Opinion – Wednesday 3 March 2013

The issues that beset risk markets at the start of the week were less in evidence yesterday despite the absence of obviously better news. Though the US Stock indices are back from their intra-day highs they still closed up 0.5% as the market still looks for the...

Opinion – Tuesday 2 April 2013

After posting a new record closing high for the S&P 500 prior to the Easter break, the second quarter has got off on the back foot with the S&P closing yesterday with a loss of 0.5%. An unexpectedly large drop in US Manufacturing ISM of 51.3, versus the 54.2...

Opinion – Thursday 28 March 2013

Rising Euro-Zone angst is front and centre of the market radar, resulting in the Euro making a fresh four month low of 1.2750 and Euro peripheral 10 Year Bond yields smartly higher – Italy +21 bps, Spain +15 bps and Portugal +16 bps. These are the countries...

Opinion – Wednesday 27 March 2013

Stock markets rallied yesterday as the Cyprus bailout settled investors nerves. They were also helped by some mixed data out of the US which the market assessed to be evidence that the US recovery remains on track. The exceptions to this trend were Spain and Italy...

Opinion – Tuesday 26 March 2013

One step forward, two (larger) steps back. This is how the Foreign Exchange markets have interpreted the eleventh hour deal to save the Cypriot banking system from collapse and ensures Cyprus remains within the Euro-Zone. The responsibility for the set back remains...

Opinion – Monday 25 March 2013

We start the week with the markets remarkably relaxed over Cyprus as the Troika and Cypriot Government met with EU Finance Ministers last night in Brussels to cut a deal. Cyprus dodged a disorderly default and exit from the Euro Currency by bowing to demands to shrink...