While the key to the consumption recovery is closely tied to future progress on vaccinations, Italian manufacturers/builders seem to be looking beyond it, possibly eyeing the flow of demand which will come with the recovery plan.

Economic activity in Europe is stalling as nineteen European countries have recently reported increasing confirmed COVID-19 cases. The shape of the recovery is transforming from a so-called "V-shaped" to more of a "Nike swoosh."

I have spent most of the time in 2020 analyzing, writing, and speaking about the US markets and commodities. Therefore, I thought it time to explore the International ETF Country Funds. I have vetted them for you.

Asian markers traded on the front foot overnight and European markets jump higher on the open, whilst safe havens come under pressure as the market mood turns positive.

Italy has suspended payments on mortgages due to the coronavirus outbreak as more than 9,000 people have been infected and over 460 have died, the government announced on Tuesday.

The Italian drama continues, with the European bond markets demonstrating great resilience despite the risks presented by the Italian government’s proposed fiscal policy stance, which has been rejected by the European Commission.

Equities don’t seem to be buying what Tria is selling either. Italian stocks pared a brief bounce and are on the precipice of a bear market.

Long-term Italy’s stock market is trading within a very clear a defined channel. This is the “end of the world” that everyone is talking about. From the look of things Italy has had it at least three times before since 2009.

The collapse of the Italy government means a new election. That, in turn, means a pro-Euro politician heading Italy. And that, in turn, means the Italy Crisis is over.

After posting the best year of growth since 2007, Europe is caught in a double whammy of politics and geopolitics. This is especially true given the deepening political crisis in Italy and new political drama brewing up in Spain.

Tech was a sweet spot in the first half. Thanks to the improving technology sector, the tech heavy Nasdaq Composite Index inched past the huge milestone of 6,000 for the first time in late April.

The referendum in Italy last Sunday changes the destiny not only for Italy but for Europe and also the world.

When high quality bull markets take place, banks are historically on board and along for the ride.

Banks in the states and around the world remain an important influence on the broad markets.

From an investing point of view over the past couple of years, investors have been robbed of opportunities if they have owned the banks, as the banks have underperformed the broad markets for the past 18-months. Is this trend about to change?

In 1983 the rock group ZZ Top released the song “Legs,” which became a big hit. I am reminded of this song today, as we look at the pattern in the Bank index and the S&P 500.