stocks
May in Figures
May 30, 2015
The dollar resumed its uptrend in May following a counter-trend move in April. An exception was the yuan, which marches to a government-managed beat rather than one set by market forces. The kiwi was the weakest currency among those charted in this feature. Long-term interest rates were mixed in May, while short-term rates again barely […] More
April in Figures
April 30, 2015
There was a huge rebound in West Texas Intermediate oil prices during April, but the level at end-month was still way below where such was trading last June. Comex gold and short-term interest rates were little changed, in contrast. The dollar posted across-the-board losses in the month. After today’s sharp losses, U.S. stocks were only […] More
March and the First Quarter in Figures
March 31, 2015
Sovereign debt yields fell significantly during the first quarter of 2015. In Switzerland’s case, so did short-term interest rates. The dollar extended its rise against the euro, sterling, and commodity-sensitive monies, was steady against the yen and yuan, and fell against the Swiss franc despite a 1.9% rise in March against that currency. Dollar strength […] 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
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
March and the First Quarter in Figures
March 31, 2014
Ten-year sovereign debt yields rose slightly in most of our survey during March but still posted significant declines in the quarter. There was again almost no movement at the short end. Oil and gold prices traced directionally opposite moves against one another in both March and 1Q.The dollar fell over 3% in March against the […] More
