Category Archives: Policy

ECB About to PIIG Out on Bonds. Gold to the Moon.

Posted on November 30, 2010 by macromon

Just a few short weeks after German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble criticized U.S. monetary policy with his “with all due respect, U.S. policy is clueless” statement, the FT reports the ECB is contemplating expanding its sovereign bond purchase program.  That … Continue reading →

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

Where is Gold Headed?

Posted on November 30, 2010 by macromon

In 1996, we visited the Bulgarian central bank at a time when the country was experiencing economic turmoil and a loss of confidence that the government could rollover its maturing debt.  After a long discussion on the domestic economy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Commodities, Currency, Euro, Fiscal Policy, Gold, PIIGS, Policy, Politics, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Will the next fiscal crisis start in Washington?”

Posted on November 26, 2010 by macromon

Sheila Bair, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., writes in today’s Washington Post, Even as work continues to repair our financial infrastructure and get the economy moving again, we need urgent action to forestall the next financial crisis. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Fiscal Policy, Policy, Politics, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Is Ireland’s Rescue Package a Veiled Bailout of the ECB?

Posted on November 23, 2010 by macromon

Not that it needs a one, but some in Ireland are starting to ask the question.   The European Central Bank exposure in Ireland is above €130 BN, a quarter of its book, and now wants its money back.  In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Bonds, Fiscal Policy, PIIGS, Policy, Politics, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Irish Sentiment

Posted on November 23, 2010 by macromon

This cartoon of Prime Minister Brian Cowen is on the cover of today’s Irish Times.  Pretty much sums up how the Irish feel.  How long can the Euro last?                       … Continue reading →

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Don’t Fight the Bank of Japan!

Posted on November 22, 2010 by macromon

The Nikkei 225 has been flying, while the global markets are down to flat,  since the November 5th Bank of Japan announcement that it would be purchasing equity ETFs as part of its QE program (click here for our post).   … Continue reading →

Posted in Equities, Monetary Policy, Policy | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

China Rising: THE MARKET for Exports

Posted on November 20, 2010 by macromon

We thought these charts of export markets from Barclays Capital to be very illustrious of the dynamic changes taking place in global trade.  China is becoming a larger export market than the U.S. for many countries, including Australia, Brazil, Korea, … Continue reading →

Posted in BRICs, China, Equities, Geopolitical, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Jeremy Grantham CNBC Interview

Posted on November 11, 2010 by macromon

Run don’t walk to CNBC’s extended interview with Jeremy Grantham, chief investment strategist at Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo (GMO).  Click here for the interview. He begins commenting on the Fed’s attempt to stimulate growth through the  “wealth effect,” noting that … Continue reading →

Posted in BRICs, China, Commodities, Crude Oil, Currency, Equities, Gold, Monetary Policy, Policy, Whales | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Dilma Rousseff – “The last time there was a series of competitive devaluations…it ended in world war two.”

Posted on November 9, 2010 by macromon

These are harsh words from Brazil’s president-elect Dilma Rouseff, who was speaking at a joint press conference with outgoing president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva last Wednesday.  She joins a chorus of world leaders condemning U.S. monetary policy and sets … Continue reading →

Posted in BRICs, China, Commodities, Currency, Gold, Monetary Policy, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Inside Job

Posted on November 8, 2010 by macromon
Posted in Equities, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, News, Policy, Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment