Bassanese Bites: Sweet spot – April 19 2021
Global markets Another week, another rise in global equities it seems – helped on by ongoing solid economic growth and, most recently, a reassuring pullback in global bond yields. Indeed, last week’s much anticipated U.S. consumer price index report came and went without a murmur from …
Bassanese Bites: Yields stabilise – April 12 2021
Solid U.S. economic growth indicators, along with dovish Fed comments, continued to support global equities last week – helped by a further stabilisation in bond yields despite simmering U.S. inflation concerns. The U.S. ISM service sector index soared to 63.7 in March (from a …
Bassanese Bites: USA! USA! – April 06 2021
Global equities pushed on to new record highs last week as bond yields remained relatively well contained despite ongoing strong U.S. economic news. After harsh winter weather held back sections of the economy in February, early March U.S. economic data has been blisteringly strong. The …
Bassanese Bites: Rates relief – March 29 2021
Global markets Despite new lockdowns in Germany, risk-on sentiment improved last week thanks to a stablisation in bond yields, U.S. inflation relief, further progress in the U.S. vaccine rollout, and new freedoms for U.S. banks to pay dividends and buy back stock. U.S. Fed chair Powell spoke …
Bassanese Bites: The dot plot thickens – March 22 2021
Global markets Global equities wilted under under the onslaught of further bond yield increases last week, with the Federal Reserve opting not to respond with bond supportive policy measures in last week’s meeting. Indeed, under pressure from Democrats not to water down banking regulation, the Fed …
Bassanese Bites: Dot plot showdown – March 15 2021
Global markets Global equities managed to shrug off further upward pressure on bond yields last week, as the combination of strong economic growth yet tame inflation results buffeted investors. The S&P 500 Index rose 2.6% even as U.S. 10-year bond yields lifted 6 basis points to 1.63%. …
Bassanese Bites: Bond watch – March 08 2021
Global markets Global equities managed to end last week in positive territory, despite a further lift in bond yields. Although markets were initially disappointed that Fed chair Powell did not promise to do more to stem the rise in yields, investors finally concluded after the …
Bassanese Bites: Good news is bad news – March 01 2021
Global markets The ‘bloodbath’ in global bond markets continued last week, with U.S. 10-year bond yields ending the week up another 7bps to 1.41%. A poorly supported U.S. 7-year Treasury bond auction appeared to be the catalyst for last week’s further yield gain, with assurances from …
Bassanese Bites: Bond blues – February 22 2021
Global markets The rise and rise in global bond yields in recent weeks – on the back of rising raw material and wholesale price pressures – finally got noticed by hard-charging equity markets last week, though at this stage the yield impact is a glancing blow …
Bassanese Bites: Inflation Watch – February 15 2021
Global markets Global equities continued to grind higher last week in the absence of bad news. Biden’s massive U.S. fiscal stimulus package remains the ‘gift that keeps on giving’ as it slowly winds it way through Congress and gives equity bulls something positive to talk about …