Daily Brief – US Presidential Race 

US Presidential Race

Never mind Monday’s TV debate that saw Kamala or Calm La Harris land some well judged blows on Donald Trump, the news afterwards about Harris securing the endorsement of Taylor Swift may well be seen as a if not the turning point in her path to the White House. Swifties are numerous and Swifties are young and if their cheerleader supports Harris, that will mean that many tens of thousands of young who might not have voted will flock to emulate Taylor Swift.

EUR/USD 1.1085.

Faux Fur

Inflation has bitten on British Guards Regiments and  the soldiers who guard Buckingham Palace with the cost of their distinctive bearskin caps rising in the past two years from £1560 to £2040. Having survived criticism from PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to date, it looks as though financial considerations may signal the demise of those bearskin caps. Even now five key tests are being applied to various false fur alternatives: water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. In short the problem is that nothing holds its shape like real bear skin so do not expect those caps to be replaced just yet.

GBP/USD 1.3145.

French Finance Minister

Bruno Le Maire is stepping down after 7 years. Was it new Prime Minister Michel Barnier who jettisoned him, his own disillusionment with the chaos of French politics in the current three way split and no government appointed or, his less than successful record as Finance Minister? Under his stewardship France has seen a fiscal shortfall of 5.5% versus target of 4.9%, low growth, reduced tax revenues and a downgrade in the credit rating, so hardly an unblemished report card. Whatever the reason, the buck or the Euro stops at his office. Bonsoir Monsieur Le Maire.

EUR/GBP 0.8431.

High IQ

Fortunately we do not need anything more sophisticated than the Daily Mail to learn about the 7 signs of intellectual prowess: 1. Talking to oneself. 2. Staying Up late. 3. Day dreaming. 4. Being comfortable in a disorderly environment. 5. Asking lots of questions. 6. Being introverted. 7. Being a book worm. Before we all get carried away and employ lots of what sound suspiciously like nerds, it might be as well to think about how these traits would play out in a modern commercial environment. Back to the drawing board.

USD/JPY 141.02.

Move It

This day in 1958 (yes really) a youthful Cliff Richard made his debut on UK TV on the Oh Boy programme. It being 1958 Cliff was told that as a condition of him being given the spot to perform Move It he had to remove his sideburns. For younger readers the connation of sideboards was connected with Teddy Boys who were considered subversive. Hardly the image in 2024 of the clean cut perma tanned Peter Pan prince of pop.

Come on pretty baby, let’s move it and groove it
Well a shake-a baby shake, oh! honey please don’t lose it.

It’s rhythm that “gets you” heart and soul
Let me tell you baby; it’s called rock an’roll.

They say, it’s gonna die: oh! honey bee let’s face it;
They just don’t know what’s-a goin’ to replace it.

Ballads’ and calypsos’, they’ve got nothing on real
Country music that drives along.

Come one honey, move it
Well, let’s move
Well, move it

The new second verse:
Come on pretty baby let’s move it an’ a groove it
Dance honey dance baby please don’t lose it
’cause’ all over town there’s a brand new beat
An’ it’s hangin’ in the air like the mississippi heat
Fireflies in the night an’ bullfrogs croakin’
Well here comes the train an’ boy is she smokin’
Headed out from new orleans ‘n’ clear to l.a.
Ya’ better get ready it’s a brand new day

Have a Great Weekend! 

Discussion and Analysis by Humphrey Percy, Chairman and Founder

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