by Gregory

A special edition of Weekly wrap, with a special focus on the employment data. The European markets were really quiet this morning, waiting for the report to set the direction. At 8.30 ET, the expected nonfarm payroll data and unemployment was released. The BLS reported from the Establishment survey that Total nonfarm payroll employment declined [...]

by Gregory

This week most expected number is probably the employment numbers: nonfarm payrolls and the unemployment rate. As James was saying earlier, the employment situation remains bleak. Consensus expects 175k jobs lost and unemployment precariously balanced at 9.9%. Now, yes, nonfarm payroll is highly volatile and can be revised drastically next month. And yes, the unemployment [...]

by James

The big week is over halfway through and it’s time for an update on what’s been happening. Key economic reports from ISM fell either side of the fence. Monday’s manufacturing report showed improvement in October versus September, while today’s (arguably) more important non-manufacturing report missed expectations and retreated on last month. The FOMC decision came [...]

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 Gregory

Q3 GDP growth first release is the most expected number this week. First, there is no doubt that the reading will be positive putting an end to 3 consecutive quarters of negative real GDP growth. Psychologically speaking, this should be a sigh of relief to the markets and even possibly lift  its mood.  But, to which extent? This [...]

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

Thanksgiving shortened the trading week, but there was no shortage of major events. From the bail-out of Citigroup, to the further expansion of the Fed’s balance sheet and the shocking attacks on India’s financial center, there is a palpable sense that the world has reached a turning point. The markets reacted interestingly, with equities finally [...]

by James

We live in interesting times. The markets were extremely volatile last week, as the Fed and Treasury battled to convince law-makers to save the economy from falling into a recession. The S&P was off by 6% midweek, but rebounded toward the end, to close off 3.3%. For its part, the dollar held up, rising 1.4% [...]