Category Archives: Weekly Outlook

On Wednesday, 14 December, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced its last rate hike of the year – a 50-basis point increase to the Fed fund rate, well in line with the market’s expectations. This brings the Fed benchmark rate to 4.25% – 4.5%, the highest in 15 years. While a dovish step down from theContinue Reading

The U.S. will send another security package to Ukraine, worth US$275 million, consisting of new capabilities to boost its air defences. This puts the total amount of direct aid the U.S. has delivered to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion at $13 billion. U.S. President Joe Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have both affirmed continued aidContinue Reading

China has announced that it will be lifting its strictest covid policies, including being forced to quarantine in state facilities and the need to test before entering most venues. The easing has been released in a series of new guidelines that include a ban on blocking fire exits, encouraging vaccinations among the elderly, and shortenedContinue Reading

On Wednesday evening, November’s ADP Nonfarm Employment Change numbers were released, vastly underperforming expectations with an increase of 127,000 private payroll jobs, well below the estimate of 190,000 and the previous month’s 239,000.  The leisure and hospitality sector was the largest gainer, with an increase in 224,000 jobs. The most significant sector losses include manufacturing,Continue Reading

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