China’s closely watched PMI manufacturing gauges rebounded more sharply than expected in March.

* There are indications that global trade has stabilized, with freight rates for smaller ships increasing. This may reflect increased demand for goods’ transport. There are still some near-term risks – one being that US companies may try to delay imports in the hope that President Trump’s taxes on US consumers of foreign goods will […]

China’s closely watched PMI manufacturing gauges rebounded more sharply than expected in March.

* There are indications that global trade has stabilized, with freight rates for smaller ships increasing. This may reflect increased demand for goods’ transport. There are still some near-term risks – one being that US companies may try to delay imports in the hope that President Trump’s taxes on US consumers of foreign goods will […]

* There are indications that global trade has stabilized, with freight rates for smaller ships increasing. This may reflect increased demand for goods’ transport. There are still some near-term risks – one being that US companies may try to delay imports in the hope that President Trump’s taxes on US consumers of foreign goods will […]

China’s closely watched PMI manufacturing gauges rebounded more sharply than expected in March.

China’s closely watched PMI manufacturing gauges rebounded more sharply than expected in March.

* Today is a consumer-focused day. Consumer spending numbers come from Germany, France and other European economies. The European consumer (except the Italian, of course) has a lot to be cheerful about. Labor markets are strong. Bank lending is normal. There are localized problems (riots on the Champ Elsysee deter shoppers), but the numbers should […]

A new space race is heating up.

* Bond markets moved a lot after a weak German manufacturing sentiment opinion poll. Bond yields fell as investors became negative about the economy. At the same time, equity investors have stayed more positive about the economic outlook. * This split in views mirrors a split in the data. Manufacturing sentiment data has been weak. […]