Asian Markets Mixed as Lighthizer Says No Date is Set for Phase Two Talks
By Ritu, Capital Sands Asian markets were mixed on Monday morning in Asia as U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizersaid the phase one Sino-U.S. trade deal is “totally done,” but no date is set for the next phase two talks. China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1% by 11:35 PM ET, while the Shenzhen Component gained 0.6%. Hong Kong’s […]
Brexit relief for UK economy might not last long
By Ritu, Capital Sands Britain’s economy will cast off some of the Brexit uncertainty that has held it back since 2016 after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s election triumph, but the risk remains of another “cliff-edge” showdown with Brussels in a year’s time. With Britain’s exit from the European Union on Jan. 31 now a […]
Sterling sparkles after election poll, Yuan up on trade deal reports
By Ritu Capital Sands The pound rose to a three-and-a-half year high versus the euro and the highest in more than a year versus the dollar after exit polls suggested a win for the Conservatives, which should help ensure the UK’s smooth exit from the European Union. The Chinese yuan rose in offshore trade and the Japanese […]
StockBeat: Dovish Fed Dominant Tories Push Europe Markets Higher
By Ritu, Capital Sands European stocks found their feet again on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve signalled that it’s likely to remain on hold throughout next year, seemingly convinced that historically low jobless rates won’t create enough inflationary pressure to warrant a rate hike. By 5 AM ET (1000 GMT), the benchmark Stoxx 600 was up […]
U.S. Dollar Slips After Fed; Pound Gains Ahead of ECB Meeting, Election
By Ritu, Capital Sands The U.S. dollar slipped on Thursday in Asia after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold, suggesting that the current path of monetary policy was “appropriate” to support economic growth and would likely remain in place through next year. The U.S. dollar index that tracks the greenback against a […]
Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision December 10-11 Preview: Watching for the Projection Materials
By Ritu, Capital Sands No expectation for a change in the fed funds target rate. US economy has strengthened since the October FOMC. Market interest will be on the Fed’s rate and GDP estimates for 2020 and 2021. The Federal Reserve will finish its scheduled two day meeting of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee […]
Stocks Slip While U.S. Futures Drift With Bonds: Markets Wrap
By Ritu, Capital Sands Stocks fell in Europe while U.S. equity-index futures fluctuated in the countdown to major central bank meetings and a deadline on fresh China tariffs. Treasuries and the dollar were steady. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index opened lower for a second day as almost every industry sector traded in the red. […]
Dollar steadies as investors brace for key risk events
By Ritu, Capital Sands The dollar and yen held the safe-haven high ground on Tuesday, with investors on edge ahead of a looming tariff deadline, the UK election and upcoming central bank meetings in Europe and the United States. Front of mind is whether Washington will go ahead with a fresh round of tariffs on […]
Oil prices slip as weak China exports highlight trade war impact
By Ritu, Capital Sands Oil prices fell on Monday after data showed that Chinese exports declined for a fourth straight month, sending shivers through a market already concerned about damage being done to global demand by the Sino-U.S. trade war. Brent futures (LCOc1) were down 21 cents, or 0.3%, at $64.18 per barrel, after […]
Dollar bolstered by U.S. jobs data, markets look to trade talks
By Ritu Capital Sands The dollar held firm on Monday after data showed surprise strength in the U.S. jobs market, but the currency was restrained from moving higher by worries about an escalation in the U.S.-China trade war. The dollar index stood almost flat at 97.706 in mid-Asian trade, after rising 0.3% on Friday. The euro […]