The North Korean situation flared up again with fresh threats from their leader, and while the markets have taken these types of threats in stride before, there will be some anxiety that affects risk sentiment.
Argentina
Growing Recovery in the Global Economy
The most important developments this past week were a market-perceived delay in the timing of the next US rate hike, another failed rally in the dollar, and upside breakouts in gold and silver off the latest wave of US/Chinese trade war fears.
Economic, Political Uncertainty On the Rise; Forward Commodity Demand in Question
US economic data continues to be disappointing, Trump and the GOP are trying to do everything at once, and they appear to be putting off tackling fiscal spending and tax reform in favor of wading into the quagmire of health care reform.
Signs of Improving Global Economy? Or Anticipating US Rate Hike?
We are not sure if the signals being thrown by Treasuries this week are a sign of a longer term change or if we are “putting the cart before the horse.”
The Markets Force the Fed to Act
We were a little surprised with the trading action over the last week.
Will There Be Forward Progress in the US?
What we don’t know is the pace of the global recovery, but what we might know is that there is some measure of forward progress in the US, Europe and China.
The Fed Passed on Hiking Rates; Commodity Markets Not Impressed
The Fed passed on hiking rates, but the lift to most commodity markets off that news was not very impressive, and this suggests that the path of least resistance is likely to remain down.
Prospects of a June Fed Rate Hike?
We think that commodity markets were short-term and perhaps even intermediately overbought going into their recent highs.
Large Grain Supply May Not Be Enough!
Several years ago, the amount of food consumed inside the home was surpassed by what was consumed outside of the home.
Fundamental Track in Favor of the Bear Camp
Just when it appeared that sentiment had reached a trough, the crude oil market dragged commodities down even further.