1. The battle over the U.S. debt ceiling has once again become a Congressional showdown, as was widely expected. The U.S.-China trade war also continues to remain largely unresolved and these two items alone are likely to trigger a significant increase in market volatility in the coming weeks. 2. The seasonally adjusted number of Americans…
Trade and speculation about the moves of the Federal Reserve moved back to the forefront of factors affecting market volatility this week. Continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East region also remains a factor.
The G-20 meeting appeared to result in a truce between China and the U.S. on the trade front, as was generally expected. Stock analysts eagerly awaited the release of the June Non-Farm Payrolls report on Friday for indications of what the Federal Reserve’s next monetary policy move might be. It was a shortened trading week due to the Independence Day holiday in the U.S.
Escalating tensions in the trade talks between the U.S. and China sent markets lower as President Trump threatened to enact a tariff increase on Chinese goods beginning Friday. When the U.S. followed through on its threat at midnight on Friday morning, stocks plunged as equity markets apparently had not been pricing in the fact that the deal could collapse so quickly.
The U.K. received a reprieve from the constant pressure of coming up with a viable Brexit package this week when the EU gave it until October 31 to come up with a new plan. Conditions on the extension, however, mean that the U.K. must elect members to the European Parliament in May, or it will again be faced with the threat of a disorderly exit come June 1.
Brexit continues to be the top news story affecting volatility in all markets, followed by further apparent progress in the U.S.-China trade talks. President Trump now appears to be taking aim on Mexico as the next target of his tariffs, despite an economic agreement between the two countries earlier this year that has yet to be ratified.
1. The UK parliament voted no on Theresa May’s Brexit package for the third and final time this week, sparking a massive protest march by pro-Brexit supporters who sincerely want the UK to exit the EU in an “orderly fashion”. 2. The seasonally adjusted number of Americans filing initial claims for state unemployment dropped by…
1. A catastrophic computer failure has unfortunately made it necessary to keep this week’s memo brief as we work to repair the issue. Below is a short synopsis of news events and the Friday- to-Friday closing prices for this week. 2. Brexit was the primary focus of most major news outlets this week as U.K.…
1. Economic data out of the U.S., China and Europe were primary factors for market volatility this week. The Non-Farm Payrolls report for February will be closely watched when it is released on Friday for further indication that the U.S. economy might be slowing. 2. The seasonally adjusted number of Americans filing initial claims for…
The Precious Metals Week in Review – January 19, 2018
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