US Real GDP Growth Revised Slightly Downward for Fourth Quarter 2023, Personal Consumption and Capital Investment Upward Revision

US Real GDP Growth Revised Slightly Downward for Fourth Quarter 2023, Personal Consumption and Capital Investment Upward Revision

The revised U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for October-December 2023 (fourth quarter) has been revised slightly downward from the preliminary figure. This reflects the downward revision of inventory. On the other hand, personal consumption and capital investment were revised upward. Key Point The revised U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 3.2% annually … Read more

“Short Cover Risk in Bonds” – Unwinding of Net Short Positions in U.S. Treasury Futures Sparks Upside Risk Concerns

“Short Cover Risk in Bonds” – Unwinding of Net Short Positions in U.S. Treasury Futures Sparks Upside Risk Concerns

Commodity Investment Advisors (CTAs) have recently been positioned as “maximum short” from a tactical standpoint, but futures data suggests an unwinding may be underway. This leaves U.S. Treasuries exposed to short-term upside risk from short covering. Hedge funds, CTAs and other leveraged funds are unwinding net short positions across Treasury futures at an aggressive pace, … Read more

US Financial Authority’s Interest Rate Policy in 2024: Slow and Unsteady Rate Cuts Expected

US Financial Authority’s Interest Rate Policy in 2024: Slow and Unsteady Rate Cuts Expected

The U.S. Financial Authority’s interest rate policy is often described as raising interest rates as an escalator and lowering them as an elevator. However, in this case, the opposite is true, and investors expecting a rapid rate cut may be dissatisfied. Aiming to curb rising inflation, the monetary authorities, led by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome … Read more

Record U.S. Stock Rally Threatened by Geopolitical Instability in the Middle East

Record U.S. Stock Rally Threatened by Geopolitical Instability in the Middle East

Investors and companies are becoming increasingly wary of the war in the Middle East, which poses a major risk to corporate performance. Sales have fallen due to widespread boycotts in Islamic countries, and attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have threatened supply chains. Those headwinds pose a risk to the record rally in … Read more

Morocco Government Adopts Draft Decree to Regulate Aircraft Registration and Mortgage, Aligning with International Aviation Safety Standards

Morocco Government Adopts Draft Decree to Regulate Aircraft Registration and Mortgage, Aligning with International Aviation Safety Standards

The government adopted, last Thursday, a draft decree which aims to regulate the terms of registration, identification, mortgage and forced sale of aircraft. This text, which is part of the implementation of the civil aviation code, promulgated in 2016, aims to harmonize national legislation with international standards in aviation safety. Draft decree No. 2.23.375, presented … Read more

New York Community Bancorp’s Credit Grade Downgraded to Junk by Moody’s

New York Community Bancorp’s Credit Grade Downgraded to Junk by Moody’s

Latest News: New York Community Bancorp’s Credit Rating Cut to Junk by Moody’s Investors Service New York Community Bancorp’s Credit Rating Cut to Junk by Moody’s Investors Service Credit Grade Downgraded and Reserves Strengthened New York Community Bancorp’s credit grade was recently downgraded to junk status by Moody’s Investors Service. The downgrade comes shortly after … Read more

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell Interview on “60 Minutes”: Full Transcript and Implications

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell Interview on “60 Minutes”: Full Transcript and Implications

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” broadcast on the evening of the 4th (the morning of the 5th Japan time) that the monetary authority is likely to wait until after March before cutting interest rates. He said it was big. It explains to ordinary Americans the rationale for future interest … Read more

Mark Zuckerberg Announces Meta’s First-Ever Dividend, but IRS Eyes Millions in Taxes

Mark Zuckerberg Announces Meta’s First-Ever Dividend, but IRS Eyes Millions in Taxes

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Set to Earn $700 Million in Dividends Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Set to Earn $700 Million in Dividends Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., delighted Meta shareholders and Wall Street this week with the announcement of the company’s first-ever dividend. This news comes as Meta’s stock dividends prove to be … Read more

US Labor Productivity Surpasses Market Expectations with 3.2% Growth in Fourth Quarter 2023

US Labor Productivity Surpasses Market Expectations with 3.2% Growth in Fourth Quarter 2023

The US labor productivity index grew faster than market expectations in the fourth quarter of last year. Productivity continued to improve throughout 2023, contributing to boosting economic growth as inflation slowed. Key Point The non-agricultural sector labor productivity index (preliminary figures) increased by 3.2% annually compared to the previous quarter. The median economist forecast is … Read more

US Job Openings Reach Three-Month High Despite Decreased Worker Departures

US Job Openings Reach Three-Month High Despite Decreased Worker Departures

The number of job openings in the U.S. increased in December last year, contrary to market expectations, reaching the highest level in three months. On the other hand, the number of people leaving their jobs has decreased, suggesting that workers are becoming more cautious despite the fact that demand for labor remains strong. Key Point … Read more