Still on an upward path at 1.2130 versus EUR, USD is strong on the effects of the expected $1.5 trillion Biden stimulus package. The yield on the US 10 year Treasury Bond has increased by 0.20% in the past month and now stands at 1.17%. US Equity markets on their highs.
The German economy shrunk by 5.0% in 2020 which is less than expected and considerably better than the -9% expected in both Italy and France. EUR has weakened versus GBP by 1.5% in the last week.
Expectations are that transaction volume will decline by 8% in 2021 but somewhat optimistically it is expected that prices will remain stable. Despite greater difficulty for buyers to obtain finance and a slower market, French property always has plenty of both actual and shy sellers which is the reason that sellers are expected to hold firm in 2021. Early signs are that the French rental market looks ok this year as le staycation is going to be the limit of most French peoples’ holiday plans.
Exactly 40 years ago today Phil Collins released his single, In the Air Tonight on 15-01-81 which is a long rather bitter scream of pain based on his then wife leaving him. Hardly a first but what made it different was that in the Top of the Pops film, he positioned a tin of paint and paintbrush on the piano in camera shot, thereby confirming for close Phil Collins watchers that his wife had indeed departed the marital home with their painter and decorator. History does not relate whether it was indeed that 80’s favourite, avocado. Here’s (some of) In the Air Tonight which sounded better than it looks below:
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, (Oh lord)
And I’ve been waiting for this moment, for all my life, (Oh lord)
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord, (Oh lord)
Well, if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I’ve seen your face before my friend
But I don’t know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you’ve been
It’s all been a pack of lies.
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, (Oh lord)
Well I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, (Oh lord)
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord
Well I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life oh Lord, (Oh Lord)
On a happier note: Have a great weekend!
Discussion and Analysis by Humphrey Percy, Chairman and Founder
Click Here to Subscribe to the SGM-FX Newsletter
Related Insights
Daily Brief – Battle of the banks
Charles Porter
Thu 2 Apr 2026
Battle of the banks Market volatility continues amidst unclear messaging from both sides of the conflict in Iran. The President’s position has continued to flit between seemingly concrete positions of absolutely tangible progress and bombing the nation back ‘to the Stone Ages’. Since the start of the war, smarter money has acknowledged that predicting the […]
Daily Brief – Questioning Truth
Charles Porter
Tue 24 Mar 2026
Questioning Truth Adopting the same handle as his now rather redundant X account, @realDonaldTrump shocked markets yesterday using his own social media platform, Truth Social. During Trump 1.0, the legitimacy of a President using an unofficial X, then Twitter, account was questioned. Now under Trump 2.0, it’s seldom questioned when he is the majority shareholder […]
Daily Brief – No rush
Charles Porter
Tue 31 Mar 2026
No rush The President’s claims of an imminent end to the war are being undermined by Iran’s refutation that such talks have occurred. Trump in turn has continued to extend and extend a deadline for Iran to come to the negotiating table only to be scorned by news outlets in Iran, presumed to speak on […]
