Markets

European stocks mixed & FTSE lower ahead of hurricane storms & North Korea tension

European stocks mixed & FTSE lower ahead of hurricane storms & North Korea tension London stocks closed lower on Friday as investors fret amid worries that North Korea might be preparing for a missile launch on Saturday to mark the celebration of its founding day. The FTSE 100 closed down …

Finance

Euro up against the dollar

Euro up against the dollar. The euro has been on a roll recently. This year it is up 15% against the US dollar and just a few months off a three year high. So far, the pound holds on to gains and is currently (08/09/19 AM) up against both the …

Markets

US tax reform by end of year?

US tax reform by end of year? How likely is it that US tax reforms will come to fruition by the end of 2017? I notice US treasury secretary has indicated that President Donald Trump’s tax reforms will be passed by congress. Is this elusive or likely? Originally US corporation …

Markets

Wall Street lifts on debt ceiling deal

Wall Street lifts on debt ceiling deal. US President Donald Trump agreed a deal to extend the debt ceiling with the Democrats. On 6th September congressional leaders and Donald Trump agreed to pass an extension of the debt limit until 15th December 2017. This came after Donald Trump threatened to …

Markets

Beige Book published on 6th September

Beige book published on 6th September 2017. But what exactly is the Beige Book? Beige Book Facts It is called The ‘Beige Book’ because its cover is the colour beige. It is a report published by the US Federal Reserve eight times a year. The report is published in advance …

Markets

US non-farm payroll data update

US non-farm payroll data update The US economy created fewer jobs than expected in August adding 156,000 (180,000 expected) still a good number though. However, the previous months figures were later revised down. The US unemployment rate has held at or close to 4.4% since April this year. Has US …

Markets

DOW Jones back close to 22000 levels

DOW Jones back close to 22000 levels – but for how long this time? The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Friday 1st September moved to just under 22000, but only just. It closed at: 21987 but with intra day highs above 22000. The NASDAQ closed at a record high of: …

Markets

NYSE closed for Labour Day

NYSE closed for Labour Day The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will be closed on Monday 4th August for US Labour Day. After this holiday its back to the grindstone as there are no more breaks until the Christmas holidays!

Markets

US Non-farm payroll data due

US Non-farm payroll data due (01/09/17) The outlook for US  inflation remains uncertain but US employment data continues to improve. Data released in the US later today will be closely watched by investors. I’ll come back to this post later.

Finance

US data reduces chance of early rate rise

US data reduces chance of early rate rise Recent data released from the Commerce Department shows US consumer spending rose less than expected in July. Inflation increased at its slowest rate since 2015. Investors expectations are that the Federal Reserve may delay raising interest rates until December 2017. Will they, …