Gold Prices Up, Easing Trade Concerns Soften USD + Commodities $GLD, $SLV, $USD, $PLAT, $PALL, $USO, $OIL, $SOY, $CORN, $WEAT In Asia Asian stocks extended gains Friday thanks to Wall Street marking all-time highs, as investors believe that the latest exchange of tariffs between the United States and China may be less damaging than initially feared. […]
The Trump Effect: US Economy is Strong $DIA The strong US economy continues under President Donald Trump. A string of reports Thursday showed the labor market is getting stronger, consumers are increasingly optimistic and manufacturers are expanding, adding to signs that GDP (gross domestic product) remains on track for a solid performance in Q-3 Filings […]
Gold Prices Steady, Trade Concerns Pressure USD + Commodities $GLD, $SLV, $USD, $PLAT, $USO, $OIL, $SOY, $CORN,$WEAT In Asia Asian stocks followed global indexes higher Thursday, as investors took a less bearish view on the impact of the US-China trade war on markets, a sharp contrast to dim expectations economists had on US growth amid the […]
The Trump Effect: Atlanta Fed Keeps GDP Forecast at 4.4% $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Wednesday, the S&P 500 finished with a gainer of 0.1%, driven by financial shares, which rallied on another rise in interest rates. The blue-chip DJIA outperformed, adding 0.6%, the NAS Comp lagged, closing lower by 0.1%, and the small-cap Russell […]
Gold Prices Up, as USD Eases + Commodities $GLD, $SLV, $USD, $PLAT, $USO, $OIL, $SOY, $CORN,$WEAT Gold prices edged up Wednesday, as the USD weakened despite another round of reciprocal tariffs in the US-China trade dispute. In focus 19 September 2018 Spot gold up 0.1 % to 1,199.18 oz by 0044 GMT US gold futures […]
Gold Dips on News of Resumed US-China Trade Talks $GLD, $SLV, $USD Gold pared gains as China became a focus point again The possible progress in the trade dispute pressured the USD. Gold prices dipped Thursday as investors purchased riskier assets instead of seeking a safe-haven in gold, on news a new round of US-China […]
Fed Moving to Avert a Recession Due to Falling Unemployment Fed officials tout 10 yrs of falling unemployment as among their major victories in fighting the economic crisis of Y’s 2007 to 2009. Now they are starting to worry they have been too successful. When unemployment falls as low as it is currently, Boston Fed […]
US Producer Prices Dip as Inflation Eases No one seems to know why there is no inflation US wholesale prices fell unexpectedly last month for the 1st time since February 2017, pulled down by falling prices for transportation and warehousing services. The drop suggests that inflationary pressures may be easing despite the strength of the […]
The Trump Effect: Low Unemployment Makes Economy ‘as Good as it Gets’ $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Current economic conditions are “as good as it gets” for the Fed, a Key policymaker said Thursday. Looking ahead, investors will receive the Employment Situation report for August Friday, the consensus expecting an increase of 187,000 in NFPs, an […]
Fed’s Bullard Makes Case Again for Halting Interest Rate Hikes $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The US Federal Reserve should hold off on further interest rate rises because the stance of monetary policy is already at neutral or possibly restrictive, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard said Wednesday. Mr. Bullard has repeatedly raised […]
US Investors are Ignoring Political Drama, the ‘Economy’s Everything $SPY National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said stock-market investors are apparently ignoring any White House political turbulence because the robust economy is proof President Donald Trump’s strategy is working. The Bull market on Wall Street set history this week when it eclipsed the S&P 500’s […]
US GDP Growing on Strong Domestic Demand The US economy set to charge ahead as fresh domestic demand carries it past some softening overseas, keeping the Fed on course for further interest-rate hikes later this year Households have more cash to spend than thought, thanks to pools of savings and President Donald Trump’s tax cuts. […]
President Trump, “not trilled” with Fed’s Raising Interest Rates $USD, $EUR Monday, US President Donald Trump said he is “not thrilled” with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for raising interest rates, plus he accused China and Europe of manipulating their respective currencies. President Trump rattled investors in July when he criticized the Fed’s monetary policy tightening, […]
US Producer Price Index Flat, Restraining Inflation Fears $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX US wholesale prices were unchanged in July after 2 months of increases, indicating inflation pressures have softened a bit. Thursday, the Labor Department said that the PPI (producer price index) which measures price changes before they reach the consumer increased 3.3% last month […]
Individual Investors in US View Bitcoin as Risky $BTCUSD A recent poll reveals that Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are viewed with suspicion by most US individual investors, with only 2% of them holding Bitcoin and another 75% of them describing bitcoin as “very risky.” Conducted by Gallup and Wells Fargo, the poll surveyed nearly 2,000 American investors with […]
Fed’s FOMC Votes 8-0 to Leave Fed Fund’s Rate Unchanged $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RTUX, $VXX The FOMC left the benchmark interest rate unchanged, and reiterating their plan to gradually lift borrowing costs to keep the economy expanding at a healthy pace. Economic activity has been “rising at a strong rate,” and the unemployment rate “has […]
The ECB’s Benchmark Interest Rate Unchanged at Zero $EURUSD The European Central Bank is stressing that interest rates will stay low well into next year even as the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to keep raising rates in coming months. The central bank for the 19 countries that use the euro left its key rates […]
President Trump, “‘Ready to Go’ With Tariffs on $500-B of Chinese Imports” US President Donald Trump has indicated that he is willing to hit every product imported from China with tariffs. President Trump said “I’m willing to go to 500,” referring roughly to the $505.5-B in goods imported last year from China. The Trump Administration […]
President Trump, “I am not thrilled with rate hikes” President Donald Trump criticized the Fed’s interest-rate increases, breaking with White House tradition of avoiding comments on monetary policy out of respect for the independence of the central bank. “I’m not thrilled,” President Trump said in expressing frustration with the Fed in an interview to be broadcast […]
US Inflation Rate at 2.9% in June, Highest in 6 Years US consumer prices rose in June from a year earlier at the fastest pace in more than s6 years, lifted by more expensive gas, car insurance, and higher rents. Last Thursday, the US Labor Department said that the CPI (consumer price index) ticked up […]
Forex Traders Overwhelm Emerging Markets’ Central Bankers $DXY, $OIL, $GLD, $SLV Selloff forces EM central banks to raise interest rates Currencies have struggled to find a floor despite rate moves Central banks in emerging economies are losing the battle with markets as their efforts to shield their currencies struggle for traction, suggesting policy makers have […]
FOMC Acknowledges Growing Inflation Ending Crisis-Era Guidance $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The Fed raised it overnight fed funds rates Wednesday shifting from policies used to battle the 2007-2009 financial crisis and recession. In raising its benchmark overnight lending rate a 1/4 bpt to a range of between 1.75 and 2%, the FOMC dropped its […]
The Trump Effect at Work: US Household Wealth Tops $100-T $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX US household wealth topped the $100-T mark for the 1st time in Q-1 of Y 2018, the Fed reported late Thursday. The Fed said the net worth of the nation’s households and nonprofits rose to $100.8-R in the 1st frame of the year, […]
US Labor Market Tightens, Jobless Claims Fall $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to a further tightening in labor market conditions. The robust US labor market and firming inflation have cemented expectations the Fed will raise interest rates next week at the FOMC meeting. […]
US Unemployment Rolls Smallest in 45 Years $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Thursday, the US economic data showed an acceleration in mid-Atlantic factory activity this month, with manufacturers saying they were boosting employment and asking for higher prices for their products. The combination of a tightening labor market and firming inflation bolsters expectations the Fed will […]
Fed’s Williams Sees ‘Neutral’ Interest Rate Lower, Longer $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Stocks dip following a the strong start to the month Treasury’s benchmark 10-yr yield above 3.00% Tuesday, Mr. Williams, who will take the helm of the New York Fed on 18 June, said that inflation is nearing the central bank’s 2% target after […]
The Growing Interest, Investment in Anti-aging and Life Extension The interest and investment in anti-aging therapies is growing. The goal is not just to live longer, but to be as youthful and healthy as possible for a longer frame. Telomeres were discovered in the 1930’s. Every cell in the human body contains a nucleus, and inside […]
The Trump Expansion Continues to Deliver Jobs The US economy has delivered steady, modest gains for most Americans since the Great Recession ended in Y 2009. President Trump’s policies have extended what is now the 2nd-longest economic expansionon record and why more of the country might soon benefit from higher pay. The government said Friday […]
FOMC Stands Pat on Interest Rates, Focus Now on June Meeting $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The Fed policy makers held interest rates steady Wednesday and expressed confidence that a recent rise in inflation to near the central bank’s 2% target would be sustained, leaving it on track to raise borrowing costs in June. The Fed’s […]
Assets that Will Suffer on the Return to the Normal Interest Rate Regime $SPY, $GLD, $SLV, $BAC While Treasuries faded a bit after 10-year yields tapped at the 3% mark last week for the 1st time in 4 years, expectations are mounting that higher rates will soon be normal again, that rate historically is 5.0% […]
The US Stock Market Remains in Consolidation Mode $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX, $USO The Bull has paused to refresh Fundamentals are Strong Interest rates are low Some pundits are saying that the world markets entered Y 2018 speculating that the most synchronized global economic expansion in a decade was going to get to Hot, but […]
Investors Rotating Leadership form QE ‘Winners’ to QE ‘Losers’ $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Analysts are expecting investors will shift their holdings as the realization sinks in that the Fed is committed to raising interest rates until a major event compels the central bank to reverse course. That means investments that had strong gains during a […]
The Fed ‘May’ Need to Gradually Raise Interest Rates The Fed may need to keep raising interest rates to keep inflation under control, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said in a speech on the economic outlook that did not address the economic risks of rising trade tensions. Friday, in his 1st speech on the economic outlook since assuming […]
Healthy Economy, Strong Earnings Will Drive Stock Market North $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ Soon the stock market will reflect the economy, and all systems are on Go. March Private Sector Jobs, Non-Manufacturing Activity and Help Wanted OnLine ADP: 241,000; Goods: 65,000/ ISM (Non-Man.): -0.7 point; Orders: -5.3 points/ HWOL: up 102,100 The Institute for Supply Management’s […]
Gold Finished the Quarter with a Gainer, Bulls Happy $GLD Gold Bulls are finding Y 2018 a Happy Time so far.=. Gold is wrapping up a 3rd quarterly gainer, something not seen since Y 2011, and ETF (exchange-traded fund) holdings are near the highest in 5 years. Safe-haven demand may also get a boost with […]
World Markets Fell This Week, Investors Fear Trade Wars $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The world’s stock markets fell Friday on investor fears that a trade conflict between the US and China might would escalate. A 3nd day of losses pushed US stocks to their worst week in 2 years. So far, China’s response to the […]
DJIA Finished Off 724 Points, Markets Do Not Like Trade Wars $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The DJIA fell more than 700 pts on trade fears, tumbling back into correction territory as US stocks plunged the most in 6 weeks amid the threat of an escalating trade war with China that has the potential to disrupt global growth. At […]
FOMC’s Rate Hike Will Not Slow President Trump’s Economic Plan The Powell Fed shows confidence in the US Economy The Fed’s rate increase Wednesday will not slow President Donald Trump’s economic agenda, but it will make home mortgages more costly. “I don’t think this is going to affect the economic expansion very much,” economist Peter […]
Fed Hikes, Stocks Fall, Gold Rises $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $GLD Stocks swung sharply Wednesday afternoon following the release of the FOMC’s policy directive, which increased the fed funds target range by 25 bpts to 1.50%-1.75%. Overall the hike was priced in ahead of the Fed’s expected move. The S&P 500, the NAS Comp, and the […]
US Retail Sales Slide for 3rd Month Running, Inflation Edges Up $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US retail sales fell for a 3rd straight month in February as households cut back on purchases of motor vehicles and other big-ticket items. Despite signs of cooling in consumer spending, inflation pressures are building, which may allow the Fed […]
US Bull Market Turned 9 Friday, a Happy Day for the Bulls $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ Friday, the 2nd longest US Bull Market since WWII turned 9 anni. It began precisely at 1.00p EST on 9 March 2009 when all 3 of the major US stock market indexes bottoms and bounced in unison. A very rare […]
FOMC Eyeing Inflation, ‘Strike a Balance’ with Rate Hikes Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, pledging to “strike a balance” between the risk of an overheating economy and the need to keep growth on track, told US lawmakers Tuesday that the central bank would stick with gradual interest rate increases despite the added stimulus of tax cuts […]
‘Things Continue to Look Up’ for US Economy $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The Fed is carefully raising interest rates against a growing economic background that has cheered up conditions for the nation’s lenders, said Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic. After years of emergency-era monetary policy, Fed officials are “in an increasing-rate environment, […]
Inflation & Gold, the Link Between the Elements $GLD The Big Q: On fueled inflation will Gold’s price soar? The Big A: The recent US NFPs report showed that wages had jumped 2.9% in January on an annual basis. It was the best since Y 2009, which awakened investor fears of inflation. That’s why investors awaited Wednesday’s data on […]
US Stocks Overcome Early Weakness Finishing in the Green $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Tuesday, US stocks overcame early weakness driving the major indices North for the 3rd session running. Fully, 9 of the 11 S&P 500 sectors finished in the Green, with financials (+0.5%), consumer discretionary (+0.5%), and real estate (+0.6%) being the Top performers. […]
US Economy Strong, Interest Rates Will Rise $VXX Thursday, New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley said that as long as the US economy continues to grow above trend this year, he would be in favor of another interest rate rise at the US central bank’s upcoming meeting in March. “As long as I am […]
Americans Filing for Unemployment Benefits at 45 yr Lows The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, dropping to its lowest level in almost 45 years as the labor market tightened further, driving expectations of faster wage growth this year. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased 9,000 to a seasonally […]
Fed: US Stock Market Outlook Unchanged in Growing Economy $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Fed officials played down recent volatility in global stock markets, sounding as resolved to push ahead with gradual increases in interest rates as before the pullback. “Having a bump like this has virtually no consequence in my view of the economic outlook,” […]
DJIA Pullback Linked to Bond Market Not DC Disclosures $DJIA Last week’s US stock market pullback related to movements in the bond market, and not to the release of a GOP House Intel memo that accuses FBI and DOJ investigators of anti-Trump bias, that has indicated President Trump in the Russia probe. President Trump’s position […]
Big Banks See Trump Tax Reform Benefits, Will Pass Them on to Employees and Stakeholders $JPM, $WFC, $BAC, $C, $GS JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) indicated Friday that they expect to see significant future benefits from the recently enacted GOP tax bill, through both lower taxes and increased business. The comments came as the […]
Fed Doves Calling for ‘Slow’ Tightening The Fed should be patient as it raises interest rates this year, said Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic, adding his voice to other Dovish comments from officials concerned by low inflation and the risk of an inverted yield curve. “I am comfortable continuing with a slow […]
Seeing Inflation Almost Everywhere We Look, Growth Too! Investors with the idea that inflation will stay subdued should be concerned. Worldwide data have recently made clear that PPIs (producer-price indexes) have ticked up leading bond buyers to begin wagering that consumer inflation could be soon to follow, with US breakeven rates above 2% in here The […]
US Stocks Post Record Highs, as Trump Rally Extends $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX All 4 major US stock market indices finished at new all-time highs The S&P 500 Index surged past the 2,700-mark Wednesday and other major indexes hit record intra-day highs as technology stocks climbed on indications of strong economic growth in the US […]
US Growth is Expected to Stay Above the Forecast Rate $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Econ 101: no inflation no growth. Investors have been underestimating the importance of US economic growth for Fed policy, and giving too much relative emphasis to inflation and wage data that have tended to disappoint expectations, If it starts looking more […]
S&P 500, DJIA at Record Marks, as Bank Stocks Gain $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Tuesday, the S&P 500 and the DJIA marketrecord levels in early afternoon trading as Boeing (NYSE:BA)rose and bank stocks gained ahead of a near certain move by the Fed to raise interest rate. Losses in technology heavyweights, including Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and […]
Americans’ Economic Confidence Is Strong $DIA, $SPY, $BA Americans’ confidence in the economy remains strong heading into the final weeks of the Christmas Holiday shopping season. Gallup’s U.S. Economic Confidence Index registered +7 last week, similar to the prior week’s score of +9 and close to this year’s average of +6. Americans’ low expectations for how the […]
Economy Steams Ahead Under President Trump’s Deregulation Policy $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen, in her final testimony to Congress as head of the central bank, described a steadily brightening picture for the US economy while downplaying the risks of financial instability. “The economic expansion is increasingly broad based across sectors as well […]
Gold Up for 3rd Day Running On US Inflation Data $GLD, $SLV, $MTAFF, $USD Gold prices rose for a 3rd day running Wednesday, and was flat Thursday, as USD weakened and US bond yields fell despite solid US economic data that reinforced expectations that the Fed will press ahead with increases to US interest rates, […]
Inflation is Back, Meaning Growth is Back $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Underlying US consumer prices increased in October on the back of a pickup in rents and healthcare costs, bolstering the view that a recent dis-inflationary trend worrying the Fed probably had ended. The rise in the consumer price index, excluding the volatile food and […]
US Consumer Sentiment Falls on Inflation, Rate-Hike Fears $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US Consumers remain optimistic about employment and the economy. US consumer sentiment in fell on expectations that inflation and interest rates will rise, according to a University of Michigan report Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment Indicator (November, preliminary) Sentiment index dropped to 97.8 (est. 100.8) […]
US Stocks Rise to Record Highs, as The Trump Rally Extends $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The US equity market started this week on a positive note as all 3 major indices: the S&P 500 (+0.2%), the NAS Comp (+0.3%), and the DJIA (+0.4%) finished Monday’s session at new record highs. MTD the S&P 500 holds […]
Bitcoin Surges Past $5,000 $BTCUSD $JPM, $GS, $GOOGL Bitcoin’s surge has divided the financial community between those convinced it is a bubble on the verge of popping. Questions being asked on Wall Street and Main Street about speculation on Bitcoin after the digital currency breached 5,000 for the 1st time, pushing this year’s gains to more […]
Things Change When Bond Yields Begin to Rise $DIA, $GLD, $SLV Last week the DJIA closed at new all-time highs, with Friday’s close being just a whisker from making it 5 days in a row. Looking at the daily closes for the Dow Jones (Blue Plot below) with its 52Wk High Line (Green Plot), since […]
Fed May Have Misjudged Low Inflation $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Expect President Trump to fill the Fed vacancies with pro-growth advocates. Econ 101, No inflation, No growth. Tuesday, the expected outgoing Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen acknowledged that the central bank is puzzled by the persistence of unusually low inflation and that it might have […]
FOMC Schedules Asset “Normalization” as Expected Federal Reserve officials set an October start for shrinking their $4.5-T of assets, moving to unwind a pillar of their crisis-era support for the economy. FOMC forecasts 1 more interest-rate hike later this year, saying storm damage will have a temporary impact on the economy. “Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and […]
US Stock Indexes Mark New Record Highs, Financials Lead $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The major US stock market indexes are trading at record marks driven by gains in financial, technology and industrial stocks, with focus on the FOMC’s policy meet Tuesday and Wednesday, as The Trump Rally extends. Shares of the major banks, including Bank […]
US President Trump Poised to Change Fed Leadership + $GLD,$SLV, $PPLT, $USD Every US President gets the chance to influence Fed policy through nominations to the central bank’s Board of Governors. But, most often, that chance is limited to a small number of nominations, 3 max, including a nomination for Chairperson. But President Trump is […]
This Week’s FOMC Meet May Trigger Stock Rotation $SPY US stock investors could rotate out of high-yielding sectors and into stocks of banks, which would benefit from the next leg up in interest rates, after the FOMC’s policy-setting meeting wraps up Wednesday. If the FOMC gives a nod to rising inflation or focuses its trimmed-down […]
US Job Openings (JOLTS)Hit Record High, Qualified Workers Scarce $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The Trump Rally extends, US stocks mark record high, again, led by financials, Apple sags. US job openings aka JOLTS, rose to a record high in July, suggesting a slowdown in job growth in August was an aberration and that the labor market […]
It is Too Soon to Predict When Fed Will Raise Rates Again $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Given the “cross currents” in the economy and markets, it is too early to predict when Fed should raise interest rates, William Dudley, President of Federal Reserve Bank of New York said last Friday. “It’s too soon to judge […]
Rebuilding After Hurricanes Will Boost US Economy $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley said back-to-back hurricanes in Q-3 will lead to increased economic activity over the long run despite any tragic consequences. The storms could (will) influence the timing of the next interest-rate increase, although above-trend growth does […]
US Economic Growth Picking Up, Inflation Muted $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The US economy expanded at a moderate pace in July through mid-August, but signs of an acceleration in inflation are muted, the latest survey conducted by the Fed showed Wednesday. “Prices rose modestly overall across the country,” the central bank said in its Beige […]
Gold Marks a Fresh 2017 High, Stocks Drop on NKorea Tensions $GLD NKorea launches or threatens to launch a missile, Gold rises, stocks fall, things calm down and stocks make up their losses, what has been a recurring story YTD. The Big Q: Is it different this time? The Big A: After NKorea said it […]
US Consumer Spending Up, Inflation Down, USD Falling $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US consumer spending rose a bit in July and annual inflation increased at its slowest pace since late Y 2015, diminishing expectations of a Fed interest rate hike in December. Inflation remains low even as the labor market is near full employment, a […]
Gold Has Broken Through the Psych Resistance at $1300 oz, Next? $GLD Gold has broken the 1,300 0z the Psych resistance mark that has held since October 2016. Today the metal trades at 1,324. This rise is being attributed in part to a weakened USD after the head of the ECB refrained from talking down […]
Yellen and Draghi Open Jackson Hole Symposium Friday $USD, $DXY, $EUR The Jackson Hole Symposium is this week’s most anticipated event, in part due to a severe lack of other newsworthy market stories but also because two very important central bankers are scheduled to appear. The Fed and the ECB are not only 2 of […]
Fed Does Not, Need Not Raise Interest Rates Anytime Soon The Federal Reserve can leave interest rates where they are for now because inflation is not likely to rise much even if the US job market continues to improve, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said Monday. “The current level of the policy rate is […]
The Story of Obama’s Ransom Payment to Iran Gets Worse America paid Iran $1.7-B in cash, hard money that by US law were not to be released unless and until Iran paid what it owed to American victims of its terrorism. On the morning of January 17, 2016, US President Obama declared that this was […]
The Trump Rally Extends, DJIA Marks Its 8th Straight Record High $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average) ended on its 8th straight record high Friday, with gains in banks after the NFPs data showed US employers hired more workers than expected in July. The strong jobs report may help clear the […]
The Australian Dollar (A$) (AUD) surged to its highest level in two years against the US greenback recently, but questions are now being asked about whether that is sustainable. Right now, the AUD is fetching US79.18 cents. But it did climb as high as US79.85 recently, with some calls it could even rise as high as US85 […]
Think Portfolio Insurance When Buying Gold in Here $GLD, $USD Gold (NYSEArca:GLD) is ranged within 1,190 and 1250 oz short term as the metal tracks US real interest rates. “We’re not saying we have a Bullish bias; we’re not saying we have a bearish bias,” siad executive director for commodities and foreign exchange at UBS […]
FOMC Mins Indicate Worry About Loose Policy Risks $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX A divided FOMC did not reach agreement in June on the timing of when to begin shrinking its massive balance sheet, according to minutes of the meeting. “Several preferred to announce a start to the process within a couple of months,” the minutes […]
Central Banks Turn “Hawkish”, JPY Carry Trade Emerges $GBP, $USD, $EUR, $JPY, $CAD Cable, Loonie and EUR all rose last week on Hawkish comments from central bankers. The BOE Governor Mark Carney said it is not the time of rate hike yet. Then indicated the BOE MPC will start debating raising interest rate in the […]
US Mint Sales of American Eagle Gold Coins Totaled 6,000 oz in June $GLD, $SLV, $CU US Mint American Eagle Gold coin sales in 1-H of Y 2017 were the lowest for this frame in 10 years, the sales of Silver in the frame were the weakest since Y 2008, government data showed Friday. US […]
Fed Sees Lower Interest Rated for Longer After last week, the FOMC raised the fed-funds rates by a quarter of a point and Fed Chair Janet Yellen, during the press conference that followed the rate decision pointed to the relentless debate, which concerns practically all central bankers of the leading economies in the world, whether […]
The Solid Reasons for Gold in an Investment Portfolio $GLD, $SLV, $ABX, $EXCFF, $SLW, $SPY Gold got crushed in The Trump Election rally post election, but a little over 5 months into Y 2017, the yellow metal is up 10.5%—making it one of the best-performing assets of the year so far. While the outlook for the […]
US Home Construction Stalled, Continuing Growth in Question $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX May Housing Starts and June Preliminary Consumer Confidence Starts: -5.5%; 1-family: -3.9% Permits: -4.9%; 1-Family: -1.9% Consumer Confidence: down 2.6 points The downward trend in home construction does not augur well for growth in 2-H Business leaders and owners, whether they are involved […]
Atlanta Fed Raises Q-2 GDP Growth View to 3.2% The US economy is growing at a 3.2% annualized pace in Q-2 of Y 2017 based on data on May retail sales and consumer prices, the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s most recent GDP Now forecast model showed. The latest Q-2 GDP (gross domestic product) estimate was stronger […]
The Search is On for a New Fed Chief $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX President Trump’s top economic advisor, Gary Cohn to lead the search for the next Fed chief. President Donald Trump’s relationship with the Fed has been friendly to date, that does not mean Chairwoman Janet Yellen is likely to stay on. Some market […]
Comey’s Testimony: “Still Born”, DJIA Marks Record Highs $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US stocks were higher in early afternoon trading Thursday after sacked FBI Director James Comey’s testimony was seen by investors as yielding nothing that could affect Donald Trump’s Presidency. The DJIA earlier hit an intra-day record and continued to climb and settled back […]
European Central Bank Facing Continuing Challenges The European Central Bank (ECB) facing continuing challenges when its Governing Council meets Thursday in Estonia. The Eurozone’s central bank is likely to err on the side of prudence by avoiding any notable reduction in monetary stimulus, even though the arguments points to a different policy direction. The argument […]
President Trump Will Nominate 2 “Hawks” to Fed Board US President Donald Trump’s picks for the 2 open spots on the Fed Board of Governors may push for tighter monetary policy if they receive the Senate confirmation needed to join the interest rate-setting panel. President Trump will nominate Carnegie Mellon University professor Marvin Goodfriend, 66 […]
Soft US Inflation May Warrant Interest Rate “Rethink” $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Tuesday, Fed Governor Lael Brainard said soft US inflation may cause her to reassess the path forward for monetary policy should it linger, even as the global economic outlook brightens and US growth looks poised to rebound. “If the soft inflation data persist, […]
Aggressive Fed Could Upset Markets, Gold is the Hedge $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX, $GLD, $SLV The mins from this month’s FOMC meeting outline an aggressive agenda that may upset financial markets in the months ahead. Fed officials said the plan is cautious, and stocks rallied on the news. The Big Q: How safe should participants […]
Chances of Rate Hike Falls as Fed Cuts Debt Fed officials have indicated they will begin to reduce the central bank’s $4.5-T of Treasury and mortgage debt. The debt was bought from banks for several years after the Y 2008 financial crisis as a way of pushing down interest rates to help the economy recover. […]
ECB’s Draghi Cautiously Upbeat on Eurozone The Head of the European Central Bank (ECB) says that risks to the strengthening economy of the 19-country Eurozone have fallen insisting it is too early to declare victory and start withdrawing stimulus measures. Mario Draghi said in remarks delivered Wednesday in the Dutch Parliament that recent data confirm […]
Market Finished at Record Highs, as The Trump Rally Extends $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Highlights of April’s US Employment Report The unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.4%, the lowest since May 2007, the US Labor Department data showed Friday The Spare capacity in the labor market is quickly disappearing, indicating that lackluster wage growth should […]
FOMC Holds Interest Rates Steady as Expected $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The FOMC kept interest rates unchanged Wednesday and downplayed weak Q-1 economic growth while emphasizing the strength of the labor market, signalling it is on track for 2 more rate hikes this year. In a statement following the end of a 2-day policy meeting, […]
VIX (NYSEArca:VXX) Marks 10 yr Lows $VXX, $AUDUSD, $JPY, $EUR, $GBP After returning from the long May Day weekend, equity investors look undecided on whether to be Bullish or Bearish. Stocks across Asian markets were mixed Tuesday despite the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), Wall Street’s ‘Fear Factor’ hitting its lowest marks in a decade. The low volatility was reflected […]
There is a Lot Going on in the Markets this Week… $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX US stocks posted a gainer in April, thanks solid corporate earnings and the anticipation of significant federal tax cuts. The outperforming NAS Comp extended its winning streak to a 6th month running, while the DJIA followed with 5 of 6 […]