Stocks climb on news that U.S. and China talking again on trade
It's certainly a long way from here to an agreement on trade between the United States and China, but news that the two sides are talking again has boosted stocks in New York. After all, there can't be any agreement if the two sides aren't talking and without some...
U.S. dollar continues to climb, creating downdraft for emerging markets and oil, and supporting Treasuries
The U.S. Dollar Spot Index (DXY) is up again today, climbing 0.66% to 97.053. Since the index that tracks the dollar against six other major trading currencies bottomed for 2018 back on February 15, the dollar has gained 8.72%. The bulk of those gains are even more...
Optimism on China trade talks drives U.S. stocks higher
This morning at least a tweet from President Donald Trump is the most important factor moving U.S. stocks higher. In his tweet President Trump said he had had a productive conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade. "Those discussions are moving along...
China’s economy slows; China’s stocks gain
It's only confusing if you don't know the relationship between growth in the Chinese economy and gains in the Chinese stock market. News overnight on Monday had the official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropping down to 50.2 in October, the lowest since July 2016...
U.S. Treasury borrowing to double in 2018 to $1.34 trillion.
Amazing what important financial news can get pushed off the front page these days. On Monday the drop of even more U.S. indexes into correction territory and reports that the White House was teeing up new tariffs on another $250 billion in Chinese goods pushed truly...
U.S. stocks gently slide but VIX “fear index” continues retreat
If the market were inclined to sell off today, it could have found plenty of reasons. Under the heading of one-off scary stuff, I'd put: Continued tensions between the Saudis and just about everyone else over allegations--which look to be true--that the Saudi...
International Monetary Fund cuts global growth estimates
Just what we need: More worries about global growth. Last night the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its forecast for global economic growth to 3.7% in 2018 and 2019. In its last forecast three months ago the IMF had projected that the global economy would grow...
Markets decide they have nothing to fear except Treasury auctions, Italian budget, and U.S.-China trade war
Actually, considering the list of fears today, it's kind of remarkable that the U.S. stock market hasn't fallen farther. (The U.S. bond market is closed for the Columbus Day holiday.) In the EuroZone the confrontation between the Italian government and the European...
Dollar fundamentals continue to erode
I don't think there's anything more important to financial markets--well, assuming we don't get some kind of completely off-the-wall black swan event--over the next three months or so than the strength or weakness of the dollar. My judgment on trends in the greenback...
Fed raises interest rates, locks in December increase, signals 3 moves in 2019
No surprise on a September interest rate increase from the Federal Reserve today--but some very aggressive signals on policy into 2019. The 25 basis point increase today raised the Fed Funds rate to a target of 2% to 2.25%. The economy remains solid; job growth has...
Special Report: 10 picks for the coming 19% to 44% emerging markets bounce–plus BONUS ETF PORTFOLIO allocations
Part 1: Getting ready for an emerging markets bounce All the portents (You know, sightings of white seabirds on the left as the king rides to the hunt, the witches of Endor issuing a "buy"call, strange voices in the darkest night near the swamps of the dead behind...Jim’s Stock Alerts
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