Bitcoin Breaches $100,000

Markets, being dominated by humans can get drawn psychologically to large numbers. This year we have seen the S&P 500 blast through 5,000 and 6,000, the Dow Industrials rally through 40,000 and 45,000, the Nasdaq clear 20,000 and keep on going and Gold use $2,500 as a launch pad. Today the focus is on cryptocurrencies […]

Positive Earnings Propel Stocks Upward; ADP Payrolls Disappoint

US index futures are up 0.3% to 0.6% this morning but have been backsliding a bit as the morning has progressed. European action is mixed with the FTSE down 0.3% and the Dax up 0.6%. Commodities are mixed with Copper down 0.6% and US Crude Oil up 0.1%. Gold is down 0.3%, while Bitcoin is […]

Positive PMI and Disappointing Bank Earnings

Coming off of Monday’s mixed finish which saw the S&P 500 close at a new all-time high, the NASDAQ gain 1.0% and the Dow Industrials lose 0.3%, US index futures are pretty much flat this morning. European bourses are in the green today with the FTSE up 0.9% and the Dax up 0.2%. Currency trading […]

December Starts with the US Dollar in Rally Mode

Last week’s positive finish for US markets has carried through the weekend. Asia Pacific markets posted gains of 0.6% to 1.2% with Shanghai leading the way. In Europe this morning the Dax is up 1.1% while the FTSE is up 0.3%. US index futures are flat. The US Dollar is strong to start the week […]

November Finishes on a Quiet Note

It’s Black Friday and also the last trading day for November. US markets close at 1:00 pm EST. US traders don’t seem to want to make any waves today. US index futures are up 0.2%-0.3%. The 10-year treasury note yield has slipped back under 4.25%. European markets are mixed with the FTSE down 0.1% and […]

Global Markets Bounce Back in US Holiday Trading

Although US markets declined heading into the Thanksgiving/Black Friday holiday weekend with declines of 0.3% to 0.6% yesterday, stock markets around the world have been bouncing back this morning. In Europe, the Dax is up 0.7% as German consumer prices showed inflation pressures continue ease, and the FTSE is up 0.1%. Canadian TSX index futures […]

US Dollar Retreats on Getaway Day

It’s the morning before US Thanksgiving which usually means the heavy hitters are likely getting ready to head home for the holidays around midday and not return until Monday once they are done with turkey, football and shopping. Ahead of the US holiday, there are a number of economic reports out this morning. Durable goods […]

Canada and Cryptos Get Crushed in Trump Tariff Trading

One of the biggest lessons I have learned in my decades as a market analyst and my studies of market and economic history is that markets hate tariffs, markets despise tariffs. Tarriffs dump sand in the gears of the global economy and markets hate them. Hopes that Treasury Secretary nominee Bessent could potentially soften rhetoric […]

Strong Start to a Short Week

Equity markets are off to a positive start this week with US index futures up 0.5%-0.7%, building on overseas gains of 0.4% for both the FTSE and Dax and 1.3% for the Nikkei. The Ukraine conflict didn’t worsen over the weekend and investors appear to be pleased with incoming President Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary. […]

Mind The Gap as Retailing Moves Into the Spotlight

Retailer Gap looks to be heading for a big day with a gain of 19.4% premarket adding to yesterday’s 6.9% advance. Earnings per share crushed expectations ($0.72 vs street $0.58). Management indicated the holiday quarter is off to a strong start and raised guidance. On the other hand, Intuit is down 2.8% premarket despite an […]