Monthly Archives: June 2014

Last Time this happened, The Financial Crisis Broke Out

There comes a time when risk just disappears, when nothing can go wrong, when there are no dark clouds on the horizon. The Fed has a measure for it: the Financial Stress Index.

Selling Your European Stocks Before Everyone Sees This Chart?

The European economy has been on a phenomenal roll since 2012, according to the soaring Stoxx 600 stock index. Recessions, unemployment fiascos, toppling banks, collapsing auto sales… they didn’t exist. But what the heck is wrong with this picture?

Even The Record Stock-Market Bullishness Is Fake

Record bullishness about the S&P 500! But beneath the largest stocks, volatility has taken over ruthlessly, the market is in turmoil, people are dumping stocks wholesale, dreams and hopes are drowning in red ink, and Wall Street doesn’t want you to see it.

Real Economy Bites Housing Bubble 2

When the home-sales curve kinked south last fall, soothsayers had some handy reasons. And it would be temporary. Month after month, they came up with new reasons. Now they’ve used up all the good ones, but sales are still tanking.

The Questionable Staying Power Of The US Fracking Boom

US oil production surged 64% since 2008, natural gas production 42% since 2005 – driven by the shale revolution. BP and Exxon saw the US as energy self-sufficient in 20 years. But three major red flags should curb this unfettered enthusiasm.

Dang, The Wine Bubble Implodes (It’s China’s Fault)

Many in the industry believe that in China, 90% of the high-profile wines, like certain Bordeaux, are fake. Devastating thought if you keep wine in a refrigerated vault as an asset class. And prices have collapsed. But it’s not all doom and gloom, not with California wines.

Argentina Kowtows To “Paris Club” on Debt, Thinks It Won

Bond markets are abuzz about Argentina’s deal with the Paris Club of creditors on US$9.7 billion of arrears from the 2001 financial crisis. Economy minister Kicillof emerged, in his mind and that of many, victorious. Brilliant diplomatic showmanship.

QE, Bailouts, And Families Struggling to Buy Food

It was a very basic question: Have there been times when you did not have enough money to buy the food you or your family needed? In wealthy countries, the percentages should be small, and given all the money-printing, it should be zero, you’d think.