Category Archives: Market Insights

As frustrations mount over China’s zero covid policy and continued lockdowns, protests, a rare sight in China, have sprung up all over the country. The lastest happened on Sunday, where protesters and and police clashed in Shanghai. In Wuhan, Chengdu and the capital of Beijing, demonstraters have also taken to the streets, citing disatisfaction withContinue Reading

On Wednesday, 24 November (GMT+2), the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released the minutes of its 1-2 November meeting. Reflecting statements multiple officials have made over the last several weeks, the meeting summary concluded that a substantial majority of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) agreed it would probably moderate the pace of interest rate hikes.Continue Reading

Chinese tech and gaming giant Tencent has been awarded its first license for a video game in 18 months. This comes after the Chinese authorities started its wide-reaching crackdown on big tech companies, implementing legislation like limiting the amount of time children could spend playing games, and freezing the approval of new titles. Beijing hasContinue Reading

On Wednesday evening, the EIA Crude Oil Inventories was released, with a draw of 5.4 million barrels – almost 5 million higher than the expected draw of 440,000 barrels. This puts current inventories at 435.4 million barrels, 4% below the 5-year average for this time of the year.  Normally, a larger-than-expected drop in the crudeContinue Reading

Embattled cryptocurrency exchange FTX has declared bankruptcy in the latest saga in the crypto world. The company saw a mass exodus of holders of its native coin, FTT, after news emerged that its finances, including that of its sister trading company Alameda Research, was on shaky ground. Alameda itself is being accused of using clientContinue Reading

After weeks of campaigning, the 2022 U.S. midterm elections are set to be held on 8th November, Tuesday.  With inflation in full swing and multiple signals of an impending recession, it looks the economy – more specifically the cost of living – might decide who the winning party is. All 435 House seats and 35Continue Reading

On Wednesday, 2 November, the US Federal Reserve implemented its fourth mega hike, raising interest rates by 75 basis points, or 0.75%, in its continuing fight against high inflation. This brings the current Fed’s benchmark rate to 3.75% – 4%, with rates expected to hit a ceiling at 4.5% – 4.75% in 2023 according toContinue Reading

On Tuesday, 25 October, Rishi Sunak was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the UK. The 42-year-old is the third UK PM in 7 weeks, replacing Liz Truss, who was PM for the whole of 44 days. Sunak comes at a time of great financial instability for the UK, with Truss’ mini-budget causingContinue Reading

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned last week, making her the UK’s shortest-serving PM at just 44 days in office. Truss’ term has been plagued by criticism for her mini budget program, which included the biggest tax cuts since 1972, but would be largely funded  by a massive expansion in borrowing. The markets are nowContinue Reading

Recession fears are plaguing the markets more strongly than ever. On Wednesday, US Treasury yields hit a 14-year high, with the 10-year note hitting as high as 4.153% as of writing – the highest since 2008’s recession. Meanwhile, the 2-year yield rose by 13 basis points to 4.57%. More importantly, the 3-month rate briefly roseContinue Reading