Category Archives: Economics

Eurozone Flash PMI At 5-month Low

Posted on April 23, 2012 by macromon

Europe is definitely slowing and markets, along with Eurozone politics, are beginning to internalize the slowdown.  Markit reported this morning the preliminary flash reading of the Eurozone Composite PMI fell to a five-month low.   In addition, The index fell for … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Euro | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Fiscal Health of Nations: General Govt Balance

Posted on April 17, 2012 by macromon

The IMF is out with their Fiscal Monitor today.  Great stats.  Here is a comparison of the fiscal health of the world’s economies. Contrast Norway and Saudi (both oil exporters) with, say,  the U.S. and Japan.  Italy doesn’t look so … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Budget Deficit, Economics, Eurozone Sovereign Spreads, Fiscal Policy, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Inflation Convergence and Real Earnings

Posted on April 16, 2012 by macromon

The BLS chart clearly illustrates the convergence of core (x/ food and energy) inflation and all items.   Core inflation is up 2.3 percent y/y, which is a little hot given its recent history.  Here’s the BLS commentary, The index … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Economics, Employment, Inflation/Deflation, Monetary Policy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Chart of the Day: Italy Sliding

Posted on April 13, 2012 by macromon

(click here if chart is not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Chart of the Day, Charts, Economics, Euro, PIIGS | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Oh Doctor!

Posted on April 10, 2012 by macromon

We’re not talking Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton,  but Dr. Copper, the metal, which is breaking key support at 3.70 today.  One of the indicator species of the health of the global economy,  copper is confirming trend breaks in other … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Commodities, Economics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Chart of the Day: Nonfarm Payrolls

Posted on April 9, 2012 by macromon

In case you missed it over the Easter weekend, we’re reposting the charts from our NFP piece from Friday. (click here if charts are not observable)

Posted in Economics, Employment | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Manufacturing Surprises to the Upside

Posted on April 2, 2012 by macromon

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the US purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for March increased to 53.4 from 52.4 in February, beating expectations of 53.  It’s the 32nd consecutive month that the index has been at least 50. The ISM … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, PMIs | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Eurozone manufacturing slump worsens in March – Markit

Posted on April 2, 2012 by macromon

(click here if charts are not observable)

Posted in Economics, Euro, Manufacturing, PMIs | Tagged | Leave a comment

Charlie Rose: Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson

Posted on March 31, 2012 by macromon

Excellent discussion on the U.S. fiscal crisis with Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson.  They were co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, commissioned by President Obama in 2010 to identify “…policies to improve the fiscal situation in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Bonds, Budget Deficit, Economics, Interviews, Politics, Sovereign Risk, State and Local Government | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Highest Employed Occupation? Retail Clerks…

Posted on March 29, 2012 by macromon

Good stuff from the BLS.   Here’s their latest analysis on U.S. occupations, Retail salespersons and cashiers were the occupations with the highest employment in 2011. These two occupations combined made up nearly 6 percent of total U.S. employment. The 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Employment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment