In Brief Europe: Encouraging data now; ECB studying tapering U.S.: Inflation down; housing permits back up China: New data released; PBOC to coordinate work of new financial oversight body U.K.: Unexpected softer inflation in June LEIs: Global nominal reacceleration ending; real growth drivers needed Given the magnitude and pace of
In Brief U.S. growth continues to hum along at a moderate pace More hard evidence of European economic expansion Capacity, labor, and price pressures accruing in Japan In China government and private PMIs embody soft-landing The Brexit/politics dulled 2Q17 economic activity in the U.K. Equity markets performance was upbeat in
In Brief Momentum equity style factor is outperforming, backed by a sustained economic expansion. Oil prices entered a bear market on concerns about higher-than-anticipated global supply. Baa spreads hit fresh lows. A notable Leadership shift since Comey’s Testimony in early June: Technology price looks corrective while financials are reaccelerating. Stock
In Brief Investing with a long-time horizon and through a diversified portfolio are the best ways to batten down the hatches against volatility and avoid emotional investing errors. How should investors dampen portfolio volatility in the later stages of the business cycle? In the bond market, an inverted yield curve
In Brief A rebound in U.S. economic data strengthened the Fed’s case for a rate hike in June; the Fed outlined a plan to reduce the balance sheet. European growth surprised to the upside; data indicated that the eurozone’s recovery may be gaining momentum. The UK election resulted in a
On Oil: Prices Jump to Three-Week High on Talk of Extending Production Cuts Oil prices jumped to a three-week high on May 15. U.S. crude futures rose to $48.85 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and Brent rose to $51.82 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe. The move
China: Commodities Slump Weighs on Stocks, PMIs Losing Momentum A slump in Chinese metals prices and weakness in crude oil sent equity markets across the region lower. Oil price tumbled 3% from Thursday’s settlement in New York while trading sentiment was already weak amid fears that Beijing’s crackdown on speculation
Global stock markets rallied after a centrist candidate won the first round of France’s presidential election. French stocks and the euro both gained after Emmanuel Macron, above, and Marine Le Pen advanced in the French Presidential election. Other risky assets, such as emerging-markets currencies and junk bonds, also rallied. The
Global Markets Pressured: Gold, Yen, Bonds Gain as Investors Step Up Safety Plays Equity markets stayed under pressure on Friday, while the yen and oil prices rose sharply, after the U.S. launched cruise missiles at a Syrian air base in response to a recent chemical attack. The announcement of
On Economy Voluntary job separations continue to trend higher in the U.S., which is a healthy sign. Additionally, the NAHB housing market index hit a new cycle high in March. The Fed is picking up the pace in its quest for normalization. The central bank raised rates +25bp, putting the
Stocks Rise After Jobs Report Stocks rose Friday following February jobs report, which indicated increased hiring. The S&P 500 Index grew 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 45 points, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.4%; the S&P 500 Index recorded its first weekly decline since January 2017. The CBOE
Macro Update on Oil, U.S. Job Market, Stocks and Bonds Markets, and China On Oil: On Nov 30, 2016, oil prices rose more than 9%, as investors were hoping a deal determined by major oil-producing nations would help oil prices break out from a punishing slump, which has lasted
