Credit Writedowns

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…

I am pretty well satisfied that the subprime mess has reached its pinnacle. While there may yet be many more defaults, much of the disaster in subprime is baked into the cake. It's time to move on. But, move on to what? Most analysts say…

I was inputting some statistics into an excel spreadsheet for unemployment claims when it occurred to me: the Bush administration is cooking the books. Not literally, but figuratively. Here's my logic.Let's leave aside whether the…

The Globe & Mail (via AP) has reported that the first shot across the bow for Big Oil has been delivered by the new Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. With oil prices surging and inflation at very elevated levels around the…

I am starting to become quite cynical about the Bush Administration and crony capitalism. There may be no smoking gun, no e-mail chain to indict conspirators. The Bushies may break no laws. But, it is increasingly obvious that the War in…

Apparently the rumors are true, despite what McCain now says. He almost became a Democrat. Jake Tapper has uncovered the story which proves it, buried since 2006.Remember how McCain blew up at Elisabeth Bumiller when she asked him about…

Tariffs and price controls? Apparently, Latin America thinks it can stop the growing tide of inflation and end the riots on their streets by just imposing tariffs and imposing price controls. They better get ready for a blind date with…