The Obama Administration’s strategy regarding Russia and foreign affairs has been a total disaster. They have remarkably brought back the Cold War and placed the world at risk, all for their power plays that American citizens ignore. This issue in Syria illustrates how once politicians make a mistake, they will never admit it, nor will […]

On Sunday, we saw the release of some weak Chinese data (exports fell 6.9% whilst imports 18.8%) resulting in a high trade surplus of $61.64bn. The Shanghai Index closed Monday with a strong gains (+57pts +1.6%). The Nikkei also performed well in Tokyo (+377pts +1.96%) although given the slight reversal in the currency, the futures market in the […]

The ECB does not reveal in detail its QE and most people have no idea that its asset-backed securities (ABS) and covered-bond purchases are actually carried out by private asset managers: ING Investment Management, Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management International, State Street Global Advisors, and Amundi. These asset managers intervene into markets on orders by the […]

We tend to judge far too much by our own times. What cannot be overlooked is the lack of mathematics following the Dark Ages. When numbers were Roman numerals, calculation and bookkeeping were not supportive of international accounting. Interestingly enough, as pornography enabled video streaming, it was gambling that gave birth to mathematics. Vices often […]

The huge difference between the USA and Europe happens to center on the criminal trial of Sir Walter Raleigh. After the death of Queen Elizabeth on March 23, 1603, Raleigh was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London within months on the 19th of July. Raleigh was tried in the Great Hall of Winchester Castle […]

Merkel’s refugee policy has really divided Europe, no less her own country. This issue appears staged to bring about her downfall. It was 17 days ahead of the ECM turning point on September 13 (2 x 8.6) when Merkel reimposed border controls; the cornerstone of Europe was to be the freedom of movement. She has […]

Last February, we warned that the Schengen Agreement, which allows the freedom of movement within Europe, would come to an end. This crazy idea of allowing millions of refugees from a completely different culture to enter Europe will be its undoing. The suspension of Schengen by Germany is the beginning of the end.

Asian equity markets were strong ahead of the US data with the Nikkei closing a promising week up 150pts (+0.8%) and Shanghai up 66pts (+1.9%). Worth noting this evening is that the Nikkei futures have built upon today’s cash gains and are currently up an additional 190pts at 19,480 (+1%). Europe failed to participate following the […]

Asia saw good performances from both the Nikkei and Shanghai but it did not extend to the Hang Seng. The BOJ helped sentiment (with some friendly minutes) which finally saw a closing for the Nikkei through the 19k level (+1%). European equities did initially have strength as Retail Sales at 2.9% was better than last […]

Reuters has reported that Yellen told a House of Representatives committee when testifying before Congress: “Potentially anything – including negative interest rates – would be on the table. But we would have to study carefully how they would work here in the U.S. context.” Yellen may have been placating Congress, for negative rates would wipe out the […]