Philip Chua Business Blog

Posts Tagged ‘optimism’

AMID the general optimism over equities in Asia and the emerging markets, strategists at Barclays Wealth have sounded a note of caution over valuations in Asia. This runs counter to the consensus view that Asian growth is set to outstrip that of developed economies – a point that isn’t in dispute – and that market weakness is a buying opportunity.

Says Aaron Gurwitz, Barclays Wealth managing di… more

December’s employment report was somewhat of a disappointment. Many were expecting a small increase in employment to be reported for December, even though the consensus was calling for a small decline. Our own forecast called for a larger than consensus drop and we had repeatedly noted that the optimism so…

EQUITY weightings of private clients’ portfolios are expected to remain elevated relative to bonds going into 2010, in a sign of continuing optimism over global growth and, in particular, growth in Asia and the emerging markets.
Strategists are less upbeat on fixed income assets, citing a backdrop of possible interest rate rises as part of central banks’ exit strategies.
So far, there are a number… more

STOCKS here started the holiday-shortened week on a bullish note yesterday, propelled by major contract wins at some firms and renewed optimism for the economic recovery boosting banks and commodities-related stocks.

The Straits Times Index (STI) finished 36.34 points or 1.3 per cent higher at 2,797.88, the highest closing level since Aug 14 last year.

Elsewhere in Asia-Pacific yesterday, othe… more

The risk rally extended gains this past week as optimism over the global recovery beat out concerns that rising unemployment may lead to continued sluggishness. The USD, meanwhile, finished out roughly in the middle of the week’s range after testing near to its recent lows against the EUR and other…

AP – Asian stock markets faltered Wednesday as weak U.S. housing starts tempered optimism about better-than-expected corporate earnings.

SINGAPORE’S stock market defied losses elsewhere in the region yesterday, rising for the fifth straight day on optimism the local economy will turn the corner sooner than expected.
The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) gained 27.96 points – or 1.05 per cent – to 2,680.47, its highest close in more than two weeks.
The five straight days of gains also form the longest winning streak since the week… more

A sense of cautious optimism prevails in financial markets. And the week ahead is rich in economic data that will provide further clues on the pace of improvement in global economic conditions. Following September’s disappointing US non-farm payrolls and ISM manufacturing data, financial markets are likely to use this week’s…

Early this week, a surprise interest rate hike by the central bank in Australia sent a wave of optimism around the world. Stock markets were soaring, commodity prices were surging, and just about every major currency gained against the U.S. dollar. Australia is the first among the G20 nations to…

With earnings reports arriving in earnest this week, investors are likely to get a boost in optimism or an unpleasant surprise.