Inconsistencies in the MAGA Agenda February 11, 2026 Masks are the latest issue where far right politicians have taken strong stands both opposing and embracing an issue. In the early days of Covid when medical authorities believed that the spread of the pandemic could be slowed down by the wearing of masks, Republicans politicized that…
Awaiting January U.S. Jobs Data and Puzzling Over Other Weird News February 11, 2026 The Labor Department’s monthly employment situation report, which will in addition include a variety of revisions to past data, is due within the hour. Analysts are anticipating an unchanged 4.4% jobless rate, marginally softer wage growth of some 3.6% year-on-year and…
Many Data Releases and a Chinese Warning about U.S. Treasury Exposures and the Dollar February 10, 2026 U.S. retail sales, import prices and the employment cost index get released within the hour followed tomorrow by January labor market figures tomorrow and consumer prices data on Friday. Meanwhile, many economic statistics from other countries were reported…
Weaker Dollar and Huge Election Victory for Japanese PM Takaichi’s LDP Party February 9, 2026 (153) In lower house Japanese parliamentary elections yesterday, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party won 316 of 465 contested seats, up from 198 in the previous election and exceeding their prior record high of 300 in the 1986 election. Yesterday’s landslide…
Next Week’s Menu: February 7-14, 2026 February 6, 2026 Central Banks: Interest rate settings will be reviewed in Russia, Peru, Serbia, Egypt and the Philippines. Hammack, Bostic and Logan of the Federal Reserve and Hunter and Hauser of the Reserve Bank of Australia will be speaking publicly. Japanese Holiday and Event: National Foundation Day falls…
Crazy Volatility in the Marketplace February 6, 2026 After a week of insane financial market movement, this Friday in particular has a TGIF aura to it. At lows around $60,000, Bitcoin’s price had corrected more than 50% from its record high last October. The price of silver soared to almost $121/ounce just over a week…
Fresh Anxiety about Coming AI Disruption Adding to Existing Worries about Trade & Geopolitical Tensions February 5, 2026 The jittery mood of investors is generating big and sudden swings in world financial markets. While last year showcased a suspect dollar but buoyant equity markets, stocks, Bitcoin and precious metals have lately been the objects of…
Many Purchasing Manager Surveys, Euroland CPI and PPI Reports and a Trio of Interest Rate Decisions February 4, 2026 Gold and silver prices remain strongly bid this Wednesday following sharp rebounds yesterday. Ahead of this weekend’s snap lower house elections,the yen traded 0.2% lower overnight, bringing is relapse since Friday to 2.4% against the dollar….
Softer Dollar, Stronger Equities, and an Australian Central Bank Interest Rate Hike that Was Generally Anticipated February 3, 2026 The dollar fell most sharply overnight against the Australian dollar (-0.8%) and kiwi (-0.5%) but also dipped 0.1% relative to the Swiss franc and Canadian dollar. There’s been no net change relative to sterling or the…
Groundhog Day Ushers in February February 2, 2026 (154) The 1993 movie Groundhog Day showcased a seemingly endless loop of life, constantly reliving the same day. So it is that this Groundhog Day kicks of a new week and month but with a slew of familiar geopolitical tensions, central banking uncertainties, and one-hand/other-hand economic risks….