ECB increased Euro’s appeal as funding currency
Mar 09, 2015 08:44 am UTC| Insights & Views
European Central Banks (ECB) actions of quantitative easing of 60 billion per month and a deposit rate at -0.20% has fuelled rallies in European bonds, pushing the yields lower across the board. This has also increased...
Japan suffers with continued lackluster growth
Mar 09, 2015 08:10 am UTC| Insights & Views
Preliminary release last month showed that Japan will be out of recession (consecutive contraction in 2 quarters) and the economy is expected to grow at 0.6%. This was slashed over the weekend release of the GDP...
Guide to today’s important data & events
Mar 09, 2015 07:33 am UTC| Insights & Views
Today the event risk is moderate across board. Focus is on Euro group meeting and FED speakers view. Data released so far - Japan - GDP data released over the weekend show, growth in the fourth quarter slowed to 0.4%...
Lessons from last rate hike by FED
Mar 06, 2015 16:12 pm UTC| Insights & Views
Federal Reserve (FED) is about to hike rates this year after almost 9 years since the last rise. Current rate is maintained close to zero percent. The most probable next hike would be to bring the Fed funds rate to range...
Mar 06, 2015 15:46 pm UTC| Insights & Views
Energy segment continues the sideways trade grossly unmoved by economic dockets.Weekly performance at a glance in chart table - Oil (WTI) - WTI failed to gain decisively above $50 and return to the level after making a...
Commodities snapshot (precious & industrial)
Mar 06, 2015 15:27 pm UTC| Insights & Views
Metals finally gave up further grounds amid a stronger dollar and news on slowing china. Performance this week at a glance in chart table - Gold - Gold bulls gave up after the solid job print in US showed payroll added...
Mar 06, 2015 14:52 pm UTC| Insights & Views
Equities performances are mixed today as some gave up yesterdays gain while others continued. Performance this week at a glance in chart table - SP 500 - US benchmark dipped into losses and further diverged from their...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Why Germany ditched nuclear before coal – and why it won’t go back
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight