Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey Reveals Optimism Amongst Young People

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on Aug 17, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) In the past few weeks, we have read articles and studies describing the delayed household formation of younger Americans. I covered them in “The Housing Recovery Will Proceed Even With The … Read more

Australian Dollar Starts the Year with A Bias for Bottoming

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on January 2, 2014. Click here to read the entire piece.) The ASX (Australian Stock Exchange) tracker for rate expectations dropped further to start the new year. The RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia) Rate Tracker dropped the odds of a rate decrease … Read more

The British Pound And Euro Surge Despite Higher U.S. Rates

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on December 30, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) On Friday, the U.S. 10-year Treasury bond yield hit 3.0%, matching a high for the year. Rate are rising again across the yield curve. Source: St. Louis Federal Reserve This steady … Read more

A One-Chart Reminder Of the Market’s Obsession With Fed Tapering and Tightening

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on December 12, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) Last Thursday (December 12, 2013), U.S. initial jobless claims came in at 368,000. This number was above “expectations” and above the on-going declining trend in the 4-week moving average. {snip} Source: … Read more

Some Quick Implications As the U.S. Dollar Turns the Corner On Taper Fears Part Two

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on November 11, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) The next statement on monetary policy from the U.S. Federal Reserve comes on December 18th. With taper expectations on the rise again thanks to the 204,000 jobs added in October, it … Read more

Failed Breakouts Provide Buying Opportunity in the Australian Dollar

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on October 25, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) Ever since news of Chinese banks making massive write-offs and a parallel spike in China money rates stoked renewed fears over the Chinese financial system, the Australian dollar (FXA) has pared … Read more

I Am Sticking With Gold: A Critique Of “The Golden Dilemma”

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on July 29, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) {snip} When King uttered these words in his final Inflation Report as Governor of the Bank of England (BoE), there was no sudden surge in interest rates or sell-offs in financial … Read more

Market Trends Continue To Swirl Inconsistently Around Rising Rates

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on August 19, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) The mixed signals from financial markets continue as interest rates continue to climb. In fact, the steady rise in rates is the main feature within a swirl of inconsistent patterns. The … Read more

Mixed Signals Surround the Steady Creep Higher In Interest Rates

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on August 7, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) Tuesday’s trading (August 6, 2013) brought out the taper tantrum jitters again. Officials from the Federal Reserve are once again reminding financial markets about the potential for September to bring the … Read more

With A Rate Decision Looming, Weakening Australian Dollar Sends Poor Signal for Stocks

This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on February 1, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) While all eyes are trained on U.S. economic data this week, Australians are looking ahead to Monday, February 4th when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) makes its next statement on … Read more