Tag Archives: Ireland

Stronger Euro Will Slaughter the PIIGS

Posted on March 22, 2011 by macromon

The Euro keeps moving higher on expectations of an ECB interest rate hike and what is beginning to appear almost terminal dollar weakness.   The export destination mix of  Ireland, for example, is around 60 percent to the EU 27  and … Continue reading →

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

Cartoon of the Day

Posted on January 13, 2011 by macromon

Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowan, is under fire for playing golf with Seán FitzPatrick, former CEO of Anglo Irish Bank — “the dynamo behind the breathtaking rise and spectacular crash of Anglo Irish Bank, is arguably the country’s most loathed … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartoon of the Day, PIIGS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A spectre is haunting Europe

Posted on December 22, 2010 by macromon

This is what’s  going to blow up the Europe.   All the cash and backstopping in the world is not going to solve the political problem.   Jim Corr, a member of one of our favorite Irish bands, The Corrs,  nails … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Bonds, Budget Deficit, Euro, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk, Video | 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

Haircuts for Senior Bondholders in Irish Bank Package?

Posted on November 26, 2010 by macromon

This Irish Times is reporting the that EU-IMF are “examining” burden sharing for senior bondholders.   Several proposals are being discussed, but the major focus is on two ideas: 1) bank debt-for-equity conversions; and 2) option of providing fresh capital injections … Continue reading →

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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

‘The Euro Was Equivalent of US’ Subprime Securities’

Posted on November 23, 2010 by macromon

This quote is from today’s Spiegel Online International, which has an excellent summation of what the German newspapers are saying about the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis.   The leftist Die Tageszeitung writes: “Where earlier countries with small currencies like the Irish … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, PIIGS, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | 1 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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No Luck Be A Lady and The (Bad) Luck of the Irish

Posted on November 12, 2010 by macromon

The Irish are caught in the middle of panicky capital flows and the loose rhetoric of European leaders.   PM Brian Cowen tried to calm markets after comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested that not all national debt should be … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day: “Although insolvent, Ireland is still liquid…”

Posted on November 8, 2010 by macromon

Morgan Kelly writes in today’s Irish Times, As a taxpayer, what does a bailout bill of €70 billion mean? It means that every cent of income tax that you pay for the next two to three years will go to … Continue reading →

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