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Macro

Daily Brief Macro: Overview # 28 – Capital Flows into Hard Assets Continue and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • Overview # 28 – Capital Flows into Hard Assets Continue
  • US Attracting Strong FDI Inflows at Europe’s Expense, While Wall Street Frets Over Withholding Tax
  • Asian Equities: Southbound Flows Turning to Dividends and Beaten Down Sectors
  • Real Asset Chartbook Week #10
  • Why “Sell America” Isn’t Equity Bearish
  • S&P 500: A Cresting Tide?


Overview # 28 – Capital Flows into Hard Assets Continue

By Rikki Malik

  • A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes and outlook
  • Fast and furious moves up in silver, PGM and related metals
  • Sectors we have highlighted as inflation beneficiaries starting to attract capital

US Attracting Strong FDI Inflows at Europe’s Expense, While Wall Street Frets Over Withholding Tax

By Said Desaque

  • Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the US share of inbound foreign direct investment (FDI) has risen significantly at the expense of Europe. President Trump aims to attract even more FDI.
  • The America First Investment Strategy unveiled by the Trump administration seeks to bolster manufacturing investment via tax incentives as well as the creation of a sovereign wealth fund.
  • Foreign ownership of the Treasury and US equity markets are roughly the same size and significant and potentially a major source of turbulence due to geopolitics. 

Asian Equities: Southbound Flows Turning to Dividends and Beaten Down Sectors

By Manishi Raychaudhuri

  • In May, onshore Chinese investors bought US$5.85bn of HK-listed stocks, down sharply from the $19-21 bn net buying range of the past three months. The favorite stocks also changed sharply.
  • The hitherto Southbound favorites, Tencent, Alibaba and Xiaomi were sold down. Onshore investors’ current favorites seem to be the high dividend yield stocks, particularly China Mobile, CNOOC, China Construction Bank.
  • Competitive pressures crashed food delivery and EV share prices. But Southbound investors seem to see these share price drawdowns as buying opportunities. Meituan, Li Auto were bought in significant measure.

Real Asset Chartbook Week #10

By Massif Capital Research

  • This week, we are interested in US NatGas. For the last few weeks, the NatGas Mismatch Indicator has been flashing red.
  • The mismatch indicator identifies positioning mismatches between the net number of individual speculative traders and their net speculative open interest.
  • These points frequently intersect with price inflection points and can be useful trading signals. 

Why “Sell America” Isn’t Equity Bearish

By Cam Hui

  • We have been fairly cautious in our U.S. equity outlook in these pages, but that doesn’t mean we are equity bearish.
  • We are embracing the “Sell America” trade because of a combination of deteriorating U.S. fiscal position and the trade war policy pivot that’s contributing to falling confidence in USD assets.
  • The key risk to our “Sell America” thesis is whether the U.S. can sustain its technology dominance in the next investment cycle.

S&P 500: A Cresting Tide?

By Cam Hui

  • The U.S. equity rally may be stalling as a frothy market encounters negative divergences.
  • It faces the combination of valuation pressures, challenging trade negotiations with China and early signs of economic weakness.
  • The last shoe to drop is price momentum, which may be in the process of rolling over.

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Daily Brief Macro: From Tariff Tantrum to Treasury Turbulence and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • From Tariff Tantrum to Treasury Turbulence
  • Top 10 Korean Stock Picks and Key Catalysts Bi-Weekly (6 June to 20 2025)


From Tariff Tantrum to Treasury Turbulence

By Kok Peng Chan

  • Investor concerns have shifted from Trump’s tariff tantrum to turbulence in the US treasury market. This does not spell the end of the bull market.
  • While headlines scream about the CBO projection of a sharp jump in US public debt, the high yield market remains calm. Investors should decide who to follow.
  • Bond vigilantes may be active right now but the Fed retains the ability and the precedent to stabilise the market if needed.

Top 10 Korean Stock Picks and Key Catalysts Bi-Weekly (6 June to 20 2025)

By Douglas Kim

  • In this insight, we provide the top 10 stocks picks and key catalysts in the Korean stock market for the two weeks (6 to 20 June 2025).
  • The top three picks in the past two weeks included Samsung C&T, Amorepacific Holdings, and Samsung Securities . They were offset by poor performances by Nongshim and Krafton. 
  • The top 10 picks in this bi-weekly include Amorepacific Holdings, LG Corp, Hyundai Elevator, CS Wind, SK Hynix, Korea Investment Holdings, Samsung F&M Insurance, JYP Entertainment, HiteJinro, and SK Inc.

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Daily Brief Macro: HEW: Poorly Positioned Doves and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • HEW: Poorly Positioned Doves
  • The Innermost Layer of the Onion
  • Asia Geopolitics: No Collective ASEAN Response To Changing Global Order
  • [IO Fundamentals 2025/22] PMI Data Divergence and Declining IO Inventories
  • [IO Technicals 2025/23] Bearish Momentum Persists
  • India: 50bp Rate Cut, 100bp of CRR Cuts Pave the Way for Faster RGDP Growth
  • Higher Rubber Values Come In Handy For Vietnam, Though Volume Down


HEW: Poorly Positioned Doves

By Phil Rush

  • The ECB was even more hesitant to signal cuts than we expected, with the level after the unsurprising cut now deemed well-positioned. Cuts will require downside news.
  • Disinflationary surprises across the Euro area in the May flash releases are already embedded in that assessment. Doves are poorly positioned for this reaction function.
  • US inflation data may be the most crucial global release next week, although the signal may not be clear. Statistical issues affect the UK labour market and GDP data.

The Innermost Layer of the Onion

By Thomas Lam

  • It is important to dissect and monitor the underlying inflation backdrop across the G3 economies for a variety of reasons
  • My estimate of the more or most persistent component of inflation may be a reasonable proxy of underlying inflation
  • My current underlying inflation estimates for the Euro Area, Japan and US are hovering around 2.0% to modestly below 3.0%    

Asia Geopolitics: No Collective ASEAN Response To Changing Global Order

By Manu Bhaskaran

  • As ASEAN, Chinese, and Gulf leaders gathered in Kuala Lumpur, the lofty proclamations of Global South cooperation are undermined by divergent interests among its members. 
  • The US was not wholly absent, attending the defence-focused Shangri-La Dialogue. Washington signalled continued engagement in Asia, but misread the region’s priorities 
  • Beijing obtained several wins in closer trade and investment ties with the rest of Asia, but gave little commitment in addressing concerns over overcapacity and maritime issues.

[IO Fundamentals 2025/22] PMI Data Divergence and Declining IO Inventories

By Pranay Yadav

  • China’s NBS manufacturing PMI edged up to 49.5 in May, while Caixin PMI dropped sharply to 48.3 signaling the first contraction in 8 months. 
  • China’s industrial profits stagnated in April 2025, highlighting persistent challenges from weak demand, trade war tensions, and deflationary pressures.
  • Iron ore inventories continued to decline amid slowing shipments and softer blast furnace demand, signaling ongoing destocking.  

[IO Technicals 2025/23] Bearish Momentum Persists

By Pranay Yadav

  • Iron ore supply remains steady despite falling Australian exports and surging Brazilian shipments. However, weak Chinese property demand continues to cloud the market outlook.
  • Analysts at Singapore Ferrous Week trimmed 2025 iron ore surplus forecasts to 20–30 million tons, citing resilient demand, rising steel exports, and Australian supply disruptions.
  • Prices remain below key moving averages, signalling downside momentum, while the MACD staying under its signal line reinforces the ongoing bearish outlook.

India: 50bp Rate Cut, 100bp of CRR Cuts Pave the Way for Faster RGDP Growth

By Prasenjit K. Basu

  • RBI’s MPC cut its policy repo rate by 50bp (to 5.5%, implying cuts totalling 100bp in the past half year), and also a phased 100bp cut in CRR by Dec’25. 
  • Despite CPI inflation moderating below 3.2%YoY in Apr’25, the RBI has only slightly lowered its inflation forecast for FY26 to 3.7% (from 4%), and hence returned to a neutral stance. 
  • Given an above-normal monsoon, already strong Rabi crop, and low crude oil prices, we expect CPI inflation to average less than 3%YoY in Jun-Dec’25, allowing 75bp of further rate cuts. 

Higher Rubber Values Come In Handy For Vietnam, Though Volume Down

By Vinod Nedumudy

  •  During January-April 2025, exports at 452,866 tons, down 11% YoY  
  • January-April 2025 exports value at US$872.78 mn, up 20.4% YoY  
  • Vietnam Rubber Group reports net profit of US$45.4 mn in Q1 2025  

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Daily Brief Macro: Lee Jae-Myung’s 20 Trillion Won+ Supplementary Budget: Free Money and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • Lee Jae-Myung’s 20 Trillion Won+ Supplementary Budget: Free Money, Don’t Worry and Be Happy
  • ECB: Policy Well-Positioned Already
  • The Art of the Trade War: XI WATCHES AS TRUMP SERVES TACOS
  • CX Daily: AI Video Is Becoming a Sector to Watch in China, but Don’t Get Out the Popcorn Yet
  • [ETP 2025/23] WTI Rises on Supply Disruptions, Henry Hub Gains on Summer Demand Outlook
  • Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim’s Summary of Key Global Macro Developments – 6 June 2025


Lee Jae-Myung’s 20 Trillion Won+ Supplementary Budget: Free Money, Don’t Worry and Be Happy

By Douglas Kim

  • One of the major policies that Lee Jae-Myung’s new administration is likely to push through is the 20 trillion won (US$15 billion)+ supplementary budget. 
  • The aim of this policy is to revive the sluggish domestic economy. It is a classic “spend first, worry later” government policy.
  • The supplementary budget is basically sacrificing the balance sheet of the entire South Korea at the expense of short term economic stimulus which may have just limited impact. 

ECB: Policy Well-Positioned Already

By Phil Rush

  • The ECB’s 25bp cut took rates to a level that it considers well-positioned for the current outlook, thereby removing the presumption in favour of further easing.
  • Lower headline inflation forecasts are already embedded in that judgement, with the temporary role of energy and FX recognised. Downside risks preserve some dovish bias.
  • We still see this rate cut as the final one amid tight labour markets that preserve excessive underlying inflationary pressure. Market pricing should be less dovish.

The Art of the Trade War: XI WATCHES AS TRUMP SERVES TACOS

By David Mudd

  • President Xi agreed to discuss issues including rare earths, chip design restrictions, and Chinese student visas with President Trump.  China warns the US on its increased arms shipments to Taiwan.
  • The auto industry is facing disruptions in production due to shortages of rare earth metals.  
  • The headline noise is starting to lose its luster as soft and hard data signals begin to pressure markets again.

CX Daily: AI Video Is Becoming a Sector to Watch in China, but Don’t Get Out the Popcorn Yet

By Caixin Global

  • AI / In Depth: AI video is becoming a sector to watch in China, but don’t get out the popcorn yet Video generation tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) have become one of the hottest investments for China’s big tech companies as they look to broaden their revenue streams.
  • Since ChatGPT developer OpenAI surprised the world with its text-to-video model Sora in February 2024, Chinese companies have rapidly rolled out similar tools that have been used to make short films and video series.
  • Law / China bolsters graft watchdog with new powers China is set to grant its powerful anti-corruption watchdog new investigative powers and significantly extend detention limits for suspects, signaling a further toughening of President Xi Jinping’s signature anti-graft campaign.

[ETP 2025/23] WTI Rises on Supply Disruptions, Henry Hub Gains on Summer Demand Outlook

By Suhas Reddy

  • For the week ending 30/May, U.S. crude inventories fell by 4.3m barrels (vs. expectations of a 2.9m barrel decline). Meanwhile, gasoline and distillate stockpiles rose more than expected.
  • The EIA reported a 122 Bcf storage build, while analysts forecasted a 111 Bcf increase. Storage levels are 4.7% above the five-year average but 10% below year-ago levels.
  • JPMorgan sees Reliance earnings rebounding on better margins; Saudi Aramco cuts Asia crude prices after OPEC+ supply hike.

Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim’s Summary of Key Global Macro Developments – 6 June 2025

By Dr. Jim Walker

  • Most Asian manufacturing sectors show contraction, with India, the Philippines, and Thailand as rare exceptions.

  • Political instability is rising in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines, impacting economic direction.

  • Weak retail sales and falling real incomes highlight persistent economic challenges in Hong Kong and Japan.


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Daily Brief Macro: US vs EU: Mutually Assured Destruction? and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • US vs EU: Mutually Assured Destruction?
  • Lee Jae-Myung Becomes the New South Korean President – Four Investment Themes That Could Outperform
  • CX Daily: China’s Bank Deposit Insurance Plan Is Seen Needing New Support
  • Canada: Policy Rate Held At 2.75% (Consensus 2.75%) in Jun-25
  • Sri Lanka Rubber Product Exports Skid Amid Concerns Over US Tariffs


US vs EU: Mutually Assured Destruction?

By Alastair Newton

  • Section 899 is generally understood to be about leverage and deterrence.
  • It is unlikely to be fully implemented due to the potential harm it could cause to the US.
  • There are concerns about what could happen if the EU challenges this approach or if it is partially intended as a method to raise revenue.

Lee Jae-Myung Becomes the New South Korean President – Four Investment Themes That Could Outperform

By Douglas Kim

  • Now that Lee Jae-Myung has become new South Korean President, the uncertainty revolving who will lead South Korea in the next five years is now over.
  • In this insight, we discuss four investment themes (related to Lee Jae-Myung becoming the new South Korean President) that could outperform the market for the remainder of 2025.
  • The four investment themes include Korean Holdcos/Quasi Holdcos, Korean Cultural Contents, Securities, and SK Group Companies.

CX Daily: China’s Bank Deposit Insurance Plan Is Seen Needing New Support

By Caixin Global

  • Banks / Cover Story: China’s bank deposit insurance plan is seen needing new support In the spring of 2019, a quiet but historic event shook China’s banking sector: Baoshang Bank collapsed.
  • It was the first true bank failure in the country since the founding of the People’s Republic, and the first real test of a deposit insurance system created four years earlier.
  • That test would define the future of financial risk management in China.

Canada: Policy Rate Held At 2.75% (Consensus 2.75%) in Jun-25

By Heteronomics AI

  • The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.75%, as expected, but disappointed market participants who anticipated a dovish signal or rate cut, reflecting a cautious, data-dependent stance.
  • Firmer-than-expected core inflation and persistent tariff-related cost pressures have offset the disinflationary effects of a softening domestic economy, prompting the Bank to be vague and non-committal about the potential for further rate cuts.
  • The interest rate outlook remains highly uncertain, with future policy decisions hinging on the evolution of inflation, domestic demand, and the unpredictable trajectory of US trade policy.
This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Sri Lanka Rubber Product Exports Skid Amid Concerns Over US Tariffs

By Vinod Nedumudy

  • First quarter tire and tube exports fall by around 24% YoY  
  • SLAMERP asks Govt to talk tariff disparity with US  
  •  CEAT’s share in OE tire market tops 90%

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Daily Brief Macro: HONG KONG ALPHA PORTFOLIO (May 2025) and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • HONG KONG ALPHA PORTFOLIO (May 2025)
  • EA: May Be Disinflation’s Return
  • Asia base oils supply outlook: Week of 2 June
  • Global base oils arb outlook: Week of 2 June
  • Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 2 June
  • Americas/EMEA base oils demand outlook: Week of 2 June
  • US – Buy On Dip
  • Americas/EMEA base oils supply outlook: Week of 2 June


HONG KONG ALPHA PORTFOLIO (May 2025)

By David Mudd


EA: May Be Disinflation’s Return

By Phil Rush

  • Negative payback in services inflation dragged the headline EA rate down to 1.92% in the May flash. Although only 7bps low on the day, releases last week had cut 0.1pp.
  • Inflation now looks set to spend a few months below the target rather than at or even above it, as had seemed likely until recently. This is not because of re-rooted imports.
  • Euro appreciation and low energy prices have expanded the ECB’s room to cut rates, but we still see June as the final one amid tight labour markets and peers backing away.

Asia base oils supply outlook: Week of 2 June

By Iain Pocock

  • Asia’s heavy-grade base oils price-premium to Singapore gasoil stays unusually high.
  • Firm base oils premium suggests supply remains tight and demand firm, incentivizing refiners to raise output.
  • Gap between Group II light and heavy-grade base oils prices widens more even after restart of growing number of base oils units following scheduled maintenance work.

Global base oils arb outlook: Week of 2 June

By Iain Pocock

  • US domestic Group I SN 500 price rises to premium to Group II N600 price in May 2025 for first time in more than four years.
  • In Middle East, CFR UAE Group I SN 500 price discount to Group II N500 shrinks to narrowest in more than seven months.
  • In Asia, FOB Asia Group I SN 500 price strengthens vs Group II N500 in May 2025 to firmest level in six months.

Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 2 June

By Iain Pocock

  • Global base oils prices mostly hold firm vs feedstock/competing fuel prices, especially in Europe and Asia.
  • Firm price differentials point to strong supply-demand fundamentals, incentivize refiners to supply more volumes for those markets.
  • Demand would need to hold firm to absorb any such pick-up in supplies.

Americas/EMEA base oils demand outlook: Week of 2 June

By Iain Pocock

  • US base oils demand could get support from stock-building ahead of Atlantic hurricane season.
  • Slow end-user consumption, expectations of improving availability of supply and of steady-to-lower prices could curb extent of any such stock-building.
  • US refiners’ regular exports of surplus shipments to overseas markets could limit volumes available to cover for any unexpected supply disruptions over coming months.

US – Buy On Dip

By Sharmila Whelan

  • We maintain a buy. The sectoral weightings favour industrials, tech hardware, banks, traditional energy, defence and going into the second half of the year consumer discretionary and AI software companies.
  • The US is neither headed for a full-blown recession nor another cost-of living crisis.
  • Neither updated business cycle indicators nor broad money growth trends signal a downturn and a resurgence in inflation.

Americas/EMEA base oils supply outlook: Week of 2 June

By Iain Pocock

  • US Group II base oils prices hold in narrow range vs VGO since mid-April 2025.
  • Steady price differentials contrast with surge in margins in Q2 2024.
  • Steadier margins so far in Q2 2025 coincide with time of year when supply-demand fundamentals are likely to be tighter than usual.

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Daily Brief Macro: EU Replacement Tire Market Shows Mixed Trend Amid Import Pressures and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • EU Replacement Tire Market Shows Mixed Trend Amid Import Pressures
  • HEM: Better Never Than Late
  • The Egg-Price-Bubble Has Busted!
  • Asia base oils demand outlook: Week of 2 June
  • [US Nat Gas Options Weekly 2025/22] Henry Hub Rebounds on Hotter Summer Forecasts and Falling Output
  • Revisiting 2025 Investment Calls
  • [US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2025/22] WTI Slips on Oversupply Fears, Shrugs Off U.S. Inventory Draw
  • Egypt, June 2nd 2025,


EU Replacement Tire Market Shows Mixed Trend Amid Import Pressures

By Vinod Nedumudy

  • Q1 2025 sees 14% YoY surge in all-season consumer tire sales  
  • Truck and bus tire sales volumes in Q1 2025 fall 4% YoY  
  •  Imports of PCLT tires grow by 12% YoY in Jan-Feb 2025

HEM: Better Never Than Late

By Phil Rush

  • Companies are adapting to fluctuating trade policies while maintaining strong activity and tight labour markets.
  • Despite these positive trends, underlying price and wage inflation remains high.
  • While markets anticipate future cuts, the potential for rate hikes in 2026 is often overlooked.

The Egg-Price-Bubble Has Busted!

By The Commodity Report

  • YTD our absolute return strategy is up 10,6% The Egg-Price-Bubble Has Busted!
  • The price of a dozen eggs in the US has crashed from $8 to $2,5 within five months – highlighting extraordinary volatility in the egg market.
  • For context: The rise of egg prices can be primarily contributed to the ongoing avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak that began in 2022.

Asia base oils demand outlook: Week of 2 June

By Iain Pocock

  • Asia’s base oils demand could soften as weakening supply-demand fundamentals incentivize buyers to maintain lower stocks.
  • Seasonal slowdown in lube consumption set to coincide with pick-up in supply following restart of growing number of plants after maintenance work.
  • Weaker demand in markets like Japan frees up more surplus volumes for export, adding to supply.

[US Nat Gas Options Weekly 2025/22] Henry Hub Rebounds on Hotter Summer Forecasts and Falling Output

By Suhas Reddy

  • For the week ending 30/May, U.S. natural gas prices gained 3.4% on the back of forecasts of a hotter-than-expected summer and tightening supplies.
  • For the week ending 23/May, the EIA reported that U.S. natural gas inventories rose by 101 Bcf, moderately higher than analyst expectations of a 98 Bcf build.
  • Henry Hub OI PCR fell to 0.86 on 30/May compared to 0.89 on 23/May. Call OI decreased by 12.7% WoW, while put OI dropped by 16.1%.

Revisiting 2025 Investment Calls

By Sharmila Whelan

  • Recommendations remain unchanged. The forecast has always been for increased market volatility and a weak 1H , followed by a pick-up in economic momentum in 2H.  
  • Business cycle fundamentals continue to show no signs of a full-blown recession or a sustained resurgence in inflation.
  • 1Q25 earnings data confirm the corporate profit cycle remains in upswing across the US, Europe, Japan, India, Taiwan and Indonesia. China is the outlier.

[US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2025/22] WTI Slips on Oversupply Fears, Shrugs Off U.S. Inventory Draw

By Suhas Reddy

  • WTI futures fell by 1.2% for the week ending 30/May as concerns over OPEC+ supply hike overshadowed the surprise fall in U.S. crude inventories.
  • The U.S. rig count fell by three to 563. The oil rig count fell by four to 461, while gas rigs grew by one to 99.
  • WTI OI PCR inched up to 0.83 on 30/May compared to 0.82 on 23/May. Call OI rose by 4.9% WoW, while put OI grew by 5.9%.

Egypt, June 2nd 2025,

By Denis Collot

  • So far, Trump hasn’t criticized Israel too much, he just wants to see if they could stop that whole situation as quickly as possible.
  • The US still supplies Israel and US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (and her makeup crew) visited PM Netanyahu in support.
  • European countries who have recently criticized Israel and suspended trade talks or else have been branded antisemite by Bibi and accused of emboldening Hamas. 

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Daily Brief Macro: Tariffs Create New Central Bank Agendas and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • Tariffs Create New Central Bank Agendas, While Bank of Japan Faces Fiscal Policy Nightmare
  • Bullish Exhaustion = Pullback or Consolidation
  • Don’t Buy That TACO Just Yet


Tariffs Create New Central Bank Agendas, While Bank of Japan Faces Fiscal Policy Nightmare

By Said Desaque

  • Policy uncertainty still remains elevated despite the China-US tariff truce. Tariffs have created new easing agendas for central banks, while the Fed awaits new incoming economic information. 
  • US tariffs threats have forced the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to pause policy normalisation plans. Japanese government bond market stress may increase once the BoJ resumes raising its policy rate.
  • Governments and central banks are facing legacy issues from the period of combined easy monetary and fiscal policy stances as bond markets question sovereign governments’ capacity to borrow.

Bullish Exhaustion = Pullback or Consolidation

By Cam Hui

  • The recent violation of an upward sloping trend line in the face of positive news reinforces our view that the U.S. equity market is in a wide trading range. 
  • Technical conditions point to either a pullback or consolidation in the short-term.
  • Elevated valuation and continued uncertainty over trade policy, fiscal policy and the growth outlook all serve to create a roof over stock prices.

Don’t Buy That TACO Just Yet

By Cam Hui

  • The U.S. Court of International Trade unanimously ruled against the Trump Administration  and struck down a whole range of tariffs by citing a lack of authority.
  • In reaction, President Trump doubled down by opposing and appealing the decision. The government has workaround options in light of the court decision: The trade war will continue.
  • Investors should continue to tilt toward the “Sell America” trade by avoiding USD assets. The court decision prolongs and exacerbates the uncertainty over the effects of the trade war.

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Daily Brief Macro: US: Politics Is Clouding the Ability to Make Rational Monetary Policy and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • US: Politics Is Clouding the Ability to Make Rational Monetary Policy


US: Politics Is Clouding the Ability to Make Rational Monetary Policy

By Prasenjit K. Basu

  • The FOMC claimed at its last meeting that ‘inflation remains elevated’, although core PCE and core CPI inflation were BOTH at 4-year lows in Apr’25, despite the Trump tariffs. 
  • FOMC minutes show members expressing fears about the prospect of both high inflation and high unemployment, NEITHER of which has yet actually transpired. Politics is clouding the Fed’s policymaking ability. 
  • Apr’25 was the first month with the tariffs, yet inflation FELL. M2 growth is just 4.25%YoY (Apr’25), so inflation is likely to stay tame. A Jun’25 rate cut is due. 

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Daily Brief Macro: HEW: Macro Hokey Pokey and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • HEW: Macro Hokey Pokey
  • Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim’s Summary of Key Global Macro Developments – 30 May 2025
  • CX Daily: Court Sounds Alarm About Corruption in Big Tech
  • Strong Monsoon Over Key Rubber Producing Nations
  • India: Real GDP Grew 7.4%YoY in Jan-Mar’25; Likely to Accelerate to 8% This Year


HEW: Macro Hokey Pokey

By Phil Rush

  • Markets danced the Hokey Pokey to a drumbeat of lawfare and whimsical Presidential decrees. Tariffs were in, out, out, in, with tired pricing relatively unchanged overall.
  • Underlying GDP trends remain unbroken by the disruptive announcements of recent months, with the superior US productivity performance still internationally enticing.
  • Next week’s ECB rate cut remains one of the least uncertain macro stories. However, guidance should be much more hesitant about cutting again, while leaning that way.

Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim’s Summary of Key Global Macro Developments – 30 May 2025

By Dr. Jim Walker

  • U.S. Q1 GDP fell slightly, distorted by a sharp 42% surge in imports ahead of tariff changes.

  • Korea cut rates to 2.5%, with further easing expected to support weak investment.

  • Global trade disruptions continue to fuel economic uncertainty and complicate forecasting.


CX Daily: Court Sounds Alarm About Corruption in Big Tech

By Caixin Global

  • Corruption / In Depth: Court sounds alarm about corruption in big tech.
  • It revealed that in the four years through 2024 the court handled 127 criminal cases involving corruption in the industry.
  • The district hosts many internet companies’ offices, both headquarters and local branches.

Strong Monsoon Over Key Rubber Producing Nations

By Vinod Nedumudy

  • Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia to receive above normal rains  
  • Neutral phase of ENSO with La Nina like pattern favoring rains  
  •  Weather portends a reasonable production season for Ivory Coast  

India: Real GDP Grew 7.4%YoY in Jan-Mar’25; Likely to Accelerate to 8% This Year

By Prasenjit K. Basu

  • Real GDP grew 7.4%YoY in Q4/FY25 with PCE and GFCF growing 7%+, bringing FY25 growth to 6.5%, and the 4yr moving average of real GDP growth to 8.25% for FY22-FY25. 
  • Manufacturing decelerated to 4.5% growth in FY25 (from 12.3% in FY24), as high interest rates constrained GFCF, until a 25bp cut in Feb’25 enabled GFCF to rebound 9.4% in Q4/FY25.
  • With interest rates set to decline 100bp from Apr-Dec’25, GFCF should grow 10.5% in FY26, while PCE accelerates to 7.5% growth, enabling real GDP to grow 8.5% in FY26.

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