Business

For the latest in market sentiment as we open yet another week at all time S&P highs, here is a take by Mark Cudmore, former FX trader who writes for Bloomberg.

No News Is Good News

Markets are trading positively and the drivers suggest that further gains can be made in the short-term.

The media may refer to the Trump-Abe bromance, but the fact of the matter is that this week’s strong start to markets isn’t driven by any particular positive catalyst. The two leaders delivered no surprises.

European and Asian stocks, S&P futures, bond yields, the dollar and commodity metals are rose, in some cases making new all time highs, lifted by the latest reemergence of the "Trump trades" as hopeful investors once again bet that the U.S. president's tax reform plans will boost economic growth and corporate profits, despite another warning from Goldman that the president's fiscal plan is about to be derailed.

Submitted by Nick Kaman of Letters from Norway

Introduction:

Norwegians are just now starting to grapple with the effects of their “single cylinder” economy, mostly dependent on oil and gas (ca. 60% of exports). Despite optimism about $50-$70/barrel oil, American crude output is surging, on track to be the highest ever, since 1970, while cracks start to form in OPEC’s latest agreement. In addition to the oil tailspin, a flock of “black swans” have taken flight, led by one with a very orange beak.

As China got back to work after Golden Week, it appeared a renewed exuberance appeared in every orifice of liquidity provision (even as PBOC sucked up excess for 6 straight days). Stocks are up, bonds are up, and commodities are soaring (all as Yuan tumbles) and tonight authorities unleashed 100bn reverse-repo (for the first time in 7 days) as leverage seems nothing to worry about again yields drop and asset prices rise.