The Federal Reserve released its twice–yearly report Monday on financial hazards in its 2023 financial stability report. The report comes after a busy week for the Fed, following the second largest bank failure in U.S. history with First Republic, now three of the top four largest failures over just the past two months. The Fed said recent turmoil in the banking industry has stabilized but could weigh on credit conditions going forward. The Fed said it is prepared to address … Continue reading “Federal Reserve Financial Stability Report, Follows Three of the Four Largest Failures in U.S. History”
Potential Future Black Swans in an Uncertain World
It is difficult to predict exactly what black swan events might occur in the future, as these events are by definition rare and unexpected. Critical thinking around past black swans gives a range of possibilities including, pandemics, cyber-attacks, natural disasters, major technological breakthroughs or disruptors, or a geopolitical event, such as a war or a political crisis. Of course, by their very nature the black swan could be from something totally unthought of. Expect the unexpected as a good way … Continue reading “Potential Future Black Swans in an Uncertain World”
Danaher Floating off Environmental & Applied Solutions Segment Enhances Opportunity
Life sciences and diagnostics company Danaher is moving focus on the growth opportunities for Life Sciences and Diagnostics segments. The company intends to float off its Environmental & Applied Solutions (EAS) segment into a separate publicly traded company. DHR would then be to further capitalize on the seen powerful growth in the other segments having been entrenched in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics through its $21.4 bln acquisition of Cytiva in 2020. Cepheid also received Emergency Use Authorization … Continue reading “Danaher Floating off Environmental & Applied Solutions Segment Enhances Opportunity”
Federal Reserve Monetary Policy Report Outlines Risks to Inflation, Liquidity and Employment
The Federal Reserve released its twice–yearly monetary policy report with the focus on the Banks response to sustained inflationary pressures and a strong labor market, the FOMC has been adjusting its policies and communications since last fall. Financial conditions have tightened significantly this year. The expected path of the federal funds rate over the next few years shifted up substantially. Federal Reserve Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report June 2022 Economy Recent indicators suggest that private fixed investment may be moderating but … Continue reading “Federal Reserve Monetary Policy Report Outlines Risks to Inflation, Liquidity and Employment”
Federal Reserve Financial Stability Report Warns on Worsening Liquidity Risks
The Federal Reserve released its twice–yearly report on financial hazards in its 2022 financial stability report warning the recent deterioration in liquidity has not been as extreme as in some past episodes but the risk of a sudden significant deterioration appears higher than normal. They also noted commodities have been subject to notable dysfunction. Federal Reserve 2022 financial stability report Highlights‘ “According to some measures, market liquidity has declined since late 2021 in the markets for recently-issued U.S. cash Treasury … Continue reading “Federal Reserve Financial Stability Report Warns on Worsening Liquidity Risks”
US Army Walter Reed Scientists Develop Coronavirus Vaccine Effective Against All Variants Including Omicron
Within weeks reports Scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research have developed Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccine, or SpFN, a vaccine that is effective against COVID-19 and all its variants including Omicron. Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of Walter Reed’s infectious diseases branch, made the announcement in an exclusive interview with Defense One. Walter Reed’s infectious diseases branch decided to focus on making a vaccine that would work against not just the existing strain but all of its potential … Continue reading “US Army Walter Reed Scientists Develop Coronavirus Vaccine Effective Against All Variants Including Omicron”
Soft Consumer Spending Sees Japan’s Q3 GDP Downgraded Further
Japan’s economy shrank 0.9% in the third quarter from the previous quarter, at an annualized pace of 3.0%, the Cabinet Office announced on Monday. This was worse than the previous estimate as the Coronavirus and supply shortage had more of a dampening affect than first thought. Japan Q3 GDP (2nd reading) GDP -0.9% q/q vs -0.8% expected GDP y/y -3.6% vs -3.1% expected (first estimate -3.0%) Private consumption -1.3% vs -1.1% prelim External demand 0.0% vs +0.1% prelim Inflation deflator … Continue reading “Soft Consumer Spending Sees Japan’s Q3 GDP Downgraded Further”
F.D.A. Antimicrobial Drugs Panel Endorse Merck’s Covid Pill Molnupiravir For High Risk Adults.
The Food and Drug Administration Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting voted on Tuesday to recommend authorizing the molnupiravir Covid pill from Merck for high-risk adults. It would be the first in a new class of antiviral drugs that could work against a wide range of variants, including Omicron. Molnupiravir has been shown to modestly reduce the risk of hospitalization and death, predominantly from the Delta, Mu and Gamma variants. The expert panel recommended it for Covid patients who are older … Continue reading “F.D.A. Antimicrobial Drugs Panel Endorse Merck’s Covid Pill Molnupiravir For High Risk Adults.”
South African Rand and Bonds Roiled By New Covid Variant Omicron
The new Covid-19 Variant WHO has named Omicron wrecked world markets Friday with South African markets understandably the epicenter. Early PCR test results showed that 90% of 1,100 new cases reported Wednesday in the South African province that includes Johannesburg were caused by the new variant. Many countries have closed their borders to South Africa as a result. Financial Markets Rocked by Omicron The South African rand this week sank 3.4%, increasing 2021 losses to 9.8%. South African 10-year yields … Continue reading “South African Rand and Bonds Roiled By New Covid Variant Omicron”
Omicron’s Unusual Genetic Profile and Speed of Spread Concern Scientists
The new B.1.1.529 variant now known as Omicron has scientists concerned for two primary reasons. The first is epidemiological and rand the speed it is spreading. The second is its highly unusual genetic profile with ‘an unprecedented sampling’ of mutations. There are other genetic changes that have not been seen before, whose significance is as yet unknown. WHO recognized the new Covid strain as a variant of concern Friday. omicron Omicron is the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet Omicron … Continue reading “Omicron’s Unusual Genetic Profile and Speed of Spread Concern Scientists”