United Kingdom

Submitted by Bill Blain of Mint Partners

Blain’s Morning Porridge – August 30th 2017

“Did anyone ever comment on what Obama wore, or what shoes Michelle was wearing?””

“Financial markets think the only realistic option for the U.S. and North Korea will be to sit down and talk at some point because other options are too costly for everyone involved. But no one can rule out the risk of accidents. Markets think the chicken game will continue for now and North Korea will remain a risk.”

      - Masayoshi Kichikawa, chief strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui.

Submitted by Bill Blain of Mint Partners

Mint - Blain’s Morning Porridge – August 23rd 2017

“Out on the road today, I saw a deadhead stick on a Cadillac.. A little voice inside my head said, “Don’t look back. You can never look back.””

• European shares hit two-week low as euro surges (Reuters)
• Harvey Pounds Texas as Epic Flooding Paralyzes Houston (BBG)
• Gasoline soars and dollar dented as Tropical Storm Harvey rages (Reuters)
• Oil markets roiled as Harvey hits U.S. petroleum industry (Reuters)
• Harvey Shuts Two of the Largest U.S. Ports (BBG)
• Trump’s Pardon of Joe Arpaio Widens Republican Split (WSJ)
• Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Is Making New Homes More Expensive (BBG)
• Trump's firm sought Moscow real estate deal during presidential run (WaPo)

Global markets are stuck in a holding pattern with S&P futures up modestly after fluctuating overnight, as European and Asian shares rise with oil while the dollar has dipped lower ahead of the biggest central bank event of the year: the Fed's Jackson Hole symposium where Janet Yellen and Mario Draghi will speak at 10am and 3pm ET, respectively. Meanwhile, world stocks drifted toward their best week in six on Friday, as a near three-year high in emerging markets shares and a roaring rally in industrial metals bolstered the year’s global bull run.