Putin
Fresh Distractions
December 18, 2014
The Yellen press conference gave reassurance to a market unsure of the direction of Fed policy, and it triggered strong gains in stocks and the dollar plus a rebound in long-term interest rates. But now the market has moved on to new distractions. The Swiss National Bank at an unscheduled meeting and just a week […] More
Persistent Fears about Ukraine Crisis Weaken Equities
May 7, 2014
Investors are tired of the America’s speak-loudly-but-carry-a-small-stick approach to the Ukraine crisis and other geopolitical hotspots, and frustration has been vented on equities, which also have been hurt by uninspiring corporate earnings this season. Japan’s Nikkei tumbled 2.9%. Equity losses elsewhere amount to 1.1% in Hong Kong, 1.0% in South Korea and Italy, 0.9% in […] More
European Equity Blues
April 8, 2014
Russian President Putin is at it again, accusing Ukraine of fomenting civil war in its eastern regions and apparently moving toward annexation of more Ukrainian territory into the Russian orbit of influence. Geopolitical risk depressed stocks in Europe by a further 1.6% in Spain, 1.4% in Italy, 0.9% in France and Britain and 0.8% in […] More
