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The $330 Billion Global Tax Break
According to an article by Jon Markman titled The Saudi Stimulus, the global economy is looking to save hundreds of billions of dollars on an annual basis: "According to EIA data, consumption of crude oil during the latest 12 months was 6.9 billion barrels. So the price drop from $107/barrel at the June 2014 high to $59 today represents a total presumptive savings of $332 billion per year." In a time when China, the European Union and other major markets are trying to jumpstart their economies, a $330 billion tax break can only come as good news. It should help in stimu
Outlook for the Global Credit Markets in 2015
by Mark Kiesel of PIMCO,
The combination of fundamentals, technicals, valuations and global central bank policies drives our overall constructive outlook for global credit in 2015. Economic growth dynamics, including an improving outlook in the U.S., along with likely changes in global central bank policies, continued energy price volatility and the potential for more shareholder-friendly actions by companies inform our credit views and strategies.
Plunging Oil Prices Spark Fears of Global Recession
Today, we touch on several bases. No doubt everyone reading this noticed that stocks tanked last week, and now seem to be moving in lockstep with oil prices. While consumers welcome cheaper gas and heating oil prices, there is a growing fear that the collapse in oil prices may be a harbinger of a global recession.
OPECs Thanksgiving
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting ended on 11/27/14, Thanksgiving Day, with the decision to leave their production quota unchanged and no clarity on when a cut might be forthcoming. The lack of any quota cut, combined with little indication that OPEC were particularly focused in the short term on quota compliance, caught the market by surprise. Crude oil prices and energy equities fell sharply.
Whos Really in The Kingdoms Gun Sights?
by Doug Holt of AdvisorShares,
According to the EIA, U.S. crude oil imports averaged about 7.3 million barrels per day last week with Canadian barrels making up 3.2 million barrels of the total. U.S. commercial reserves increased by 1.9 million barrels week over week where total inventories fell 3.7 million barrels versus expectations of a build of 950,000.3 Are we at the beginnings of a rebalancing of the market? Possibly.
Hungary's PM: Madman or Geopolitical Genius?
Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban is one of the first European leaders to turn friendly toward Russia, noting that geopolitics are changing and Eastern European countries should redefine their international policies according to these changes. This report explores the differences between the rules of the geopolitical game being played by Hungary, the West and Russia. We will describe the history of Hungarys balancing act between the powers of the East and West and how this history affects its current politics. We will discuss the most likely outcomes and their international si
Designing Balanced DC Menus: Considering Equity Investments
by Stacy Schaus, Ying Gao of PIMCO,
Defined contribution investment lineups typically provide numerous equity choices but still may lack adequate diversification and return potential. Participants may benefit by accessing high-growth markets such as emerging markets and tapping in to dividend-paying stocks. Retirement outcomes could improve further by including portfolios structured using fundamental measures rather than market capitalization.
A Long-Term View for China
by Nick Niziolek of Calamos Investments,
When I meet with clients, one of the most frequent questions Im asked is, What do you think about China? With Chinas rate cut this past Friday helping to fuel a global equity rally, we were reminded of how relevant the China question is to the overall health of the global markets and economy. In this post, Ill discuss the lens through which we view China and how we interpret the daily flood of policy-related headlines coming out of the country to determine what is noise and what is actionable.
Macroeconomics Finally Gets Interesting
by John Mauldin of Mauldin Economics,
2015 may be the year that macroeconomics really becomes interesting again, if it hasnt already. After a long period of relatively coordinated central bank policies and remarkably low volatility, the macro scene is becoming more dynamic. Thats great for those who live and die by dramatic long-term shifts in global markets, but it should be terrifying for emerging-market policymakers, currency carry traders, Texas oil men, and, frankly, the average investor. King Volatility is back on his throne.
Dont Let Market Motion Sickness Keep You From Missing the Boat
Despite all of the good news, the recent threat of market volatility, which weve seen plenty of in commodities and emerging markets, seems to have pushed close-to-retirement folks away from equity securities. The August and October downturns, not to mention the decline in gold and oil prices, have understandably heightened consumer fears.
China's One-Child Policy
by Andy Rothman of Matthews Asia,
Last November, Chinas Communist Party announced that it would relax its famed one-child policyone of the most draconian examples of government social engineering ever seen. This is a significant political move, as it represents the Partys decision to withdraw from its citizens bedrooms, restoring a key element of personal freedom that should help rebuild peoples trust in the Party. But what some observers may not realize is that the steepest fall in Chinas total fertility rate (the average number of live births per woman) actually came be
Is the Oil Price Slump an Early Holiday Gift for Some Consumers?
With 60% of global GDP driven by consumers, the impact that sustained lower oil prices will have on the global economy is an important factor for investors to take into account. The benefits of lower oil prices will not be evenly distributed and it is important to think about countries that stand to benefit more because of higher consumption and/or less economic dependence on oil exports.
On The Economy, Oil Prices & Obama's Temper Tantrum
Last Tuesday the Commerce Department raised its estimate of 3Q Gross Domestic Product to a 3.9% annual pace from the 3.5% rate reported last month, reflecting upward revisions to business investment and consumer spending and a smaller than previously reported decline in inventories. The pre-report consensus was for a slight cut to 3.3%, so the latest report was much better than expected.
The Tooth-Fairy Economics of Jeff Madrick
Incentives don't matter, tradeoffs don't exist and there are no limits to what the government can give you. Those who believe this dogma are likely to still have faith in the tooth fairy. In Seven Bad Ideas, a critique of the neoclassical revival in economics that surrounded Milton Friedman and that affected policy and politics worldwide for more than a generation, Jeff Madrick emerges as tooth-fairy economics' chief exponent.
The Return of Currency Wars
by Nouriel Roubini of Project Syndicate,
The recent decision by the Bank of Japan to increase the scope of its quantitative easing is a signal that another round of currency wars may be under way. The cause of the latest currency turmoil is clear: In an environment of public and private deleveraging, monetary policy has become the only available tool to boost demand.
Monetary Tectonics
John Hathaway, manager of the Tocqueville Gold Fund (TGLDX), examines in his latest piece "the very meaningful difference between the dollars relative and absolute strength, and look(s) at the widening fissures beneath the faade of strength fissures that, as yet, appear to have had little impact upon the investment consensus."
Active Investing: Opportunity in Gold
by Tim Gramatovich of AdvisorShares,
As active managers, we embrace both a top down and bottom up investment philosophy as we look for opportunities for investment. One such potential opportunity we are seeing from more of a top down, thematic approach is in gold.
On the Verge of Chaos
by John Mauldin of Mauldin Economics,
In this weeks letter were going to explore some of the ramifications of the currency war that Japan is precipitating. It is more than just Germany, Korea, and China having issues and needing to contemplate their own competitive devaluations. If the yen goes too far too fast, there will be geopolitical repercussions far beyond the obvious first-order connections.
Emerging Markets Equity Commentary: October 2014
by Team of Thomas White International,
Emerging market equity prices turned volatile during October as concerns about weak global growth and the impending close of bond purchases by the U.S. Federal Reserve unnerved investors. Still, some of the large emerging markets in Asia rebounded strongly during the second half of the month.
Global Economic Overview: October 2014
by Team of Thomas White International,
Regional growth trends diverged further during the month of October as data from the U.S. and China were positive, while activity in the Euro-zone remained subdued. The U.S. economy expanded faster than expected during the third quarter, helped by higher government spending.
Asia's Deepening Capital Markets
by Robert Horrocks of Matthews Asia,
The drivers of economic growth, the region's small- and medium-sized enterprises, are finally gaining access to capital through alternative funding sources outside of just banks. Retail investors are accessing increasingly diverse products in which to store their savings and build wealth. Institutions are demanding long-dated assets to match their liabilities? Are we finally seeing more stable local demand in Asia's local capital markets?
Emerging Markets Opportunity Still Emerging
by Burt White of LPL Financial,
We believe emerging markets (EM) fundamental conditions are set for improvement in 2015, based on our outlooks for economic growth, earnings, and policy. Valuations are compelling and EM may be situated to recapture some of their relative losses from a technical perspective, particularly in Asian markets. However, somewhat mixed fundamental and technical pictures suggest a better opportunity may be forthcoming
Indonesian Optimism
Southeast Asia represents one of the fastest-growing regions in the world today, and is one that we are excited about as investors. The Templeton Emerging Markets Group held our semiannual analyst conference in Jakarta in September, and one of the key reasons for choosing that location was to observe and discuss the changes and challenges on the ground with the new regime of President Joko Widodo. Ive invited my colleague Tek Khoan Ong to pen some thoughts on the outlook and investment opportunities in Indonesia today.
Has Europes Recovery Story Turned Back a Page?
The European economy at large had been moving forward in the wake of the 20072009 global financial crisis and subsequent sovereign debt crisis, spurred by European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghis pledge to do whatever it takes to save the euro in 2012 and the implementation of austerity measures in the eurozone periphery. In recent months, the recovery seemed to have stalled, with some countries, including the eurozones engine of growth- Germany - flirting with recession.
Explore and Discover the Winners When Gas Prices Fall
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil for December delivery is currently priced at $75 per barrel, Brent for January delivery at $78 per barrel. Many investors, publications and news sources focus only on the drawbacks to falling oil and gas prices-don't get me wrong, there are many-but today we're going to give the spotlight to the biggest winners and beneficiaries.
The ETF Trader Interview Series: Ken Dolan, Jefferies & Company
by David Abner of WisdomTree, Inc.,
In this edition, Dave Abner, Head of Capital Markets at WisdomTree, speaks with Ken Dolan, Senior Vice President on the ETF trading desk at Jefferies & Company, Inc. Ken joined the desk in 2011 after spending nine years at LaBranche & Co. as a Managing Director and Head of ETF Trading. In addition to his ETF trading experience, Ken has nine years of trading experience across equities, fixed income and emerging markets at Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers. He received a BS from Providence College and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Reconsidering Asia's Currencies
by Gerald Hwang of Matthews Asia,
The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-1998 looms like a ghost over any attention to Asian currency risk. But what new considerations are needed now? Given the robust performance of the regions currencies since 1999, Portfolio Manager Gerald Hwang, CFA, explores this topic in a modern context that takes into account the diverse monetary systems, business cycles and development stages of Asias economies.
Global Economic Overview: September 2014
by Team of Thomas White International,
Global economic growth concerns resurfaced during the month of September, as data from the Euro-zone suggested that select large counties yet again face recession. Even Germany, the bulwark that shielded the common currency area during the fiscal crisis, has slowed down as subdued external demand has taken a toll on exports.
The Race
by Brian Andrew of Cleary Gull,
While some may wish for a Democratically controlled Congress because we have a Democrat in the White House, the reality is that some dysfunction between Congress and the Administration is welcome by markets. Near-term, many believe that the regulatory environment created by a Democratic Senate and Administration creates uncertainty and restricts corporate growth. While that may be true, it is hard to argue with the stock market returns over the last several years. The reality is that markets appreciate some dysfunction in Washington.
Black Dog: Are Plunging Oil Prices a Positive or a Negative?
by Liz Ann Sonders of Charles Schwab,
The bear market in oil prices is largely a positive for the consumption-oriented US economy, but there are caveats. Oil's plunge is more a function of increased supply and the stronger US dollar than it is of weaker global demand. Oddly, many investors are worried about the stock market because of oil's plunge; but history suggests otherwise.
Emerging Markets Equity Commentary: September 2014
by Team of Thomas White International,
Emerging market equity prices corrected in September on concerns about weaker global growth even as the U.S. Federal Reserve is set to wind down its bond purchases. Signs of yet another downturn in the Euro-zone economy are likely to hurt the export outlook for the major emerging countries that had seen a modest improvement in exports in recent months.
Dont Be Spooked by Market VolatilityOpportunity Is Still Knocking!
One of the greatest fears this Octoberpossibly the most volatile month of the yearhas been the correlation between the S&P 500 Indexs ascent in the first three quarters of the year and the possible ramifications of the end of quantitative easing (QE).
Trick or Treat? Slow Global Growth Hits Cyclical Sectors Hardest
by Francis Gannon of The Royce Funds,
As of October 13, the small-cap Russell 2000 Index was down 12.9% from its 2014 high on July 3a double-digit correction not seen in more than three years. With the U.S. economy slowly improving and Fed tapering winding down as scheduled, what is driving this pullback? Co-Chief Investment Officer Francis Gannon talks about economic growth beyond our borders and how it has been playing a role in shifting investor sentiment.
Results 3,451–3,500
of 4,322 found.
