Publications

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: September 2, 2011 |

How the Mighty May Fall: On Chinese Tremors

China has been in the news again recently, and hence we would like to offer an update on our previous writings on the subject. However, before we do so, allow […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: August 29, 2011 |

Drawing Parallels: The Gold Pool of the 1960s and the Trajectory of the Euro

When the EU started feeling the heat in its periphery, and fearing damages to its core, it established the EFSF (European Financial Stability Fund). We have expressed elsewhere some of […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: August 22, 2011 |

Welcome to the Era of GRBs: Asset-Price Deflation and Market Balkanization, Part IV

Markets could implode from within creating black holes where everything goes in and nothing comes out, destroying in the process paper wealth but also real economies. The essence of Gamma […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: August 16, 2011 |

From Anesthetization to Repression: On Market Balkanization, Part III

It seems that we are on a ship, that has lost its anchor, left the port for a journey in uncharted waters, and we suddenly discovered that the gorilla we […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: August 8, 2011 |

On the Balkanization of the Markets: Part II

Last Friday’s evening downgrade by the S&P was ill-timed and ill-advised. We wrote a week ago that we would not be surprised if it took place. We will reiterate our […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: August 1, 2011 |

The Balkanization of the Debt Markets: Devolution in Uncharted Waters

As we are drafting this commentary, the news is that a deal for the US debt limit is very close to be completed, that will involve the raising of the […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: July 21, 2011 |

Anchoring Optimism in an Era of Anxiety: Reflections on Debt & Financial Stability

As an opening statement allow us to paraphrase David Liss’ claim in his novel A Conspiracy of Paper, where he claims that finance is an animal, and the government needs […]

By: Chairman Paul Volcker | On: July 18, 2011 | Tags: Guest Commentary

The World of Finance and the Public Interest

We are very pleased and honored to use by permission the latest speech that former Chairman of the Federal Reserve System Mr. Paul Volcker gave in London last Thursday, July […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: July 11, 2011 |

An Italian Twist in the Eurozone Crisis: Ave Europa Nostra Vera Patria

The old anthem of imperial Europe cried out, “Hail, Europe, our true Fatherland”, and Italy nowadays enters its own phase of the Eurozone crisis. Italian bonds’ spreads over Germany’s Bunds […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: July 5, 2011 |

On Risks, Currencies, and Asset Classes: Mispricing, Imbalances, and Credit Extensions

As of yesterday (July 4th), it seems that the European debt crisis is entering into a new phase, with the expected new downgrades of Greek paper by the major rating […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: June 17, 2011 |

Market Turmoil: Signs of Tremors and Nuggets of Gold

The storm we have been writing about in the last three weeks seems to be gaining speed. The Greek debt crisis can open Pandora’s box and unleash sovereign debt, banking, […]