Monthly Archives: December 2011

Tough Christmas in Greece

Posted on December 9, 2011 by macromon

(click here if video is not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, PIIGS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The EU’s Camouflaged Bazooka?

Posted on December 9, 2011 by macromon

Many were disappointed that the EU Summit didn’t conclude with a hard number backstop for the ‘zone’s sovereign debt rolling over next year.   We believe if you scratch the surface the bazooka is there. The EU President, Herman Van Rompuy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Nonlinear Thinking: Drone Valet Parking Attendents

Posted on December 9, 2011 by macromon

Wow!  Life is getting too easy.   Guess the driving tests of the future will require the knowledge of how to use a smart phone.  Just another example of Schumpeterian innovation that will destroy some jobs and create others.  No more … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonlinear Thinking | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Europe Needs An Iron Lady

Posted on December 8, 2011 by macromon

As Europe “goes wobbly” they could use an Iron Lady. (click here if video is not not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, General Interest, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Men Are from the Feds, Women from State & Local

Posted on December 8, 2011 by macromon

Staying with the employment theme here’s some interesting data from the Atlantic that shouldn’t have surprised us, but was an eye opener, nonetheless.   The U.S. Federal payrolls are dominated by men and state and local government by women.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Collapse of Construction Employment

Posted on December 8, 2011 by macromon

Here’s a great chart from the BLS showing the collapse of construction employment from May 2006-10.  No surprise the largest declines are in the four housing bubble states — Nevada, Arizona, Florida, and California.   Stunning employment in this sector is … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Genesis of the Euro

Posted on December 8, 2011 by macromon

(click here if video is not observable)

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

Say It Ain’t So, Mario!

Posted on December 8, 2011 by macromon

Very unfortunate timing of today’s ECB meeting as Mario Draghi poured cold water on providing a backstop for the distressed Eurozone countries.  It’s kind of like holding a press conference before playing a hand in a high stakes poker game.  … Continue reading →

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

EU Leaders on the Hot Seat

Posted on December 7, 2011 by macromon

(click here if video is not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Curbing Our Enthusiasm, Increasing Our Bet…

Posted on December 7, 2011 by macromon

Moving closer to the EU Summit we are are curbing our enthusiasm and expectations of the substance of the deal but increasing our bet that it will be just enough to unleash the balance sheet of the ECB to backstop … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments