Despite having one of the largest EU unemployment numbers at 3.3million, Spain is continuing to post the highest growth rate in the EU at 2.5%. Next year Spanish growth is forecast to be 2.2% far ahead of the rest of the other largest countries -France, Germany and Italy in the Eurozone. Ole ole! Olé, Olé, Olé!
Commodities: Gold at $1310, WTI Oil at $59.98,
Currencies: With global interest rates having moved sharply lower following the Fed’s announcement on no rate rises this week, expectations are now for lower interest rates in the next two years than previously envisaged. Currency markets calm this morning despite GBP volatility overnight. EUR flat , USD 0.2% lower and GBP up 0.3%.
Equities: FTSE 7355, Dow 25,962.
I0 year Govt Yields: US 2.52, Germany 0.04, UK 1.06, France 0.40, Italy 2.46, Japan -0.07. All 10yr Govt yields on lows.
Last week Mike Love of the Beach Boys celebrated his 78th birthday and here’s part of California Girls from 1965- honestly you had to be there…but if you were, the chances are that you will not remember!
California girls
We’re unforgettable
Daisy dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
We’ll melt your popsicle
Ooh oh ooh
Ooh oh ooh
Discussion and Analysis by Humphrey Percy, Chairman and Founder

Delayed fuse Last night’s Federal Reserve decision held all the potential requirements for a momentous occasion. Markets had been ascribing a high value to the event with options pricing suggesting the decision posed a significant risk towards exposed assets. Ultimately, the potential swan song publication of Chair Jay Powell passed without incident. Claims from some […]
Cancelled Travel Plans No, this time not because of the impending jet fuel crisis threatening continental travel as we discussed yesterday. Instead, I’m referring to the grounding of Vice President Vance whose trip to Islamabad, Pakistan was cancelled on Tuesday to avoid embarrassment. The Vice President was expected to travel on Tuesday to resume talks […]
Sterling defence Options markets are flashing warning signals for Sterling. It’s no secret that the forthcoming Bank of England monetary policy decision later this week poses a risk for the Pound. However, there are risks mounting further afield. The local elections on May 7th are a material risk for GBP, for example, with traders concerned the […]