May 23, 2017 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

 Tangents:
Carolann is away today and I will be writing the Newsletter on her behalf.

 PHOTOS OF THE DAY

  A peacock displays its feathers inside its enclosure at Tbilisi zoo.  Photograph: Zurab Kurtsikidze/EPA

Jan Hunat, Czech glassmaker installs the ‘Farewell Memorial’ at the main railway station  Photograph: Martin Divisek/EPA
Market Closes for May 23, 2017

International Markets

Bonds

Currencies

Commodities

Market Commentary:
Canada
By Theophilos Argitis
 (Bloomberg) — Canadian inflation pressures remained subdued in April, even with a sharp increase in gasoline prices. Measures of annual core inflation fell, underlining Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz’s concern that excess slack remains in the economy.
The average of the central bank’s three core inflation measures declined to 1.4 percent, Statistics Canada said Friday from Ottawa, down from a March average of 1.5 percent.
*The consumer price index rose 1.6 percent in April from a year ago, unchanged from the previous month. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast the index would rise 1.7 percent on the back of higher gasoline prices.
*Prices rose 0.4 percent on a monthly basis, lagging the0.5 percent median economist forecast.
*The Bank of Canada’s ‘common’ core rate was 1.3 percent in April, the ‘median’ core rate was 1.6 percent and the ‘trim’measure was 1.3 percent.
 Central bank policy makers have been citing weakening core inflation figures, along with slow wage growth, as evidence that slack remains in the nation’s economy. Lack of inflation pressures is one of the main reasons why the Bank of Canada, which has a mandate to target a 2 percent inflation rate, isn’t expected to match interest rate increases this year by the Federal Reserve.
 *On a seasonally adjusted basis, consumer prices rose 0.5 percent in the month of April. Excluding food and energy, seasonally adjusted prices were up 0.1 percent.
*Gasoline prices rose 9.5 percent in April, with Statistics Canada citing supply disruptions at oil refineries. Year-over- year, gasoline prices posted a 15.9 percent increase.
US
By Robert Brand and Jeremy Herron
(Bloomberg) — U.S. stocks pushed toward all-time highs, while the dollar halted a slide as investors focused on fresh data that added to signs the global economy remains on firm footing. Brazilian assets stabilized and oil hit a one-month high.
The S&P 500 Index’s fourth straight gain took it back toward 2,400, as bank shares led advances amid gains in the 10- year Treasury note. Investors moved past the terrorist attack in Manchester, with U.K. equities rising a third day and gilts holding steady. The dollar rose after three days of losses. Brazil’s real was little changed as S&P Global Ratings considers a rating change. South Africa’s rand rallied, and oil topped $51 a barrel.
 Investors took solace from data on Tuesday that confirmed the German economy is firing on all cylinders and France’s is gathering momentum, adding to evidence that the European economy is on firm footing. That’s bolstering the case for investing in the region. With President Trump overseas, renewed political turmoil in Washington did little to capture investor attention Tuesday as the White House delivered a budget that seeks steep cuts to social programs.
 Here are some key upcoming events:
* Trump’s tour will headed to Group of Seven and NATO meetings in Europe.
* Minutes from the last Federal Reserve policy meeting will be released Wednesday, offering more clues to the path of interest rates.
* OPEC will meet in Vienna on Thursday, with major oil producers edging closer to extending an agreement to curb output.
* South Korea, Canada, South Africa and Thailand set interest rates this week.
 And here are the main moves in markets:
 Stocks
* The S&P 500 climbed 0.2 percent to 2,398.42 at 4 p.m. in New York. It rose as high as 2.400.85, two points from a closing record. The gauge has advanced 1.7 percent in four days.
* The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.2 percent. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index added 0.2 percent.
* Brazil’s Ibovespa Index rose 1.6 percent.
 Currencies
* The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index turned higher in afternoon trading to add 0.4 percent after falling to near the lowest level since Nov. 4.
* The yen weakened 0.5 percent to 111.819 per dollar.
* The pound traded 0.3 percent down at $1.2967 after weakening as much as 0.4 percent. The euro dropped 0.5 percent to $1.1180.
* Brazil’s real strengthened 0.1 percent to 3.26477 per dollar after falling to a five-month low last week amid corruption allegations against President Michel Temer.
Bonds
* The yield on 10-year Treasury notes rose three basis points to 2.29 percent, as bonds fell for a fourth day.
* Tuesday’s $26 billion two-year note sale drew a yield of 1.316 percent, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.9, the highest in a year.
* German benchmark yields rose one basis point while those the U.K. dropped one basis point.
Commodities
* West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose for a fifth day, added 34 cents to settle at $51.74 a barrel in New York, the highest since April 18. Saudi Arabia is mustering support for prolonging production curbs ahead of OPEC’s meeting this week.
* Gold futures dropped 0.8 percent to $1,251.60 an ounce.
* China, the world’s top user of refined zinc, boosted imports to the highest level in 13 months as stockpiles in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell and domestic production shrank.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. 

Be magnificent!

Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love.
Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.
Mahatma Gandhi

As ever,

Carolann

The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.   -Albert Camus, b.1913

Carolann Steinhoff, B.Sc., CFP®, CIM, CIWM
Portfolio Manager &
Senior Vice-President

Queensbury Securities Inc.,
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Suite 340A, 730 View St.,
Victoria, B.C. V8W 3Y7

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