EU GDP was marginally higher, coming in at 1.7% p.a., beating expectations. The growth rate in the economically challenged economy has been difficult, to say the least, while the disparity is obvious. The powerhouse of Germany has dragged the retarded Med states away from stagnation. Germany has gained from the EUR, stimulating exports, through a…

Equity markets were static overnight, as pundits await the Non-Farm Payrolls and Employment numbers from the US, tonight. This has growing influence, as the Fed continues to talk interest rate rises, in the coming month or so. The US GDP number was totally underwhelming and the Feds, Beige Book, purported moderate economic growth. They also…

Equity markets were flat overnight and US Manufacturing PMI posted small gains. Chinese Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing PMI was also steady, with no major surprises, allowing global equities to settle. The EUR was trading just below 1.1200, ahead of tonight’s ECB rate decision, while the GBP slipped to 1.4400 as brexit polls tighten. The Feds Beige…

The long weekend enabled market analysts to consider the Feds options. Yellen has telegraphed an interest rate rise and this should come sooner, rather than later. Monetary policy is fast becoming the problem, rather than part of the solution, so Central Banks need to correct the course. Pressure has been mounting, as proof of the…

Markets were quiet, as the US celebrated the Memorial Day holiday, taking a long weekend along with the UK. This insured there was a quiet start for global markets with little in the way of economic data releases. The Yen continued to give ground, breaking above 111.00, with flat local retail sales. There has been…

Yellen confirmed that it would ‘probably be appropriate’ to raise interest rates in the near future with a proviso! The Fed have always had a pre-condition to raising rates, the global economic recovery, which has failed all benchmarks. The world has missed a complete economic cycle, since the global recession, with more to come because…

Equity markets were quiet, after recent rises, ahead of the US GDP number and Yellens address. Expectations are for Yellen to confirm improving economic conditions but leave rates unchanged until next month. Six months into the calendar year and interest rates remain on record lows. This is despite signaled rises from the Fed! The EUR…

Markets remained steady overnight, with equities holding on to gains, while the Dollar was relatively static. Markets still anticipate a Fed rate rise in the next month, supporting the rise in the reserve, while risk appetite rises. The EUR traded around 1.1150, while the JPY 110.50 and the GBP hit 1.4700. The Bank of Canada…

Equity markets were unperturbed by the prospect of tighter US monetary policy with the S&P500 up 1.3% overnight. The USD continued to rally, trading 1.1130 against the EUR and 1.4620 against the GBP. The Pound was supported by the latest poll showed that older voters, who are more likely to vote and who previously backed…

The conversation overnight was the US Fed members commentary. The Fed members from San Francisco and St Louis both had public speeches and confirmed rate rises were on the cards. San Francisco Fed President, John Williams, foresaw two or three this year and three or four in the following. Unless this guy can actually see…