12Jan2017 Opening Market Commentary: Wall Street Opened Lower After Trump Failed To Address Economic And Fiscal Policies, US Dollar Slipping Further, Crude Prices And Gold Rise

Here is the current market situation from CNN Money

European markets are mixed. The FTSE 100 is higher by 0.07%, while the DAX is leading the CAC 40 lower. They are down 0.65% and 0.13% respectively.

Amazon to create 100,000 full-time jobs in U.S.

(Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc said on Thursday it would create more than 100,000 full-time jobs in the United States over the next 18 months.

Wall St. opens lower on Trump’s disappointing speech

(Reuters) – U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday after President-elect Donald Trump gave little clarity on his promises of boosting economic growth that had powered a record-breaking rally on Wall Street for two months.

Weekly jobless claims rise; import prices push higher

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose less than expected last week and the underlying trend remained consistent with a tightening labor market that is starting to spur faster wage growth.

Trump’s tax cuts may pressure U.S.’s top credit rating: Fitch

LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to slash taxes could threaten the country’s triple-A credit rating over the medium term, the head of EMEA sovereign ratings at the Fitch agency said on Thursday.

Delta Air net profit falls 37 percent

(Reuters) – Delta Air Lines Inc on Thursday reported a 37 percent decline in fourth-quarter net profit and forecast passenger unit revenue, a closely watched metric, to be flat to up 2 percent in early 2017.

VW shareholders question bonuses in wake of U.S. diesel deal

FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) – Volkswagen investors demanded reforms and questioned executive bonuses after the carmaker admitted to criminal offences in rigging U.S. emissions tests and U.S. prosecutors indicted six current and former managers over the scandal.

As Trump meets biotech CEOs, farm advisers fret over empty USDA spot

CHICAGO (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has left the agriculture secretary as the last department head to be named to his Cabinet, while a meeting with the chief executives of two agribusiness giants gave a hint at a roster of farm issues the incoming president will face.

PIMCO sees possibility of China floating yuan in 2017

LONDON (Reuters) – Asset management giant PIMCO said on Thursday it thought there was a chance China could freely float its currency, the yuan, this year.

Saudis cut oil output to lowest in two years, pledge further reductions

ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has cut oil output to its lowest in almost two years, its energy minister said on Thursday, as the world’s largest oil exporter leads OPEC’s drive to eradicate a global glut and prop up prices.

Trump Blasts CNN’s “FAKE NEWS”, Says “Credibility Will Soon Be Gone!”

One day after totally shutting down CNN’s Jim Acosta at his first press conference as President-elect, Trump continues to hammer CNN saying they’re “in a total meltdown with their FAKE NEWS because their ratings are tanking since election and their credibility will soon be gone!”

.@CNN is in a total meltdown with their FAKE NEWS because their ratings are tanking since election and their credibility will soon be gone!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2017

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For those who missed it, here are the epic exchanges from yesterday.

In an epic (mutual) trolling between president-elect Trump on one hand and BuzzFeed and CNN, on the other, the two media organizations which issued yesterday’s unsubstantiated report about Russia having compromising information on the president-elect, Trump first addressed the question of why he referred to Nazi Germany, saying it is “disgraceful” that intelligence communities would allow the release of any information. “That’s something Nazi Germany would have done and did do,” he says.

He then unleashed on Buzzfeed which alone published the 35-page memo behind the Russian allegations, saying “Buzzfeed which is a failing pile of garbage… will suffer the consequences”

And then, in an even more stunning episode, Trump slammed CNN reporter Jim Acosta, who he also called out during the presser over their report on a two-page synopsis they claim was presented to Trump.

With Trump looking to call on other reporters, Jim Acosta yelled out, “Since you are attacking us, can you give us a question?”

“Not you,” Trump said. “Your organization is terrible!”

Live Stream: Russia, Iran and International Alliances To Take Center Stage At Mattis Confirmation Hearing

With two days of grueling confirmation hearings in the books, it’s time for Retired Marine General James “Mad Dog” Mattis, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, to field some questions. In his prepared remarks, Mattis is expected to emphasize the importance of international alliances and bringing “business reforms to the Department of Defense by instilling budget discipline.” Per The Hill:

“We must embrace our international alliances and security partnerships. History is clear: nations with strong allies thrive and those without them wither,” he is expected to say.

The statement is somewhat of a departure from the rhetoric President-elect Donald Trump used on the campaign trail, where he called into question the value of alliances such as NATO.

Mattis will also list strengthening alliances as one of his priorities, along with strengthening military readiness and reforming the Pentagon. “If you confirm me, my watchwords will be solvency and security in providing for the protection of our people and the survival of our freedoms,” he will say.

“My priorities as secretary of Defense will be to strengthen military readiness, strengthen our alliances in league with our diplomatic partners, and bring business reforms to the Department of Defense by instilling budget discipline and holding our leaders accountable.”

Mattis retired from the military in 2013, and entered the business world as a board member of General Dynamics and Silicon Valley start-up Theranos. He resigned from Theranos earlier this month and will step down from General Dynamics if confirmed. Only t …

Chinese Labor Peace Hardly Guarantees Placid Markets

Beijing is focused on the labor market first, which is showing signs of improvement. That leaves it to pursue other problems.

Richemont’s Sparkling Christmas Opens Buying Opportunity

The shares are already well above last year’s lows, but should still appeal to long-term investors.

Biotech Stocks Feel the Wrath of Trump

The easing of drug-price fears appears to have been misguided.

Import and Export Price Year-over-Year Inflation Returns in December 2016.

Written by Steven Hansen

Import and export prices are now inflating year-over-year after years of deflation.

07 January 2017 Initial Unemployment Claims Rolling Average Improvement Continues

The market expectations for weekly initial unemployment claims (from Bloomberg / Econoday) were 245 K to 256 K (consensus 255,000), and the Department of Labor reported 247,000 new claims. The more important (because of the volatility in the weekly reported claims and seasonality errors in adjusting the data) 4 week moving average moved from 258,250 (reported last week as 256,750) to 256,500. The rolling averages generally have been equal to or under 300,000 since August 2014.

Need to Know: This chart is flashing a big buy signal for equities everywhere

The prospect of Dow 20,000 may look like kids play if we are at the start of another big global equity bull market as this chart shows.

Market Extra: Don’t look now! Gold is crushing the stock market in 2017

Perhaps one of the clearest signs that a rally inspired by President-elect is starting to stall is shiny and yellow and is outperforming its other asset peers by a healthy margin.

Economic Report: U.S. import prices rise at fastest pace since 2012

The cost of imported goods rose at the end of 2016 at the fastest pace in four years, largely because of higher oil prices whose recent rise has added to some upward pressure on inflation.