The US dollar is going into the monthly jobs report bid. It has risen against all the major currencies, save the Australian dollar that is up less than a tenth of one percent at pixel time. There are two main considerations. First, many speculators had given up on the strong dollar story. This was evident in the positioning in the futures market, and the numerous articles in the business press arguing the dollar bull market was over.
It took the excitement generated by the political campaign of a self-described socialist, Bernie Sanders, to put into stark relief the extent to which the United States political system fails to reflect and respond to the aspirations of most Americans.
Divergences in central bank policies continue to drive the global investment environment. This holds true not just across Developed Markets, but Emerging Markets as well. We thought it would be helpful to summarize our expectations of central bank policies going forward.
Everyone has experienced it. Striding along in a purposeful hurry, your progress thwarted by a slow-moving pedestrian, dawdling along the pavement. Perhaps they are talking into their mobile phone, looking lost or just plain taking their time. It can drive you mad.
The question is, should it?
We are all aware that a number of controversies surround the concept of climate change. However, if we put the possible causes to one side, there is a general scientific consensus that the climate is changing. A changing climate might, obviously, have a significant impact on us all but in a world of differing environments and, indeed, of inequalities, some societies seem set to be adversely affected more than others do.
While the UK wined and dined the Chinese leader and struck deals to build nuclear power stations, the Americans were defying China’s aggressive expansionism in the South China Sea. The British strategy has angered the US and it could cause major fissures in the ‘special relationship’.
South Asian states established the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985 to enhance a peaceful co-existence. SAARC includes eight member countries, namely Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan and Bhutan. According to its charter, the main purpose of SAARC is to enhance collective self-reliance and to develop mutual trust and understanding.
The upcoming general elections in Myanmar raise the question of religion’s role in democratisation processes. Previously Buddhism has been an important force in favour of democracy, but in the 2015 election campaign strong Buddhist forces are supporting the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). This is their democratic right, but it may hinder further political reforms and democratisation in Myanmar.
Fewer buyers are interested in American-made goods even as factories find it more expensive to hire workers.
Factory goods saw declining demand, with new orders down 1% in September after falling 2.1% in August, according to the Commerce Department. That August decline is after a downward revision as analysts saw orders even weaker than previously estimated.
Wednesday may begin slowly in Asia featuring the largest IPO of the year in the form of Japan Post, but it may very well prove to be one of the most important days of the month. Caixin’s service and composite PMIs for China are due.
