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 […]

Stocks Start To Retreat Amid Monetary and Currency Developments

It has been a very mixed morning for trading among equity markets around the world. Asia Pacific indices rendered a split decision with the Nikkei climbing 0.6% back up above 40,000, while the Hang Seng dropped 1.25%. In Europe today, the Dax is up 0.1% while the FTSE is down 0.2%. US index futures are […]

China Rate Cut and First Retailer Earnings

Investors looking for central banks to start cutting interest rates got their wish overnight as China cut its 5-year loan rate by 0.25% to 3.95%, and several banks stepped in to shore up currency trading. While this news helped Hong Kong and Shanghai to bounce 0.4%-0.6%, the broader impact has been decidedly bearish. It appears […]