$F, $GM, $FCAU, $TM FLASH: America is open for business. US manufacturing output accelerated in June, climbing for the 2nd month running, thanks in large part to increased production of motor vehicles and parts. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday manufacturing production rose 0.4% last month, above the 0.2% expected by analysts in a poll. The June numbers […]
We have just learned that the Fed is debating the risks and benefits of letting the US economy run “a little hotter,” balancing the good it could do for workers against the possibility it could end in a recession, Atlanta Federal Reserve bank president Raphael Bostic said Tuesday. “We do think about this in terms […]
$SPY The S&P 500 has seen the best June performance since Y 1955, and now into the 2nd week of July investors are anxious to see whether earnings can justify further gains as the largest US companies open their books in the coming weeks, as Q-2 earnings season is on us. The profit picture for […]
President Trump wants the Fed to lower interest rates at a time when he may be sizing up his 2 latest picks for Fed governor as successors to Chairman Powell. If the Fed “knew what it was doing” it would cut rates, President Trump told reporters before he boarded Air Force One back to DC […]
This strong economy has President Trump’s approval rating hitting a high point for his administration at 44% among adults and 47% among registered voters in the latest The Washington Post/ABC News poll. These ratings represent a 5-percentage-point uptick since April, when special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigative report was released. President Trump scores highest on the economy, with […]
Friday, President Trump reaffirmed his view that a Fed interest rate cut would help the US economy grow more quickly, and said Fed does not know what they are doing. Growth “would be like a rocket ship” if the Fed eased, President Trump told reporters at the White House Friday as he prepared to travel to […]
FLASH: President Trump, “The Economy Would Be ‘Rocket Ship’ If Fed Cut Rates” US job growth rebounded strongly in June, with government payrolls surging, but persistent moderate wage gains and mounting evidence the economy was losing momentum could still encourage the Fed to cut interest rates this month. The Labor Department’s closely watched employment report on […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Tuesday, a Fed policymaker expressed skepticism that an interest rate cut is the right move until there are more signs the economy is moving to a truly weaker path. “I prefer to gather more information before considering a change in our monetary policy stance,” Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said in […]
FLASH: President Trump declared the US is “winning” the trade war a day after reaching a truce with Chinese President Xi. On a visit to SKorea following the G-20 Summit in Japan, President Trump said at a news conference that the Federal Reserve “has not been of help to us at all” in his trade […]
What is in your carry-on is Key, as it is the bag that never leaves your side and holds everything you might need during a trip. Plus, on many airlines, it’s the only bag that flies free. So, before you take off, make sure you have these must-have items in your carry-on. 1. Hand Sanitizer […]
FLASH: Wednesday’s projections open the door for the Fed to lower rates in short order if the economy weakens, or US trade disputes with China and other nations escalate. Fed held interest rates steady Wednesday but signaled possible rate cuts of as much as half a percentage point over the remainder of this year, as […]
$GS, $CME Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) economists said they are skeptical of “insurance” US interest rate decreases from the Fed to forestall possible slowing in US economic growth due to global trade tensions. A surprise escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing since May, together with low inflation, have spurred bets among traders the Fed […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Friday, President Trump sharply criticized Fed Chairman Powell in an interview aired Friday, blaming him for raising interest rates and damaging the US economy. “He is my pick, and I disagree with him entirely,” he said in an interview with ABC News that was filmed in the back of a […]
FLASH: The Second Chance Act giving Democrats nightmares. With their hopes for defeating President Trump in Y 2020 depending largely on turning out the black vote in its usual monolithic numbers, Democrats have been relentless in trying to paint The Trump Administration as evil for Black-Americans. But a report released this month by the U.S. Sentencing […]
$EURUSD FLASH: Last week, Fed Chairman Powell said, “…we will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion.” With those few words Chairman Powell took the strength out of the argument for a recession because the Fed is very powerful. And with the stock market rallying, President Trump threatening more tariffs on China, stocks are just […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow predicts the US economy will maintain 3% pace without a China trade deal. “The US economy is very strong, I think we are in pretty good shape and I think we’ll maintain a 3% growth pace this year,” said Mr. Kudlow, who […]
U.S. employers are reporting the strongest nationwide hiring intentions in 13 years at +21%, according to the Q3 2019 ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) Employment Outlook Survey.* The last time the survey of more than 11,500 employers reported an Outlook as high as +21% was in Q3 2006. Employers in all 13 industries report double-digit hiring intentions, suggesting […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, Investors heavily exposed to US stocks just had their best week YTD. But the rebound has raised several questions related to market behavior, policy and economics. How they are answered will prove consequential not only for market prospects but for the global economy. And, notwithstanding the lack of decisive answers at this stage, […]
US consumer debt increased by the most in 5 months in April and topped estimates, suggesting more upbeat sentiment among Americans is supporting borrowing and spending. Total credit expanded $17.5-B from the prior month following an upwardly revised $11-B gain in March, Federal Reserve figures showed Friday. Revolving debt outstanding increased the most since November while non-revolving […]
Under President Trump the US economy is continuing to grow, despite a jobs report that showed job growth had slowed down sharply in May while wages rose less than expected. “We have had extraordinary job growth over the past couple of years, record job growth,” VP Mike Pence’s Chief of Staff Marc Short told reporters. “Unemployment is at a […]
A news report by China.org.cn on China’s attitude towards China-US trade friction. On June 2, China released a white paper titled “China’s Position on the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Consultations.” It reviewed the tortuous economic and trade negotiations between China and the United States over the past year, clarified China’s position on the subject, and addressed issues of common concern for various sectors of society and the […]
The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits was flat to unchanged last week, suggesting the labor market remains on solid footing despite slowing economic activity. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits were flat to unchanged at a seasonally adjusted 218,000 for the week ended 1 June, the Labor Department said Thursday. Data for the prior […]
This month, the US economy has been growing for 10 years running, tying the record for the longest expansion ever. Many people, including journalists and policy makers, see this as a great achievement. “I see nothing to celebrate. On the contrary, I think they are measuring success the wrong way”, says Narayana Kocherlakota He says, […]
FLASH: The US economy will mark 10 years of expansion in July, the longest on record. Strong job gains have been a Key feature. After years no growth the US economy has made a huge comeback. The credit can only be given to President Trump’s promised rollback of the tax and regulatory schemes implemented from […]
$DIA,$SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: The technology sector was the biggest boost to the S&P with a 3.3% advance, led by gains in Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) Wall Street’s 3 major indexes rallied Tuesday to clock their biggest one-day gains in five months after Fed Chairman Powell left the door open for a […]
$GLD, $XAU, $USD The world’s biggest bullion-backed ETF (exchange-traded fund) is getting focus. Holdings in SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) surged by the most in almost 3 years as the US-China trade dispute, signs of a slowdown, and speculation the Fed will cut rates combined to drive demand. Assets in the SPDR ETF jumped 16.44 tonnes, […]
New Zealand forecasts lower surpluses and higher debt in aims to deliver fiscal stimulus to a slow economy in a budget aimed directly at improving people’s well-being. The NZD was trading at 65.24 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 65.11 at 7:50am. The trade-weighted index was at 71.98 points from 71.90. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has […]
As the Fed moves to cuts, the battle will now be joined with the RBA. We’ll need more stock market noise for the Fed to shift quickly to cuts but they are on the way, and the reserve bank of Australia looks its usual confused self around the Aussie outlook and which levers to pull, […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Growing expectations for the Fed to cut rates to address slower growth and muted inflation; 2-yr yield drops 12 bpts to 1.83% . St. Louis Fed President James Bullard (FOMC Voter) said that slower economic growth could be sharper-than-expected due to the trade uncertainty. Mr. Bullard added that […]
$GLD, $XAU, $SLV, $USD, $GOLD, $NEM, $VXX FLASH: Gold is finally seeing some bullish momentum as trade ructions escalate, fueling the biggest rally among the top miners in seven months. President Trump’s plan to impose a 5% tariff on all Mexican goods over illegal immigration rattled financial markets, boosting the haven appeal of the precious […]
Saturday, Mexico’s President said he expects”good results” from talks planned in Washington about President Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Mexican goods, and floated the possibility Mexico could tighten controls on migration. President Trump said he will apply the tariffs on 10 June if Mexico does not halt the flow of illegal immigration, largely from […]
FLASH: Optimism over the economy has boosted President Trump’s approval rating to the highest it has been in 2 years, according to a newly released Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll survey. Overall, the survey found that 48% of voters approve of the job President Trump is doing, while 52% said they disapprove. President Trump’s approval is up […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: 2 prominent Fed watchers said they now expect the central bank to cut interest rates this year as policy makers react to a darkening economic outlook. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) chief US economist Michael Feroli and former Fed Governor Laurence Meyer both said the Fed will act […]
President Trump should intensify his trade battle with China by barring Chinese businesses from US capital markets and technology, his former White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon, said. ‘He has to go all the way; it’s not a trade war, it’s an economic war they’ve been running against the West,’ Mr. Bannon said in an […]
$XAU, $GLD, $USD Last week’s price action in gold indicates that buyers know where the value is, but the lack of conviction may be holding them back. This is likely because of the strong USD. But, if you look at the price action on 23 May, you will see just how powerful of an influence […]
Economist and author Art Laffer, the architect behind the Reagan tax cuts that ushered in an era of economic prosperity for a generation, said the Federal Reserve should read market signs of falling bond yields and lower short-term interest rates and slash short-term interest rates. The bond market is signaling an increasing likelihood of the […]
FLASH: Americans’ confidence in the job market in May hit the highest level in Gallup’s records, which date back to Y 2001. A recent Gallup poll found the following: Overall views of the economy remain positive. Over 7 in 10 Americans feel positively about the US job market. Employment optimism among workforce is highest since 2000. […]
$DIA, $SPY, $SOX, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: This economic expansion is set to become longest in US history, according to the latest leading-indicators data. The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US increased 0.2% in April to 112.1, following a 0.3% increase in March, and a 0.2% increase in February. “The US LEI rose […]
US consumer sentiment spiked to the strongest marks since Y 2004 on a surge in economic expectations following an unexpectedly strong report on first quarter growth. The University of Michigan’s preliminary sentiment index rose to 102.4 in May, topping all estimates in a survey of economists who had projected the gauge would hold at 97.2. 5 years […]
$BTCUSD Tuesday, Bitcoin (BTCUSD) hit its highest mark in 10 months, raising hopes among cryptocurrency fans of greater mainstream acceptance, but others urged investor caution. Bitcoin, which lost 75% of its value in Y 2018, has soared by 24% since Friday and more than 2X’d in price so far this year. Currently Bitcoin is trading […]
FLASH: US and China at impasse over trade, Larry Kudlow says new tariffs will remain. The United States and China appeared at a deadlock over trade negotiations Sunday as Washington demanded promises of concrete changes to Chinese law and Beijing said it would not swallow any “bitter fruit” that harmed its interests. The trade dispute […]
President Trump said it would be wise for China to “act now” to finish a trade deal with the US, predicting that “far worse” terms would be on offer for them after what he predicted would be his certain re-election in Y 2020. “I think that China felt they were beaten so badly in the […]
China and the US have agreed to hold more trade talks in Beijing, Vice Premier Liu He said as President Trump ordered his trade Chief to begin the process of imposing tariffs on all remaining imports from China. Mr. Liu voiced some optimism on reaching a deal, but said there were “issues of principle” on […]
President Trump railed Monday against calls from an ugly/mean-spirited Representative Al Green (D-TX) for his impeachment, saying that Democrats cannot win the election fairly and that a President cannot be impeached for creating “the best economy in our country’s history.” “’Democrat Texas Congressman Al Green says impeachment is the only thing that can prevent President […]
$USD, $SPY, $QQQ, $DIA FLASH: Slowing inflation may lead the Fed to cut interest rates, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said in a TV interview Monday. “The Fed is independent, but they have been themselves talking about coming and lowering their inflation target, which might mean a lower interest rate adjustment on their own […]
FLASH: Faced with continuing economic growth and below-target inflation, the Fed should keep policy on hold at its May FOMC meeting. The Fed is expected to hold interest rates steady at its policy meeting this week as policymakers balance recent stronger-than-expected US economic growth Vs weak inflation. Officials have given no signal in recent weeks […]
FLASH: White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow says the Fed should still cut interest rates despite strong economic growth in Q-1. The government said GDP, expanded by 3.2% in Q-1 of this year, which the veteran financial guru and former Ronald Reagan adviser called “a blow out number.” “The inflation rate continues to slip lower […]
FLASH: White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said the “blockbuster” 3.2% economic growth in Q-1 is “absolutely” sustainable. The Trump Administration has already been forecasting 3.2% economic growth for Y 2019. “Maybe we would revise it up,” he said in a TV interview.. “The number was 3/10ths lower because of the government shutdown and … […]
Reports of the demise of the US economy have proved unfounded as Q-1 activity showed strength. The US economy expanded at a 3.2% annual pace in the first three months of 2019, the government said Friday. The gain was well above forecasts. Economists polled had forecast a 2.3% increase in GDP. The economy grew at a […]
US manufacturing output was flat to unchanged in March after 2 straight monthly decliners. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday manufacturing production last month was restrained by weak motor vehicle and wood products output. Data for February was revised up to show output at factories falling 0.3% instead of declining 0.4% as previously reported. Economists polled by […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: The Trump Administration’s tax law is fueling economic growth Monday, White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow that while many people are complaining about having to write bigger checks to meet their annual Tax Day obligation, policies that were put into effect under President Trump mean improved prosperity. […]
US job openings dropped to 11-month lows in February and hiring decreased, which could partially explain a slowdown in job growth during that month. The labor market is a pillar of support for the economy on signs that activity was easing. But not because of the boost from a $1.5-T tax cut package and the […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: S&P 500 extended is winning streak to 8 days running The odds of a recession hitting the US economy are “all at about Zero,” Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Kevin Hassett said Monday. “You saw it in the jobs numbers, but income growth is really taking off,” Mr. Hassett […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: The S&P 500 gained 0.5% Friday in a broad-based advance that was supported by a Goldilocks Employment Situation Report for March. The benchmark index advanced for the 7th session running, increasits its weekly gainer to 2.1%, and closed within 10 points of the 2900 level. The US labor market […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The just released data of the US Bureau of Economic Analysis and the US Census Bureau show that the US monthly international trade deficit decreased in January 2019 from $59.9% in December (revised) to $51.1-B as expected, as imports decreased and exports increased. The goods deficit decreased $8.2-B in January […]
50% of all Americans believe the economy is in excellent or good shape, according to CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey. The number is unchanged from the Q-4 of Y 2018, but down from 58% in Q-3. Here are highlights from the survey: 47% approve of President Donald Trump’s economic stewardship – down a percentage point from […]
American consumers were feeling less confident this month amid continued volatility in the financial markets. The Conference Board, a business research group, says its consumer confidence index fell to 124.1 in March from 131.4 in February. The index, covering through 14 March measures consumers’ assessment of current economic conditions and their expectations for the next 6 months. […]
$DIA, $QQQ, $SPY, RUTX, $VXX FLASH: The Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields fell to their lowest levels since December 2017 Monday as investors evaluated last week’s Dovish pivot by the Fed. Last Wednesday the FOMC stunned investors by abandoning projections for any interest rate hikes this year and saying it would halt the steady decline of […]
The Fed’s Key reversal on rate increases along with weak economic data has left a part of the US Treasury yield curve close to levels at which the FOMC has in the past been prompted to cut rates. The Fed last Wednesday brought its 3-year drive to tighten monetary policy to an abrupt end, abandoning […]
$AAPL Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Tim Cook said Saturday that he is “extremely bullish” about the global economy based on the amount of innovation underway, and urged China to continue to “open up” due to the complaints of US and others that it is shutting foreign firms out of Key high-tech industries. In a speech at […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Wall Street saw investors take profits Friday, with the benchmark S&P 500 index falling nearly 2% as weak factory data from the US, France and Germany led to an inversion of US Treasury yields, fueling fears of a global economic downturn. A weaker-than-expected Markit PMI reading of US factory […]
FLASH: The world’s economy is slowing, but the United States’ is not despite Federal Reserve policies that have hindered growth, President Trump says. “If we did not have somebody that would raise interest rates and do quantitative tightening, we would have been at over 4% instead of at 3.1,” Trump said in a TV interview. […]
$JPM JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon mow admits that President Trump’s strategy of imposing economic tariffs may just be paying off. “As a negotiating strategy, it might’ve worked,” Mr. Dimon said on TV. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin plan to travel to China next week for another round of […]
The German government’s panel of independent economic advisers has slashed its growth forecast for this year and is now predicting that the German economy will grow by only 0.8%. In a regular update, the panel cut its Y 2019 forecast from the previous 1.5% and said growth may accelerate next year to 1.7%. The experts […]
The growing mystery of where China’s rapid slowdown is headed may become the biggest risk on the horizon. The world economy. Recession Watch: The global economy’s in its weakest shape since the financial crisis 10 years ago. China got more affirming evidence of its Big slowdown, with industrial output and retail sales softening and a […]
US retail sales ex-automobiles rose slightly in January after a sharp drop in December, reflecting cautious optimism taken by consumers after athe 35 day partial government shutdown. The Commerce Department said Monday that retail sales increased just 0.2%, after a sharp fall of 1.6% in December, the biggest US decliner in 9 years. The economy has […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Fed stifling The Trump Economy The anti-Trump media is pointing to the economic slowdown, but economist Stephen Moore puts the blame on the Fed’s economist policy during our blockbuster Trump economy. “I’m a little worried about the economy slowing down a little bit, but we still have a blockbuster […]
The White House’s Top economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Friday that President Trump and Chinese President Xi could meet on trade later this month or early next month. “Nothing in cement, but there’s a lot of talk about a meeting, yet.” President Trump Friday said he is confident the United States can forge a trade […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Job creation and wage growth are still important things to watch for in the monthly NFP report for February that will be released Friday. The other partial indicators already suggest that the labor market will remain solid. The focus now will be on the labor-force participation rate because the […]
$USD The Fed’s Beige Book was released Wednesday showing the US economy continues to be performing strongly. Manufacturing was stronger, employment remains strong across the economy, but bad weather and bad politics have taken their toll. On the latter, 50% of the reporting areas said that the government partial shutdown had been hurting local growth. […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Next Fed rate hike several FMOC meetings ahead With inflation muted, but other risks to the US economy on the rise, the Fed’s patience on policy is nowhere close to running out, with 1 previously Kawkish central banker Tuesday signaling he could wait until at least June before touching […]
FLASH: Americans’ approval of President Trump’s handling of the economy is at the highest point of his presidency, hitting 56% in a recent Gallup poll. President Trump’s rating for handling the economy also is the highest of his approval ratings on any of 14 domestic and foreign issues tested in the latest Gallup poll. Americans’ approval […]
$CNY, $USD, $GS FLASH: The RMB Yuan’s rally has more room to run as China’s economic recovery picks up The currency will advance about 1.5% to 6.6 a USD in the next 12 months, says the Chief China economist at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong. That is more Bullish than Goldman’s 6.7 forecast in January. […]
FLASH: Sales of new US single-family homes rose 7-month highs in December Other data Tuesday showed an acceleration in growth in the vast services sector in February, powered by a surge in new orders. The moderation in the pace of hiring fits in with expectations of slower economic growth as the stimulus from a $1.5-T […]
Australia’s central bank stuck to its upbeat view of the economy after it held rates at record lows in a widely expected move Tuesday, a day before GDP data is likely to show domestic momentum almost stalled last Quarter. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) ended a 30th meeting running with rates at 1.50% and […]
FLASH: Larry Kudlow: ‘The Green New Deal Will Literally Destroy the Economy” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow warns that Democrats proposing to overturn The Trump Administration’s success by offering socialist policies will derail economic growth. “I do notwant us to stand idly. I don’t want to let this stuff fester. I want it challenged, […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: US stocks finished flat on high volume We expect that US stocks will continue to move North new highs despite an earnings slowdown, that according to the patterns that are set/setting up now. HeffX-LTN is going contrarian Vs the Bears who are warning investors that the earnings slowdown will […]
The US economy will grow at a solid though slower pace in Y 2019 and the Fed will remain “patient” in deciding whether to further raise interest rates, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday. Chairman Powell reaffirmed the policy shift made by the Fed last month, telling a Senate Banking Committee hearing that “crosscurrents and […]
China met its target for reducing debt levels but will keep cracking down on riskier types of financing to contain risks to its financial system, the banking and insurance regulator said Monday, urging banks to step up lending to smaller companies. Concern about China’s debt is rising again as Beijing ramps up support for a […]
UK PM Theresa May pushed back the deadline for Parliament to vote on her BREXIT deal, in a gambit she hopes will buy more time for negotiations but which risks inflaming the revolt against her. The British PM confirmed she will not bring a new deal back to the House of Commons for a final […]
When the Fed’s FOMC policymakers met last month and put it 3-year rate-hike campaign on hold and backed ending a yearlong push to shrink their $4-T balance sheet, that was draining the liquidity out of the system and shrinking the wealth of American house holds by the trillions of dollars, they cited increased risks to […]
By Linda Goudsmit The Riddle: What climate does climate change change? The Answer: The political climate of course. Let me explain. Pollution and climate change are two separate issues. Environmental pollution is a man-made problem that humans can and should remedy. Taking responsibility for our behavior is a necessary part of civilized life and eliminating […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: 9 of the 11 S&P 500 sectors finished higher with information technology (+1.3%), communication services (+1.1%), and healthcare (+0.9%) leading the advance. On the other hand, the financials (-0.2%) and consumer staples (-0.3%) sectors finished in the Red. Today, Americans’ views of the US economy and optimism about its […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: FOMC Mins as expected; Fed will maintain patience in rate hikes and stop reducing assets on its balance sheet later this year. The Takeaway The FOMC Minutes said the central bank is going to be patient in raising rates and is likely to stop reducing the assets on its […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Trump Policy Traction, FOMC Minutes Due Wednesday Tuesday, New York Fed President John Williams said he is comfortable with the level US interest rates are at now, and sees no need to raise them again unless growth or inflation shift to an unexpectedly higher gear. In an interview with […]
$USD, $EUR FLASH: The Fed has pivoted to a Dovish policy, yet that does not appear to have stopped USD. The US Dollar (.DXY) Index, which measures the value of the Buck Vs a basket of 6 peer currencies, just hit a 2month-high, which also happens to be close to a 2-year high. The strength […]
FLASH: The Green New Deal is beyond Crazy If you have not been disappointed by politics lately, you have noy been paying attention. The political fantasies of today may not become some major change immediately, but they do set the tone for where could head in the next few years. The “Green New Deal” sounds too crazy […]
$GLD, $GOLD, $USD, $GDX, $GS FLASH: The savvy observers see Golden opps in the precious Yellow metal and its miners. Last September in this column we suggested it was time for investors to add gold to their portfolios. And that data shows that since that time, gold has gained nearly 10%. Gold marked to a […]
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow warns that Americans want to embrace capitalism and that the Democrat-led rush to socialism would set the nation back a 100 years. “If you are not a socialist in your 20’s you have no heart and if you are not a capitalist in your 30’s you have no mind. I think right now […]
FLASH: Green New Deal Reads Like a Democratic Party Suicide Pact Karl Rove, former White House deputy Chief of Staff, blasted the proposal by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), for a Green New Deal and called it a “laundry list of lunatic ideas.” His comments came Wednesday during an TV interview on “America’s Newsroom.” “She has a […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Fed officials are getting their stories aligned on the US economy. Cleveland’s Loretta Mester says it’s in a “very good spot.” Or a “pretty good place,” as Kansas City’s Esther George has it, faithfully echoing Chairman Jerome Powell’s “the economy is good.” Their remarks, made Tuesday and Wednesday, aim […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Fed Chairman Jay Powell describes US economy as “good”, saying he does not see an elevated probability of a recession, stocks finish on their highs lead by the Financials Investors are prepare for the return of the divergence trade, with the US set to lead the rest of the […]
JOLTS Report: US employers posted the most open jobs in December in 19 years that records have been kept, evidence that the job market is strong despite several challenges facing the economy. The US Labor Department says job openings jumped 2.4% in December to 7.3-M. That is the most since records began in December 2000. It is […]
The Fed’s interest rate increase in December tipped monetary policy into a restrictive setting that may be pushing the economy farther from one of the Fed’s Key goals, James Bullard, President of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, said last week. Mr. Bullard, in remarks to reporters after an appearance at St. Cloud State University […]
Progressive Dem Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) call for a proposed “Green New Deal” to protect the environment “seems pointless,” Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said Friday. “It is quite rich for Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez to point out the fact that we need to ruin our economy and stop all air travel and stop all cars in […]
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, forecasts that retail sales should grow between 3.8 and 4.4% to more than $3.8-T this year as shoppers remain in the mood to spend in a strong US economy and job market. The forecast, released Tuesday, is in line with the 4.6% gain the group preliminarily estimated […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX President Trump will enjoy the backdrop of a solid economy as he delivers his 2nd State of the Union address Tuesday evening. The President will point to the latest signs of US economic strength: Friday’s jobs report showed that employers added the most jobs in January in nearly a year. […]
Demand for loans softened among US businesses and households in Q-4 of Y 2018, while banks tightened lending standards for commercial real estate, according to a survey of bank officers that gave worrisome signs for the economic outlook. The Fed Monday released its Quarterly survey of senior loan officers. The survey also showed banks had […]
The Fed’s decision to stop raising interest rates puts a “fundamentally healthy” US economy on track to further growth, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari indicated Sunday. “I think we still have room to run in the US economy,” Mr. Kashkari said at a town hall at a church in Long Lake, Minnesota. “The […]
Instead of going with the crowds plan your travel this year with ecological/historical importance in mind. There are places in peril now that can still be enjoyed now, while actually helping the cause through proper booking and travel practices. Travel with good intent, with purposeful in choices, and believing these precious places on our planet […]