Weekly Market Update
Market Action After another dismal trading session in the wake of the Brexit vote markets stormed a reversal and posted a strong gains on the week, including London’s FTSE which had its best week in years. Despite the risk-on attitude it was defensive sectors...
An Illusion of Value: Zirflation and Nirflation in a Market that is Overfed but Still Malnourished
The Brexit vote (for which we reserve some doubts that it is ever completed) generated some panic selling, sending investors to the refuge of safe havens. Hence, government bonds experienced price gains and yields turned even lower. Now we live in interesting days...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Despite recent polling data and betting markets strongly pointing towards a vote for remaining with Europe, “Brexit” became a reality. The U.K.’s choice to exit the European Union sent risky assets into a tail spin. Stocks sold off around the world on...
Brexit, Delusions, Fiat Money, and Economic Prospects: Historical Reflections
“A greater Quantity [of money] employs more People than a lesser Quantity”, said John Law in 1705 in his pamphlet titled “Money and Trade Considered, with a Proposal for Supplying the Nation with Money.” And so started the story of paper money and credit, which...
After Brexit: Now It’s Italy’s Turn
“Please don’t go” pleads the German newsweekly Der Spiegel on its cover this week, asking the British to vote against Brexit on June 23rd. Indeed, especially from the point of view of Germany, Brexit would be a disaster. We Germans would be left without a pro-market...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Central banks around the world stood pat and let Brexit take center stage in market commentary this week. The Fed, BOJ, and Bank of England all kept interest rates unchanged but bonds continued to rally over the uncertainty of next week’s referendum in...
Negative Rates and their Effects on the Equities and Bond Markets: Bifurcation Meets Bewilderment in Historical Perspective
Last week the European Central Bank (ECB) started buying corporate bonds. Over the course of the last four year the ECB has committed to “do whatever it takes” to save an ill-conceived monetary union and a dysfunctional Euro. Among its programs were the purchase of...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action As the Fed prepares for its June meeting, investors continued to flock to haven assets and safer equities this week. Bonds rallied, the Telecommunications sector posted gains, and volatility rose over 10% on Friday alone. Japanese machine orders plunged...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action A poor jobs report on Friday sent shocks throughout markets around the globe. The dollar abruptly fell as skepticism renewed over the Fed raising rates at some point over the next two months. Bonds rallied and stocks fell on the day as well. Defensive...
The Fizzling Out of Productivity Growth Rate: Examining the Credit Velocity Link
Productivity growth in the US will decline for the first time in over thirty years, raising the obvious question: How about all those magnificent innovations that constantly change our lives and transform our world from the internet of things to the latest smart phone...
