Markets

For a quarter of a century, China's economic crash theory has been a lucrative cottage industry in the West. However, there is a reason why certain times favor the doomsayers.  At the turn of the millennium, Gordon Chang’s The Coming...

The media often depicts a European Union that is unraveling.  The financial crisis, high unemployment, and demands for austerity for as far as the eye can see have undermined confident in the European project.  Syriza and Podemos from the Left and...

Japan–Australia security ties are now stronger than ever. Both countries have a long history of cooperation in multilateral contexts such as peacekeeping missions or regional institution building but recently this has been strengthened to include more direct bilateral and trilateral...

EM assets are starting the week off on a soft note, picking up where we left off last week.  The usual culprits can be cited:  firmer US dollar, softer commodity prices, global growth slowing, and Fed tightening concerns.  However, the...

1) Brazil’s Senate finally approved the much discussed fiscal measure, 2) Poland’s ruling party lost control of the presidency, 3) The conflict in the South China Sea is heating up again, 4) The key JPY/KRW cross has fallen to its...

There is no doubt that Modi works hard and drives his government at a similar hectic pace. Midnight oil is burnt regularly in the Prime Minister’s Office, which now resembles an omnipotent and omnipresent command station. Under Modi, the economy...

The pre-Socratic Heraclitus was the philosopher of change.  He wrote, "no man steps in the same river twice; for it is not the same river and he is not the same man."  Truth that. The pre-Socratic Heraclitus was the philosopher...

The US dollar is mixed after making new multi-year highs against the yen near JPY124.30 in Asia, while month-end positioning appears to have helped fuel an extension of the euro's recovery that began in the North America yesterday.  The lack...

Something happens between the bubbles, bailouts, boom and bust cycles that we can’t afford to ignore, and it’s happening right now in the US and Europe. It is a kind of collective amnesia that lulls investors into forgetting exactly what...

The strong upside momentum for the US dollar seen last week is carrying into today's activity.  It was firm in the holiday-thinned trading yesterday but has jumped higher today. There are two chief drivers.  The strong upside momentum for the...

While the markets in the United States and parts of Europe were closed on Monday, four things took place that global investors need to know.  While the markets in the United States and parts of Europe were closed on Monday,...

Seldom has the death of a great Asian leader commanded as much appreciation in the West as the passing of Lee Kuan Yew. The mind numbs at the number of well-earned tributes to the man who led Singapore to become...

Emerging markets currencies are somewhat directionless at the moment, caught between an unclear trend for the dollar and oil prices in a broad yet volatile range since the start of the month. Moreover, the uncertainty about the timing of the...

As Australia moves away from a decade of resource-driven prosperity, it is even more important that it avoid mistakes that previously might have been papered over by the boom times. Yet there are loud voices calling for the mistakes of...

Australian federal government policymakers need to have broader and more robust consultations with business, consumers and state governments when it comes to trade treaties. As an open economy that is heavily dependent on trade for its well-being, it is important...