Japan Trade Deal Sparks Equity Index Rally, But Earnings Knock Down Some Stocks

With the August 1st US tariff deadline approaching, the United States has entered into a new trade deal with Japan, under which Japan will invest $550 Billion in the US, open its market to US automobiles and agricultural goods, and a 15% tariff on Japanese goods, which, in fact, represents a tariff reduction for automobiles. The […]
US Stocks Pause as Traders Digest Earnings and Await Powell Speech

With a 0.14% gain yesterday, the S&P 500 managed to eke out another record high close Monday, but Tuesday finds US index futures hitting pause and trading flat to down 0.1%. Traders appear to be waiting to see if there will be any hints in Fed Chair Powell’s speech this morning as to whether the […]
Mixed World Markets Consider Earnings and Tariffs

Global stock markets are off to a mixed start as the new trading week begins. US index futures are up 0.2%-0.3% and the Hang Seng gained 0.7% overnight. Conversely, the DAX and FTSE are down 0.1%-0.2%, Sydney lost 1.0%, and Tokyo lost 0.2%. In commodity action, Copper is up 0.5%, Crude Oil is flat, and […]
Earnings Keep Coming In Strong, Crypto Rally Continues

US index futures are flat this morning, as markets digest yesterday’s 0.50% to 0.75% gains for US indices. Overseas, Sydney hit a new all time high is it and Hong Kong both gained 1.3%. In Europe today, London is up 0.1% while and Frankfurt is down 0.2%. Several Cryptocurrencies are soaring again today after Congress […]
TACO Trade Shifts to the US Dollar

Reports that President Trump has dialled down his threats related to firing Fed Chair Powell has sparked a rally in the US Dollar, suggesting that concerns about the independence of the Fed had been weighing in the currency. Gold is down 0.9%, the Aussie is down 1.0%, the Euro, Loonie and Yen are all down […]
Mixed Reaction to Day 2 of Earnings and Inflation Reports

Wednesday morning finds US index futures divided between a 0.2% gain for Dow Futures and a 0.2% loss for NASDAQ futures. In Europe today the DAX is up 0.5% and the FTSE is up 0.3%. Energy action is mixed with Crude Oil down 1.0% following a big build of 19.1 mmbbls in US API weekly […]
Markets Digest Earnings and Inflation Numbers

US markets are climbing this morning as earnings season gets underway led by a 0.6% gain for NASDAQ futures. Dow futures, European indices including the DAX, CAC, and FTSE, and commodities like Crude Oil and Copper are all quiet this morning. In currency action, Bitcoin is down 2.4%, while Gold is up 0.2%. Economic data […]
Tariff Rollout Continues; New High for Bitcoin; Earnings Season Starts

Adding to Friday’s losses, US index futures are down 0.3%-0.4% to start the week. Over the weekend, the EU and Mexico joined the Trump tariff parade as he announced 30% tariffs as set to start on August 1st. Tariffs helped the US to record a surprise budget surplus for June so there appears to be […]
Stocks Stumble as Trump Ramps Up Tariff Threats

Last night, President Trump announced plans to launch a 35% tariff against Canada starting August 1st, sending shockwaves through world markets. Trump has also been talking about a 50% tariff against Brazil bolstering recent threats against BRICS countries and their allies. With fears growing that the EU could potentially be next on his hit list, […]
Miners and Airlines in Focus Today

Investors have responded positively to the first notable earnings report of this quarter. Delta Air Lines is up 13.5% in premarket trading after beating street expectations for EPS ($2.10 vs street $2.06), and despite cutting its guidance for the year after management indicated that travel demand has stabilized. Earnings season officially gets underway next Tuesday […]