Stock Slide Steepens as US Q1 GDP Goes Negative

NOTE: The Morning Minutes will not be issued Thursday or Friday, they will return on Monday May 5th. Concern that the tariff war could push the US and other countries into a recession has deepened this morning after it came out that the US economy turned negative over the winter. US Q1 GDP was quite […]
Mixed Reaction to Canadian Election Results

In another sign that President Trump’s tariff and trade war is unlikely to end soon, Canada’s Liberal Party won a fourth consecutive term in office and third consecutive minority government after essentially running on a stand up to Trump platform. The opposition Conservatives, who had been leading in the polls earlier this year, gained a […]
Steady Start to a Busy Week

Coming off a quiet weekend with no new developments in the trade or Ukraine wars, equity markets are off to a mixed start. The Nikkei and Dax are up 0.4% today while the FTSE and the Hang Seng are down marginally. US index futures are down 0.2%-0.3% but recall that index futures were also down […]
US Dollar Rebounds as Talks Continue

Amid ongoing talks between the US and Russia aiming to end the Ukraine War, and conflicting stories about whether the US and China are talking tariffs or not, the US Dollar is bouncing back this morning. Gold is down 1.3%, the Yen is down 0.5%, the Euro is down 0.3%, and the Loonie is down […]
Another Rally Fades as China Stands Its Ground

The relief rally of the last two days appears to be winding down once again as hopes for a quick end to the tariff war were dashed once again. Chinese officials indicated overnight that they are not in any talks with the United States and that if the US wants to move forward, they should […]
Stocks Rally, Gold Retreats on Overnight Trump Talk

Yesterday’s big US market rally, which saw major indices soar 2.5% to 2.7%, has extended through overnight trading and into this morning where US index futures are up 1.8% to 2.8% with the NASDAQ leading the rebound. In Europe today, the Dax is up 2.4% and the FTSE is up 1.2%. In commodity action, Crude […]
Gold Approaches $3,500/oz

With no new developments related to the trade war or the Fed overnight, Gold continues to rally, gaining 1.2% this morning and trading above $3,460/oz. Silver, meanwhile, is up 0.5% and Bitcoin is up 1.5%. Commodities are also rebounding with Copper up 1.5% and Crude Oil up 1.3%. With the US 10-year treasury note yield […]
New High For Gold; Stocks Slide as Focus Turns to Earnings Reports

US index futures have resumed their retreat this morning, with the three main contracts trading down 0.9% to 1.4%. Overseas trading action has been mixed with the Dax down 0.5%, the CAC down 0.6%, the FTSE flat, the Nikkei down 1.3%, and the Hang Seng up 1.6%. Earnings season ramps up this week and recent […]
Export Regulations Drag Down Chip Stocks, Boost Gold

The Morning Minutes will not be issued on Thursday April 17, they should return on Monday April 21st. For the last several weeks, investors have been focused on tariffs as the main tool in a growing trade war between the US and other countries. Last night, the street was reminded that other measures can be […]
Stock Rally Fades as Focus Returns to Earnings

The US stock market rebound which started last week continues to show signs of slowing. Coming off of a positive Monday, this morning US index futures are down 0.3% to 0.4%. In Europe today, the Dax is up 0.5% and the FTSE is up 0.7%. Commodity action finds Copper down 1.4% and Crude Oil down […]