The extraordinary, belief-defying and as yet still undetermined US election captured the entire attention of the markets this week. Business was paralysed and the interbank flow in the dollar swap market dried to a mere trickle, reported most shops. Customers are said to be sidelined until the dust settles - which could be a long time as a range of legal challenges to the chaotic voting in Palm Beach County, Florida, are considered. Moreover, the yield curve offers few attractive opportunities at the moment, say swap traders.
November 10, 2000