British CPI
Coronavirus Infections Kicking into Higher Gear
October 21, 2020
The trend in new cases of Covid-19 are intensifying and becoming more dispersed in both Europe, where many governments have been compelled to reimpose restraints on social activity, and the United States where the 24-hour increase again topped 60k. Optimism has swelled that a U.S. fiscal stimulus may get passed before the election. Talks continued […] More
Greater Pessimism Surrounding Brexit, U.S.-China, and Global Growth
October 16, 2019
Investor confidence regarding the main geopolitical risks of Brexit and U.S.-Sino trade continue to flip-flop seemingly on a daily basis, often without any concrete new actions. Still no deal on Brexit has been announced with the main sticking point being the handling of Northern Ireland’s border with Ireland, and time is getting exceedingly short. Trade […] More
Fed Expected to Announce Interest Rate Cut Today But Forward Guidance Uncertain
September 18, 2019
Investors will be focused not on what actions the Fed implements today but rather on what is said about future monetary policy where FOMC voting members appear divided. Macroeconomic forecasts will be updated, and Chairman Powell will hold a press conference afterward. The dollar has been decently bid today, with gains overnight amounting to 0.4% […] More
Yield Curve Inversion Amplifies Recession Fears and Flight to Safe Assets
August 14, 2019
The 2-year Treasury note yield edged marginally above the 10-year yield for the first time in 14-1/2 years. This and a similar yield curve inversion in the U.K. happened as investors selectively fixated on weak data while ignoring some better-than-expected statistics, causing share prices to drop sharply in Europe and the United States. Losses amount […] More
Brexit Mess and Central Bank News
May 22, 2019
The latest Brexit proposal from British Prime Minister May was defeated heavily by a parliamentary vote of 432-202. That was a significantly bigger defeat than on her previous attempt. Sterling dropped to a four-month low of $1.2641. The ten-year British gilt yield slid six basis points to 1.02%, but the Ftse-100 avoided the slide experienced […] More
Three-Pronged Blow to European Confidence
May 23, 2018
Italy is poised to get a populist, anti-euro, anti-austerity, and pro-Russia governing coalition. Being the third largest economy to use the euro, this development poses an existential risk to the common European currency that is far greater than the debt problems of Greece. Ten-year sovereign debt yields rose 10 basis points today in Italy in […] More
Lessening Inflation in Europe and Some Significant Meetings
April 18, 2018
Japanese Prime Minister Abe and President Trump are meeting in Florida. CIA Director Pompeo, who has been nominated by Trump to be Secretary of State, met secretly with North Korean President Kim Jong-Un, to decide arrangements for Kim’s historical talks next month with Trump. Investors perceive lessening geopolitical tension. British CPI inflation in March fell […] More
Another Selling Wave Hits Stocks
February 13, 2018
Concern about the U.S. fiscal deficit appears to have been the catalyst for the latest drop in equities. A bill that passed the House by a vote of 240 to 186 and the Senate by 71 to 28 has been signed by President Trump, aborting a short-lived government shutdown, the second one of his administration. […] More
Dollar, Pound and Most Equities Falter as a Ton of Economic Data Got Released
November 14, 2017
The dollar rose 0.7% against sterling while posting losses overnight of 0.7% against the euro, 0.4% versus the Swiss franc, 0.2% vis-a-vis the Australian dollar, and 0.1% relative to the yen, loonie, peso and yuan. The kiwi fell 0.5%. Share prices declined 0.9% in Australia, 0.6% in Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong, and 0.5% in […] More
Mostly Firmer Dollar Tone
October 17, 2017
The dollar recorded overnight gains of 0.5% against the yuan, 0.4% versus sterling, 0.3% relative to the euro, 0.2% vis-a-vis the loonie, swissie, and peso, and 0.1% versus the yen and Australian dollar. The dollar edged 0.1% lower against the kiwi, in contrast. Inflation reports released today tended to be above expectations. Consumer prices in […] More
