Global Markets Wall Street pushed onward to new record highs last week as US Fed chair Powell all but assured markets there’d be a rate cut later this month.  That said, it still seems likely the Fed will only cut by 0.25% – rather than the 0.5% the market had once been been hoping for

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Global Markets Global equities enjoyed another solid week, basking in the after glow of the US-China trade “truce” announced last weekend and continued “Goldilocks” US economic reports – suggesting the economy is soft enough to justify a rate cut later this month, but not so soft as to raise fears of recession.  Bond yields were

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 The Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the cut the cash rate for the second month in a row is part of a new found aggressive “going for growth” strategy that aims to drag down the unemployment rate and push up the rate of inflation. But while seemingly a worthy goal, the RBA will likely find

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Global Markets The main development last week was the US Federal Reserve’s decision to give the market a “reality check” with regard to how far and how quickly it is likely to cut interest rates this year.  Judging by comments from Fed chair Powell, the US still seems likely to cut interest rates next month

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Global Markets Last week saw global equities extend their gains, buoyed by Trump’s confirmation that he will meet Chinese President Xi at this weekend’s G-20 gathering after all.  Also helping was the Fed’s strong hint at its policy meeting that it stands ready to cut interest rates if trade tensions unduly slow the economy and/or

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Global Markets Global equities continued to shrug off concerns with regards to US-China trade wars last week, and instead were heartened by Trump’s Mexican deal, benign inflation data and growing hopes that the Fed will soon cut interest rates.  Equities edged higher and bond yields held at low levels.  Not even the attack on oil

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Global Round Up Global equities rebounded strongly last week, reflecting ongoing hopes of a US interest rate cut and signs that US trade tensions with Mexico at least would soon be resolved.  And sure enough, Trump suspended planned tariffs on Mexico overnight following an apparent agreement to tackle illegal immigration.  Sadly, the situation with Trump’s

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Weekly Comment Global trade tensions continued to dominate market sentiment over the past week, with bond yields and equities prices dropping further.  Oil prices also fell while currencies remained steady and gold benefited from a flight to safety.  Iron-ore also continued to impress, despite the trade wars. The focus of market attention last week was

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Week in Review Trade wars continued to dominate market sentiment last week, with Trump’s latest executive order – allowing possible national security restrictions on Huawei’s US telecommunications sales – opening up a new front in the hostilities. Following a market sell-off, Trump offered a temporary Huawei reprieve one day later, and he continues to post

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