A Different Perspective
Asking the Right Questions
Navigating the current market environment
Article appeared in the Sunday Business Post September 6th 2015
Discussion with Emma Kennedy, Sunday Business Post Money Editor
Weekly Market Recap: W/E August 28th 2015
Market Recap
Eurofirst 300 Index +0.49% German 10-Year Yield 0.73%; EUR/USD $1.117; Brent Oil $50.05
Global equity markets ended the week marginally higher, masking the stomach churning volatility across all asset classes which provided flashbacks of 2008. Read More
Weekly Market Recap: W/E August 21st 2015
Market Recap
Eurofirst 300 Index -6.61%; German 10-Year Yield 0.57%; EUR/USD $1.131; Brent Oil $44.73
Global equity markets sold off sharply last week, with many of the major equity indices experiencing the worst weekly declines since 2011. A plethora of factors are being blamed, commodity prices plunging, turmoil in China, the loss of momentum in the global recovery – confirmed by dismal purchasing managers’ survey data last week – and investors fretting about the possibility of the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates this year. Read More
Irish Government: Macro Improvement Clouded by Micro Failings
This is my article which featured in the Sunday Independent, August 23rd 2015: http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/this-government-has-worked-yet-voters-want-to-get-rid-of-it-31470178.html I give my take on the current government, how the much improved macroeconomic picture has been overshadowed by some of their failings at a micro level. Of course I end on a football note!
Weekly Market Recap August 17th 2015
Market Recap
Global equity markets were mixed last week, with the major indices in Europe sharply lower following the surprise move by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), China’s central bank, to devalue their currency. Starting Tuesday, over the next three days the PBOC lowered the value of the country’s currency by around 4% against the US dollar, the largest weekly decline on record. Read More
The ‘special one’ is losing control
The manner of the PBOC’s intervention in the currency markets last week raised doubts about whether they are actually in control of the situation, something that is integral to their role as stewards of monetary policy. In the football world, maintaining a perception of control, real or otherwise, is just as important for the manager of a football club. Read More
Market Recap: Week of August 10th 2015
Market Recap
Global equity markets were mixed last week, with the major indices in Europe and Asia outperforming their US peers. Bond yields edged up slightly in Europe while the UK 10-year yield dropped 4bps to 1.97%, as the Bank of England’s Mark Carney played down the prospect of a rate hike in the near term. The slide in commodities continued last week, putting further pressure on a number of emerging market countries while also contributing to a more muted outlook for inflation. Read More
Same old Arsenal? The folly of forecasting!
Super-Thursday? No, it’s all about Super-Sunday! The Brazilian Real might have hit a 12-year low against the US dollar last week, but the currency of Liverpool’s Brazilian wizard Philippe Countinho continues to strengthen. A moment of magic was the difference as Liverpool avenged their end of season defeat to a resilient Stoke side. Wild card status in tact! Read More
Super-Thursday: Carney keeps the party going
Thursday marked the beginning of a new approach to monetary policy communications from the Bank of England (BOE), simultaneously releasing their decision on interest rates, the minutes from that meeting and the quarterly inflation report, which sets out detailed economic analysis and inflation projections used in setting monetary policy. Read More
Market Recap: Week of August 3rd 2015
Market Recap
Global equity markets were mixed last week against a backdrop of falling commodity prices and global growth concerns. Much of the focus remains on the timing of US interest rate hikes, with investors meticulously analysing each piece of economic data for clues on how the Fed might act over the coming months. Read More
