Wolf Richter

The Wrath of Abenomics: Sales Collapse, Inflation Soars

Even the soothsayers and spin doctors expected a downdraft after Japan’s consumption tax was jacked up to 8% from 5%, effective April 1. But not this.

Why The Promise Of American LNG Exports Is Gassy Hype

This chart shows how the vision of US liquefied natural gas exports to free Europe from Russia’s clutches or make big bucks off energy-starved Japan is nothing but a juicy lure in the big money game.

Housing Bubble 2 Already Collapsing for the 99%

This is precisely what shouldn’t have happened but was destined to happen: as prices are soaring, only luxury home sales are growing … 1% of the market! Something has to give.

Winner Accuses French Government of “Massive” Election Fraud

Election results for the European Parliament mortified the French political class, as this universally despised layer is called in France. But now the winner has the gall to accuse the government of “having rigged the vote by the most odious means” to prevent its victory.

World Trade Suddenly Slumps (Just Forget ‘Escape Velocity’)

While the US economy, and by extension the world economy, is desperately waiting for escape velocity to finally kick in, world trade has descended into a very unpropitious slump.

Cloud Wars: Now Even the CIA Slams IBM’s Technology

Our spoiled American tech heroes yearn to get those big-fat contracts with the Intelligence Community. But it seems IBM is far better at financial engineering than actual engineering.

This Happened Twice Before, And Each Time Stocks Crashed

In 2000 and 2007. The consequences were spectacular. Now, it happened a third time in fifteen years. And it’s forming an increasingly terrifying chart.

Airbus CEO Calls For Currency War, Shoots Himself in Foot

Boeing got more orders in the first quarter than archrival Airbus. So at the ILA Berlin Air Show, Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier spoke up against this ridiculous injustice. True to his Frenchness, he exhorted the ECB to do what central banks are supposed to do.