Japanese retail sales
U.S. Restraints on Immigration Rattle Markets
January 30, 2017
Numerous Asian markets from China to South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong were closed for the Lunar New Year (of the Rooster). There’s been an uproar over President Trumps executive orders concerning immigration banning visitors from many Islamic countries but conspicuously not Saudi Arabia. Stocks fell 0.5% overnight in Japan, 0.9% in Australia, […] More
A Lot to Ponder in Spite of U.S. and British Holiday Closures
May 30, 2016
U.S. markets will be closed for Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summertime currency trading. London markets are shut, too, for the late May Bank holiday. At the summit of G7 leaders held in Japan, a mixed agreement was reached not to engage in competitive devaluation but also protesting excessive exchange rate volatility. Japan’s prime […] More
Dollar Marking Time Ahead of Today’s FOMC Announcement
July 29, 2015
The FOMC policy statement will be released at 18:00 GMT (14:00 EDT). There is no press conference or release of updated forecasts. No policy change is expected, but investors are unsure if the statement will provide clarifying information regarding the likelihood of a rate hike at September’s meeting. I look for vagueness on that regard, […] More
Confusion around Greek Debt Talks and a Big Drop in Chinese Stocks
May 28, 2015
Greek officials are expressing confidence a deal will be struck within three days. The IMF and other creditors warn that the sides are still far apart. Greece has been the main topic as G7 finance ministers and central bank chiefs continue to meet in Dresden, Germany. Chinese equities plummeted 6.7%, most in several months. The […] More
Several Themes Affecting Markets
April 28, 2015
Most European stock markets are lower with a notable exception of Greece. The Greek debt negotiating team was changed, but Prime Minister Tsipras made remarks that failed to signal enhanced prospects for an agreement. He implied that any deal involving more austerity may be subject to approval by a referendum of Greek voters, and he […] More
Some Good Economic News for a Change
October 28, 2014
Industrial profits in China reverted to positive on-year growth in September, albeit a gain of only 0.4%. A 0.6% decline in the year to August was negative for the first time in almost two years. Japanese retail sales increased 2.7% on month in September, three times more than forecast, and posted the largest on-year advance, […] More
Between Japanese Retail Sales and U.S. GDP this Ascension Day
May 29, 2014
A number of European markets were closed today in observance of Ascension Day. The first post-tax retail sales data in Japan were reported. Month-on-month (13.7%) and on-year declines (4.4%) were greater than forecast and the largest setbacks in three years. Large-store sales dived 6.8% between April 2013 and April 2014, as department store sales and […] More
Firmer Dollar
August 29, 2013
The dollar has benefited from the lessening imminence of U.S./UN military action against Syria. The greenback rose overnight by 0.8% against the Swiss franc, 0.6% versus the euro, 0.5% relative to the yen, 0.2% vis-a-vis the kiwi and loonie, and 0.1% against the Australian dollar and sterling. The yuan is steady. There were some sizable […] More
Monday
July 29, 2013
In a week crammed with meaningful data releases and press conferences at the FOMC and ECB, Monday was uneventful in both respects. The dollar advanced 0.6% and 0.5% against the Australian and New Zealand dollars. Otherwise, the U.S. currency rose 0.3% against sterling but fell 0.3% versus the yen, rose 0.1% against the euro but […] More
Weaker Japanese and Chinese Share Prices
March 28, 2013
Equities slumped 3.3% in China on fear of more property market curbs. Weakness was concentrated in financials. The decline occurred in spite of data showing a strong 17.2% on-year advance in Chinese corporate earnings. The Japanese Nikkei fell 1.3% on the next to last day before the end of the fiscal year. Bank of Japan […] More
