Three themes have dominated the investment climate: US-China tensions, Brexit, and the policy response to the disinflationary forces. None have been resolved, which contributes to the uncertainty for businesses, households, and investors. However, the negativity that has prevailed is receding a little. It begins with the most substantive progress on Brexit in months, but also entails a possible new tariff truce between the US and China. Indeed, we irreverently...
Read More »EM Preview for the Week Ahead
EM benefited greatly from the improvement in US-China trade relations and quite possibly Brexit. The dollar is likely to remain under some pressure near-term as a result. Yet we must caution investors against getting too optimistic. The details of the partial trade deal still need to be worked out, while existing tariffs will still remain in place if the deal is signed next month as most expect. Brexit negotiations have accelerated but we note that any deal must...
Read More »FX Daily, October 10: Setback for the Greenback
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.37% to 1.0962 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, October 10(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Conflicting headlines about US-China trade whipsawed the markets in Asia, but when things settled down, perhaps, like the partial deal that has been hinted, net-net little has changed. Asian equities were mixed, with the Nikkei, China’s indices, and HK gaining, while most of the...
Read More »FX Daily, October 9: Hope is Trying to Supplant Pessimism Today
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.35% to 1.0912 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, October 9(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The 1.5% drop in the S&P 500 and the deterioration of US-China relations and the prospects of a no-deal Brexit failed did not carry over much into today’s activity. Asia Pacific equities were mostly a little lower, though China and India bucked the regional trend, while Korea was...
Read More »FX Daily, October 8: Not a Good Day for Negotiators
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.27% to 1.0881 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, October 8(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The re-opening of Chinese markets after a long holiday did not produce the volatility that many expected. Chinese stocks alongside most Asia markets traded higher today, and the yuan advanced. After opening higher and extending its recent rally, Europe’s Dow Jones Stoxx 600 turned...
Read More »FX Daily, October 7: Markets Unsettled to Start the Week
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.05% to 1.0926 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, October 7(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The global capital markets are uneasy as the risks that have dominated investors’ concerns–trade and Brexit–remain front and center today. Expectations are low that this week’s talks between the US and China will lead to a breakthrough or will be sufficient to postpone further the next...
Read More »FX Weekly Preview: China Returns, ECB Record, Fed Minutes and the Week Ahead
Many high-income countries experienced little growth but strong price pressures in the 1970s. Since the mainstream economics said the two were mutually exclusive, a new term had to be created, hence stagflation. Fast forward almost half a century later, and mainstream economists are still having a problem deciphering the linkages between prices and economic activity, such as inflation and employment. Theory needs to accommodate the new facts. Theory is being...
Read More »FX Daily, October 2: Greenback Shows Resiliency, Stocks Don’t
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.66% to 1.0928 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, October 2(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Shockingly poor ISM data sent shivers through the market on Tuesday and hand the S&P 500 its biggest loss in five weeks and took the shine off the greenback. The S&P 500 reached a five-day high before reversing course and cast a pall over today’s activity. All the markets were...
Read More »FX Weekly Preview: Forces of Movement at the Start of Q4 19
United States The world’s largest economy appears to have grown by about 2% in Q3 at an annualized pace, the same as in Q2, and in line with what many Fed officials understand to be trend growth. The strength of the US labor market underpins consumption, the powerful engine of the US economy. The latest readings of both the labor market and consumption will highlight the economic data in the week ahead. The strength of the recent housing data (starts and sales)...
Read More »FX Daily, September 27: Markets Limp into the Weekend with the Euro Languishing at New Lows and Sterling under Pressure
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.01% to 1.0851 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, September 27(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Equities remain under pressures. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index lower today, though Chinese and Australian shares were firmer. It is the second consecutive week the benchmark has fallen. European equities are firmer, but not enough to offset the losses earlier this week and are set to...
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