The Point

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are a hair lower this morning after markets saw relatively no movement yesterday as investors digest yesterday’s Fed announcements. They claimed October in their sights to begin shrinking the $4.5 trillion balance sheet, while leaving rates unchanged although another rate hike remains possible […] The post Fed To Unwind Balance Sheet; Google Makes Moves – September 21, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are searching for a direction this morning after another quiet day yesterday that saw a small gain in the S&P 500 as investors await today’s Fed decision.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was also quiet, falling less than five basis points […] The post Monetary Policy Decision Today; Natural Disasters Continue – September 20, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are green, but quiet this morning after a slow day yesterday as investors prepare for a meeting from the Fed along with heavy economic due later this week.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index stayed unchanged amid mixed results across the euro […] The post Toys R Us Files For Bankruptcy; Dollar Cost Averaging Simplified – September 19, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are pointing higher this morning, continuing the small advance into the weekend as investors prepare for a Federal Reserve meeting later this week.  In Europe, The Stoxx 600 Index added half a percent to its highest in six weeks as nearly […] The post Stocks Point To Records; Fed Decision Wednesday – September 18, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are searching for a direction this morning after yesterday stayed quiet with the S&P 500 losing 11 basis points, as investors take in yet another missile launch from North Korea.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell lower this morning, led by […] The post Bitcoin Collapses As Pound Flies High – September 15, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are flat this morning after yesterday saw a relatively quiet day with S&P 500 moving up eight basis points, though the energy sector pushed 1.25% as it attempts to reverse large losses this year to date.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index […] The post Mutual Fund Basics; Pound Jumps; Move Over Mr. Beane – September 14, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are a bit lower this morning after yesterday’s modest gains that pushed benchmarks to close at all-time highs, led by advances in the materials and financial sectors, though utilities saw a pullback. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index is down for the first […] The post Windians, Bitcoin Fears, and Discouraging U.K. Data – September 13, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are off to a healthy start, continuing yesterday’s trend that boosted the S&P 500 over a percent with large gains in technology, materials, and financial sectors as investors move back towards riskier assets as recent threats subside.  The Stoxx Europe 600 […] The post North Korea Sanctions Approved; iPhone X Pokes Pockets – September 12, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are climbing higher this morning as possible threats seemed to ease. Hurricane Harvey has passed and Irma is beginning to settle after making landfall over the weekend as tensions with North Korea also appeared to diminish.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index jolted almost a percent higher this morning, to its highest in almost a month as Germany and France both rose over one percent.  Asian markets were also strong as Japan’s Topix Index gained 1.2%  overnight with South Korea adding 0.7% and Hong Kong moving 1% higher to push the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to its highest since December 2007.  Producer-price inflation in China accelerated 6.3% in August, higher than the 5.5% estimate, while they decided to entirely ban cryptocurrencies from exchanges,  The MSCI Emerging Market Index clawed to its highest in three years while the MSCI All Country World Index advanced to its highest point on record.  Apple braces for its new product reveal on Tuesday which will most likely include the new iPhone and updated Apple Watch, though analysts estimate even the cheapest model of the new phone will cost around $1,000.  10-year yields rocketed back, gaining five basis points to reach 2.10% as yields in Britain climbed back over 1% while Germany remains at a mere 0.33% Currencies and Commodities Crude Oil climbed 0.6% this morning but continues to trade in range, currently at $47.76 per barrel while Gold tumbled almost a percent as investors move back towards risk.  The dollar gained for the first time in more than a week as the euro fell 0.3%. The pound stayed steady, hitting its strongest in six weeks while the Yen dropped 0.7% Politics and the Like North Korea did not launch another missile after recent worry, although they issued threats to the U.S. before a vote in the United Nations on further sanctions. Japan has backed the United States on a proposal to target the country’s oil supplies.  Today the House of Commons will vote on the Great Repeal Bill which is designed to ease the country;s exit from the EU. The U.K. will also see inflation and price data tomorrow and a Bank of England decision Thursday.  Today remains quiet for U.S. economic data, though things are expected to kick up as the week progresses.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post Futures Climb As Worries Erase; Apple Prepares For Launch – September 11, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are taking a dip this morning after seeing very minor losses yesterday. Most sectors traded a bit higher, though Financials dragged as North America gets torched with wildfires and immense hurricanes.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was little changed this morning though Britain fell around half a percent while Brazil saw a 1.75% gain. Asian markets saw mixed results as Japan pushed 0.6% lower while Hong Kong ended half a percent higher with Korea and Shanghai staying relatively unchanged. Mexico was nailed by its strongest earthquake in a century after a magnitude 8.1 killed at least 15 people in the southern portion, triggering tsunami warnings.  Equifax, who was hacked in July, announced the issue affected as many as 143 million people. Social security numbers, addresses, birth dates, driver’s license data, and possibly credit card information was put at risk.  Three senior executives reportedly sold near $1.8 million worth of stock following the original news as shares have fallen at least 13%.  10-year Treasury yields are the lowest in 10 months at 2.03% while yields in Britain fell below 1%. The European Central Bank is studying bond-buying options that stick to existing limits according to euro-area officials.  Currencies and Commodities Crude Oil dropped 0.3% to fall below $49 per barrel as Gold pushed to its highest in 13 months while Copper slowed down its recent charge by dipping a percent and a half. $1.2 billion of crops is under threat as Hurricane Irma is expected to make a direct hit with Florida on Sunday, roiling markets consistent with the matter.  The dollar fell again, this time to its weakest since the beginning of 2015 as expectations of a rate hike begin to fade. The euro and yen reached recent highs, advancing 0.4% and 0.9% respectively. Central Bank President Mario Draghi expressed concern about the strength of the euro, though didn’t offer suggestions on how to address it as a robust economic recovery with low inflation has boosted the euro up 14% on the dollar this year.  Politics and the Like William Dudley of the Fed claimed there may be broader forces impeding an interest rate increase this year, though he expects inflation to increase slightly as jobs will become available for hurricane cleanup.  The White House is considering more than a half-dozen candidates to be the next central bank leader, eliminating previous assumptions of a race between Gary Cohn and current chair Janet Yellen.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post Equihacks, Irma, and Earthquakes – Markets Aim Lower – September 8, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are flat this morning after a decent day yesterday as investors weigh in on political tensions, Hurricane Irma, and European Central Bank policy.  The S&P 500 gained 0.3% as almost every sector edged higher except for utilities. Energy saw a solid bounce back, gaining 1.63% although it remains down over 13% on the year.  Stocks in Europe saw solid gains, pushing the Stoxx Europe 600 Index 0.4% higher this morning. A gain in Germany’s DAX Index was as high as 1.2% while solid gains in France and the U.K. helped the climb.  The MSCI Asia Pacific Index matched the gains in Europe helped by a 1.1% gain in Korea and a 0.4% gain in Japan, though Hong Kong and Shanghai brought losses from China.  Amazon is looking for a second headquarters in the U.S. to house nearly 50,000 employees and equal the size of its current station in Seattle. The cost is expected to be over $5 billion, asking state and local governments to pitch in, promising a boost of their economy in return.  Jaguar Land Rover is beginning to offer electric options as they make the push away from gasoline and by 2020 all of their models will be offered in fully electric. This comes under pressure from France and the U.K. as they plan to ban diesel and gasoline car sales by 2040.  10-year treasury yields dropped two basis points to 2.08% while yields in Germany continue to remain low at 0.35% Currencies and Commodities Crude Oil pulled back 0.3% to just above $49 per barrel as Gold climbed almost half a percent. Copper dropped 0.6% Hurricane Irma is expected to hit Florida this weekend after nailing the Caribbean and may be the most expensive hurricane in U.S. history. Gas shortages loom while orange juice futures are their highest in months. The dollar fell to its lowest point in more than two years as the euro, pound, and yen all gained at least 0.3%  Politics and the Like The European Central Bank decided to keep its stimulus settings unchanged for now as we await comments from Draghi. Interest rates remained unchanged and borrowing costs are set to stay at present levels.  President Trump agred to a deal to add a three-month extension of the U.S. debt limit to a bill for Harvey relief, though Republicans wanted longer.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post Amazon Wants $5 Billion Facility; Dollar Hits Two Year Low – September 7, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are staying quiet this morning after yesterday’s selloff that saw losses around one percent for U.S. indexes as investors keep a close eye on North Korea, Washington, and another potential hurricane (or two).  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index dipped lower this morning, down 0.4% led by a 0.6% loss in the U.K.  Prime Minister Theresa May was hit twice after a top EU official suggested trade talks are unlikely to happen next month as a draft plan was leaked for new immigration rules, not allowing workers to enter unless they’re highly skilled.  Asian markets were mainly lower, with losses in Korea and Hong Kong, though Japan’s Topix Index finished 0.1% higher.  Airbus is said to close on a deal worth $14 billion for 45 A350-900 wide-body jetliners. The deal is most likely for United Continental Holdings while American Airlines and Delta remain skeptical.  Nissan is attempting to fend off Tesla, aiming to double its sales of the Leaf. They plan to offer a new model with self parking and a longer range. Last year, they sold 49,000 of these vehicles. 10-year yields took a sharp drop yesterday, down to 2.06%, but back up two basis points this morning as demands for haven assets combined with a statement from the Fed that more progress is needed to reach the inflation goal. Currencies and Commodities Crude Oil surged 0.6% to almost $49 per barrel, recovering from its fall from the recent hurricane while Gold fell a measly 0.1%.  Approaching Hurricane, Irma, is the strongest to ever form in the Atlantic and could hit Florida this weekend with immense destruction. Cruise line, insurance, and natural gas slid while orange juice, sugar, and cotton rose.  Eyes are being kept on another tropical storm, Jose, as it has formed behind Irma.  Politics and the Like The dollar and yen fell a bit lower while the euro and pound increased despite a decline in German factory orders.  Mario Draghi may give more clarity on the unwinding of the European Central Bank’s bond-buying program in his Thursday speech after a policy decision.  U.S. trade balance, unemployment claims, and the Fed’s Beige Book are all due this week. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to run out of money by the end of this week, putting pressure on Congress to provide more funding.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post Irma Approaches; Yields Take A Hit – September 6, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. markets kick back up after an extended weekend, although futures point to a lower start as North Korea threats stirred on Sunday, Harvey’s aftermath is assessed, and we prepare for another hurricane in the Southeast. The British economy slowed, especially in services such as hotels and restaurants as household spending continues to drop. The FTSE Index fell lower this morning, though a 0.4% gain in Germany kept the Stoxx Europe 600 Index steady.  Markets in Asia dropped 0.6% on Monday though seemed to calm overnight with inconsistent results. Japan lost almost a percent while others fluctuated between losses and gains, staying relatively unchanged.  United Technologies has agreed to buy Rockwell Collins Inc. for $23 billion as they attempt to better position themselves in the aircraft-parts industry to compete with Boeing and Airbus.  Europe’s largest toymaker, Lego, plans to cut 8% of its workforce as they battle weak demand and large drops in sales.  Banks are boosting their surveillance to cover more employees after the recent scandal at Wells Fargo. It was said that 3.5 million false checking accounts were opened as they were slapped with a fine of $185 million.  10-year Treasuries dropped three basis points to 2.13% while yields in Britain held relatively steady as German bonds stayed below 0.40% Currencies and Commodities Crude Oil saw a large bounce back after its recent decline from Hurricane Harvey, adding 1.4% to almost $48 per barrel. Gold stayed steady and remains up 15% on the year while Copper added a percent and a half to its highest in three years.  The dollar dropped a bit lower as did the euro while the pound and yen saw solid gains.  Bitcoin took a tumble after China declared initial coin offerings illegal and asked all fundraising activity to be halted immediately. It fell as much as 11.4% and are deemed a threat to China’s financial market stability.  Currencies and Commodities President Trump agreed to support billions of dollars in new weapons sales to South Korea after Kim Jong Un’s latest nuclear launch. They plan to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile before Saturday as Japan plans to evacuate its 60,000 citizens in South Korea incase of a response strike.  Monetary announcements are plentiful this week and will be watched closely after a weak jobs report on Friday. Economic data to be produced includes durable goods, trade balance, and an important speech from European Central Bank President Mario Draghi as they make a decision on interest rates.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post North Korea Stirs; Bitcoin Tumbles; Futures Lower – September 5, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are continuing to push higher this morning after yesterday saw another solid performance as we prepare for the report on the labor market this morning.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index continues to be strong after surprising economic data, edging 0.4% higher led by a near one percent gain in France, solid gains in Germany, and a modest uptick in the U.K.  Brexit negotiations continue to be a struggle as they battle between financial liabilities, citizens’ rights, and others as pressure begins to mount on Prime Minister May.  Markets in Asia stayed relatively quiet, producing mixed results that saw gains in Japan and Shanghai paired with losses in Hong Kong and Korea. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index saw a small increase and most Middle Eastern markets are closed today.  Microsoft is betting heavy on Europe’s next big software startups, revealing a four-month program in Berlin that will attempt to gather the best software worldwide for its future cloud platform. Tesla has partnered with Vestas Wind Systems to develop a way to combine wind turbines and batteries to store power.  Bonds saw small gains as major yields climbed around one basis point although Japan’s benchmark yield fell below zero.  Currencies and Commodities Gasoline held steady as Harvey begins to settle while Crude Oil lost yesterday’s gains, down 1.1% to $46.73 per barrel. Gold fell 0.2% though remains strong while Copper is at its highest in three years.  Ethylene, arguably one of the most important chemicals on the planet used to make cars, milk jugs, paint, mattresses and other things has seen half of its U.S. production knocked out by the storm.  Currencies held steady as the dollar saw a small climb, as did the euro. The pound and yen both realized small losses.  The dollar fell yesterday after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin claimed a weaker currency reaps trade benefits.  Politics and the Like Everyone is eagerly watching the labor market report at 8:30 a.m. which may set a large tone for trading in future weeks. Job growth of 180,000 is expected along with 4.3% unemployment and average hourly earnings up 0.2% The labor market continues to tighten although wage growth has been slow. Economists have overestimated August payrolls for six straight years. Manufacturing and vehicle-sales data is also due today.  President Trump is considering attaching an increase in the U.S. debt limit to an initial $5.95 billion aid for Hurricane Harvey relief.  U.S. markets will be closed Monday for Labor Day Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post *Important Labor Market Report Today* – September 1, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are higher this morning, continuing yesterday’s trend that saw gains as high as over 1% in the Nasdaq after GDP was revised upwards to 3%.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index pushed 0.7% higher this morning, led by similar gains in the U.K., Germany, and France. In the euro area, consumer prices rose 1.5% in August which was slightly higher than analysts expectations. German unemployment continues to fall, now at 5.7%. European Union Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier has claimed that no decisive progress has been made in main topics of the Brexit negotiation.  Asian markets saw mixed results as Japan saw a 0.6% rise while Korea, Hong Kong, and Shanghai all realized losses led by a decline in recently hot banking stocks.  China’s manufacturing PMI rose to 51.7 in August, though economists warn that debt-fueled growth is unsustainable.  Best Buy continues its fight against Amazon by bringing its same-day delivery service to 27 cities while cutting the fee from $14.99 to $5.99. With hopes to expand to near 40 cities by holiday shopping season, they claim orders placed by 3 p.m. will receive them by 9 p.m. 10-year Treasuries added two basis points to 2.15% while German and British bonds also saw small gains.  Currencies and Commodities Arkema SA, a French chemical company with a plant in Texas, claimed explosions at their plant as major flooding knocked out the power supply to refrigerate chemicals, though the area was already cleared.  September Gasoline continues its climb, adding another 4.4% while Copper advanced 1.1% to its highest in three years. Crude Oil added to keep it above $46 per barrel while Gold saw a small decline.  The dollar gained against its peers as euro, pound, and yen all fell. Optimism in China is on the yuan as its at its highest in over a year and becomes more attractive as an international alternative to the dollar.  Politics and the Like 8:30 a.m. is packed solid with data as we get the core PCE deflator (a favored inflation gauge), with expectations of a slowdown. Also to be reported is personal income and spending for July along with initial jobless claims ahead of tomorrow’s payrolls report.  President Trump continues his push for major tax cuts as he looks to gain some traction with policy makers, though Hurricane Harvey’s costs will make it difficult with estimates almost as high as $100 billion in damage.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post Best Buy Puts Up A Fight; Steelers Add Depth – August 31, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are edging slightly higher this morning, continuing the small gains from yesterday as stocks erased early losses as tensions with North Korea seemed to ease. European markets proved strong this morning with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbing 0.6% as Germany, Britain, and France all gained around half a percent.  About 5% of small and medium-sized German banks failed the national stress test, meaning they missed regulatory capital requirements and need to better prepare for risk.  Asian markets were higher as Japan’s Topix Index rose 0.6% overnight as Korea saw smaller gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index continued its strong year, edging 1.2% higher, pulling it to a 27.70% increase year to date.  Yesterday saw Best Buy rise as they beat expectations and raised its outlook for the future, until shares sharply flipped the other direction as their CEO claimed these numbers are not a “new normal” as they continue to lose many sales to Amazon.  Amazon and Microsoft announced a new partnership that will allow their products to reach a broader range of customers. Amazon’s Alexa will be able to access Microsoft’s version, Cortana, and vice versa as Microsoft customers will be able to order Amazon products through the new partnership.  10-year Treasuries climbed one basis point to 2.14% while yields gained two basis points in both Germany and the U.K.  Currencies and Commodities Flooding from Hurricane Harvey has reached catastrophic levels, pushing damages over $40 billion and climbing as the storm is expected to return today.  The disaster has pushed Gasoline futures up another 2.6% while keeping Crude Oil down as it dipped half a percent to almost $46 per barrel at its lowest point in over a month.  Currencies were relatively quiet as the dollar saw a small gain while the euro fell 0.2% as the pound stayed steady. The Japanese yen fell 0.1% after a previous climb over the tensions in North Korea.  European Central Bank President Mario Draghi may attempt to cool off the euro at next week’s monetary policy meeting. The euro area continues to be strong as economic confidence rose to a decade high in August.  Politics and the Like The recently fired missile was called a “meaninful prelude” by Kim Jong Un to containing the American territory of Guam. The situation is under a watchful eye as politicians attempt to not allow the situation to escalate.  Second quarter GDP is due at 8:30 a.m. and economists expect a rise around 2.7%. Quarterly core personal consumption expenditure data is also due today. Economists predict Hurricane Harvey to shave 20 basis points off third quarter growth as we continue to assess the damage and hope that it will soon subside.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post NK Ignored; Bipolar Best Buy; Amazon, Microsoft Partner – August 30, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are taking a beating this morning, after yesterday saw a relatively quiet session as Hurricane Harvey continued to pound Texas, until North Korea launched a missile that flew over Japan, stirring up recently calmed tensions.  The effects were felt globally, as the Stoxx Europe 600 Index dropped 1.3% this morning to its lowest in almost seven months, led by a 1.7% loss in Germany while France and the U.K. both dropped over a percent . European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that none of the U.K. position papers on their exit from the EU are satisfactory as tensions continue to rise in Brexit negotiations.  Asian markets were a bit calmer as Japan and South Korea saw small losses, erasing large drops, while Hong Kong fell 0.4%. Thailand’s SET Index rose 1.8% as concerns about political violence eased, and Australia’s main index dropped 0.7%.  Google faces a deadline today to tell the European Union how they will stop discriminating against rival shopping search services as they stare at a $2.9 billion fine. On Amazon’s first day of owning Whole Foods Market, they slashed prices by as much as 43% to compete with giants such as Walmart. Many typical food purchases such as bananas, eggs, lettuce, butter, and others saw significant price cuts.  Bond prices rose as the yield on 10-year Treasuries dropped five basis point to 2.11%, its lowest in almost 10 months while yields in Germany and the U.K. saw similar declines.  Currencies and Commodities Harvey has moved back over the Gulf of Mexico, but is expected to hit land again tomorrow at the Texas-Louisiana border. Estimates of damage are as high as $100 billion as Trump promises swift funding to meet the region’s needs.  Gold soared well over $1,300 an ounce, gaining almost a percent as Gasoline has seemed to settle after its recent surge. Crude Oil has retreated in recent days to $46.63 per barrel. The dollar took a hit as the euro gained half a percent to its strongest in almost three years while the Swiss franc jolted up 1.2%. The pound gained against the dollar, but continues to fall to the euro. The Japanese yen surged 0.6% after the missile flew over the country while the won saw a pull back.  Politics and the Like North Korea’s launch of another missile has been called an “unprecedented, grave and serious threat” by Japan after flying over and eventually crashing into the sea, ending any previous optimism that tensions have eased as Trump claims ‘all options are on the table.’ A lot of data is still due this week as S&P CoreLogic house price data is released at 9:00 a.m. while consumer confidence is out at 10:00. Second quarter GDP and core price numbers will be Wednesday with August payrolls coming Friday.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post North Korea Sends Markets South – August 29, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are slightly higher this morning as stocks search for a direction after the weekend, continuing a quiet Friday that saw small moves globally as Hurricane Harvey continues.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index dropped 0.4% this morning, with every sector in the red led by losses in media shares. The U.K. declined 0.1% while Germany’s DAX Index is down half a percent.  In Asia, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 0.1% higher, pushed by a 0.9% gain in the Shanghai Composite. Japan and Hong Kong also saw small gains as South Korea fell 0.4%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 500 Index declined 0.6%. Uber has appointed Expedia’s CEO to head their company and lead them out of a recent struggle as they attempt to make their ways towards an unscheduled IPO. Gilead has agreed to buy Kite Pharma, an immunotherapy developer, for $11.9 billion in cash at $180 per share, almost 30% higher than its current price. Gilead has seen recent growth by their revolutionary Hepatitis C drugs.  Bonds have been quiet, as 10-year Treasuries climbed one basis point to reach 2.17%, although Tuesday marks an auction of bills that mature September 29, with Steve Mnuchin calling it critical for raising the debt ceiling.  Currencies and Commodities The big news is obviously Hurricane Harvey, as rainfall is expected to reach as much as 50 inches. Flooding has been a widespread dilemna as the storm continues to pound Texas in the coming days.  Due to the storm, the U.S. has lost 10% of its fuel-making capacity. Gasoline futures climbed more than 7% on supply concerns, while Crude Oil has dropped 0.8% to well below $48 per barrel. Gold inches ever so close to $1,300 as its pushed half a percent higher to its strongest in 10 months.  The dollar fell as the euro saw a small gain, pushing it to its strongest in more than two years as the pound and yen also saw gains.  Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank, continued to show his optimism for the euro at Jackson Hole, giving bulls the green light.  Politics and the Like Economic data will be plentiful this week, beginning with wholesale inventories for July at 8:30 a.m. and Dallas Fed Manufacturing at 10:30. Revised GDP, core PCE inflation, personal income and spending, and manufacturing numbers are all due this week. The largest report comes on Friday with the August Non-Farm Payrolls report.  Brexit talks begin their third round today as the opposition Labour Party looks to ease up, calling for the U.K. to remain in the single market for an extended period.  Investors will be looking for progress in politics this week for policy along with the dissecting of inflation data for an update on the status of our economy.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post The Stock Market: What Really Matters – August 28, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are on the rise this morning after yesterday saw small losses in American markets while other major markets abroad saw solid gains.  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.3% this morning, led by bounces in the U.K., Germany, and France of almost half a percent.  Germany’s second quarter growth figures confirmed the economy expanded 0.6% as household consumption was the biggest contributor, pushing the country to its strongest annual expansion since 2011.  The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 0.2% overnight led by huge gains in Shanghai and Hong Kong, up 1.7% and 1.0% respectively as Japan finished 0.3% higher, though volume was 20% below its 30-day average.  The heir of Samsung, Jay Y. Lee was sentenced to 5 years in prison for bribery and embezzlement, as he tried to gain greater control of the Samsung empire. The company is at a peak, posting record earnings while up 30% on the year.  Amazon is about to roll out a large benefit program at the recently acquired Whole Foods. They try to market their Prime membership to a wider range, by offering members cheaper avocados, eggs, and chicken. Price cuts throughout the store will put it in greater competition with other grocery giants as Amazon attempts to takeover.  10-year Treasuries remain just below 2.20% while bonds in Germany and the U.K. saw gains of three and two basis points.  Currencies and Commodities Crude Oil advanced 0.6% after a recent slide, holding the price below $48 per barrel. Copper gained 0.6% to $6,276.00 a metric ton to see its highest in almost three years while Gold stayed steady. Gasoline futures jumped to their highest in four months as refineries have been shut down due to Hurricane Harvey. It’s expected to be the worst storm to hit Texas since 2005 and will hit in the next 24 hours.  By the time it reaches, it may hit Category 3 with winds of at least 111 mph, though Crude production is not expected to be much affected.  The dollar fell as the euro and pound both gained while yen saw a small decline as investors and analysts wait for key speakers today at the meeting in Jackson Hole.  Politics and the Like Janet Yellen and Mario Draghi are set to speak today, though analysts don’t expect a new message. Although they will be watched closely for clues on unwinding the balance sheet, and possibilities of future rate hikes with inflation so low.  Two Fed officials gave opposing views yesterday, as Kansas City’s Esther George called a rate hike feasible this year while Dallas’s Robert Kaplan prefers to wait for an increase in prices.  Durable goods is to be reported this morning at 8:30 a.m. with expectation of growth while 1:00 p.m. sees a report on the Baker Hughes rigcount to see if U.S. oil production is slowing.  Eyes continue to remain on Washington, waiting for more news on the possibility of a government shutdown while they struggle to agree on any policy.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post Hurricane Harvey Looms As Key Fed Speakers Await – August 25, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..

For a full version of the note please click: here Stocks and Bonds U.S. futures are edging higher this morning after yesterday saw mixed results globally. The S&P 500 dipped 35 basis points led by losses in industrial and consumer discretionary sectors.  European markets pushed upwards this morning with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbing 0.4%, led by near 0.4% gains in the U.K. and Germany. The U.K. economy continues to decline, however, as spending only increased 0.1% while the economy expanded 0.3%. Car and mobile phone sales have taken a hit as consumers stay worried about the looming Brexit. Markets in Asia were mixed, keeping the MSCI Asia Pacific Index relatively unchanged overnight. Gains in Hong Kong and Korea went as high as 0.4% while Japan and Shanghai lagged behind, losing about half a percent.  Japan’s steelmakers took a hit after it was reported that Toyota would see a price cut.  Samsung is also under watch as they released the new Galaxy Note 8 yesterday. The previous version was slammed by recalls after it continued to catch on fire, as the company looks to get back on track in competition with Apple.  Fiat-Chrysler goes bold and expects to compete with motor giants Toyota, VW, and Ford. They predict Jeep sales to skyrocket 30% next year to two million vehicles and eventually seven million per year.  The bond market held solid after recent losses as 10-year Treasuries gained two basis point to 2.18% while bonds in Germany and the U.K. saw one basis point climbs.  Currencies and Commodities Crude Oil fell 0.6% to hover just above $48 per barrel after seeing a solid gain yesterday as U.S. stockpiles continue to decline amid strong demand.  Gold took a step back, down 0.3% although it still remains up almost 12% on the year.  The dollar strengthened, pushing most of its peers lower as the euro and yen both lost 0.2%. The pound was a winner, however, even after poor data as it climbed 0.2% higher.  The meeting of central bankers in Jackson Hole today and tomorrow may provide clues on currencies in the near future. Politics and the Like In addition to currency discussion, Jackson Hole will comment on monetary policy and low inflation as investors wait for a time frame for unwinding the balance sheet. Major speakers Janet Yellen and Mario Draghi are set to speak tomorrow.  Yesterday saw a surprise miss in new home sales as investors will keep an eye on existing home sales today at 10:00 a.m. Other data to be reported includes initial jobless claims at 8:30 with expectations of the figure to increase.  Question marks in Washington continue over policy as Republicans want to raise the U.S. debt ceiling for funding of “the wall.” It’s claimed there isn’t enough Senate support for the $1.6 billion funding bill to make it to the President’s desk, though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says there’s a “zero chance” the debt ceiling won’t be raised.  Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please refer to our full Disclaimer for more information The post Samsung Release; Jeep’s Bold Push; Pirates Make History – August 24, 2017 appeared first on Kattan Ferretti Financial L.P..