Geopolitical Journal: November 26
Geopolitical Headlines Iran Negotiators between key global powers and the Islamic republic of Iran were not able to agree to a deal or the framework for an agreement by the November 24th deadline negotiators had set. While both sides agreed to an extension of...
On the Rising Dollar, Crowded Trades, and Market Prospects: The Background to the 2015 Season
We have entered an era where currency values may move markets into uncharted territory. At the same time complacency and the fact that investments are driven by central banks’ moves, has created an atmosphere where investment activity is more reactive rather than...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action The stock markets in the U.S. experienced another uplifting week thanks to positive internal data as well as a wave of monetary support offered by authorities in China and Europe. Core inflation levels inched closer to targets set by the Federal Reserve...
Derailing Market Optimism: Where is the Engine of Growth?
When we compare equity and oil markets over the course of the last four years it is easy to see that markets in the US are reaching record highs while oil prices are reaching record lows. Obviously, the Fed’s intervention has been a catalyst for the markets’...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Markets were relatively calm across al asset classes this week in the U.S. Earnings season continues to support a positive tone to equity markets as roughly three quarters of firms have reported bottom lines above estimates. Asian markets rose in the...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action U.S. markets continued their move up this week as the jobs report released Friday and other data confirm consolidating economic growth. Earnings data from the third quarter has come in largely beating expectations, lifting stocks. Europe continues to...
Searching for Escape in the Middle of Black Holes: On the Balkanization of the Markets
Searching for Escape in the Middle of Black Holes: On the Balkanization of the Markets Let’s start with defining the terms used in this commentary. A black hole is created when massive stars collapse. Once it is formed it keeps growing by absorbing mass from its...
A Review of the Most Important Global Events in October by Monthly Barometer
The IMF meeting earlier this month was in somber mood. In the words of its managing director, Christine Lagarde, the global economic recovery is “brittle, uneven and beset by risks”. This suggests that the idea that global growth will be structurally low and...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Stock markets in the U.S. continued their surge over the past five days. An overall good earnings season and economic data pointing to a growing economy and stronger consumer buoyed markets. A surprise expansion of the Bank of Japan’s balance sheet on...
The Tranquility of a Chaotic Disequilibrium: Alexander’s Feast and the Risks of Divorcing Credit from Liquidity
The results of the EU-wide stress tests on banks are out. The EU banks seem to celebrate that all is well. Catastrophe was avoided. The capital that some of them would need to raise seem to be so low that a celebratory tone is raised in the sky. Tranquility needs a...
