News
Despite risks, Fed readies for rates lift off
The minutes of the US FOMC’s December 16-17 meeting were released overnight with the language doing nothing to dispel the notion that Committee members are readying markets for a rate increase despite risks from disinflation and weak growth from abroad. On the falling...
Another day, another 3% lopped off crude
US service sector activity expanded at the slowest pace since June 2014 in December with the ISM’s PMI gauge falling to 56.2. The reading, below the 59.3 level of November and expectations for a decline to 58.0, was led by deterioration across all sub-sectors with...
Risk appetite slips as crude tumbles
An ugly session for WTI and Brent crude oil futures overnight with both registering declines in excess of 5%. Front-month WTI futures fell to as low as $49.77 with Brent faring even worse, declining over 6% to a low of $52.66. Both are now trading at the lowest level...
2014: Chinese stocks soar, Russia’s tumble
The above chart examines the percentage returns of G20 nations stock markets in 2014. To avoid the effect of currency fluctuations all are in USD-terms, not local currency. China's SSEC was top of the pops at 50.36%, Russia's MICEX the standout laggard at -50.56%....
High AUD slowly destroying Australian manufacturing
Australian manufacturing activity resumed its contraction in December following a brief momentary expansion in November with the AIG manufacturing PMI gauge slipping 3.2pts to 46.9. While numerous factors continue to contribute to the sectors decline it's clear...
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