Unemployment Rate (not seasonally adjusted) Registered unemployment in April 2017 – At the end of April 2017, 146,327 unemployed persons were registered with the Regional Employment Services Centers (RAV), according to the SECO surveys, 5,953 less than in the previous month. The unemployment rate thus fell from 3.4% in March 2017 to 3.3% in the reporting month. Switzerland Unemployment Rate Not Seasonally Adjusted,...
Read More »“Mystery” Central Bank Buyer Revealed, Goes On Q1 Buying Spree
In the first few months of the year, a trading desk rumor emerged that even as institutional traders dumped stocks and retail investors piled into ETFs, a “mystery” central bank was quietly bidding up risk assets by aggressively buying stocks. And no, it was not the BOJ: while the Japanese Central Bank’s interventions in the stock market are familiar to all by now, and as we reported last night on sessions when the “the...
Read More »FX Daily, May 08: Euro Bought on Rumor, Sold on Fact
Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, May 08(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) Source: Investing.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates The US Dollar Index initially fell to its lowest level since mid-November to 98.50. It rebounded but stalled in front of the pre-weekend high near 99.00. This area must be overcome to lift the tone. Sterling stretched to a marginal high but faded in front of $1.30. Initial support is seen...
Read More »Thousands of cross-border workers risk big bills for health insurance
© Pogonici | Dreamstime.com Tribune de Genève. Thousands of cross-border workers working in the canton of Geneva, who have not yet formally sorted out their health insurance situation, risk getting a big bill. This week the canton made a final call to those living in France and working in Geneva to make a formal choice between the French and Swiss health systems, something which must be done before the final deadline on...
Read More »Weekly Speculative Positions (as of May 02): Euro Shorts Covered, Yen Longs Liquidated
Swiss Franc Speculators were net short CHF in January 2015, shortly before the end of the peg, with 26.4K contracts. Then again in December 2015, when they expected a Fed rate hike, with 25.5K contracts. The biggest short CHF, however, happened in June 2007, when speculators were net short 80K contracts. Shortly after, the U.S. subprime crisis started. The carry trade against CHF collapsed. The...
Read More »FX Weekly Preview: Dollar Drivers
Summary: US retail sales and CPI should help bolster confidence that the Fed was right about the transitory nature of Q1 slowdown. Bank of England meets; Forbes will likely continue with her dissent, but likely failed to convince her other colleagues of the merit of an immediate rate hike. French politics are center stage, but German state election and South Korea’s national election are also important....
Read More »Emerging Markets Preview
Stock Markets EM FX got some limited traction as the week closed, helped by stabilizing commodity prices. However, oil, copper, and iron ore have all broken important technical levels that suggest further weakness ahead. We also think the FOMC and jobs data support our view that the next Fed hike will be in June. This backdrop should keep EM on the defensive this week. Stock Markets Emerging Markets, May 06...
Read More »Swiss employees the best paid in Europe, according to study
© Kevkhiev Yury | Dreamstime.com Le Matin. According to a recent study, employees in certain roles in Switzerland are paid around 50% more than those second-placed Luxembourg. The premium applies to recent hires, middle managers and qualified professionals, says the study conducted by Willis Tower Watson. The report, entitled Global 50 Remuneration Planning Report 2016/2017, looks at pay across 50 roles and 60 countries...
Read More »Keiser Report Interview: Peak Gold, Silver On Small Finite Planet
Peak Gold and Silver On “Small Finite Planet” With Near Infinite CurrencyPeak gold and silver and the case for peak precious metals on “our small, finite planet” was the topic for discussion on the latest episode of the the Keiser Report. (Max Keiser interview of Mark O’Byrne of GoldCore in 2nd half of show at 13 min 15 seconds) [embedded content] Topics covered in the interview – Small planet with finite resources...
Read More »Emerging Markets: Buyer Beware – An Interview with Jayant Bhandari
Jayant on Emerging Markets, Precious Metals and Mining Companies Maurice Jackson of Proven & Probable has once again interviewed one of our friends, namely Jayant Bhandari, a frequent and highly valued contributor to Acting Man. Jayant is probably best known to our readers for his strong criticism of the economic and nationalist policies implemented by prime minister Narendra Modi in India since he decreed the...
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