It was even more compelling watching than Glastonbury with multiple sound stages and even more multiple sound bites. The SGM-FX elves were hard at it trying to decipher whether Mutti Merkel was simply suffering from stress or something more serious, what that meant for Germany and Europe and whether PM May was woohooing President Putin or whether he was simply biding his time(guess). However the headline act was POTUS- everywhere and on most stages not only in Osaka but in North Korea, throughout the weekend. Key message as suggested by SGM-FX last week was that after downplaying China trade talk hopes, the plan was to declare new progress and fresh impetus. POTUS duly did just that and then said he would pause on the imposition of tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese exports to the USA. Let’s see the next and exact text once the weekend is past and the dust has settled.
On the back of better Trade news, USD, Yen, CHF all weakened-ie the haven currencies- and the CNY and other commodity and emerging market currencies all strengthened in early Asia trading this morning.
Well. While some of us were, it was apparent that Janet barely was-there on Saturday night: no voice, no entertainment and a tribe of baggy Goth like trolls to try and divert attention away from her. Great work if you can get it- a big hit in the 80s and 90s and reputedly worth $175M, JJ is well past her sell by date. Now 52 and married to Qatari businessman, Wissam Al Mana, it is a mystery as to what she was doing at Worthy Farm. It’s not only about individual taste, it’s just not entertainment and THAT was apparent from the sea of bemused motionless fans who despite her increasingly desperate cries of encouragement definitely could not and would not “Come On.” Best cheer of the night? When she(eventually) stopped! Key takeaway: More Stormzy and Janet………..”Shut up!”
Discussion and Analysis by Humphrey Percy, Chairman and Founder
Calling the bluff As expected, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates in the United States yesterday evening by a further 50 basis points. As a result of this policy adjustment, immediate target policy levels now stand at 4.25-4.5%. As also expected, the Fed pushed back fairly hard on the idea that it is ready to […]
Pencil to pen As with any year ahead, 2023 has been fervently speculated over by market participants. Whilst forecasts for the forthcoming year take great priority every year, 2023 has perhaps the most divergent set of forecasts between analysts and institutions on recent record. Across asset classes and between institutions the core themes expected to […]
False Illusions On Friday last week markets had got very exuberant over comments made by the Federal Reserve Chair the day prior. As a result of the interpretation of those comments, the US Dollar had dropped several cents to trade at its recent lows. There was a narrative that was being pieced together and justified […]