Monthly Archives: November 2011

Nonlinear Thinking: Robot Run Warehouses

Posted on November 10, 2011 by macromon

Here’s an interesting video clip that reinforces our view that almost all new innovation and technology is labor saving/destroying and that U.S. unemployment is much more structural than most perceive (click here to view video).   Even the military, with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, Equities, Nonlinear Thinking, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

How Germany Sees the ECB’s “Bid of Last Resort”…

Posted on November 9, 2011 by macromon

Interesting graphic from Der Spiegel.   Note the title, “An Endless Bond Buy?,”  which speaks volumes on the German position of ECB monetization.   Is a new Europe about to erupt onto the scene? (click here if chart is not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Geopolitical, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The ECB Show

Posted on November 9, 2011 by macromon

It all comes down to this.  Will the ECB provide the exit bid for those fleeing Italian bonds and, more importantly, will their action instill enough confidence to allow Italy to roll over existing maturities?  If it doesn’t bring back … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Budget Deficit, Euro, PIIGS, Politics, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Exit Berlusconi

Posted on November 9, 2011 by macromon

(click here if video is not observable)

Posted in PIIGS, Politics | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Employment & Wage Trends in New York City

Posted on November 8, 2011 by macromon

Great data from from the BLS.   The average annual wage in New York’s financial industry more than tripled from 1990 to 2009.  These numbers, even though employment in the industry declined by close to 20 percent,  makes us want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Charts, Demographics, Employment | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Russia reluctant to help euro zone bailout

Posted on November 7, 2011 by macromon

(click here if video is not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, BRICs, Euro, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

SocGen Takes €333 M Hit on Greek Exposure, Increases Loan Loss Reserves to 60%

Posted on November 7, 2011 by macromon

The European banks are finally starting to face reality.   Provisioning against potential losses is the first step toward a comprehensive restructuring and final solution to the European debt crisis.   Taking losses,  suspending dividends, and limiting bonuses are painful for … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Equities, Euro, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Hours of Work Needed to Buy a Barrel of Oil

Posted on November 7, 2011 by macromon

Another awesome piece of work from our friends over at The Chart Store.   The chart below is a times series of the numbers of hours of work — based on the average hourly wage — needed to buy a barrel … Continue reading →

Posted in Charts, Crude Oil | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mr. (Bond) Market Prepares to Take Down Silvio

Posted on November 7, 2011 by macromon

Remember the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis?   The bond and currency markets took down Indonesia’s Suharto regime, which survived three decades of student protests, attempted coups, and external pressure.   What tanks couldn’t do, markets did. With G-Pap now gone Club Med … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Bonds, Euro, Geopolitical, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Robert De Niro to star as Bernie Madoff in HBO Production

Posted on November 6, 2011 by macromon

The Telegraph reports that HBO has purchased the rights of the recently published book “Truth and Consequences: Life Inside the Madoff Family”  written with the help of Madoff’s son Andrew.   The biography will be the basis for the film to … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , | 1 Comment