Todays Markets

Bloomberg: Dollar, Yields Gain on Tax Cuts as Stocks Mixed: Markets Wrap
The dollar, yields and U.S. equity-index futures rallied after Senate passage of tax-cut legislation drew focus away from events in the continuing investigation into connections between Donald Trump’s aides and Russia. Asian stocks outside of Japan climbed. [more...]

Bloomberg: Yen Is at Risk of Big Move, Like Euro in June
The second quarter of 2018 is shaping up to be a potentially sensitive time for the yen, when new -- or newly reappointed -- leaders at the Bank of Japan could opt to telegraph a tweak in monetary policy, according to Evercore ISI analysts. [more...]

Bloomberg: China's Stock Rally May Run Out of Steam Next Year
China’s benchmark stock index will trade weaker than current levels for much of next year as an official deleveraging campaign crimps credit growth and keeps interest rates elevated, according to Bocom International Holdings Co.’s Hao Hong. [more...]

Bloomberg: A $5 Billion Fund Manager Says Fears of China Are Overblown
When investors get nervous about the Chinese markets, it’s an opportunity for some to snap up stocks in the country’s emerging global powerhouses. [more...]

Bloomberg: Oil Falls Below $58 as Rig Count Counters OPEC Curbs Extension
Oil dropped below $58 a barrel as investors weighed an increase in U.S. oil drilling rigs against OPEC’s promise to extend output cuts through the end of next year. [more...]

Bloomberg: Now Quants Want to Program Robots to Track Bitcoin as Smart Beta
Quant blended with cryptocurrency sounds like a cocktail poured in hell. But behind closed doors, a few intrepid souls in the investing world are starting to drink it. [more...]

Bloomberg: Bitcoin Is Now Bigger Than Buffett, Boeing and New Zealand
Bitcoin’s extraordinary price surge means its market capitalization now exceeds the annual output of whole economies, and the estimated worth of some of the world’s top billionaires. [more...]

Reuters: CVS Health to acquire Aetna for $69 billion in year's largest acquisition
U.S. drugstore chain operator CVS Health Corp (CVS.N) said on Sunday it had agreed to acquire U.S. health insurer Aetna Inc (AET.N) for $69 billion, seeking to tackle soaring healthcare spending through lower-cost medical services in pharmacies. [more...]

CNBC: The GOP tax plan is a multi-billion-dollar gift to China and Germany
The relationship between tax cuts and the U.S. economy's external sector is simple: A reduction of income tax liabilities raises households' disposable income, which drives personal consumption, residential investments and, indirectly, business capital outlays. [more...]

CNBC: 'Inflation is all over the place' and it's creating a dangerous distortion in stock market
He's not known for being subtle when it comes to his stock market correction calls or criticizing Washington politics. And as stocks reached new heights last week, former Republican congressman and libertarian Ron Paul listed inflation high on his list of concerns. [more...]