IRAN: Qatar PM- We Are Trying To Get US-Iran Talks Back On Track
Oct-29 15:38
Continuing his comments at the Council on Foreign Relations (see 'MIDEAST: Qatari PM-Ceasefire Challenges "Disappointing But Expected"', 14:59GMT), Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says "We are trying to engage the US and Iran to make sure talks get back on track," adding "Serious talks between the US and Iran can achieve a deal that will be better for everyone."
- There has been no movement on potential nuclear talks between the US and Iran since 'snapback' sanctions came into force at the end of September.
- In a rare public appearance on 20 Oct, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed US President Donald Trump's efforts at dealmaking. Khamenei: "[Trump] says 'I am a deal-maker', while if a deal is accompanied by coercion and its outcome is known in advance, it is not a deal, but imposition and coercion. The Iranian nation will not be burdened by imposition."
- UK-based Amwaj Media reports, "Khamenei’s framing of the Trump administration’s goal in any negotiations being [an] “imposition” may reflect low confidence in any near-term talks with the US. But with an economy under strain and a society wary of renewed conflict with Israel, there are question marks over how much posturing Iran can afford. A path forward could open if Washington tempers its pressure campaign and provides the Islamic Republic with an off-ramp and a face-saving approach to renewed negotiations."
- At present, though, the Trump administration appears both ambivalent towards re-engagement with Tehran and reluctant to be viewed as the party offering concessions.
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US DATA: BLS's Shutdown Plan Confirms Key Data Wouldn't Be Published
Sep-29 15:37
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' key economic releases would be postponed in the event of a government shutdown, per the Department of Labor's plan for such an event - PDF link.
- "BLS will suspend all operations. Economic data that are scheduled to be released during the lapse will not be released. All active data collection activities for BLS surveys will cease. The BLS website will not be updated with new content or restored in the event of a technical failure during a lapse."
- Furthermore: "The releases of economic data will likely be delayed if a lapse is prolonged....A reduction in quality of data collected might impact the quality of future estimates produced."
- This was largely expected - at least for the key BLS data points in the next couple of weeks, namely the September employment report (due out this Friday Oct 3) and the September CPI report (due out Weds Oct 15)), as well as PPI (Oct 16). The shutdown would begin at midnight on Wednesday October 1 unless agreement is reached on government funding.
- It was unclear whether the weekly jobless claims reports would still be published, however, since while they are compiled and released by the BLS, they use state-by-state data and were published in 2013 during the last full federal government shutdown.
FED: US TSY 26W BILL AUCTION: HIGH 3.715%(ALLOT 61.66%)
Sep-29 15:32
- US TSY 26W BILL AUCTION: HIGH 3.715%(ALLOT 61.66%)
- US TSY 26W BILL AUCTION: DEALERS TAKE 25.38% OF COMPETITIVES
- US TSY 26W BILL AUCTION: DIRECTS TAKE 8.35% OF COMPETITIVES
- US TSY 26W BILL AUCTION: INDIRECTS TAKE 66.27% OF COMPETITIVES
- US TSY 26W BILL AUCTION: BID/CVR 3.00
FED: US TSY 13W BILL AUCTION: HIGH 3.860%(ALLOT 70.07%)
Sep-29 15:32
- US TSY 13W BILL AUCTION: HIGH 3.860%(ALLOT 70.07%)
- US TSY 13W BILL AUCTION: DEALERS TAKE 34.19% OF COMPETITIVES
- US TSY 13W BILL AUCTION: DIRECTS TAKE 7.01% OF COMPETITIVES
- US TSY 13W BILL AUCTION: INDIRECTS TAKE 58.80% OF COMPETITIVES
- US TSY 13W BILL AUCTION: BID/CVR 2.74
