by Markus

In December 2009 the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision released its consultative document “Strengthening the resilience of the banking sector“. Since then negotiations between bank lobbyists, governments and regulatory bodies are at full swing. The proposed reforms of the committee (consisting of 27 regulators and central banks) are far-reaching for all market participants. What are [...]

by Dino

The US economy expanded at a 5.7% annual rate in the last quarter of 2009, from the previous quarter, or, to be more precise, the GDP statistics recorded an annualized 5.7% increase quarter over quarter. If US GDP were a business, its marketing department would not be pleased. Already mired in a credibility crisis – [...]

by James

Markets remained choppy last week. The turn of the month always brings increased volatility, and particularly so when first glance GDP data come out, as they did last week, only to be closely followed (this week) by non-farm payrolls. As is well known by now, the GDP data surprised to the upside, but failed to [...]

by James

Summer doldrums finally kicked in with a decline in activity in the last full week of August. Developed world markets held their gains of the previous week, but failed to convincingly build on them. US treasuries firmed too, as did most emerging market equities, although China gave back 3.4%, after having recovered its poise the [...]

by James

Intraweek volatility accelerated last week, as markets fell sharply and rebounded well. The falls, earlier in the week were predominantly based on shifting sentiment, while the rebounds were based on clear data and news flow – central bankers and housing data not least among the drivers. China about-turned too. The Shanghai equity market remains extremely [...]

by Gregory

“Summer’s heating up, and so are the markets”. Indeed, The Dow before stabilizing around the 9,000 threshold jumped higher on Thursday reaching an 8 month high. This week brought sufficient data to consolidate the upward movement, mainly housing data and the  GDP numbers. For the former, data showed a 11.0 percent rise over the revised May rate of [...]

by James

  Emerging and developed markets again diverged last week, in what was generally another strong period for global risk takers. The two key events of the week excellently illuminate the difference between these two international economic groups: India’s Sensex index soared 14.1% on the week, after the incumbent administration won a clean victory in the [...]

by Markus

Some impulses for the weekend. What if … … the economy comes to a full halt even worse than now? Over six in ten Americans (latest Times survey) think that someone in their household will lose their job in the next year. That means six in ten people won’t buy anything other than basics. … [...]