Blog Postlist

Dollar on the back foot

Optimism that an end to the conflict in the Middle East may be in sight, following comments by Iran’s President that his country “has the necessary will to end this war”, triggered a decline in oil prices and a strong rally in US stocks into the New York close. Asian equities are also sharply higher […]

Irish HICP inflation now close to highest rate in the euro area

The news yesterday the CSO’s flash estimate of Irish HICP inflation rose to 3.6% in March was almost exactly in line with our expectations – driven up by rising petrol and diesel prices. However, Irish consumers also have the 3rd highest exposure in Europe to the 80% rise in home heating oil prices over the past month. […]

Some respite for bond markets

There was some respite for bond markets yesterday, with US Treasuries leading a decline in yields as the market priced back in some (small) chance of a Fed rate cut this year. The dollar generally remained on the front foot though, notwithstanding lower US yields, gaining ground against the euro and sterling. EURUSD is trading […]

Oil prices higher again

Oil prices are heading further north at the start of play this week. Brent crude has risen to over $115 per barrel, not far off its high in the conflict to date of almost $120. Asian equity markets are a good deal lower overnight (Japan’s Nikkei is off more than 3%), after US stocks closed […]

Bonds and stocks slide

Markets took their cue from higher oil prices with bond yields rising sharply and stocks selling off sharply during yesterday’s session. Perhaps with an eye on markets, Donald Trump has announced a ten-day extension to his ‘freeze’ on striking Iran’s power plants, saying talks with the country were going ‘very well’. Notably though, this has […]