Category Archives: Bonds

Elections May Rattle Currency Markets –

Posted on 7. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Elections in France and Greece may impact the Euro in the near term.  France elected Francois Hollande of the Socialist party by a slim margin over President Nicholas Sarkozy.  Hollande is not expected to support austerity measures.  Hollande is the first … Continue reading →

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Spain Credit Ratings Lowered –

Posted on 26. April 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Standard & Poor’s lowered the credit rating of Spain to BBB+ from A.  The two notch downgrade is partially due to the risks associated with the government debt.  In addition, Standard & Poor’s discusses concerns relating to budget projections and the banking … Continue reading →

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Treasury Prices Fall –

Posted on 3. April 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Federal Open Market Committee minutes indicated that a third round of quantitative easing may not happen in the near term.  The Fed minutes sent Treasury prices lower and yields higher.  Yields on the 10 year Treasury went to 2.28%. To read a related … Continue reading →

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Negative Yield Treasury Auctions –

Posted on 3. March 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The U.S. Treasury may start to offer negative yield auctions.  The safety and security of U.S. Treasuries have already led to them being traded at negative yields on secondary markets.  According to Reuters, the one month Treasury bill traded on a … Continue reading →

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Germany Votes For Greek Bailout –

Posted on 27. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Germany voted to support a second Greek bailout of approximately $174 billion.  The Finland parliament is expected to vote on the Greek bailout this week.  Also, European leaders will discuss the Euro zone bailout fund at their next meeting in … Continue reading →

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Gold Rises On Greek Bailout –

Posted on 21. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Gold prices rose to over $1,755 an ounce after European Union finance ministers agreed to another Greek bailout.  The second Greek bailout provided by the Euro zone is approximately $172 billion.  In Tuesday trading, gold hit the highest mark since February 3rd.  Silver also traded … Continue reading →

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Greece Agrees To Bailout –

Posted on 9. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Greek leaders agreed to terms for a second bailout of approximately $172 billion dollars.  The Greek parliament stills need to ratify the agreement as well as major reductions in spending.  European Union finance ministers would than have to provide final approval for … Continue reading →

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Fitch Cuts Credit Ratings –

Posted on 27. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Fitch lowered the credit ratings for the sovereign debt of five Euro region nations.  The five nations included Italy, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus, and Slovenia.  The credit rating for Italy was cut to A- and the rating for Spain fell to A.  Italy has the … Continue reading →

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Nine European Nations Downgraded –

Posted on 14. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Standard & Poor’s downgraded the sovereign debt of nine European nations on Friday.  France and Austria lost their AAA ratings and were lowered to AA+.  In addition, the sovereign debt was downgraded for Spain, Italy, and Portugal.  Four European nations that … Continue reading →

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Federal Reserve To Release Forecasts –

Posted on 4. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The Federal Reserve has announced that they will release their forecasts for the Federal funds rate.  The move will increase transparency at the Federal Reserve at may help with financial planning for businesses and investors.  Monetary policy expectations should be released at the … Continue reading →

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Fitch May Downgrade France –

Posted on 16. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Fitch Ratings indicated that they may downgrade the sovereign debt of seven European nations.  France is one of the European nations facing a downgrade from Fitch.  The six other nations are Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain. To read a related … Continue reading →

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Bernanke Meets With Republican Senators –

Posted on 14. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke met with Republican Senators to discuss the European Union sovereign debt crisis.  According to GOP Senators, Bernanke indicated that the European debt crisis could significantly impact the American economy.  The Euro fell below $1.30 in … Continue reading →

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Euro Trades Lower –

Posted on 12. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

 The Euro fell on news that Moody’s is considering a downgrade of European Union sovereign debt.  The inability to end the debt crisis is one factor in the Moody’s decision.  In currency trading, the Euro fell to $1.3184 which is the lowest mark … Continue reading →

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Eurozone Leaders Reach Agreement –

Posted on 10. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

European leaders reached an agreement on centralized fiscal policy.  The agreement is supported by all 17 euro zone countries as well as the 9 countries seeking to join the union.  England did not approve the fiscal plan.  Stock markets reacted positively … Continue reading →

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Asia Markets Fall; Gold Rises –

Posted on 8. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stock markets across Asia fell with Japan’s Nikkei dropping 1.6% and Korea’s Kospi Composite falling 1.9%.  New Zealand and Australian markets were also lower in trading.  European debt crisis concerns were the driving force in the markets.  The Euro fell to $1.3345 … Continue reading →

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