Overview: China’s new pledge to meet its trade commitments under the Phase 1 agreement with the US coupled with signs that the virus flare-up in Beijing may have been brought under control is helping underpin risk appetites today. Led by Chinese shares, equities in the region rose, giving the MSCI Asia Pacific Index a four-day …
New Optimism Lifts Sentiment Ahead of the Weekend Read More »
Overview: Investors have not yet completely shaken off the angst that saw equities slide last week. All equity markets in the Asia Pacific region, but Japan, edged higher today, including China, India, and South Korea, where political/military tensions are elevated. Europe followed suit, and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is firm near yesterday’s highs. It …
Overview: The global capital markets are subdued. There have been few developments to induce activity. Even President Trump’s claims that the talks with China are in the “final throes” failed to excite. Equities are extending their advance. Bonds are little changed, and the dollar is mostly firmer. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index and Europe’s Dow Jones …
Overview: Escalating violence in Hong Kong and the continued fall in Chinese producer prices weighed on equities in Asia Pacific trading. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index has risen nearly 7% during the five-week rally and is off to a weak start this week. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell around 2.6%, its biggest loss in three months, …
Dollar Consolidates and Equities Follow Asia Lower Read More »
Overview: Indications that a phase one agreement between the US and China would include rolling back some existing tariffs is boosting risking appetites, sending stocks higher, and pushing up yields. However, this appears to be simply a restating of China’s views rather than a new breakthrough. The dollar is paring its recent gains. The MSCI Asia …
Trade Optimism Boosts Sentiment but Weighs on the Dollar Read More »
Overview: News that Saudi Arabia was able to restore 40%-50% of the oil capacity lost by the weekend strike coupled with the Fed’s efforts to offset the squeeze in the money markets are allowing the global capital markets to trade quietly ahead of the conclusion of the FOMC meeting. Equities are little changed with a …
Overview: After a shellacking in recent days, sterling has stabilized though there is not much of a bounce to speak of, suggesting the adjustment to the risk of a no-deal Brexit may not be complete. After the S&P 500 posted back-to-back declines, Asia Pacific equities struggled. Hong Kong shares led the regional decline. European stocks are …
Overview: Worries about an escalation in the Gulf following US accusations that Iran was behind yesterday’s two attacks and weaker growth impulses, while trade tensions remain high, are dampening risk appetites ahead of the weekend. Equities are lower. Nearly all the stock markets in the Asia Pacific region fell today with Japan and Australia being …
Overview: US stocks were not able to hold onto early gains yesterday, and this has helped set the stage for today’s heavier bias. Asia Pacific markets were narrowly mixed, with Japan and Korea eking out small gains while China and Taiwan slipped a little. Europe’s Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is threatening to snap a five-day advance …
Brexit Drama Continues but Fed Moves to Center Stage Read More »
Overview: Activity in the global capital markets is subdued as investors await fresh developments. New wording for the Irish backstop apparently is being drafted. US-China trade talks resume. No decision has been made on US auto tariffs, but European and Japanese officials seem to be playing down the threat. Separately, BOJ’ Kuroda said there was more …