The weekends news of on-going constructive talks between the US and China, certainly gave Asian markets a boost this morning. One noticeable event was the weakening in the Yen, now trading comfortably with a 111 handle (-0.6% on the day). Now close to its weakest since January, the fear is it now targets the mid […]

QUESTION: Do you think Bitcoin can survive? Or has it been a passing fad? MT ANSWER: Bitcoin rose because 70% of the miners were in China. It was NOT simply because energy was cheap. Bitcoin became the LEADING means of money laundering and movement of cash out of China, circumventing their rule of law and […]

After watching the US market decline over fears of US/China trade talks erupting yet again, many were concerned that Asian markets would suffer a similar fate. However, that was not to be the case as most core markets actually performed reasonably well. We did see a small wobble initially for the Hang Seng and Shanghai […]

The Nikkei strength was the exception in Asia today, as all other core markets closed lower on the day. The Japanese index benefitted from the weakness of the Yen, which at one stage looked as though it may challenge the 111 handle. Even this evening in US trading it remains vulnerable as the safety bid […]

The turn in energy prices and the rise in bond yields has started to affect global equity markets once again. In yesterdays US trading, treasuries opened weaker and just kept nudging higher. US Tens hit 3.095% which will also apply indirect pressure on Europe and EM bonds. The question is, was this the reason we […]

A solid performance from Asia with energy, tech and real estate leading the Hang Seng to another 1%+ return day. Although the HSI was the front runner, there were good gains made for all the core. Sentiment in mainland was probably helped by a tweet over the weekend by President Trump suggesting ongoing trade negotiations […]

QUESTION: Socrates did an amazing job. It called the high in BitCoin right to the day. That makes me wonder. After thinking quietly about the claim that cryptocurrencies will replace everything as a new world monetary system because it will not be centralized and created by a central bank, this seems to be complete BS if […]

  QUESTION: I am studying to become a lawyer. I find your legal writings fascinating. You provide a far deeper understanding of the rule of law than I am taught in school. I suppose that is becoming obvious in economics as well. Can you recommend any legal writing that may have influenced you greatly? OH ANSWER: […]

QUESTION: why national debts eventually default Martin to answer this question you said: we need to introduce currency. France and Germany were less impacted by converting to the Euro than Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Why? Currency Inflation! My question is if it is not the quantity of money that is making $1 million buy […]

The Nikkei traded nervously today ahead of the FED and US NFP’s, but knowing it is closed the rest of the week (Golden Week holidays). Some of the exporters did manage to edge ahead but gains were very limited. The overall trend appeared heavy all be it lethargic, but we are watching the Yen trade […]