Chicago

R.J. O’Brien hires Giemza to lead global risk department

Press Release
October 24, 2017
Chicago-based R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, announced today the appointment of Brad Giemza as Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer. Giemza will serve on RJO’s senior management team.

Chicago Fed national activity index hits highest since 2014

Reuters
May 22, 2017
The Chicago Federal Reserve said on Monday its gauge of U.S. economic activity strengthened in April to its highest level since late 2014, suggesting an acceleration in production and hiring activity following an anemic first quarter.

Fed's Evans says he supports one or two more rate hikes this year

Reuters
March 29, 2017
One of the Federal Reserve's most consistent supporters of low-interest rates on Wednesday said he is with the majority of his colleagues in supporting further rate hikes this year, given the progress on the U.S. central bank's goals of full employment and stable inflation.

G20's protectionism shift hits global stocks, dollar at six-week low

Jamie McGeever, Reuters
March 20, 2017
World markets balked on Monday at the G20's decision to drop a decade-old pledge to resist trade protectionism, with stocks, the dollar, oil and the price of many major sovereign bonds all sliding into the red.

No matador in sight as bull market in U.S. stocks turns eight

Chuck Mikolajczak and Rodrigo Campos, Reuters
March 9, 2017
The run of gains on the financial market turns 8 years old on Thursday and, despite its advanced age, is expected to rage on, with perhaps a few hiccups, based on a combination of stronger company earnings, lower taxes and a corporate-friendly administration in Washington.

Yields rise, stocks flat as Yellen signals rate rise

Reuters
March 3, 2017
U.S. Treasury yields hit session highs before flattening while stocks were largely unchanged on Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the Fed is set to raise its benchmark interest rate this month as long as economic data on jobs and inflation holds up.

Markets set to open slightly lower ahead of Yellen speech

Sweta Singh, Reuters
March 3, 2017
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were set to open slightly lower on Friday, as investors remained cautious ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's speech, which could give more clarity on the possibility of an interest rate hike later this month.

Dollar rises, global stocks hold highs on March Fed rate hike bets

Nigel Stephenson, Reutuers
March 2, 2017
European stocks held near 15-month highs and the dollar strengthened against other top global currencies on Thursday on growing expectations the U.S. central bank will raise interest rates later this month.

CFTC takes Chicago firm, founder to trial over manipulation claims

Nate Raymond, Reuters
December 2, 2016
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission took a Chicago-based trading firm and its prominent founder to trial on Thursday over claims they manipulated the price of a futures contract, illegally earning nearly $13.5 million.

Transaction taxes now being debated in Illinois

Jeffrey Carter
June 8, 2016
Why do politicians always want to get between people and their money? I was listening to an Uber X driver last night. She was at wit’s end. She had no job prospects and she was losing everything. She didn’t want to go on government assistance. Uber gave her a way out. This isn’t the first time I have heard a story like that.