The US is pushing for regular reviews of China’s progress on pledged trade reforms as a condition for a trade deal, and could again resort to tariffs if it deems Beijing has violated the agreement. A continuing threat of tariffs hanging over commerce between the world’s 2 largest economies would mean a deal would not […]
$GBP, $USD Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government survived a no-confidence vote, a day after her BREXIT deal was overwhelmingly rejected by lawmakers. The House of Commons expressed confidence in the government by 325 votes to 306, meaning Mrs. May can remain in office. There was no effect on US financial markets. Tuesday, UK […]
President Trump expressed optimism that US-China trade talks in Beijing are progressing well. Chinese authorities to give a statement following the latest round of negotiations. “Talks with China are going very well!” President Trump tweeted on Tuesday as the 2nd day of mid-level meetings wrapped up. While the hosts indicated the talks would run Monday and Tuesday, […]
President Trump is expressing optimism about trade negotiations with China as US officials are expected in Beijing for talks aimed at easing a trade dispute. President Trump spoke recently to Chinese President Xi Jinping Sunday, saying: “I really believe they want to make a deal. The tariffs have absolutely hurt China very badly.” After several […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX, $AAPL The S&P 500 fell 2.5% Thursday, as a revenue warning from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and weak manufacturing data fueled concerns about a slowdown in global economic growth, undermining the broad market. The DJIA lost 2.8%, the NAS Comp lost 3.0%, the Russell 2000 lost 1.8%. On the day, 9 of the 11 […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The world enters Y 2019 with some uncertainty about the prospects for global growth. The US is the bright spot and 1 of the most powerful job creators and drivers of international trade. If The Trump Administration and the new Congress are able to work together, there are areas where […]
President Trump is intent on following through with his campaign promise to build a Wall along the US-Mexico border, even if that means extending the partial government shutdown until Dems agree to $5-B in funding, Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC) “I can tell you that if they believe that this president is going to yield on […]
The publicity former US Defense Secretary James Mattis got over his resignation letter, has caused President Trump to appoint a new Defense Secretary Sunday morning, ensuring that General Mattis is out of the administration fast. Read Mad Dog Mattis was sacked! “I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick […]
America’s children can rest easy today, as the partial government shutdown will not affect how the US military tracks Santa Claus’ worldwide journey this Christmas Eve. In a Tweet, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and U.S. Northern Command reassured children and parents everywhere that the Santa tracking mission will continue “In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with […]
Stock Market’s Negative Reaction to Fed is “Overblown” $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that the negative stock market reaction following the Fed’s rate hike this week was “completely overblown.” Secretary Mnuchin said the stock market overreacted, with computerized program trading taking over and driving stock prices down further. […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX After 7 weeks+ of volatility financial guru’s are trying to explain what is fueling this stock market action, when the data say the market is undervalued. There looks to be a new “headline of the day” knocking the stock market. Chinese trade talks, BREXIT, government shutdowns, Fed rate hikes, inverted yield […]
US consumer spending gathered momentum in November as households bought furniture, electronics and a range of other goods, which could further allay fears of a significant slowdown in the economy. The upbeat data from the Commerce Department on Friday bolstered expectations that the Fed will raise interest rates at its 18-19 December policy meeting, despite moderating inflation […]
The wave of electronic bomb threats have targeted businesses, schools and government agencies nationwide, putting authorities in Southern California on alert Southern California law enforcement and agencies nationwide confronted a barrage of emailed bomb threats Thursday. Businesses and schools were bombarded with the threats, but, so far, none of the local threats have been deemed […]
China and the United States discussed the road map for the next stage of their trade talks early Tuesday, during a telephone call between Vice Premier Liu He and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. This month in Argentina, Presidents Trump and Xi agreed to a truce that delayed the planned […]
President Donald Trump wants to a trade deal that will be good for the United States, China, and global growth, White House Council of Economic Advisers Kevin Hassett said Monday. The stock market responded, bouncing off its lows. “If a country came to the US right now and offered Zero tariffs, Zero non-tariff barriers, full […]
The Trump Tax Cuts Still Driving Economic Growth Friday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said that The Trump Administration tax cuts of Y 2017 are still working to boost the economy and fuel economic growth. “I think the tax cuts are working. I think nominal GDP is much higher than people expected,” Mr. Kudlow […]
Professional Money Managers Prepare for 2019 Rally $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX, $USD Bond and stock markets from the US to emerging markets all on pace to lose money this year, investors have not seen this much Red on their screens since Y 1972, the last time no asset class returned at least 5%. Yet […]
$5-B in Tariffs Collected in October From US-China Trade Dispute On Thursday and again on Friday, President Trump Tweeted that talks with China are going well. According to the data, the tariffs which are often paid by importers, who then pass the added costs onto companies to whom the products belong are may fall on the shoulders of […]
Huawei Responds To CFO’s Arrest In Canada For Extradition To The US UPDATE: Huawei CFO facing fraud charges re company’s links to a firm that tried to sell equipment to Iran despite sanctions. Friday afternoon a Canadian prosecutor said in the bail hearing. After 6 hrs of arguments for and against no decision was reached and […]
China Confident it Can Make President Trump’s Trade Deal $USO, $SOY, $UNG Wednesday, China expressed confidence that it can reach a trade deal with the United States. The remarks by the Chinese Commerce Ministry from Beijing followed Presidents Trump and Xi declaring a truce in the trade dispute at a meeting in Argentina Saturday evening. […]
US Home Mortgage Activity at 2-Month Highs as Loan Costs Fall Interest rates on 30-year, fixed-rate “conforming” mortgages with balances of $453,100 or less, averaged 5.08% last week, US borrowers filed the most home mortgage applications in nearly 2 months as 30-year home loan costs fell to their lowest marks since early October, the Mortgage […]
Trade Deal Will Have Rules China Must Obey President Donald Trump said US-China relations has taken a big step forward at the weekend after he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to hold off on new tariffs, and urged Beijing to finalize a trade deal with Washington within the next 90 days. The trade deal […]
White House Hails China Trade Truce The Trump Administration is celebrating the 90-day truce it reached in its trade dispute with China as a significant breakthrough despite some skepticism that Beijing will yield to US demands anytime soon. “This is just an enormous, enormous event,” Larry Kudlow, President Donald Trump’s Top economic adviser, said of […]
New Orders Surge, US Manufacturers Expand Pace $SOY, $UNG, $USD US manufacturers expanded at a faster pace in November as new orders surged, a positive sign for domestic economic growth heading into Y 2019. The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, said Monday its manufacturing index rose to 59.3 last month from 57.7 in […]
World Wide Stocks Surge on US- China Trade Truce $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $SOY FLASH: President Donald Trump says on Twitter that China has agreed ‘to reduce and remove’ 40% tariffs on cars from the United States. Futures on the DJIA are currently up 488 points after Presidents Trump and Xi agreed to a 90-day halt […]
More on the Goodness of Organic Real Foods Yes, Organic foods taste really good, and that is because organically grown produce that is not adulterated with hormones and chemical pesticides have the good green fresh taste that nature intended. Most people are amazed to experience what food really tastes like when they switch to Organic. […]
President Trump, “My relationship with President Xi is very special.” The Results so far of that Special Relationship President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to keep their trade dispute from escalating with a promise to halt the imposition of new tariffs for 90 days as the world’s 2 largest economies negotiate a […]
Mexico’s President ‘AMOL’ Vows End “rapacious” Elite Veteran leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador aka AMOL, 65 anni, took office as Mexican President Saturday, vowing to see off a “rapacious” elite in a country struggling with corruption, chronic poverty and gang violence on the doorstep of the United States. AMOL took the oath of office in […]
No Intelligence Directly Links Saudi Crown Prince to Khashoggi’s Assassination Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he has seen all the intelligence possessed by the United States on the assassination of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi and repeated that no direct evidence links Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the incident. “I have read […]
US-Saudi Arabia Alliance is Vital Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a U.S. partnership with Saudi Arabia is vital – despite the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Secretary Pompeo made his comments in a column posted Tuesday night in the WS-J. “The Trump Administration’s effort to rebuild the US-Saudi Arabia partnership is not popular in the […]
President Trump is Open to China Trade Deal Despite Impending Tariffs President Donald Trump is open to reaching a deal on US-China trade disputes over dinner on Saturday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Argentina. However, President Trump is ready to hike tariffs on Chinese imports if there is no breakthrough As of Tuesday we […]
President Trump, “BREXIT deal could mean UK cannot trade with US” BREXIT agreement could jeopardize the UK’s ability to trade with the US The country on course to crash out of the bloc with No agreement in place. The agreement blessed by the EU Sunday is a great deal for the EU The EU has frequently […]
US Shuts Down Border at San Diego’s San Ysidro Port, Migrants Attempt to Invade The Border Patrol office in San Diego announced via Twitter that pedestrian crossings have been suspended at the San Ysidro port of entry at both the East and West facilities. US agents have shot tear gas at migrants after some tried to breach fence […]
Tijuana, Mexico is in a “Humanitarian Crisis” The Mayor of Tijuana has declared a humanitarian crisis in his border city and said Friday that he has asked the United Nations for aid to deal with the approximately 5,000 Central American invading migrants who have arrived in his city. Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum said that the […]
US Housing Starts Rise, Large Scale Multi-family Development Continues US home-building rose in October on continuing multi-family housing projects, but construction of single-family homes fell for a 2nd month running, suggesting the housing market has softened as mortgage rates rise. Other details of the report published by the Commerce Department on Tuesday were also soft. Building permits declined […]
There is ‘No Specific Timeline’ for US Military to Leave Southern Border Tuesday, US military commanders declared that there is “no specific timeline for redeployment” of troops that were sent to the Southwest border, despite an Army officer’s comment that troops will be done “by Christmas.” US President Donald Trump ordered 5,800 troops to join […]
US Industrial Production Moving Higher $USO, $UGA, $USD US industry expanded in October, with manufacturing growth offsetting declines in mining and utility production. Industrial production ticked up 0.1%, the 5th straight monthly gainer, following a 0.2% advance in September and a 0.8% advance in August, the Fed reported Friday. The Fed said that recent hurricanes lowered […]
See a 10% Rally in Stocks On a Trade Deal with China $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX A positive US-China statement or a tariff pause are rising possibilities China’s Bear market is driving the settlement agreement. Investors pained by the pullback in stocks are looking toward this month’s G-20 Summit for a breakthrough on trade. […]
Banks Will Feel Pain Once Crude Oil Price Fall Below $50 bbl $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $USO, $VXX The S&P 500 gained 1.1% Thursday to snap a 5-session losing streak. US-China trade optimism and strength from tech stocks, Banks can handle the energy-linked loans they have extended just as long as Crude Oil prices don’t drop […]
Next Round of US China Tariffs on Hold Pending Settlement Talks at the G-20 $SPY China and the US are trying to reach a trade truce ahead of the G-20 meeting US stock rally on the news. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has told some industry executives that another round of tariffs on Chinese imports […]
Weakened Invading Migrant Groups Arrive at US Southern Border Invading migrants from Central Americans have reached the US southern border, catching rides on buses and trucks for hundreds of miles in the last leg of the journey Wednesday as the 1st groups began arriving in the border City of Tijuana. Authorities in Tijuana were struggling […]
US China Trade Talks Back On President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser said Tuesday that the United States was talking again with China on trade, calling it a “very positive” development. “Right now we’re having communications at all levels of the US and Chinese governments,” National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said in a TV […]
The Strong US Economy is Continues to Grow The strong US economy is continuing to grow at a 2.9% annualized rate in Q-4, following the latest economic data, the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s GDPNow forecast model showed on Friday. This was unchanged from the pace for Q-4 GDP Atlanta Fed’s GDP program calculated on 2 November. The nowcast […]
Iran says it is Selling all of the Crude Oil it Needs to Despite US Sanctions $OIL, $USO Tuesday, Iran said it had so far been able to sell as much Crude Oil as it needs despite US pressure, but it urged European countries opposed to US sanctions to do more to shield Iran. Monday, […]
JOLTS: Job Openings Outnumber Unemployed Americans by Over 1-M September JOLTS, or Job Openings (actual 7.009-M; prior 7.293-M) With Employers Eager to Fill Jobs, Hiring Could Stay Strong Wages, Salaries Rise by Most in Decade as US Adds 227,000 Jobs Tuesday, is a Key date on many an investor’s calendar, as the JOLTS results was […]
Invading Migrant Caravan Pushes Toward Mexico’s City 1000’s of exhausted migrants from the Central American caravan trudged along highways Monday toward Mexico City, where officials prepared a sports stadium to accommodate them as they try to reach the US border still 600 miles away. The 1st wave of more than 500 migrants spent Sunday night on […]
President Trump, “Our Military Will Use Force if Migrants Resort to Violence” Friday, US resident Donald Trump said the military will respond with force to anyone in the invading migrant caravans who attacks soldiers with rocks or other objects. At least 5,000 members of the regular US military, and as many as 15,000, are being dispatched to America’s southern border […]
President’s Trump, Xi Talk, Align, Trade Outlook Positive US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping both expressed optimism Thursday about resolving their trade disputes ahead of a meeting planned at the end of November in Argentina. President Trump said in a Tweet that trade discussions with China were “moving along nicely” and that he planned […]
Presidents Trump and Xi Set to Meet at G-20 in Argentina on Trade Issues US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet at the Group of 20 nations Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina to discuss the trade dispute between the two countries in late November. White House economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, told […]
President Trump: “Migrant Caravans a National Emergency” US President Donald Trump Monday, declaring a massive caravan of immigrants heading to the US border as a national emergency, said the US will cut off or reduce the “massive foreign aid” given to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador after they did not stop the migrants’ trip north. “I […]
F1: US Grand Prix 2018, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen Wins Spectacular Race $RACE Sunday, under a bright Texas Sun Ferrari (NYSE:RACE) kept its title hopes alive at USA Grand Prix, as Kimi Raikkonen won the race and Sebastian Vettel finished in 4th place to stop Lewis Hamilton and MercedesAMG from claiming the championships. Mr. Hamilton appeared to be on […]
US Stocks Test on Fed Rates and Global Growth Concerns $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The S&P 500 index closed just above its 200-Day MA, a Key indicator of long-term price trends. US stocks opened lower as Chinese stocks fell overnight, sparking concerns about the impact of trade tensions on China’s economy. Plus, concerns mounted […]
US Economy Now The World’s Most Competitive Again $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX America is First, Again! The last time the US topped the list was in Y 2008. US economy sits atop of the World Economic Forum’s annual global competitiveness survey for the 1st time since the Ys 2007-2009 financial crisis the Swiss body […]
Canada is the World’s Largest Legal Marijuana Marketplace Canada is now the largest country in the world with a legal national marijuana marketplace as sales began early Wednesday in Newfoundland. There is more good news for the Schedule 1 drug’s aficionados: Hours before a handful of retail outlets opened in the country’s easternmost province a […]
US Homebuilder Sentiment Up On Solid Demand October’s pickup in sentiment across the 3 sub-indexes and all 4 regions indicates the market for newly-built homes Confidence among America’s homebuilders unexpectedly rose in October, registering the 1st gainer in 5 months amid falling lumber prices and solid demand, according to a report Tuesday from the National […]
China’s Q-3 GDP Growth Lowest Since the ‘Great Recession’ An official survey confirmed that manufacturers were coming under stress. At this week’s end, global investors and policy makers will likely be given a cold hard reminder of the costs of the US-China trade dispute, with a Reuters poll predicting that China’s Q-3 growth will slow […]
F1: Ferrari’s (NYSE:RACE) Team Will Be Challenged in the Final 4 Races This Season $RACE Ferrari will attempt the impossible in final 2018 races Ferrari F1 Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene says the team will not give up on its 2018 championship hopes while mathematically still in the hunt. Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari’s mistakes at the […]
Presidents Trump and Xi to Meet Again at G-20, Trade is the Issue US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping plan to meet at the G-20 summit in Argentina in late November. On the US side, the meeting is being pushed by Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow. […]
America First Is a Winning Strategy America First is the way to go. US stock markets continue to be driven by “uniquely American” factors such as strong activity data, a central bank that’s on the path to being restrictive and foreign policy aimed at systemically important countries, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) strategists led by […]
Emerging Market Stocks’ Dive to 17 Month Lows Emerging market asset prices have been hit hard this year. The deep dive in emerging market stocks YTD is attracting some US fund managers who think they may find long-term bargains in the sell-off. Portfolio managers have been adding emerging markets stocks to their portfolios in the […]
The Top 5 US Beaches Whether you want to snorkel in crystal-clear coves, surf the biggest breaks in the US, or walk along a rocky shore, there is a super US beach for you. But with so many options, where should you begin? Dr. Beach, aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, professor and director of the Laboratory […]
“Enormous Confidence” Driving US Economic Growth “President Trump is a growth guy and he has launched a boom that nobody thought possible.” The National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow says “enormous confidence” just one of the many factors driving robust economic growth, which he does not expect to stop anytime soon. “I’ll start with the […]
US and China May Resume Trade Talks in December President Trump’s Economic adviser Larry Kudlow said a meeting could take place when policy makers meet in Buenos Aires for the G-20 meeting. Mr. Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, said at a securities industry conference in Washington that no formal plans have been made […]
The Highest Rated Burgers in the US, 1 Thru 5 There’s nothing as satisfying as a perfectly cooked, juicy hamburger. Add some cheese, bacon, onion, pickles and any other toppings your little heart desires and you’re bound to have dreams about such deliciousness. The Big Q: So just where can you find these unreal, the-stuff-that-dreams-are-made-of burger […]
US Tariffs Driving RMB Yuan South to 10 yr Lows Vs USD $USDCNY (onshore): -0.29% to 6.868 $USDCNH (offshore): -0.09% to 6.879 Golden Week begins on 1 October With little prospect of a restart for US-China trade talks, we expect an escalation in tensions that will see higher American tariffs on all Chinese imports, sending […]
FLASH: Canada Has Agreed to Join The Trump Free Trade Deal Canada has agreed to join the trade deal that the US and Mexico announced last month which preserves the 3-country format of NAFTA and delivers a major win for The Trump Administration. Midnight Deadline Loomed for Canada in Free Trade Talks The US, Mexico, […]
US Lighthouses, Coast to Coast Lighthouses have inspired poets, wanderers and seafarers. A lighthouse perched on a cliff, alone, shining a light out to Sea. Whether you are a fan of historic structures or just love the isolation of these cliff-side buildings, there are a good number of lighthouses strategically located along America’s shoreline. So, […]
Short-Term Recession Risks for US Are Not High $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The US economy does not face a large chance of a recession in the next 2 years and the Fed plans to keep gradually raising interest rates, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said Thursday. Asked whether the narrowing gap between short-term and long-term […]
US Home Mortgage Rates at Highest Mark in 7 Years+ Home borrowing costs will continue rising throughout the year in this strong economy Home mortgage rates in the US rose for a 5th week running, marking levels not seen in more than 7 years and are expected to continue to rise into Y 2019. The […]
Iran Does Not Want War With the US “We ask the United States of America to adhere to laws and respect national sovereignty of nations” “We do not wish to go to war with American” Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday his country doesn’t want a war with the United States and believes America will […]
Iran is the US’ “Biggest Issue We Have Right Now” Americans need to be worried about Iran, as the country is the “biggest issue we have right now,” United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley said Wednesday. “They are very involved, whether it’s Lebanon or Yemen,” she said Wednesday on TV. “They are constantly in the middle […]
The Trump Economy: Consumer Confidence Rises 18-Year High US consumer confidence rose to an 18-year high in September as households grew more upbeat about the labor market, pointing to sustained strength in the economy despite an increasingly bitter trade dispute between the US and China. While other data Tuesday showed a moderation in house price […]
NAFTA: Canada May Not Be Included in a New Trade Deal Tuesday, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that negotiators are “sort of running out of time” to include Canada in the trade deal that the US made with Mexico last month. The Trump Administration is looking to inform Congress of a plan for a […]
Google celebrated its 20th birthday Monday, marking two decades in which it has grown from simply a better way to explore the internet to a search engine so woven into daily life its name has become a verb. The company was set to mark its 20th anniversary with an event in San Francisco devoted to […]
President Trump Announces New US-SKorea Free Trade Agreement Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a new free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea that he said will be mutually beneficial. Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the United Nations, where many world leaders are gathering this week for the […]
Aurora Cannabis Plans US Stock Listing in October $ACBFF, $TLRY, $KO, $SZT Canada’s Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ABC) said Thursday it planned a US listing of its shares in October, as it looks to cash in on strong investor appetite for marijuana producers. Interest has boomed in Canada’s marijuana companies ahead of legalization of recreational cannabis […]
Islamic State’s Use of Bitcoin (BTC) May Be Over Very Soon $BTCUSD Like cash, the anonymity of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have attracted criminals and terrorists to the digital coins over recent past. That could soon all be over after the President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Marshall Billingslea, said the group will likely agree […]
Emerging Market Rout Approaching Bottom $USD, $AUD, $NZD Franklin Templeton Investments says the rout in emerging markets may be nearing a bottom, but says that there are still countries like the Philippines that will suffer. Given the uncertainty, the money manager is keeping a net neutral USD position, while making trades including shorting the Philippine […]
John Kerry ‘Actively Undermining’ US Policy on Iran Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is unloading on his Obama-era predecessor John Kerry for “actively undermining” US policy on Iran by meeting several times recently with the Iranian foreign minister, who was his main interlocutor in the Iran nuclear deal negotiations. Friday, in blunt and caustic language, […]
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 […]
Economist are Bullish on Global Growth $SPY, $MME=F, $GS,$JPM, $C, $BAC, $DB Wall Street economists are sticking with their forecasts for the global economy to enjoy its strongest growth since the start of the decade even as emerging markets wobble and trade disputes escalate. The Big Q: The reason? The Bit A: The US is […]
“China has been a ‘Serial Violator’ of WTO for Many Years” It is a good thing that China and the United States are now talking to each other on trade, but China has been a “serial violator” of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for years, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) said Thursday. “It is just not […]
US Weekly Jobless Claims Drop to 49-yr Lows The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, hitting its lowest level in 49 yrs and pointing to robust labor market conditions. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 204,000 for the week ended 8 September, the lowest […]
Forex: Optimism Ahead of US-China Trade Talks Cap USD, Support RMB Yuan $USD/CNY In New York Wednesday US Dollar (.DXY) Index finished down 0.5% at 94.75, approaching its August low (94.43). The Buck saw some slight strength in overnight trade, but a slide to lows took place after the release of a cooler than expected […]
US Household Incomes Rise for 3rd Year Running The median US household income rose for a 3rd year running in Y 2017 and the poverty rate declined further, government data showed on Wednesday. The Census Bureau says incomes for a typical household, adjusted for inflation, rose 1.8%, from $60,309 in Y 2016 to $61,372. The Census Bureau […]
Forex: USD Fell on Canada’s Alignment with President Trump on Trade $USD/CAD The US fell Wednesday in Asia as sources said Canada was ready to make a concession to the United States to resolve their talks over reworking the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). US Dollar (.DXY) Index finished littl changed at 95.19, looking to […]
Huge Tariffs on Chinese Goods Ready Now US President Donald Trump has raised the stakes on the proposition that the world will line up behind the US to take on China over trade. President Trump said Friday that he is willing to slap tariffs on an additional $267-B in Chinese goods, on top of duties […]
Big-Name Investors Dabble in Marijuana Stocks $MJ, $DEO, $STZ Shares of marijuana companies are beginning to attract a few big-name investors. Billionaire Leon Cooperman, 75 anni, chimed in on a recent earnings call for Green Thumb Industries, a Chicago-based grower and seller of medicinal cannabis that recently went public in Canada. The iconic hedge fund […]
President Trump’s Mexico Trade Deal a Look at the Future President Donald Trump has sidestepped conventional processes, protocols and procedures in trade negociations Last Monday, the US reached a preliminary trade agreement with Mexico that addresses several American grievances. A similar deal with Canada may also to be on track. These breakthroughs, combined with an easing […]
President Trump, “Canada Will be Out’ of Trade Deal Unless It’s ‘Fair’” Saturday, US President Donald Trump warned Canada that it “will be out” of a revised North American trade agreement unless it’s “fair” to the United States, and he threatened to scrap the current deal should Congress “interfere” with the negotiations. “There is no […]
Atlanta Fed’s Q-3 GDP Estimate at 4.1% The US economy is expanding at a 4.1% annualized rate in Q-3, the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s latest GDPNow forecast model showed, following the release of the advanced economic indicators from the US Census earlier this week. This was slower than the 4.6% GDP growth pace calculated by the […]
Highlights of the Michigan Sentiment Index (MSI) for August US consumer sentiment fell by less than expected in August on a positive outlook for the economy and a strong job market, a University of Michigan report showed Friday. Highlights of Michigan Sentiment (August, Final) Sentiment index decreased to a seven-month low of 96.2 (est. 95.5) […]
US Investors Buying an ETF that Tracks the Canadian Marijuana Industry $MJ, $DEO, $STZ US investors are buying into an ETF (exchange-traded fund) that tracks the Canadian marijuana industry as the country moves toward legalization and liquor producers show growing interest in selling marijuana. The US-listed $436-M ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF, (ticker MJ), has taken […]
President Trump Announces the United States-Mexico Trade Agreement The Trump Administration and Mexico have reached a preliminary accord to end the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and replace it with a deal that the administration says is more favorable to the United States. US President Donald Trump, in announcing the tentative agreement Monday at […]
US and Mexico’s Trade Negotiators Just “hours” Away From a Deal US and Mexican trade negotiators are “hours” away from squaring away bi-lateral differences on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) a Top Mexican official said Sunday. Canada on hold for a bit. Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told reporters that work with Canada, […]
New Homes Sales Slow for the 4th Month Running Sales of new US single-family homes fell in July to a 9-month low in a sign the housing market was cooling and could give less support to the overall economy. The Commerce Department said on Thursday new home sales decreased 1.7%to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of […]
US Sanctions Loom, Total (NYSE:TOT) Exits Huge Energy Project in Iran $TOT The French giant Oil & Gas Total (NYSE:TOT) company opted out, but its Chinese partner is reluctant to become the Nat Gas project’s operator. The Y 2017, $5-B contract for new development at the massive South Pars offshore Nat Gas field was the 1st […]
President Putin Talks ‘Tough’ to German Chancellor Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, as well as Iran and a nat gas pipeline project during tough talks outside Berlin that ended with no clear-cut progress. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters no agreements were reached, but […]
The Chinese Economy “looks terrible, it is collapsing” $USDCNY President Trump’s economic adviser Larry Kudlow says the Chinese economy “looks terrible.” Asked by President Donald Trump to assess China’s prospects this week at a cabinet meeting,Mr. Kudlow declared that “their economy is just heading South,” citing “the latest batch of numbers” from China’s markets. “I’m not a […]
China and the Moral Dilemma at Google Will politics beat shareholders interests? Google workers’ outrage over the notion of censoring searches to appease Chinese officials highlights the dilemma US tech companies face in accessing the lucrative market. Using technology to make the world better is a well-worn mantra in Silicon Valley, preached so strongly by […]