Monthly Archives: December 2014

Emerging Turgid

The bear market resulting from the Greek election lasted about 37 seconds early this morning, but we’re now back to new-highs-everywhere mode. One notable exception continues to be emerging markets, which I think are setting themselves up for a start-of-2015 tumble.  

Dallas Fed Tumbles Below Lowest Estimate As Commodity Crash Comes

Who could have possibly anticipated that the one state that contributed the most high-paying jobs during the “recovery” on the back of the shale miracle, is facing recession (as JPM predicted)? Certainly not economists, who have correctly predicted exactly zero of the last 20 economic recessions, and whose lowest estimate for today’s Dallas Fed manufacturing outlook survey was…

A Russian Energy Reality

Russia is not some Zimbabwe-to-be. It’s sitting on a surplus of foreign assets and very healthy foreign exchange reserves of around $375 billion. Moreover, it has a strong debt-to-GDP ratio of just 13% and a large (and steadily growing) stockpile of gold. This is why Russia will arrest the ruble’s slide and keep pumping oil….

Greek Concerns Put Euro On Backfoot

The common currency Euro remained close to a 2-year trough as an impending vote in the Greek parliament could be the trigger point for the latest concerns over Greece’s future. The Greek Parliament has, twice now, failed to elect a president, and if it fails once again a snap election could mean that Syriza party, which has…

Great Graphic: CAD, Ruble And Oil

      Over the past six months, the Canadian dollar has been the best performing of the major currencies against the U.S. dollar.  It has only lost about 8.3% against the greenback.   On the other hand, the Russian ruble is the worst performing of currency.  Over the past six months it has lost almost 40% against…

Microsoft Ex-CEO & Other Executives Sued By IRS Over Taxes

Software developer Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT – Analyst Report) executives, both former and current, including former chief executive officer (“CEO”) Steve Ballmer have been sued by The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) over the company’s past tax practices. Internal Revenue Service is the U.S. federal agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws. The IRS is currently carrying out…