today; yet risk assets are starting the week under some modest pressure The dollar took a hit last week but we think it will recover; some US data releases from Good Friday are worth repeating With most of Europe closed today, the news stream from the region is very light; oil prices could not extend their gains today after OPEC+ finalized output cuts over the weekend India March CPI is expected to ease to 5.90% y/y from 6.58%...

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has halted economies across the globe. With various countries on lockdown and companies unable to continue production, an economic downturn is inevitable. In light of this, the government of Denmark has come up with a strategy to avoid recession—paying 75 percent of private employees’ salaries. As long as companies do not fire people, the government is offering to pay 75 percent of their employees’ salaries, up to $3,288 per month...

Aktuell kaufe ich jeden Monat eine Unze Gold in Form einer Münze. Bis Ende des Jahres sieht mein Plan vor, insgesamt 15 Unzen Gold in meinem Portfolio zu haben. Die Münzen werden natürlich sicher in einem Bankschliessfach aufbewahrt. . Gold als Investment Manche fragen sich vielleicht, wieso ich Geld in Gold investiere. Für mich ist es eine Art Notgroschen vom Notgroschen und als Beimischung zum Portfolio. Ich sehe es weniger als Renditeobjekt an, als dass es eher...

◆ Gold prices surged to new all time record highs in euros and other digital fiat currencies today due to concerns about the outlook for risk assets and currencies in an era of unprecedented economic and monetary risk. ◆ Gold prices rose to a more than seven-year high in dollars today at $1,726/oz (see chart below) as mounting fears of a steeper global economic downturn due to draconian government lock downs increase and highlight gold bullion’s safe haven...

The tug of war between extending vs. softening lockdowns continues The dollar remains under modest pressure but we think it will eventually recover; Bernie Sanders has endorsed Joe Biden Europe reopens from holiday today but the news stream remains light; South Africa surprised with an emergency 100 bp rate cut Japan Prime Minister Abe’s approval rating is taking a hit; China’s trade figures for March came in far better than expected The dollar is mostly softer...