Focus on the Non-Farm Payrolls and Equities, Bonds and USD

Today may be a crucial NFP number with regards to the upcoming FOMC meeting on Tuesday. Fears of a slowdown of growth in the US have resulted in the USD selling off broadly against most major pairs, including low yielders such as the Yen, and a (more...)

2^nd December 2009

Commodity Overview

Focus on Oil & Gold

Over the last five days we have seen some volatility return to the energy markets. In light of the Dubai crisis WTI futures spiked as low as $72.39, the lowest price we have seen since October 12^th. As fears abated the equity markets rallied and the losses were soon erased, by the Friday session we were trading back in the prevailing sideways range.

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30^th November 2009

Equity Index

Overview

Last week should have been relatively quiet due to the US Thanksgiving holiday but thanks to the concerns surrounding Dubai this proved not to be the case. After significant losses were seen in Europe on Thursday as the news broke, the return of US players on Friday restored order and US and European markets stabilised. (more...)

6^th November 2009

US Employment Report Preview

Non-Farm payrolls are traditionally seen as one of the most significant pieces of data on the economic calendar. It usually takes place on the first Friday of the trading calendar every month. The potential to move markets is large, although the excitement over its significance can sometimes be misplaced. Today we shall see this report released at 13.30 BST. The expectation is for 175,000 jobs lost last month, and the unemployment rate is expected at 9.9%

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