Tag Archives: Japan

Japan’s International Investment Position

Posted on March 14, 2011 by macromon

The following table is a detailed analysis of Japan’s international investment position from the Ministry of Finance.   Using the latest data is from 2009 and the year-end exchange rate the country held $5.96 trillion of international assets with a net … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonds, Equities, Japan | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

How Dependent is Japan on Nuclear Energy?

Posted on March 13, 2011 by macromon

The following charts show nuclear makes up 13.6 percent of Japan total energy supply and a large portion of the the country’s electricity production.  Note how it has replaced oil as major source of electricity since the early 1970’s.  We … Continue reading →

Posted in Charts, Crude Oil, Energy, Japan | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Weekend Read: Godspeed, Japan!

Posted on March 11, 2011 by macromon

As cars swayed, and trees lurched overhead, you could feel the power of the beast writhing underneath Japan.  – Economist China Demographic Trends Cloud China’s Long-Term Economic Outlook – AEI Don’t Dismiss a Jasmine Moment in China – The Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in The Weekend Read, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kobe Earthquake’s Impact on the Nikkei and $/Yen

Posted on March 11, 2011 by macromon

First, our thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese.   They are a great nation and a good people.  Watching this happen unfold in  real time is stunning and we are hoping for a miracle that the loss of life is … Continue reading →

Posted in Currency, Dollar, Japan | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

The Weekend Read: Hostage to Crude

Posted on March 5, 2011 by macromon

Under ordinary circumstances, accelerating inflation is bad for stock prices. Present circumstances, however, create a rare exception. Investors who aim to increase their wealth by owning stocks over the next decade should hope Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke fails in … Continue reading →

Posted in The Weekend Read | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japan Opposition Plans for “X-day” Bond Crash

Posted on December 22, 2010 by macromon

Japan’s opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)  says the government’s spending plans increase the risk of a collapse in the country’s bond market.   Bloomberg reports, “We’re approaching a danger zone where bond prices could plunge,” Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Liberal Democratic Party’s … Continue reading →

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

“Emerging markets at risk from a gigantic bubble” – FT

Posted on October 19, 2010 by macromon

In case you missed it,  great FT piece by Peter Tasker of Argus Research about asset bubbles in Japan and China and the role of FX policy.  It’s all about Macro these days, The message is clear. It wasn’t the … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Currency, Equities, Gold, Monetary Policy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Rare Earth Day 2.0

Posted on October 18, 2010 by macromon

Take a look at Rare Earth (not the band) today.  Lots of market buzz as Molycorp (MCP) up over 10 percent and Rare Earth Elements (REE) up over 22 percent.  Recall our take on the Rare Earth trade as “gold … Continue reading →

Posted in Commodities, Geopolitical, Gold, Politics, Rare Earth Elements, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Greatest Trade Ever?

Posted on October 15, 2010 by macromon

Check out Bespoke’s great table of Credit Default Swap (CDS) prices.   We don’t trade CDS, but doesn’t Long China/Short Japan,  straight up,  seem like the greatest trade ever? Or just outright short at 53 bps?   Japan’s public funding requirement is almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Swan Watch, Bonds, Monetary Policy, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Geithner’s Naughty List?

Posted on October 10, 2010 by macromon

Look no further than the Economist’s Big Mac Index to understand who is on the Treasury’s Naughty List.  It uses July exchange rates,  so a bit dated as the most recent currency moves are not included. Interestingly,  Japan and Brazil … Continue reading →

Posted in BRICs, China, Commodities, Currency, Monetary Policy, News, Policy, Politics, Sovereign Risk | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment