United Kingdom

S&P futures are higher in early Wednesday trading, alongside Asian stocks and European bourses, both solidly in the green as the EURUSD drifts below the 1.20 "redline" while the dollar rebounds off a two and a half year low following the US "measured" response to North Korea’s missile test, which soothed jittery investors who now turn their focus to US economic data. Equity indexes in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea also rose while 10Y US Treasuries are steady before the release of ADP employment and GDP data, both of which are expected to show an increase.

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)