June 2008

For those of you who have been reading my blog for some time, you'll know that I believe deflation is the longer term threat to the global economy despite the temporary inflationary pressures. However, I did believe that the Federal…

Hourly wages in the U.S. have not kept pace with inflation in the past 35-40 years. To the degree that U.S. households have been able to maintain higher real household earnings, it is all due to the influx of women into the workforce.…

You kind of saw this one coming. Bank of America is crazy to take Countrywide Financial's balance sheet onto its books. Apparently, S&P Equity Research agrees and correctly downgraded BofA to a sell rating because of the risk. Note:…

The defunct power plant that gave us one of the most famous album covers of all time (Pink Floyd, "Animals") is back. Battersea Power Station is going to get an overhaul to the tune of £4 million.With the price of fossil fuels so high, the…

You probably heard about Morgan Stanley's financial results this past week -- not stellar. What most people seem to be buzzing about is that a rogue trader cost the bank $120 million. The trader has been suspended pending further…

Freddie Mac has reported that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are at an nine-month high. What this will mean for the mortgage market during these critical summer months is anyone's guess. My best guess is that, combined with tighter lending…

For my German-speaking readers, I have found an excellent country-by-country look at inflation and its effect and outcome in the Financial Times Deutschland. Specific countries covered are the Euro-Zone as a whole, Germany, Belgium the UK,…

With oil prices spiraling ever higher, the question is whether supply has hit a brick wall; Has 'peak oil' arrived? The short answer is yes. However, the longer answer is yes, but there are ways around this problem. Speculation is only…

I caught this story over at FT Alphaville. Kind of funny. (see story here).

Barron's sees recovery in credit markets where others, most notably RBS, are bearish. Who's right? Let's hope Barron's. But, only time will tell.Barron's had this to say: eight important credit-market indicators and their current…