US stock of unsold homes likely went higher in August

Sep 21, 2015 03:28 am UTC| Commentary

The preliminary canvass of available state and local Multiple Listing Service figures and statistical model both suggest that closings on existing dwellings retreated by 2.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.45...

Kiwi slips towards $0.63 amid soft second-tier data

Sep 21, 2015 03:08 am UTC| Commentary

The New Zealand dollar was driven lower on Monday, with several second-tier indicators pointing to renewed weakness in the economy. A consumer confidence gauge fell to its lowest level in three years this quarter, while...

Asian stocks sink on start of the new week, Fed decision creates uncertainty

Sep 21, 2015 02:55 am UTC| Commentary

The Federal Reserves (Fed) decision came amid several weeks of market turmoil as fears over the strength of Chinas economy and markets grew. On Thursday the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to keep monetary...

Wariness on China keeping UST yields low

Sep 21, 2015 02:19 am UTC| Commentary

The reaction of the market to the September 16/17 FOMC meeting is somewhat similar to March when the market was anticipating Fed hikes. Back then, the DXY and UST yields were on the high side in the lead up to the March...

China to reassure world during President Xi’s visit to US

Sep 21, 2015 02:12 am UTC| Commentary

The Feds primary reason - global growth worries - for not lifting US interest rates on 17 Sep was not welcome by markets. US equities followed through with more selling on Friday. Two Fed presidents, John Williams (San...

U.S. mortgage rates continue their two-year decline

Sep 21, 2015 02:00 am UTC| Commentary Economy

US mortgage rates continue their two-year decline. Last weeks decision by the Fed not to hike Fed funds pushed 15Y fixed mortgage rates down by another 5 basis points to 2.92%, where they sat back in early-2013, just...

Risks of rate cut underestimated in Taiwan

Sep 21, 2015 01:47 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

This weeks central bank meeting will be interesting to watch. While the market consensus expects Taiwans central bank (CBC) to hold rates steady at 1.875%, the risk of a surprise rate cut to 1.75% shouldnt be...