Category Archives: BRICs

Let the year-end chase begin

Great heat map of the ETF space YTD performance.   Precious metals, real estate, Hong Kong, India, and some selected Asian ETFs have been been on fire this year.  Rather than chasing the winners,  under invested capital will most likely be … Continue reading

Posted in Bonds, BRICs, China, Commodities, Equities | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Geithner’s Naughty List?

Look no further than the Economist’s Big Mac Index to understand who is on the Treasury’s Naughty List.  It uses July exchange rates,  so a bit dated as the most recent currency moves are not included. Interestingly,  Japan and Brazil … Continue reading

Posted in BRICs, China, Commodities, Currency, Monetary Policy, News, Policy, Politics, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rio’s $5.00 Big Macs and the Danger of Dutch Disease

Things are getting expensive in Brazil, especially the price of a Big Mac!  Last time we were in Brazil, Big Mac’s were offered at the equivalent of $US.70 at the same time they were bid at US$2.75 in New York. … Continue reading

Posted in BRICs, Commodities, Currency, Equities, Monetary Policy, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Paradox of Zero Interest Rate Monetary Policy: Loose is Tight

Let us take a moment to say we’re thankful for central bankers!  They have an extremely difficult job, make monumental decisions under great pressure and uncertainty, only to be constantly second guessed by a crowd of ignoramuses, including us! Someday … Continue reading

Posted in Bonds, BRICs, Credit, Currency, Monetary Policy, News, Policy, Politics, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Fed, ECB throwing world into chaos – Stiglitz

These are the headlines from an earlier Reuters report.   Joe Stiglitz is one smart dude (OSD) and was the World Bank’s chief economist during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and 1998 Russian Debt Default.   He says the ultra-loose monetary policy … Continue reading

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Bonds, BRICs, China, Commodities, Credit, Currency, Geopolitical, Gold, Monetary Policy, News, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Central Banks Gone Wild: Paulson Says Gold Price to $4,000

The Gold fear trade is back on.  That is, traders and investors fear they are not long enough.  The Bank of Japan really got the party started as Bloomberg reports, “The unexpected decision by the Japanese central bank yesterday to … Continue reading

Posted in BRICs, Commodities, Credit, Currency, Gold, Monetary Policy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

John Bull’s Tsunami of Dollars Flood the Copacabana

We have written how “the tide of yield seeking capital flows will surge” as John Bull can stand many things, but he can’t stand two zero percent. One recipient of John Bull’s dollars (managed by PIMCO)  is the Brazilian bond … Continue reading

Posted in Bonds, BRICs, Commodities, Currency, Equities | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The “Catch-Up”Trade

Interesting chart of today’s activity.  They sold the grains and bought crude, which has been a laggard.  The “catch-up” trade, where laggards outperform,  may be the theme of the markets for the next few weeks.

Posted in Bonds, BRICs, Commodities, Credit, Currency, Equities, Gold | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Brazil Election Will Not Jeopardize Economic Stability – Video

In the run-up to elections in the country, Brazil’s ambassador to the United Kingdom joined CNBC to discuss the Brazilian economy. “Many sound policies that have been established over the past 15 years have no risk of being changed,” ambassador … Continue reading

Posted in BRICs | Leave a comment

Dilma Rousseff, a former Marxist guerrilla, set to become Brazil’s first woman president in October 3rd Election

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the most popular president in Brazilian history, is ineligible to run for a third four-year term, and has given Ms Rousseff, his former political adviser, his unflinching support. If the election were held today, according … Continue reading

Posted in BRICs, Uncategorized | Leave a comment