Tag Archives: newsletter

A confluence of factors are raising anxiety levels among investors, and it is being expressed in heightened volatility. The S&P 500 was turned back yesterday from the key 1945 level, and global equities are falling today.   The over-production of oil is set to continue to Saudi Arabia denies intentions to cut output, and the Iranians scoffed at suggestions of freezing output. API reported another large rise in US crude stocks, which points to upside risks on the consensus estimate...

The foreign exchange market is unusually calm.  The US dollar is little changed against currencies.  While the selling pressure that took sterling below $1.39 and the euro below $1.10 has subsided, neither has been able sustain upticks.  The euro rose to $1.1040 before sellers re-emerged. Sterling was capped near $1.3965.  The dollar had slipped to almost JPY111.00 yesterday, coming within five ticks of the February 11 low, before rebounding with the recovery in US stocks and advance in...

The foreign exchange market is unusually calm.  The US dollar is little changed against currencies.  While the selling pressure that took sterling below $1.39 and the euro below $1.10 has subsided, neither has been able sustain upticks.  The euro rose to $1.1040 before sellers re-emerged. Sterling was capped near $1.3965.  The dollar had slipped to almost JPY111.00 yesterday, coming within five ticks of the February 11 low, before rebounding with the recovery in US stocks and advance in...

The concept of moral economy was first used by 18th-century thinkers trying to make sense of the rising capitalist values.  In feudal society, a "fair price" was preferred over a free price especially for the necessities of the day.   The reciprocal rights and responsibilities of feudalism let the lord set the fair price.  The British historian E. P. Thompson showed how farmers clung to this belief.  Large farmers who sold their product at a higher price elsewhere while there was some...

The concept of moral economy was first used by 18th-century thinkers trying to make sense of the rising capitalist values.  In feudal society, a "fair price" was preferred over a free price especially for the necessities of the day.   The reciprocal rights and responsibilities of feudalism let the lord set the fair price.  The British historian E. P. Thompson showed how farmers clung to this belief.  Large farmers who sold their product at a higher price elsewhere while there was some...

When considering the impact of changing currency prices on an economy, trade-weighted measures are appropriate.  The Federal Reserve has cited the dollar's appreciation as a headwind on the economy and a depressant on prices. Given the moves in the spot market, and proximity of the G20 meeting, it may be useful to review what has happen to the trade weighted measures of the major currencies. The data is from the Bank of England.  It calculates the trade-weighted indices are a broad range...

When considering the impact of changing currency prices on an economy, trade-weighted measures are appropriate.  The Federal Reserve has cited the dollar's appreciation as a headwind on the economy and a depressant on prices. Given the moves in the spot market, and proximity of the G20 meeting, it may be useful to review what has happen to the trade weighted measures of the major currencies. The data is from the Bank of England.  It calculates the trade-weighted indices are a broad range...

The US dollar and yen remain firm.  The ramifications of Brexit continue to weigh on sterling and the euro.  After nearing $1.4050 yesterday, sterling could not move much above $1.4150 before sellers re-emerged.  The euro, which came close to $1.10 yesterday, was sold into about half a cent bounce.  It marginally extended yesterday's decline, slipping to almost $1.0990.  There is no fresh catalyst, but Germany's IFO survey did the single currency no favors.  The assessment of the...

The US dollar and yen remain firm.  The ramifications of Brexit continue to weigh on sterling and the euro.  After nearing $1.4050 yesterday, sterling could not move much above $1.4150 before sellers re-emerged.  The euro, which came close to $1.10 yesterday, was sold into about half a cent bounce.  It marginally extended yesterday's decline, slipping to almost $1.0990.  There is no fresh catalyst, but Germany's IFO survey did the single currency no favors.  The assessment of the...

Italy is big enough to matter (it is the eight largest economy on the planet), but so uneventful that most does not pay any attention to what is going on there. We contend that Italy will, during the next year or two, be on everyone’s radar screen as it has the potential to derail the European project for real. Greece, Portugal and Ireland were mere test subjects for what will come. Spain would have been a challenge, but were narrowly avoided. Italy will drag the whole structure down if...