RBA offers some breathing room
The US S&P 500 & S&P ASX/200 were lower by 7-8% in September. The RBA raised the benchmark borrowing rate by 0.25% less than the expected 0.5% rate hike. After stocks were sharply lower in September, October opened a window to a relief rally, and a more dovish RBA brought a breeze to Tuesday morning…
The new world energy order
Russia-Europe gas linkage Nordstream closed indefinitely. European prices have stabilised, suggesting the supply restructuring is nearing completion. How durable is the new energy supply chain? Can we see an inflation retracement on the horizon? International inflation tightrope The US has been walking the tightrope of importing and exporting inflation. It has been attempting to reign…
Can Australia dodge yet another recession?
Retail sales were up 0.6% in August. Strong demand for business funding is fuelling confidence. Favourable business conditions and high demand for funding suggest the sun hasn’t yet set on the Australian economy. The Australian Economy The rising costs of living have given the Australian consumer pause for thought over the recent weeks and months….
Looking for relief in the data
The US Dollar is at 20-year highs against a basket of currencies. Faced with inflation and devalued currencies, international central banks fret over the direction of monetary policy. Can we make sense of the economic data and what may be on the immediate horizon? The Mighty Dollar The US dollar relative to a basket of…
The selloffs continue unabated
Asia opened lower on Monday, with the ASX shedding 2% at the open. The NASDAQ closed 1.8% down on Friday and a further 0.6% lower before the opening. Is inflation starting to turn the corner, and can we expect some relief from higher borrowing costs in the near future? A rocky start to the week…
The best ASX value stocks right now
The S&P ASX 200 is down 10% from its April highs. As of the 19th of September, the ASX PE ratio is narrowing on the March 2020 lows, currently at a multiple of 25.58. What are some of the best value quality stocks on the market now? Searching for value Global stock markets have taken…
Market jitters in the pandemic-era
The US Dollar index is narrowing on the Dotcom-era bust highs. US and international stock markets are shedding value. Are we on the precipice of another sharp sell-off? All eyes are on the Fed Markets are jittery leading up to Wednesday’s critical interest rate decision and monetary policy statement from the US Federal Reserve. Slated…
A premium on winter fuel
Natural gas for delivery in Japan and Korea is hovering at all-time highs. The price of coal for loading from Newcastle, Australia has never been higher. What is causing the high prices for these critical winter supplies, and how can investors participate in the record run? The gas market Oil prices are down 4% this…
US stock market carnage spills over into Australia
The August month-on-month-consumer price reading is 0.6%, twice the expectation of 0.3%. Investors fearing accelerated and sharper rate hikes hit the sell button en masse. What is driving the selloff, and can we expect the selling to continue? Sticky inflation The August month-on-month print of the consumer price index came in at 0.6%, or 7.2%…
The remarkable flexibility and durability of the US oil industry
Displacement of Russian oil to Europe could derail the world’s oil market. The US private and public market response to the crisis has surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. How has the US suppressed oil prices, and can this continue? Oil’s importance For the average consumer, oil is one of the most significant expenditures through…
