COMMODITIES

The shutdown impacting parts of the US government remains, the passing of Theresa May’s meaningful vote on Brexit seems unlikely and negative data from Europe has some wondering whether the region is already in recession.

Fed Chair Jay Powell’s comments at the Economic Club in Washington supports risk sentiment.

FOMC Minutes just released show Fed more dovish than post Dec-18-19 meeting statement/presser suggested

US-China trade talks extended into a 3rd day.

Positive sentiment in the US on Friday and in the APAC session yesterday has carried through into overnight markets notwithstanding a downside surprise in the US non-manufacturing ISM report.

It was far from a quiet Christmas period, with volatility driven by data, trade concerns, a government shutdown and a very different attitude coming from the US Fed.

2018 has been a year of surprises. In the final podcast for the year, the team discuss the year that was and what to expect in 2019.

US stocks have fallen markedly since the Fed meeting yesterday, with the dollar also taking a hit and the yield curve flattening a little.

Does the message from the US Fed set the right tone given sensitivities in the markets right now?