Tag Archives: Italy

Italy’s Monti to Focus on Growth

Posted on January 12, 2012 by macromon

(click here if video in not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Eurozone Sovereign Spread Tightening

Posted on January 12, 2012 by macromon

After the better than expected Spanish bond auction, eurozone sovereign spreads have come in significantly today.  The widely watched Italian 10-year bond yield fell to 6.63 percent. The return of confidence, in our opinion, is the continuation of the markets’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, Eurozone Sovereign Spreads, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Italy Works Over 20% More Hours Than Germany and France

Posted on December 12, 2011 by macromon

The stereotype of lazy southern Europe and the hard working North is just not reflected in the data.   We came across this BLS data set over the weekend which was very enlightening and, in part, smashes this widely held generalization. … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Employment, Euro, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Interview: Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti

Posted on December 11, 2011 by macromon

(click here if video is not observable)

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk, Video | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The EU’s Camouflaged Bazooka?

Posted on December 9, 2011 by macromon

Many were disappointed that the EU Summit didn’t conclude with a hard number backstop for the ‘zone’s sovereign debt rolling over next year.   We believe if you scratch the surface the bazooka is there. The EU President, Herman Van Rompuy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Curbing Our Enthusiasm, Increasing Our Bet…

Posted on December 7, 2011 by macromon

Moving closer to the EU Summit we are are curbing our enthusiasm and expectations of the substance of the deal but increasing our bet that it will be just enough to unleash the balance sheet of the ECB to backstop … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The European Troika to Watch

Posted on December 6, 2011 by macromon

The “troika” – Italian, Spanish, and French bond yields –  is acting pretty well even after the S&P downgrade.  Italy is under 6 percent and that is what matters.   We sense there will be tremendous pressure on the shorts and … Continue reading →

Posted in Euro, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Italy’s Unions Not Buying the Full Monti

Posted on December 4, 2011 by macromon

While the FT reports Italy’s new technocratic government has approved tough austerity measures and economic reforms, the country’s unions seem to be balking at the tough medicine.  Italy needs lots of deflation relative to other countries to become competitive and … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, PIIGS, Politics | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Patriotic Italians urged to buy bonds

Posted on November 28, 2011 by macromon

(click here if video is not observable)

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

Euro Fracture: It’s the Politics, Stupid!

Posted on November 27, 2011 by macromon

Politics has been and will be the constraint on the latest iteration of Bailout Europe 4.0.  We at the Global Macro Monitor really want to see Europe make it, for markets to rally, and for all to make money. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Euro, PIIGS, Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , | 3 Comments