Author Archives: Guest Author

Speculators have been cautious ahead of the U.S. non-farm payrolls release last Friday that posted better than estimated at 216,000 jobs added versus 191K envisioned. Now, that the NFP is behind us on a good note, markets are marching higher. A main new development in the markets is that the Fed officials are taking hawkish in unison. Continue reading →

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dealt in a lackluster manner as investors are holding out to find out whether the previous few days is simply a healthy correction after a rally or it’s something larger. The Dow closed Wednesdays session 67.39 points in the black, or 0.56%, greater at 12086.00. The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index rose 3.77 points, or 0.29%, to 1297.54 and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 14.43 points, or 0.54%, to 2698.30. The S&P bulls may perhaps start getting discouraged by the index’s incapability to bust through the 1300 barrier, the reality that might invite sell orders. Continue reading →

Traders, motivated through indications the worst might be finished in Japan and also the Middle East, purchased riskier assets including stocks and commodities although reducing exposure to safe-haven investments like U.S. Treasuries, the U.S. dollar, the Japanese Yen and the Swiss Franc. Continue reading →

The end of the week strikes by U.S. and European combined forces on the pro Libyan strongman Col. Moammar Gadhafi loyalists may possibly increase desire for the safe haven assets, the yen and also the USD, as traders avoid more dangerous investments and assess the different geopolitical prospect. What’s driving the markets at the moment is the confidence on improving situation in Japan along with the G7′s push to weaken the yen, versus concerns regarding fighting in North Africa. Continue reading →

Asian-Pacific stocks soared on Friday as the Japanese Yen fell following the G7 joint intervention in the currency markets, the 1st within the last 10 years. USD/JPY opened in Asia at 78.89 and has traded a wide 78.80-81.90 range so far; last at 81.90. Continue reading →

Focus remains to be held on Japan and the Middle East, especially Bahrain, this afternoon as the predicament in both nations provides nervousness to an already volatile global environment. The nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima has reconditioned concerns of stalled economic recovery while the ongoing violence in Manama caused further flight to quality. However, stocks regained ground, a move that did not transfer signals to the currency trading market. Continue reading →