Stocks Rally, Gold Retreats on Overnight Trump Talk

Yesterday’s big US market rally, which saw major indices soar 2.5% to 2.7%, has extended through overnight trading and into this morning where US index futures are up 1.8% to 2.8% with the NASDAQ leading the rebound. In Europe today, the Dax is up 2.4% and the FTSE is up 1.2%. In commodity action, Crude […]

Gold Approaches $3,500/oz

With no new developments related to the trade war or the Fed overnight, Gold continues to rally, gaining 1.2% this morning and trading above $3,460/oz. Silver, meanwhile, is up 0.5% and Bitcoin is up 1.5%. Commodities are also rebounding with Copper up 1.5% and Crude Oil up 1.3%. With the US 10-year treasury note yield […]

New High For Gold; Stocks Slide as Focus Turns to Earnings Reports

US index futures have resumed their retreat this morning, with the three main contracts trading down 0.9% to 1.4%. Overseas trading action has been mixed with the Dax down 0.5%, the CAC down 0.6%, the FTSE flat, the Nikkei down 1.3%, and the Hang Seng up 1.6%. Earnings season ramps up this week and recent […]

Export Regulations Drag Down Chip Stocks, Boost Gold

The Morning Minutes will not be issued on Thursday April 17, they should return on Monday April 21st. For the last several weeks, investors have been focused on tariffs as the main tool in a growing trade war between the US and other countries. Last night, the street was reminded that other measures can be […]

Stock Rally Fades as Focus Returns to Earnings

The US stock market rebound which started last week continues to show signs of slowing. Coming off of a positive Monday, this morning US index futures are down 0.3% to 0.4%. In Europe today, the Dax is up 0.5% and the FTSE is up 0.7%. Commodity action finds Copper down 1.4% and Crude Oil down […]

Easing Technology Tariffs Sends Stocks Soaring

A shortened trading week has kicked off with stock markets around the world rallying in hope that the tariff war may ease. Over the weekend, the White House announced that it is removing technology (smartphones, computers, semiconductors, memory devices and more) from the reciprocal tariff program, as it prepares a separate technology tariff program to […]

Focus of Volatility Shifts to the US Dollar, Earnings Season Starts

The extreme volatility that has shaken equity markets since the start of this month appears to be subsiding for the moment. Overseas trading overnight has been mixed with the Nikkei down 3.0%, the Hang Seng up 1.1%, the Dax down 1.3% and the FTSE up 0.5%. In trade war news, China increased its retaliatory tariffs […]

Stock Rally Fades as Investors Await Friday’s Earnings Season Start

Yesterday’s decision by President Trump to postpone reciprocal tariffs on countries who agree to not fight back and come to the bargaining table continues to send shockwaves through world markets. Following on from one of the strongest single days in US history where the S&P 500 gained 9.5% and the NASDAQ soared 12.1%, the Nikkei […]

Unusual Action in Bonds and Currencies as the Trade War Escalates

The growing trade war, especially between the US and China, continues to escalate. President Trump’s tariffs went into effect overnight, and this morning China announced new retaliatory tariffs against the US, raising their tariff on US goods to 84% from 34%. Growing concern about the potential impact of tariffs on the world economy has put […]

World Markets Bounce Back

We now appear to be moving into a new phase of market reaction to the external shock of President Trump following through on his tariff threats last week. Following Thursday’s initial negative response, Friday’s panic selloff, and Monday’s stabilization, today we have a big bounce underway with short sellers taking profits and bargain hunters stepping […]