Category Archives: Euro

Daniel Gros: Italy Holds the Key to the Survival of the Euro

“For more insight euronews spoke to Daniel Gros, director of the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels. Mr Gros, Italy’s bond yields have reached a level that makes refinancing the country’s debt pactically impossible. What happens next? Will reform … Continue reading

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, Global Stock Performance, Global Trend Indicators | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Economist: Italy to determine euro’s survival – or destruction

When the world’s third-largest bond market begins to buckle, catastrophe looms. At stake is not just the Italian economy but Spain, Portugal, Ireland, the euro, the European Union’s single market, the global banking system, the world economy, and pretty much … Continue reading

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

The ECB Show

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

Russia reluctant to help euro zone bailout

(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%

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

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Mr. (Bond) Market Prepares to Take Down Silvio

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

Berlusconi fading

Gone by Monday? (click here if video is not observable)

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Europe’s Tower of Terror

The circus continues in Europe.  No big bazooka EFSF coming out of G20 to put a firewall around Greece and save Italy.   Greece is a sideshow and the Italy-Germany bond spread is what you need to watch as an indicator … Continue reading

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

Stiglitz: Lessons from Iceland’s Economic Crisis

Interesting take from Nobel prize economist, Joe Stiglitz, on Iceland’s response to its debt crisis, which is becoming a model for some in European periphery.    Austerity is so passé! (click here if video is not observable)

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

Super Mario’s Rate Cut

We like this guy. (click here if video is not observable)

Posted in Euro, Monetary Policy, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment