Russia disregards last week’s Geneva agreement, pro-Russian separatists accused of torturing and killing two people and shooting at a military plane yesterday, US troops headed for manoeuvres in Eastern Europe and Kremlin not responding to developments, only complaining that Western military moves only serve to raise tension in the region and that Russian interests will be protected. On paper, this doesn't look too good.
Isn't it creepy how Russia, North-Korea and US are all busy with ‘military exercises’ in close proximity to each other? Maybe ‘exercise’ has the same meaning as ‘strategic move’, who knows. Too much testosterone all over, too little sanity prevailing I think.
Dow ended -0.07%, Nas -0.83%, S&P -0.24%.
Europe ended FTSE -0.10%, DAX -0.58%, CAC -0.74%, MIB -1.18%, IBEX -0.13%, Stoxx600 -0.60%.
In Asia this morning 7:09am our time 13:09 Hong Kong, markets more or less flat except Nikkei.
Nikkei -0.8%
Hang Seng Index +0.1%
Shanghai -0.2%
Sydney +0.2%
Kospi -0.2%
Taiex -0.3%
Eco Calendar:
10:00 GER Ifo Business Climate index
11:30 SA PPI, pev 1.30%, exp 0.90%
14:00 EUR ECB Draghi
14:30 Core Durable Goods Orders & Jobless info
Yesterday in the US, sales of new homes slumped 14.5% to 384 00, weakest since July 2013, 16.7% decline in the West, lowest since January 2012.
Moon’s F&G @ 39 ‘Fear’, VIX @13.27 +0.61%.
T40 @ +0.37% (8:06)
New highs for Sabvest, Capitec, Pick ’n Pay, Steinhoff, PSG, Bidvests & new low AQP -5.81% @ 396.