Monthly Archives: February 2011

The Global Pain of Rising Food Prices

Posted on February 15, 2011 by macromon

We found some excellent data from a March 2010 USDA report on cross-country food expenditures and to no surprise lower income countries are getting slammed by the recent price spike.  The table is fairly self-explanatory showing the proportion of expenditures … Continue reading →

Posted in Commodities, Economics, Geopolitical, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Tracking the Presidential Stock Cycle

Posted on February 14, 2011 by macromon

What a stock market!  Just 29 days (11.5 percent of the year) of trading into the year and the S&P500 is already up 5.94 percent,  outperforming the Presidential Stock Cycle chart analog by 150 bps.  This market is not allowing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Trend Reversal in Apparel Prices?

Posted on February 14, 2011 by macromon

Good piece in the USA Today about the headwinds the clothing industry is facing and the  expected reversal of the almost 20-year decline in apparel prices. The USA Today/AP reports, Clothing prices have dropped for a decade as tame inflation … Continue reading →

Posted in BRICs, Charts, China, Commodities, Economics, Technology | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Week in Review: 17.76% by July 4th?

Posted on February 13, 2011 by macromon

Most of the week’s focus was on Egypt and managing risk around China’s tightening cycle as Asia returned from the holiday.   Developed equities continued their relentless rally with the Russell 2000 increasing 2.75 percent.   The Hang Seng and KOSPI got … Continue reading →

Posted in Week in Review | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

South Carolina Politico Wants to Create State Currency

Posted on February 13, 2011 by macromon

State Sen. Lee Bright introduced legislation to create a new state currency in the event of a breakdown of the Federal Reserve System.  The Spartanburg Herald Journal reports, The Federal Reserve System has come under ever-increasing strain during the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Deficit, Currency, Fiscal Policy, Gold, Monetary Policy | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mark Zuckerberg, Modern Day Moses?

Posted on February 12, 2011 by macromon

Time’s Man of the Year.  Now the new Moses?  The guy who’s invisible connectivity community helped bring down the Pharaoh of Egypt.  Mark Zuckerberg getting credit for Egypt’s revolution?   We were stunned last night as we watched Anderson Cooper … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Geopolitical | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Factoid of the Day: Yuan Dynasty’s Chao

Posted on February 12, 2011 by macromon

Here is a little gem from the Gerson Lehrman Group, Many people don’t know this, but China was the first country in the world to use a true fiat paper money currency system during the Yuan Dynasty from 1271-1368. The name … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Monetary Policy | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Weekend Read: Mark Zuckerberg Credited for Egypt

Posted on February 12, 2011 by macromon

Anderson Cooper 360 Interview With the “Google Ghandi”, Wael Ghonim BLITZER: Wael, this is Wolf Blitzer in Washington. So first Tunisia, now Egypt. What’s next? GHONIM: Ask Facebook. BLITZER: Ask what? GHONIM: Facebook. COOPER: Facebook. BLITZER: Facebook. You’re giving Facebook … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Geopolitical, The Weekend Read | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Fort Sumter” Opens Fire: Battle for the Public Sector Is On

Posted on February 11, 2011 by macromon

The battle for the public sector is on.  The Governor of Wisconsin just announced what amounts to be the abolishment of public sector unions in his state.   What an incredible contrast of the health of the private sector x/banks, reflected … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonds, General Interest, Muni Market, State and Local Government | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

STRATFOR: Egypt’s Tipping Point

Posted on February 11, 2011 by macromon

“There are some very heavy and complex negotiations underway. These negotiations are not just about titles or positions. There is also a lot of money involved, a lot of assets at stake, a lot of political careers on the line, … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Geopolitical, Politics | Tagged , | Leave a comment