This week, the core ‘look ahead’ framework is to confirm U.S. macroeconomic strength and non-U.S. macroeconomic weakness. Fresh data that surprise this macro ‘divergence’ consensus moves risk markets sharply. With a New Year’s 2015 Holiday falling on Thursday this year, the week ahead for global markets doesn’t get interesting until Friday. On Friday –once 2014…
Crude oil is not the only commodity that is crashing. Iron ore is on a similar trajectory and for a common reason. Namely, the two-decade-long economic boom fueled by the money printing rampage of the world’s central banks is beginning to cool rapidly. What the old-time Austrians called “malinvestment” and what Warren Buffet once referred to as the…
Exactly one month ago we observed that, as expected in the aftermath of the Netherlands’ shocking and still not fully-explained gold repatriation from the NY Fed, the amount of foreign earmarked gold on deposit with the Fed had just experienced a 42 ton withdrawal: the single largest outflow of gold held at the NY Fed…
A version of this post ran in the San Antonio Express News. I want to be wealthier. I also want to be a good person. A friend – someone who also wants these two things – recently asked if I could recommend a good, reasonable-cost, “socially responsible” mutual fund. My answer: Nope. I can’t. Now, I…
Over the last few years the internet shaped itself into what we know as the Social internet. The social networks such as Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR), Youtube (GOOGL), WordPress, Instagram, Tumbler and many more web sites gave us the power to control the content on the internet rather then just consume it. For the more consuming parts…
Peter Schiff appeared on Fox Business to explain why the bursting of the oil sector bubble could be the first of many collapsing bubbles that will push the United States economy back into recession. Highlights from Peter’s interview: “Long term, of course [lower oil prices are a good thing]… Contrary to what the…
Access to Gmail in China was difficult, but not impossible. Workarounds included Outlook, Apple Mail, and third-party Gmail hosts. Starting last Friday, the “Great Firewall” became nearly impenetrable as China’s Censors Took Final Step in Blocking Gmail. In the six months since Google’s mail service Gmail was blocked in mainland China, users had been able…
<< Read Part 3: Technology In 2014 – IPOs Galore << Read Part 2: M&As To Make Or Break Companies << Read Part 1: Collaborations Rule The Day In the last part of this series, I highlighted a number of Chinese companies floating IPOs in the U.S. While Alibaba (BABA) was the one with the greatest promise and some of the…
In Australia, when companies want to cut costs, they hire what are known as “toe cutters.” These managers root out inefficiency and drive profitability. Vincent Pisani, senior resources analyst with Shaw Stockbroking in Sydney, Australia, says toe cutters down under are girding companies by lowering production costs to ensure profitable operations even in the face…
As 2015 fast approaches, mastering the art of creating social relationships to drive business will become a top priority for anyone in B2B marketing. Photocredit: Shutterstock How well do you know LinkedIn (LNKD)? Most B2B marketers are familiar with its basic features, but few know it well enough to leverage the network for lead generation….
