The issue of credit default swaps (CDS) in 2017 is running at twice that of last year reflecting rising concerns of another coming crash. The number of hedge funds and banks dealing with highly sensitive credit derivatives has reached almost $30 billion in 2017 up from only about $ 15 billion in 2016 and just […]

Asia benefited from the afternoon bounce in the US markets, with all core performing across the board. The Hang Seng probably saw large cap’s perform on the back of a further gains made in the Yuan’s appreciation. Shanghai finished small down but again in extremely light summer volume. The Nikkei regained much of yesterdays loss […]

Back to geopolitical risks again today after North Korea spooked markets with yet more missile test, but this time flying over Japan. All Asia markets were hit as a result of this, with a rush into safe-haven assets such as gold, oil and treasuries. Interesting that oil traded heavy even as the news hit the […]

According to the new draft law proposal, all persons who enter the US will have to declare their holdings in crypto currencies with a value over 10,000 dollars. This is the case with larger quantities of cash or precious metals. Naturally, they are calling this money laundering and possible funding of terrorism. It’s really about taxes.  I […]

  I have written before that if you go extreme right and extreme left, you reach the same political position with two different thought processes – more state power. With all the press of the Alt-Right since CNN can then attribute that to Trump and call him indirectly a fascist, they will not put the spotlight […]

The terrorist Islamic State (IS) has, according to the London Sunday Times, set up a network of companies in an office in Cradiff (Wales) in Britain which sent military equipment to Spain as well as it is financing terrorist attacks against the West. The Times has included the relevant FBI documents which reveal that surveillance technology […]

The news of Steve Bannon’s departure on Friday came too late for Asia and so cash markets readjusted in this mornings session. We did see a little move back into the JPY again, but much of that move was Friday evening and so today was a combination of the remnants of this and the concerns […]

FED minutes were the talking point early on and the split decision the market hadn’t really expected. A little more uncertainty thrown into the mix which creates hesitation and a reason to take a little cash off of the table. Throw in the Trump disbanding both the Manufacturing Council and Policy Forum and questions start […]

Asia took its cue from the strong US session and initially saw gains across the core. The Nikkei made-up for its previous poor performance with a closing gain in-excess of 1.1% and watched as the yen played at the mid 110’s. Having seen the bounce-back, volumes were lower than usual but with national holidays in […]

QUESTION: Thanks for this free advice. But, in this comment: “/our-european-tour-part-ii-seizing-all-bank-accounts-throughout-eu/” You write: “Clearly, people should be fully aware of the thinking process in government. Brussels will become authoritarian when the free markets rain on their parade. I strongly recommend that everyone should keep 30 days worth of cash to cover your basic needs.” But, it […]