Commentaries

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: February 16, 2015 |

Overfed but Still Malnourished: The Aegean Sea Meets Singapore

About a year ago in a meeting we had in Warsaw, Poland I contrasted Jamaica and Singapore. The contrast was based on a simple observation/fact, which stated that those two […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: February 5, 2015 |

Warning: Head-On Collision Ahead

Close to twenty years ago, the Eurocrats decided to defy the laws of gravity in economics, and they started designing a common currency without a fiscal union. Their thinking was […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: January 21, 2015 |

Fait Accompli: Searching for Answers Where Answers Cannot Be Found

As it is widely expected, the ECB will unveil today its own version of QE. Welcome to a dead-end where central banks may resemble Prometheus bound by chains made by […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: January 11, 2015 |

The Illusion of a European Firewall: Reflections on a Convoluted Expedition

The Euro – the epitome of what is known as a dysfunctional currency- is shaking. It seems that the Fed no longer needs to support it at those irrational levels, […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: December 28, 2014 |

On Foxes and Hedgehogs: Assimilating the Dissimilar while Contemplating the Impalpable and the Imponderable

I boarded the nonstop flight from Miami to Buenos Aires. As in the previous years during this time, it was destined to be an exciting flight. My fellow co-passengers in […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: December 23, 2014 |

Existential Market Disruptors, Part II: Contemplating Credit and Currency Scenarios for 2015

The purpose of this commentary is not to convey our outlook for 2015. That will be forthcoming in two parts in the next couple of weeks. Rather its purpose is […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: December 8, 2014 |

Existential Disruptors Wanted: Markets’ Demarcation Destiny Faces the Sea of Risks

We live in a delusion. We face a sea of risks and we contemplate if we need more debt. This is like asking a diabetic if he needs more sugar. […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: November 24, 2014 |

On the Rising Dollar, Crowded Trades, and Market Prospects: The Background to the 2015 Season

We have entered an era where currency values may move markets into uncharted territory. At the same time complacency and the fact that investments are driven by central banks’ moves, […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: November 17, 2014 |

Derailing Market Optimism: Where is the Engine of Growth?

When we compare equity and oil markets over the course of the last four years it is easy to see that markets in the US are reaching record highs while […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: November 6, 2014 |

Searching for Escape in the Middle of Black Holes: On the Balkanization of the Markets

Searching for Escape in the Middle of Black Holes: On the Balkanization of the Markets Let’s start with defining the terms used in this commentary. A black hole is created […]