2011

Dollar is broadly stronger amid concerns over Greek debt rating, China tightening; stocks mixed. S&P warns plan for Greece is likely default; ECB to accept collateral unless all agencies rule default. RBA on hold, Riksbank hikes by…

What follows is simply a follow-up note to my earlier (Elephant in The Euro Room) piece on Italy. The decision by S&P to put Italian sovereign debt on negative outlook, and the subsequent announcement by Moody’s that it was considering…

My hope is that, despite slowing in Europe and China, the global economy will have enough pop to get the US through its experiment with expansionary fiscal contraction. But this is just a hope.

The uptick in US data is a nice relief given the fact that Europe’s manufacturing sector slowed to an 18-moth low. Overall, the US manufacturing sector is growing, but at a slower pace than last year. The data do not point to a pronounced…

Below is a nice little interview with Hedge Fund manager Hugh Hendry . The headline quote was his way of showing us he doesn’t take himself too seriously. But his underlying message is that he believes it pays to really massage the most…

Jon Stewart gives his opinion on Mark Halperin’s calling the President a Dick.

As a result of the two great wars in the 20th century, the UK’s national debt soared such that by the end of World War II, public net debt was well over 200% of GDP.

In this week’s Big Interview, Barton Biggs has a lot to say. What stands out and what the WSJ has stressed is his support for public works programs.

Right now, getting back to full employment should be the first priority. That would go a long way to reducing the deficit

It may not have been the most felicitous choice of phrase, but Mark Halperin’s characterization of Barack Obama was not far off the mark, even if he did get suspended for it.