Category Archives: Market Insights

On Wednesday, the U.S Federal Reserve released the minutes for its 13-14 December meeting, revealing a key message coming from committee members to investors: don’t start counting on a dovish pivot just yet.   Quoting from the minutes – “an unwarranted easing in financial conditions, especially if driven by a misperception by the public of theContinue Reading

North Korea in a Year of Unprecedented Aggression North Korea has launched a record number of missile tests in 2022, far outnumbering previous recorded years at a total of 90 missiles fired – compared to 2021’s 8 missiles. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jung Un has ordered an ‘exponential’ increase in the size of theContinue Reading

On Wednesday, the Bank of Japan released a summary of opinions from its December meeting. The meeting, originally held on 20 December, saw the BoJ increase its 10-year benchmark yield ceiling in a surprise move that boosted the yen over 3% by investors betting on a Hawkish turn by the BoJ.  However, Wednesday’s summary revealedContinue Reading

Japan’s outgoing central bank governor Haruhiko Kuroda surprised markets with an increase of 25 basis points on the cap for the BoJ’s 10-year yields, effectively doubling the limit. The surprise has caught economists by surprise in light of the BoJ’s extreme dovishness even as the rest of the world embraces tightening. While the BoJ hasContinue Reading

U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell much more than expected, according to the data of the American Petroleum Institute (API). The weekly report released by the organisation reported a draw of nearly 3.1 million barrels of crude oil for the week ending in December 16th. Compared to a build up of more than 7.8 million barrelsContinue Reading

Embattled FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been slapped with 8 charges by federal prosecutors, including conspiracy and wire fraud. The ex-CEO was arrested in the Bahamas on Monday – the first move by the authorities to hold those involved in the FTX meltdown and the subsequent loss of billions in client funds accountable. In addition,Continue Reading

On Wednesday, 14 December, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced its last rate hike of the year – a 50-basis point increase to the Fed fund rate, well in line with the market’s expectations. This brings the Fed benchmark rate to 4.25% – 4.5%, the highest in 15 years. While a dovish step down from theContinue Reading

The U.S. will send another security package to Ukraine, worth US$275 million, consisting of new capabilities to boost its air defences. This puts the total amount of direct aid the U.S. has delivered to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion at $13 billion. U.S. President Joe Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have both affirmed continued aidContinue Reading

China has announced that it will be lifting its strictest covid policies, including being forced to quarantine in state facilities and the need to test before entering most venues. The easing has been released in a series of new guidelines that include a ban on blocking fire exits, encouraging vaccinations among the elderly, and shortenedContinue Reading

On Wednesday evening, November’s ADP Nonfarm Employment Change numbers were released, vastly underperforming expectations with an increase of 127,000 private payroll jobs, well below the estimate of 190,000 and the previous month’s 239,000.  The leisure and hospitality sector was the largest gainer, with an increase in 224,000 jobs. The most significant sector losses include manufacturing,Continue Reading