financial news

Highlights The US dollar is broadly lower to start the new week as the markets respond positively to the somewhat stronger than expected Chinese data reported over the weekend and the Basel III proposals which allow an eight year…

Will the day come soon again when the economic news is more upbeat? Here's hoping it does. The Usual Fare Anticipating the End of a Weak Recovery | Credit Writedowns Does History Repeat, Rhyme or Just Have Coincidences? | John…

Topic of the Day: Greece (Wait for the parable of the story: "the smart person accepts. the idiot insists." Classis tale by Michael Lewis.) Beware of Greeks Bearing Bonds | Business | Vanity Fair The Usual Fare…

Topic of the Day: Cuba Fidel: 'Cuban Model Doesn't Even Work For Us Anymore' - International - The Atlantic Castro: I Was Wrong During Cuban Missile Crisis - International - The Atlantic Fidel to Ahmadinejad: 'Stop Slandering…

Highlights The US dollar is firm against the safe-haven yen and Swiss franc but is winding down the week on a softer note against the euro, sterling and the dollar-bloc currencies. Most emerging market currencies are firmer too in an…

A few comments today: I like Sheila Bair.  She acts like a regulator should. When she warns of government exposure in mortgages, you should read the subtext as "if we in government are going to be the entire mortgage market, we…

Highlights The US dollar is mixed today as it consolidates against the euro and Swiss franc, remains heavy against the yen and is performing best against sterling, especially following the unexpected marked deterioration of the trade…

On the role of the state What is the role of the state? | Martin Wolf's Exchange | FT.com oftwominds: The Overlapping Crises of Neoliberal Global Capitalism Both Martin Wolf and Charles Hugh Smith have good essays on government.…

Highlights The US dollar is mostly lower today, with sterling leading the way. Corporate acquisitions, or talk of them at any rate, with the help of the second consecutive rise in the Halifax home price index, and as expected…

I am finally back after taking most of August off and I should be up to near a full posting schedule in short order. While I was away, the site got a re-design and a speed upgrade. If you have visited since yesterday, you should notice that…