Due to travel commitments, this week’s Bites is a shortened version without the usual charts. Global week in review It was a fairly quiet week in global financial markets despite simmering concerns over the Israel-Iran conflict. Markets were on tenterhooks, wondering whether US President Donald Trump …

Global markets  Global stocks were generally edging higher last week before Israel’s attack on Iran caused an understandable sell-off on Friday.  Israel-Iran conflict appears contained My early thoughts on the Israel-Iran tit-for-tat remain the same. Markets won’t much care if they keep exchanging missiles, provided it does not …

Global markets  Global stocks rebounded last week, helped by a bounce in US consumer confidence as well as US President Trump’s decision to delay a 50% tariff on European imports. Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff saga continues Markets were whipsawed again last week after US President Trump threatened to …

Global markets  Global stocks pulled back last week, likely reflecting some profit-taking after recent strong gains. But there are also concerns around US debt levels and Trump’s renewed tariff threats. Market jitters return The passing of a budget bill by the US House of Representatives mid-last week was …

Global markets  Global stocks rebounded sharply last week after the US and China agreed to temporarily lower tariffs for 90 days while trade negotiations continue. US-China trade deal Investors breathed a sigh of relief after it became clear that the outcome of the weekend US-China trade talks exceeded …

Global markets  Global stocks pulled back last week after several weeks of strong gains. Some impatience is emerging around the timing of US trade deals.  US-UK trade deal Global markets opened last week on a nervous note. Reports suggested that US President Trump will personally set tariff levels. This means …

Global markets  Global stocks continued their rebound last week, driven by robust US economic data and renewed hopes for an easing in US-China trade tensions. Despite anecdotal reports of potential economic disruptions from Trump’s tariff hikes, last week’s wave of economic data pointed to a slowing (but …

Global markets  Global stocks rebounded last week, driven by hopes that President Trump may reduce the 145% tariff imposed on China. Over the last fortnight, financial markets have been driven by shifts in President Trump’s economic policies. Threats like tariff hikes and intentional meddling with the Federal …

Global markets Global stocks staged a solid bounce back last week from deeply oversold levels (at least in the short term), following US President Trump’s decision to pause the impost of high reciprocal tariffs for 90 days. Instead, all countries would face a minimum tariff …

Global markets Global markets slumped last week, reflecting the much higher than expected suite of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ announced by US President Trump. Markets are now pricing in the very real chance of a US recession unless either Trump relents or the Fed steps in some time …