Asian markets went from strength to strength today after a disappointing opening. The Nikkei initially saw selling pushing the index down over 100 points but turned on data and a no-change BOJ announcement. Exporters have been hit recently having seen the JPY dismiss the 105 handle and especially as we see the currency play with […]

Having rejected the 17k level in the Nikkei we witnessed a powerful opening which never looked back. Complementing the surge was a weak JPY which very much looked as though it could have a 105 handle at one stage. Given the renewed currency weakness it was exporters that led the way with Panasonic, Mitsui Mining […]

QUESTION: Mr. Armstrong; You have said that the only way to reverse the deflation is to raise interest rates not lower them. I understand that the low rates only reduce the cost of funds for banks, but it hallows-out savings and pensions. Has anyone listened to you and tried the opposite trend to raise interest […]

It was all happening in Asia overnight with typhoons, earthquakes and a six year low fix for the on-shore Yuan. The PSX (Philippine index) was lower by 0.8% in late trading as the winds struck whilst Tokyo suffered the quake which many say was the result for the Nikkei weakness and the Yens strength. Hang […]

Asian markets traded better on the heels of last nights presidential debate following the firm US closes with Japan especially strong climbing 1.4%. The Nikkei is now trading at the highest levels since April and the JPY looks to have rejected the attempts to regain the par level. Shanghai and Hang Seng were little changed as most awaited […]

The Nikkei opened on a wobble but after the first couple of hours progressed steadily to close up +0.3% on the day. As JPY found the renewed bid, and even in late trading, the Yen was knocking on the 102 handle as futures trades close to unchanged. Shanghai also found comfort with Q3 GDP reporting […]

What appeared to be an uncertain start turned into smiles and hugs all around. The Nikkei opened unchanged and drifted into the red for a short time until the weaker JPY helped exporters and even late in US trading remains above the 104 handle. Shanghai also went from strength to strength and the Yuan continues […]

Another weak session for the Nikkei despite a brief run at the psychological 17k mark just ahead of lunch. However, it wasn’t to be and the sentiment from a weak US session finally penetrated what euphoria there was and eventually saw the Nikkei close around 1% lower on the day. In mainland China the Peoples […]

Japan finished on a strong note but it was a disastrous opening (following oil) that it had to spend the rest of the day recovering from but a near 1% better close certainly helped confidence into European trading. Shanghai opened well and continued strongly, eventually closing +1,4% firmer. However, the Hang Seng was anything but […]

If there was ever any question that this is a bond bubble with a 5,000-year low in interest rates, the final bit of insanity just took place. Italy managed to sell its first 50-year bond last week as investors were betting that the European Central Bank might soon add ultra-long debt to its asset-purchase stimulus […]