S&P futures slightly down, coming after solid gains last week that saw several fresh record highs. Treasuries are a bit firmer across the curve. Yields are down after bear steepening move last week. Dollar index up, Gold up. Bitcoin futures down, WTI crude up. Geopolitics remains the biggest focus over the weekend after Friday's summit between Trump and Putin ended with no commitment for Russia to end the Ukraine war. European leaders including Ukraine's Zelenskiy are set to meet Trump in Wa...
Aug 18, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 158
US equity futures are firmer with the S&P 500 up modestly. Asia ended mostly higher, and European markets are stronger. Fed rate cut expectations remain elevated despite hotter-than-expected July PPI, with markets still pricing a high probability of a September cut; China’s latest activity data showed broad deterioration in industrial production, fixed asset investment, and retail sales, with the property downturn deepening; Japan’s Q2 GDP growth rebounded more than expected, helped by capex...
Aug 15, 2025•4 min•Season 6Ep. 157
US equity futures are slightly softer with the S&P 500 down marginally. Asia ended mixed, with Japan pulling back from record highs. European markets are mostly firmer. Fed rate cut expectations continue to support sentiment, with the path of least resistance for equities still seen on the upside. Trump and Putin are set to meet Friday, with Trump warning of severe consequences if no ceasefire deal is reached. UK GDP growth surprised to the upside, aided by pre-tariff activity, while RICS da...
Aug 14, 2025•4 min•Season 6Ep. 156
S&P futures are pointing to a flat open today. Markets are responding positively to a record close in the U.S. markets, driven by CPI data that supports expectations of a September rate cut. While the data reflects mixed impacts from tariffs, it is seen as mild enough to justify Fed easing, particularly amid signs of labor market weakness. Asian markets surged today, with notable performances in Japan and Hong Kong. European markets are also firmer in early trades. Companies Mentioned: Sapie...
Aug 13, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 155
S&P futures are pointing to a flat open today, up +0.1%. Asian markets closed mostly higher today, with Japan's Nikkei climbing to a record high. European equity markets are also firmer in early trades. President Trump has signed an executive order that will extend the China tariff truce by another 90 days, signaling cautious progress in trade negotiations. Reports indicate discussions remain stuck on key issues like fentanyl, rare earths, and export controls. Trump suggested allowing sales ...
Aug 12, 2025•6 min•Season 6Ep. 154
S&P futures slightly down with yields US 2-year down to 3.8% and 10-year down to 4.3%. Asia equities are trading mostly higher, European equity markets are narrowly mixed. Dollar softer. Oil down. Gold pulling back with White House to clarify tariff on gold bars. Industrial metals are mostly higher. On the latest batch of trade headlines, press coverage are mostly on US secondary tariffs over Russian crude purchases. VP Vance said China could be hit with tariffs, echoing President Trump last...
Aug 11, 2025•6 min•Season 6Ep. 153
US equity futures are slightly weaker, Asia ended mixed, with Japan rallying strongly while most other major markets fell. European markets are mostly firmer. Focus remains on trade developments as Trump’s global tariffs take effect, with major trading partners including India and Switzerland continuing to lobby for exemptions. Japan’s Akazawa said the US will clarify that the 15% tariff will not stack on top of existing levies and that a revised auto tariff order will be signed. Commerce Secret...
Aug 08, 2025•4 min•Season 6Ep. 152
US equity futures are firmer. Asia mostly advanced, and European markets opened higher. Markets responded positively to Trump’s planned carve-out from the 100% chip tariff, which exempts companies investing in US capacity. Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on India over Russian oil purchases and raised the possibility of secondary sanctions on China. ECB economic bulletin and BoE rate decision in focus, with the latter expected to deliver a cautious 25 bp cut amid elevated inflation. Geopol...
Aug 07, 2025•4 min•Season 6Ep. 151
S&P futures are pointing to a higher open today, up +0.5%. Asian markets traded higher today with the Nikkei outperforming and Hang Seng setting a third consecutive day of gains. European markets are also firmer in early trades. In a CNBC interview, President Trump reiterated key trade positions, particularly targeting India and China. He criticized India's Russian energy purchases, BRICS participation, high tariffs, and resistance to market access, threatening to hike existing 25% tariffs w...
Aug 06, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 150
S&P futures are pointing to a flat open today, up +0.1%. Asian markets traded broadly higher today, with the Nikkei and Hang Seng both up +0.6%. European equity markets are also firmer in early trades. Tensions between the U.S. and India have escalated after former President Trump threatened significant tariff hikes on India over its purchase of Russian oil. This follows a 25% tariff imposed by Trump last week. However, both nations remain engaged in dialogue, with talks scheduled for late A...
Aug 05, 2025•6 min•Season 6Ep. 149
US and European futures are higher. Asian equities trading mixed. US 2-year yield stays at 3.7% with 10-year hitting 4.3%. Crude contracts easing back, precious metals up. Fallout continues from President Trump's tariff announcements as countries facing steepest levies contemplate their response. Switzerland is among the hardest hit nations with 39% tariff, prompting business minster to weigh a revised trade offer to US that includes stepped up purchase commitments. Trump hit Brazil with additio...
Aug 04, 2025•6 min•Season 6Ep. 148
US equity futures are softer. Asia ended broadly lower, and Europe opened weaker. The market focus is on trade as the White House released tariff rates ahead of the August 1st deadline, with baseline reciprocal tariffs set at 10% and higher levels applied to countries without agreements. Trump granted Mexico a 90-day extension tied to border policy, raised Canada’s fentanyl tariffs to 35%, and confirmed letters are being sent to pharma companies demanding pricing changes within 60 days. Attentio...
Aug 01, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 147
US equity futures are firmer with S&P up ~1%. Asia was mixed and European markets opened higher. The market focus remained on post-FOMC reactions and trade actions. Powell reiterated data-dependent stance on rate path in months ahead. Trump announced a South Korea trade deal with a 15% tariff that will also apply to autos and new investment commitments of $350B in US LNG, while threatening a 25% tariff on India. Trump also watered down 50% Brazil tariffs. Economic data showed Q2 GDP growth a...
Jul 31, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 146
S&P futures are pointing to a flat open today, up +0.1%. Asian markets traded mixed on Wednesday. The Nikkei closed flat, while the Hang Seng fell (1.4%), weighed down by weakness in tech and property stocks. European markets are marginally higher in early trades. The U.S. and China concluded two days of trade talks in Stockholm without significant breakthroughs but described the discussions as constructive. Key issues included U.S. concerns over China’s purchases of sanctioned Iranian and R...
Jul 30, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 145
S&P futures are pointing to a higher open today, up +0.2%, as progress of trade negotiations supports sentiment. Asian markets traded mixed today, but European markets are stronger in early trades. The EU-U.S. trade deal has drawn significant criticism despite avoiding worst-case tariffs. Energy experts question the feasibility of the EU's $750B energy purchase commitment, citing cost-focused private-sector priorities. European leaders highlight economic risks, with new 15% tariffs on pharma...
Jul 29, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 144
US equity futures are firmer with S&P up 0.3%. European equity markets go up with Asian markets mixed. US 2-year flat to 3.9% and 10-year is off 1bp at 4.4%. Dollar firmer, with biggest move versus Euro and Aussie. Oil up. Gold little changed, industrial metals lower. Trade deal momentum continues after President Trump announced US-EU deal establishing 15% tariff on most EU exports, including autos. Agreement expands list of major US trading partners signing deals over past week, with attent...
Jul 28, 2025•6 min•Season 6Ep. 143
US equity futures are slightly higher. Asian markets finished mostly lower and European markets opened lower. The market focus remained on corporate earnings and trade policy. GOOGL’s results supported AI-driven optimism, while TSLA’s weaker outlook weighed on sentiment. Reports suggested the US and EU are close to finalizing a trade deal involving new tariffs. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Bessent’s upcoming meeting with China’s Vice Premier has drawn attention. Sentiment was also shaped by mix...
Jul 25, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 142
US equity futures are mixed after Wednesday’s rally pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to fresh record closes. Asia ended higher, with Japan leading gains and tech supporting sentiment in Korea and Taiwan, while European markets opened firmer. The market focus remained on trade policy developments, with momentum building toward new tariff deals. Trump confirmed a US-Japan agreement featuring a 15% tariff, below the earlier signaled 25% rate. Reports also indicated that the US and EU are close to ...
Jul 24, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 141
S&P futures are pointing to a higher open today, up +0.3%, supported by trade deal momentum. Asian equities rallied Wednesday, led by Japan’s Nikkei, which surged +3.5% on the back of a U.S.-Japan trade deal announcement. European markets are also trading firmly higher, with the STOXX 600, DAX, and CAC up near +1%. The U.S. and Japan reached a trade deal reducing tariffs to 15% on various goods, including autos. Japan will boost rice imports by 75% and purchase $8B in U.S. agricultural and o...
Jul 23, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 140
S&P futures are pointing to a flat open today. Asian equities traded mixed on Tuesday, while European markets are edging lower in early trades. Asian officials are rushing to finalize trade deals with the U.S. ahead of the 1-Aug deadline. Taiwan has voiced cautious hope for an agreement, while South Korea and Japan continue talks in Washington over auto tariffs. India, however, remains skeptical about a deal due to pharma tariff protection sticking points. Companies Mentioned: Paramount Glob...
Jul 22, 2025•5 min•Season 6Ep. 139
