bonds
February in Figures
February 28, 2015
The short month of February lacked a consistent story to tie around different asset market classes. Share prices appreciated across the board, but the dollar underwent mixed and rather diverse changes ranging from a 3.8% rise against the Swiss franc to a similarly-sized depreciation versus the New Zealand dollar. U.S. and British long-term interest rates […] More
January in Figures
January 30, 2015
2014 got off to an extraordinarily volatile start in the marketplace, with huge declines in long-term interest rates, big gains in the yen and dollar, wide swings in equities not all in the same direction, a 9.4% drop in oil prices, and a recovery of 8.0% in the price of gold. The month saw huge […] More
December and 2014 in Figures
January 4, 2015
Substantial declines were posted in 10-year sovereign debt yields both in December and in calendar 2014. British share prices stagnated, but other equity markets performed very well. The three-month eurilibor interest rate fell 21 basis points last year, and Swiss short-term rates moved below zero. The dollar experienced once of its best years, posting similar […] More
November in Figures
November 29, 2014
In November, long-term interest rates fell sharply, and oil prices plunged nearly 20%. Most equity markets but not Germany’s appreciated, and so did the dollar against most other currencies. Gold closed little changed on balance. 10-Yr Yield 10/31/14 10/31/14 Chg vs End-Oct U.S. 2.33% 2.16 -17 Basis Points Germany 084% 0.70% -14 Japan 0.45% 0.41% […] More
October in Review
November 2, 2014
Most long-term interest rates declined in October. Little change in three-month interest rates masked a widening polarization of monetary policies, as the Fed ended quantitative easing, the Bank of Japan augmented quantitative stimulus, and ECB officials remained publicly divided over whether to stimulate further and how to do so. The dollar strengthened most sharply against […] More
August in Figures
August 30, 2014
Long-term interest rates fell substantially in August. Stock markets, with the notable exception of Japan, recorded gains, and the U.S. performance was the best in a half year. The dollar rose against the euro, Swissie, sterling, yen and kiwi but fell marginally against the loonie, yuan and Australian dollar. Short-term interest rates were narrowly mixed […] More
July in Figures
July 31, 2014
Like an Olympic bicycle racing event, most of the financial market action in July happened at the end of the race. For the month as a whole, the dollar mostly rose, while share prices, commodities and bond yields mostly fell. None of the dollar’s year-to-date movements exceeded +/- 4.0%. 10-Yr Yield 07/02/14 Chg vs End-2Q […] More
May in Figures
May 31, 2014
Stock markets in May took a more optimistic view of growth prospects than did bond investors, making May the unusual month in which both asset classes improved. Short-term interest rates remained anchored at very low levels. The euro lost strength on speculation that the ECB will ease policy significantly in June. From a monthly high […] More
April in Figures
April 30, 2014
Long-term bond yields fell in April but not as sharply as they had in March. Short-term interest rates remained extremely low, anchored by zero- or near-zero central bank policy rates. Net dollar movements in the month were comparatively limited and directionally mixed. The yen and pound were the strongest monies in the month. The Nasdaq […] More
February in Figures
February 28, 2014
February was a very different month from January in several market respects. In January, the dollar mostly rose, while equities declined for the most part. Both trends reversed in February. Net movement in ten-year sovereign debt yields this past month were insignificant is size in contrast to their substantial declines in January. West Texas Intermediate […] More
