Ahead of a short week for China holidays and the release of US CPI data, it was no surprise we saw a mixed session in Asia. The Nikkei continued its bearish move with a decline today of -0.45%, briefly flirting with the 200 day MA but bouncing by the close of play. The Yen remains […]

It’s always a difficult trading environment when one large market is closed (Japan Monday), but following last weeks volatility we have seen a quiet bounce-back in quieter conditions. That bounce-back has been more visible in US futures than Asian cash even with the Shanghai closing +0.8% firmer today. The KOPSI (+0.9%) and SENSEX also enjoyed […]

QUESTION: Hi Martin–   The Christian Reformation of 1517 was the springboard for the development of western civilization. Most scholars focus on the theological aspects of the Protestants vs. the Catholics. But all have missed this key point: the economic impact of indulgences. I theorize that when indulgences ended, the masses had vast amounts of […]

  Shanghai was the only one to underperform the core with a 1.4% decline and a weaker currency market. The Trade numbers missed expectations and that was probably the key reason why the Yuan took the hit. Closing down over 1% (at 6.286) was its weakest move in over two years. The balance of Asian […]

QUESTION: Marty; Just wow. You called the day of the high and then said the market would make a new low yesterday, a directional change would take it back up and that was the low. I do not understand why the world is not knocking down your door. Then again, I guess they did that’s why […]

The Nikkei closes 4.75% lower, the Hang Seng is down 5.1%, ASX and Shanghai both around 3.3% and the VIX trading with a 50 handle! Anyone short vol. (and the rumour is there are a few) will be panic buying and chasing the market. Gold at best only added $10 from yesterdays close but we […]

QUESTION: I have heard first hand from some significant players that do speaking engagements for very large pension funds that a product was being offered to the pension funds as a yield enhancer that was based around selling the VIX.   First off, why would anyone trust a product that is being offered by a big […]

A busy day all round today from the Nikkei down another 2.5%, DOW futures 350 lower ahead of its open, rates rising, Jerome Powell taking office, Draghi to speak, Germany political uncertainty, BITCOIN losing another 8% now at 7,500 and the Bank of England to meet later in the week. Asia’s weakness is much of […]

  It was expected to be a crazy fun-filled week and today has confirmed wild status! The Nikkei ended the session down 1% and saw the currency lose 1%. Guess they didn’t really have a direction provider having seen Wall Street whipsaw 200 points in either direction. The nerves are definitely being felt now, which […]

You could probably say that Asia is being ked less and less by US markets as they increase in volatility. It’s not unusual the past few days to see 400 point swings in the DOW! So, what do you follow – the last thirty minutes of trading? The Nikkei opened better and just went from […]