IMF

Yesterday I wrote a lot about this topic for Gold subscribers, asking "Will Merkel grant ‘austerity model’ Ireland retroactive bank recap mutualisation?" This post gives a full account of the European bank recap issue, so I won't re-hash…

This is probably one of the most upbeat posts I have written on Europe in quite a while. Originally, I intended to write this post as a short blurb discussing Angela Merkel's recent European proposals but there are a few loose threads I…

Do you remember when Europe used to say the IMF would get involved in Europe over the euro's dead body? Well I certainly do. Back before Greece got its bailout deathwish, it wasn't even clear there would be a bailout, let alone one with…

The G20 will meet in Mexico this weekend. There seems to be three key issues: IMF funding, replacement for Zoellick, who will step down as head of the World Bank, and the oil shock. It is unlikely that any of these issues are resolved at…

Below is the link to my latest appearance on BNN with Howard Green and Ryan Avent. Quick thoughts here

We think markets are getting too bulled up on the IMF headlines today. As the saying goes, “Show me the money!” Until then, we remain skeptical that the IMF will be able to obtain the extra funding it desires. Even if the IMF does get the…

Tension surrounding the application of a series of so-called “unorthodox policies” by Hungary’s Fidesz government has certainly been rising in recent days. While Washington has been reasonably quiet as government emissary Tamas Fellegi…

It was in Hungary that the new orthodoxy of relying on “non-Keynesian” effects related to expectations and credibility was formally announced and put to work. However, private consumption, unfortunately, has notably failed to rise. Perhaps…

The ECB delivered the much expected 25 bp rate cut, though the decision was not unanimous. There was some immediate disappointment by some players positioned for the outside chance of a 50 bp move. The ECB addressed the liquidity and…

Germany and France are pushing for treaty changes. Under normal conditions treaty changes are a long drawn out process, subject to horse trading and vulnerable to domestic political considerations and the outcome is far from guaranteed.…