Archives of “January 2020” month

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Iran lawmakers reportedly approve bill designating Pentagon as terror group

  
Analysis, Politics

ICANA, Iran parliament’s official news service, reports

US Iran

It says that under the legislation, “all members of the Pentagon and related companies, as well as actors and commanders involved in the martyrdom of Qassem Soleimani, are designated in the list of terror groups”.

The bill is drafted as a form of retaliation against the recent US attack that killed Soleimani and was passed by a vote of 228-0, with two abstentions.
I would take this as a warning sign to potential escalation in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East but until military action is taken, I reckon markets may turn a blind eye to developments such as the above for the time being.

Nikkei 225 closes higher by 1.60% at 23,575.72

  
Analysis, Global Indices

Japanese stocks climb as geopolitical fears subside

Nikkei 07-01

US-Iran tensions are still persisting but markets are sensing that the fear is abating and that is helping to push Asian equities higher on the day. The Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite are also both up by 0.5% going into the closing stages of the session.

Looking ahead, European equities should also see a rebound from the late surge in Wall St overnight with US futures also up by 0.2% currently. In the currencies space, the dollar is keeping more firm to start the day though USD/JPY is near unchanged around 108.37.

Reports that China will not increase its annual import purchase quotas of farm goods from the US

  
  Analysis
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Reuters report on senior agriculture official Han Jun speaking with Caixin

  • China will not increase its annual import quotas for corn, wheat and rice to accommodate stepped-up purchases of farm goods from the United States,
There are no further details, Straits Times with the info
If so then there is no phase one trade deal. Weird report, but here we are ….
Reuters report on senior agriculture official Han Jun speaking with Caixin

If you are trying to escape from Japan this might help – how Carlos Ghosn did it

  
  Analysis
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Ex-Nissan CEO Ghosn escaped inside a road case, a box used for concert equipment such as speakers, controllers, instruments and what have you.

The Wall Street Journal have a piece up on what they say is how Ghosn got out, and why:
  • escape involved a 300-mile sprint across Japan on a fast train
  • from Tokyo to the Osaka airport
  • then inside a large black box, generally used for concert equipment, with breathing holes drilled in the bottom, into a waiting private jet
  • flown to Turkey, then Lebanon
  • Ghosn … made his own, final decision to go through with the plan … after signs his trial might drag on for years, and amid the court’s refusal for him to have contact with his wife during the holidays
The conviction rate in Japan approaches 99%. LOL.
Besides, if Ghosn’s box was handled by typical roadies he would have suffered enough 😉
Ex-Nissan CEO Ghosn escaped inside a road case

China – US trade talks update – phase 1 signing coming on January 15 (maybe)

  
  Analysis
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OK, probably rather than maybe but hey, we’ve been hoodwinked on this trade deal business over and over again.

The latest is (good idea to update this after the long break):
  • A Chinese trade delegation is heading to Washington for a January 15 signing
  • plan is to sign the first phase of the trade deal with the US
  • Vice Premier Liu He will lead the delegation
  • Will arrive in Washington on the 13th (thankfully that’s not a Friday, eh?)
So, for the rest of 2020 we can look forward to tension over the next phase (more soybeans?)
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