Category: Blog

Investors remain buoyant after the weekend trade deal between the US and Europe, which sees the imposition of 15% punitive measures on European goods following the same measures introduced on Japan. Steel and aluminium tariffs remain at 50%. Trade talks between the US and China resume today, and the August 12 deadline is expected to…

Economy Update Bourses are mixed after yet another all-time high in Nasdaq and S&P yesterday. Many believe that an EU trade deal will happen before the Aug 1 deadline, India has expressed a desire to do so, which keeps bulls in the driving seat. The lower jobless claims aided the US bourses, but the docket…

Economy Update Bourses have a positive bias inherited from yesterday’s move. Alphabet shares pushed on by 3.0% in pre-market as revenue grew 14% YoY, but Tesla shares fall 6% as Musk admits there could be a "few rough quarters". Trade talks drown out much as US/EU deal looks set to go to the wire although…

Economy Update US and Japan agree upon a 15% tariff, which is down from the threatened August 1st 25%. Japan also agrees $550m investment into US, but there is no change for aluminium and steel. Because a quarter of Japan’s exports to the US are made up of cars, Honda and Toyota surge by nearly…

Economy Update APAC remains mixed over the morning session, with Europeans weaker along with a small US futures drift after the record highs of S&P and Nasdaq yesterday. Yesterday’s US buyers pre-empting Alphabet results on Wednesday gave most mega caps a boost with S&P getting very comfortable above 6k again. The EU appears to be…

There has been little reaction from Japan’s election where PM Ishiba’s majority is eroded as local markets are closed. Little movement seen in APAC as a whole as it deliberates on tariff deals again. US mulls a 15% or higher baseline levy on EU, despite Trade Secretary Lutnick saying a deal can still be made.…

Economy update Stocks remain bid after yesterday’s auspicious US retail sales and jobless claims data. The current seemingly solid state of the US economy makes a cut in interest rates unlikely this month. Consequently, the Fed chair will remain the subject of intense criticism from the US President, unnerving investors. June core inflation in Japan…

Economy update Consumer prices in the common currency area increased 2% in June compared to the same month of 2024. The rise was 2.4% excluding energy and unprocessed food. Financial markets are relatively calm after Trump’s assurance that he does not intend to fire the Fed chair. Japanese exports are down for the second successive…

Economy Update The US CPI noted tariff influence on prices which led to some FED comments on being patient. With PPI out today and further FEDspeak scheduled, all markets are penned. Bourses might have fallen if it were not for Nvidia likely securing licences to export to China again. As it is, APAC spent much…

Economy update A spate of mixed Chinese economic data is probably somewhat negative on balance. Its economy expanded by a forecast-beating 5.2% in 2Q. Industrial output was up 6.8% in June from the previous year but retail sales only grew by 4.8%, down from 6.4% in May. US 2Q banks’ earning will be released later…