2014

We are seeing signs of significant improvements in US labor markets. The ADP report today was certainly an indication of recovery from the winter slowdown. One area to watch in the ADP report is construction, as construction payrolls have…

Amazon. It is a highly-valued stock in the equities market – one that many point to as proof of a burgeoning technology stock bubble in the US. But for all the controversy over valuation, it is undeniable that Amazon is a big force in the…

Slovenia Raising Debt at Record Pace in 2nd 2014 Offering - Bloomberg This tells you the euro crisis is over until the next cyclical downturn: "Slovenia is raising debt at its fastest pace on record as the nation plans the sale of 2…

For years mortgage rates on "jumbo" loans have been higher than for traditional (conforming) mortgages. Since jumbo loans were larger than the upper limit permitted to be packaged and sold to Fannie and Freddie, banks would typically charge…

The US dollar is narrowly mixed, largely within its well-worn trading ranges against the major currencies with two exceptions. There have been several marginal developments over the 24 hours that are shaping the investment climate.

The emerging markets crisis has died down recently and we are resuming a normal bull market. That is bearish for gold. But when the emerging markets crisis heats up again due to the Chinese slowdown, a flight to safety will occur again.…

March manufacturing growth highest in three years - PMI - Independent.ie Eurozone unemployment refuses to budge from near-record highs - FT.com Manufacturing still 'too reliant' on domestic demand - Telegraph This makes no sense…

This isn’t a theme post. It is more like the posts I now do on Friday with a bunch of different ideas on important topics. But the underlying theme that interconnects the ideas is a deflationary-style slowdown. First, in Europe, the CPI is…

News links for 31 Mar 2014

News links for 29 Mar 2014