Fear Subsides on Reports of Iran Talks

Amid reports of potential talks between European leaders and Iran, and the White House suggesting that the US may take a couple of weeks to decide whether to launch an attack against Iran, investors appear to be dialling down their defensive postures. The price of Brent Crude Oil is down 3.2% this morning while Gold […]

US Political Woes Weigh on Wall Street

For much of this year, market movements have been driven by international political developments, particularly trade and tariff tensions between the US and other major economies. This week, however, the focus has shifted to domestic politics, as attention turns to the White House’s tax and spending bill currently moving through Congress. Concerns that the bill […]

Gold Rebounds as US Dollar Retreat Continues

Moody’s downgrade of its US credit rating last weekend continues to impact bond and currency trading. The USD remains in retreat today enabling Gold to rally 0.8% and regain $3,300/oz. Meanwhile, other major currencies, including the Loonie, Pound, Euro, Aussie and Yen, are up 0.2%-0.6% today. Commodities are also rallying with Copper up 1.2% and […]

Stocks Backslide Amid Mixed Earnings and Economic Numbers

Thursday morning finds stock markets around the world slipping as their recent rally fades. US index futures are down 0.4% to 0.7%, while in Europe, the DAX is down 0.1% and the FTSE is up 0.2%. Overnight, the Hang Seng lost 0.8% and the Nikkei fell 1.0%. The US 10-year Treasury yield is steady near […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Shaky Start to a Big Week for World Markets

The first day of the new trading week, which is also the last trading day of the month and the quarter, finds stock markets around the world under heavy selling pressure. Overnight, the Nikkei plunged 4.0%, while the Hang Seng fell 1.3%. European trading finds the Dax and CAC both down 2.0%, with the FTSE […]

Stocks Rally on Softer Tariff Speculation

The twists and turns of tariff talks which change from day to day and sometimes even hour to hour have had markets on a roller coaster ride for weeks now. President Trump has been going around calling April 2, the day he plans to roll out reciprocal tariffs against pretty much everyone, “Liberation Day”. Meanwhile, […]

Stocks Retreat as Investors Digest Central Bank News

Yesterday afternoon’s relief rally which pushed US indices to gains of 0.9% to 1.4% has evaporated overnight. This morning finds US index futures down 0.4%-0.6%, while in Europe, the Dax is down 1.5% and the FTSE is down 0.3%. The US Dollar is rallying today, gaining 1.1% against the Australian Dollar, 0.6% against the Euro […]