Author Archives: Darren Marchal

UK Housing Market Slows

When average wage increases are running below inflation and the cost of the average home is well beyond the means of the average first-time buyer on the average wage, market economics, beloved of the Conservative government, dictate that prices must fall. This is a simple paradigm of market dynamics, yet many in the UK feel…

Oil Soars To 3-Year High

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia to prepare for missile strikes against its ally Syria, and oil traders took note. Oil prices soared to fresh three-year highs. U.S. WTI ended Wednesday up 2 percent, at $66.45 per barrel, a price not hit since December 3, 2014. As of 2:17 p.m. HK/SIN, the commodity…

Russia Credit Risk Spikes Most In 5 Years As “Real Economic

Russia’s 5Y CDS exploded by the most since June 2013 (a 34% spike in default risk in 3 days) this week as US sanctions and now direct threats have escalated geopolitical tensions globally. As Bloomberg notes, President Donald Trump’s warning for Russia to “get ready” for missiles on Syria sent investors rushing for protection. The cost of insuring sovereign…