2022/03/30 (024) Column

War In Ukraine Continues Meanwhile On Day 35 Today,
After Russia Announces That Will Reduce Operations Yesterday.
European Market Stocks Snap 3 Day Winning Streak,
& US Market Stocks Snap 4 Day Winning Streak.


After negotiations, Russia announces that it will reduce combat operations – but at the same time the attacks continue. Germany is taking precautions for a possible gas supply stop. Russia continues the war in Ukraine with new attacks even after progress in a round of negotiations. The Russian announcement to curb combat operations near Kyiv was met with much skepticism in Ukraine and in the West. Meanwhile, the federal government is preparing for a significant deterioration in the gas supply: Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) put the early warning level of the gas emergency plan into effect on Wednesday. As a result of the war, the “economic experts” expect permanently higher energy prices in Germany. “There are currently no supply bottlenecks,” said Habeck. “Nevertheless, we must increase precautionary measures in order to be prepared in the event of an escalation on the part of Russia.” The security of supply is still guaranteed. Habeck appealed to everyone to save gas. The Russian announcement that it would scale back hostilities near the capital Kyiv and the city of Chernihiv was seen in Ukraine and the West as part of a troop reorganization. “These signals do not drown out the explosions of Russian shells,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it has only been observed that “a very small number” of Russian troops are moving north of Kyiv away from the Ukrainian capital. “We believe this is a repositioning, not a withdrawal, and that we should all be prepared to anticipate a major offensive against other parts of Ukraine.” Rockets could continue to be fired at Kiev: “The threat to Kyiv is not over.”

Political elections have consequences. Both on the political left and political right – let alone in the so-called democratic liberal center. Where everyone hides behind green promises of salvation. Because prices are rising because there is more money in circulation than new products can be offered and bought. And if the state does not manage to organize certain goods (such as heating for the home, oil for the car, for my sake also food and drink in the supermarket), for the majority of the population, either state or private, in abundance , then the prices will fall! Just think about it?

You can think and or write whatever you want about the former US President! Admittedly, I didn’t like all of his tweets either! But his MAGA policy has shaken up the American middle class – and there is no turning back! Why? On the one hand, the EU has mutated into a completely mediocre and unprincipled green leftist machine – under the cloak of democracy. Yes, even under the pretext of freedom. On the other hand, the current US President Joe Biden, in his first year in office, has done more damage to international relations than almost anyone else! Or can you think of someone? Biden is suffering one fiasco after another, and not only in connection with Russia’s special operation in Ukraine. Can you name at least one president who caused so much damage to international relations in his first year in power? From his predecessor he inherited peace and prosperity. No matter how the media and establishment laugh at Trump, look at the result of his work. The United States is successfully confronting China, ISIS is being defeated, alliances are being strengthened, NATO is fulfilling its commitments, North Korea is sitting at the negotiating table. Everywhere America stands with its head held high and pursues a policy of peace from a position of strength. And yes, peace in Europe. Biden also lifted Trump’s sanctions on Nord Stream and canceled the construction of the American Keystone (we’re talking about the Keystone XL oil pipeline, part of the existing Keystone oil pipeline. The oil pipeline was supposed to deliver “black gold” from the Canadian provinces Alberta to factories in the US Not Russia’s war against Ukraine, but rather Biden’s war against its own energy industry, let alone left-liberal green EU utopias, gave Putin more and more influence, and the oil price (after his election victory) of 41 USD more than doubled. Even the increase in US gas exports to Europe promised by Biden will not help him, since certain climate laws apply here in Europe, especially in my home country Germany. And just a left-liberal green state-organized shortage economy, under the cloak of democracy, is cultivated. And, of course, the shameful surrender of Afghanistan and the disastrous flight of American troops from there also played a major role in Putin’s decision on his special operation involving Ukraine. The signal to friend and foe was: we have failed, we are withdrawing, we lack the determination. And what is the result? Politics from a position of weakness! Let’s face it, my readers – my US friends & US enemies. Joe Biden is the worst and weakest US President since the end of the Cold War. No, after since World War II! Isn`t it?US Stocks Snap 4-Day Winning Streak

US equities extended the decline in the final hour of trading as enthusiasm over progress toward the end of the war in Ukraine faded, with investors reassessing the outlook for inflation and tightening monetary policy. The Dow Jones closed down 65 points, the S&P 500 declined 0.6%, and Nasdaq Composite sank 1.2%. Russia continued to bomb northern Ukraine, a day after promising to scale down operations. Meanwhile, the recent US data showed the labour market remains very tight, with job openings hovering near record highs and private business hiring remaining strong reinforcing the view that the Fed needs to speed up the tightening of monetary policy. Several retail stocks were under pressure including Five Below and Chewy after disappointing quarterly reports. On the other hand, rising oil prices pulled energy stocks higher.

European Stocks Snap Three-Day Rally

The pan-European STOXX 600 snapped a three-day rally to finish Wednesday’s session lower, while the benchmark DAX 30 tumbled almost 2% as market sentiment remained clouded by the war in Ukraine, rising inflation and expectations of higher interest rates. The economic sentiment indicator in the Euro Area plummeted to a level not seen since March last year, while Germany’s inflation rate is expected to climb to 7.3% in March of 2022, the most since 1981 and well above market expectations. In the meantime, ECB President Christine Lagarde said that the central bank could end its bond-buying stimulus scheme in the third quarter as headwinds from the Ukraine war worsen inflation. On the corporate side, S4 Capital plunged almost 35% after postponing the release of its preliminary results due to an auditing delay.