Bassanese Bites: Off Again On Again – December 9 2019
Global equities got off to a poor start last week thanks to Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on (small fry) Brazil and Argentina, a weaker than expected US manufacturing survey and – most critically of all – reports that Trump was relaxed about not …
Bassanese Bites: RBA to cut to 0.25% – December 2 2019
Wall Street hit new record highs last week with investors remaining ever hopeful of a trade deal. On that score, the latest titbit of information was China’s pledge to tighten protections for intellectual property. That said, we’re still in a waiting game – …
Bassanese Bites: Mixed Signals – November 25 2019
Mixed signals with respect to progress in US-China trade talks saw global equities and bond yields ease back last week. Otherwise there was relatively little to focus on, apart from the fact the Markit US service and manufacturing indices were a bit better …
Bassanese Bites: QE is coming – November 18 2019
Global markets are currently enjoying a “no news is good news period” – ever hopeful that a US-China trade deal will get done, and no news to the contrary is encouraging as it suggests both parties are still at least talking. What we don’t want is …
Bassanese Bites: $A heading to US62c – November 11 2019
Global equities continued to rally last week, buoyed by ongoing hopes that the US and China will eventually conclude a trade deal – despite some uncertainty over whether existing tariffs will be rolled back or not. Despite his bluster that “China wants a trade deal …
Bassanese Bites: Blue sky – November 04 2019
It was yet another positive week for global stocks, with the S&P 500 reaching new record highs. Ongoing optimism with regard to US-China trade talks, a good US earnings reporting season, and signs of stabilisation in global manufacturing were all contributing factors. Even …
Bassanese Bites: CPI Ahead – October 28 2019
Global stocks rose for the third week in a row, reflecting another (so far) better than feared US earnings season, tentative signs of stabilisation in global manufacturing and “no news is good news” progress in US-China trade talks. As regards the Q3 US earnings reporting season, …
Bassanese Bites: Cautious optimism – October 21 2019
Global equities ground higher again last week reflecting ongoing hopes with regard to US-China trade discussions, encouraging US earnings reports, and a new UK-EU Brexit deal. The S&P 500 is only 1.3% away from a new record high! Both the US and China are now focused …
Bassanese Bites: Peace in our time? – October 14 2019
Hopes and fears regarding a possible US-China trade deal pervaded global markets for much of last week and the tentative agreement struck on Friday was greeted with restrained relief. The S&P 500 bounced 1% on Friday to be up 0.6% over the week. …
Bassanese Bites: On the brink – October 8 2019
Last week provided further tangible signs that the trade-induced slowdown in the global economy was finally filtering through to the United States, which seemingly should make US President Trump more prepared to strike a deal with China sometime soon. Adding to the trade angst last …