Consumer Sentiment has recorded the second-lowest reading in a decade. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index has recorded a dip of 2.5% in early January 2022 from its level in December 2021, according to preliminary results released Friday.The MCSI now stands at its second-lowest level in a decade, the …
Read More »WTI Driven By Geopolitical Tension To Test Fresh Highs
WTI crude oil is trading now at $81.73 per barrel after latest high recorded Friday at $83.14 per barrel. The benchmark American oil is probing its best levels since early November in the $73.00 as geopolitical tensions rise. Analysts as well as banks have been calling this week for WTI …
Read More »Fed’s Speakers Focus on Omicron, Hot Inflation, Supply Chain Bottlenecks
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly said on Friday that the latest Omicron wave will extend the time period that inflation will remain high. Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said on Friday that he expects the Omicron wave to temporarily prolong and intensify …
Read More »Wells Fargo: US Industrial Production Still a Supply Problem
Industrial Production in the US dropped unexpectedly 0.1% in December. Analysts at Wells Fargo explain the decline took place despite indications that wait times are shortening and other signs of initial improvement with the supply chain problem.Key Quotes: “Total industrial production edged slightly lower in December with a 0.1% decline …
Read More »Market Drivers – US Session – 13 January
The market has stabilized, with the US dollar consolidating losses on Thursday. Risk appetite retreated, preventing the dollar index from falling further. Intraday gains of the American currency helped correct oversold conditions reached one day following Wednesday’s selloff.The Federal Reserve’s hawkish language was much assessed and digested in ahead of …
Read More »Despite Edging Lower, Gold Exhibits Innate Ability To Rally When Consensus Is bearish
Gold futures edged lower on Thursday, with prices on track to post their first loss in five sessions, after a rise in the US producer price index reading for December came in below market expectations.It could be argued that the bullish case for gold is its reputation as an inflation …
Read More »Waller: Fed Balance Sheet Start Shrinking By Summer
Federal Reserve’s Christopher Waller said three hikes in 2022 are still a good baseline but he said if inflation stays high there could be four or even five hikes.Additional QuotesCould also allow the balance sheet to run off earlier.Doesn’t favour 50bps Fed hike in March.Could start shrinking Fed balance sheet …
Read More »Crude Oil Edges Lower On Profit-Taking, Rate Hike Concerns
Crude oil prices edged lower on Thursday as investors took profits after two days of gains amid fears of aggressive US interest rate hikes.Losses were cushioned by expectations of a strong economic recovery that will boost demand in a tightly supplied market. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down …
Read More »Semiconductors: Shortages, Earnings Tell The Whole Story
Taiwan Semiconductor shares surged on Thursday, as the semiconductor manufacturer said fourth-quarter earnings topped Wall Street estimates and it would boost spending for 2022 well above last year’s levels.Taiwan Semiconductor shares closed at $139.19, gaining more than 5% and just off their 52-week high of $145. More than 51 million …
Read More »Volatile Natural Gas Market Leads to More Dependence on Coal
A new report from Rhodium Group suggested that the United States may have to play catch-up to regain progress in the fight against climate change following a year of volatile natural gas prices that led to more reliance on less expensive coal increased greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. In its …
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