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...
Read More »FX Daily, April 14: Equities are Firm but New Developments Needed or Risk Appetites may Become Satiated
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.16% to 1.0538 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, April 14(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Risk appetites have returned today after taking yesterday off. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced every day last week, slipped yesterday, and jumped back today. Most of the national benchmark advanced at least 1.5%, and the Nikkei led the way with a 3% rally to reach its best level...
Read More »What to Expect from the World Bank and IMF
The spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF will be held virtually this week amid a profound economic crisis spurred by a novel coronavirus. Unlike previous such viruses, this went global in such a destructive way that many countries have responded the same way. Encouraging social distancing, closing non-essential businesses, and enforcing lockdowns. The economic contraction that has begun is beyond what has been seen since the Great Depression. Even before the...
Read More »Cool Video: CNBC Asia
As the markets were re-opening in Asia earlier today, I joined Martin Soong and Sir Jegarajah on CNBC Asia. I had returned from a business trip and visited our summer house on the Jersey shore for what I thought was going to be a weekend more than a month ago. Oil prices had initially reacted positively to the OPEC+ agreement. Still, I was skeptical as the cuts seemed inadequate to meet the dramatic compression in demand, let along the notorious non-compliance by...
Read More »FX Daily, April 6: Glimmer of Hope Lifts Markets
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.01% to 1.0554 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, April 06(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Reports suggesting that some of the hot spots for the virus contagion appear to be leveling off, and this is helping underpin risk appetites today. The curve seems to be flattening in Italy, Spain, and France. In the US, there are some early signs of leveling off in NY, and now, the...
Read More »FX Daily, April 03: Oil Firm, Greenback Extends Gains
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.17% to 1.0551 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, April 03(see more posts on EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Global equities are finishing the week on a soggy tone despite the 2%+ gains seen in the US yesterday. The extension of shutdowns, rising contagion and fatality rate, and imploding economies weigh on prices. In Asia, Korea and Indonesia bucked the trend to most minor gains. Europe...
Read More »April Monthly
In March, the G10 and many emerging market countries, governments, and central banks unveiled large emergency measures. The motivation is to blunt the economic impact of the novel coronavirus that has seen more than two billion people around the world have their movement restricted. Large swathes of the world’s economy have shut down. The nature of the shock means that the first countries to push its companies to re-start, and especially export-oriented...
Read More »FX Daily, April 2: Optimism on Oil Deal Steadies Risk Appetites…for the Moment
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.34% to 1.0547 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, April 2(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: After US stocks dropped more than 4% yesterday, investor sentiment has improved, apparently sparked by ideas that the pain will force oil producers to find a way to reduce supply. Oil prices have surged, with the May WTI contract rallying around 7%. Asia Pacific equities were mostly...
Read More »FX Daily, April 1: Hemorrhaging Resumes
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.29% to 1.0566 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, April 1(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: There is no reprieve for investors. Equities are falling sharply. Nearly all the Asia Pacific markets slumped but Australia. Chinese markets fared better than most, but the Nikkei was off 4.5%, and India was down almost as much in late dealings. Europe’s Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is off more...
Read More »FX Daily, March 31: March Ends like a Lion, No Lamb in Sight
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.26% to 1.056 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 31(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The coronavirus plague upended the world in March. Equities are finishing the month on a firm note. Strong gains in the US yesterday and an unexpectedly strong Chinese PMI (yes, to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt) helped lift most Asia Pacific and European markets today....
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