Category Archive: 5) Global Macro

Filter archive by: Show All Show only Articles Show only Videos

The fall of Islamic State | The Economist

2016-12-30

by

The biggest, boldest attempt by a jihadist regime to defy the whole world order will be smashed in 2017. Islamic State is set to be driven out of its last remaining territories in Iraq and Syria—but its defeat won’t spell the end for terrorism. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 What …

Read More »

A Tale of Two Housing Markets: Hot and Not So Hot

2016-12-29

by

2016-12-29

GDP Count
If we had to guess which areas will likely experience the smallest declines in prices and recover the soonest, which markets would you bet on?

Read More »

Could Marine Le Pen be the next President of France? | The Economist

2016-12-29

by

Populist movements are on the rise all over Europe—one reason why the French presidential election in 2017 may be a nail-biter. We predict that it will be one of the top three moments of the year ahead. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films every day of …

Read More »

Grab-Bag of Resolutions for 2017

2016-12-28

by

2016-12-28

Bitcoin One-Year Chart
Here's a grab-bag of resolutions with something for just about every persuasion. I resolve to never utter or write the word "Trump" in 2017. (Good luck with that...)

Read More »

Power grab at China’s National Congress | The Economist

2016-12-28

by

In China, the Communist Party’s 19th National Congress in October 2017 determines who will rule the world’s rising superpower for the next five years. Amid bitter political infighting, the changes will be sweeping. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 It only happens once every five years. It’s the biggest event in …

Read More »

Crisis of Meaning = Crisis of Work

2016-12-27

by

2016-12-27

Real Average Hourly Wages
Allow me to connect two apparently unconnected dots. Dot #1: The last sugar plantation in Hawaii is closing down, ending more than a century of plantation life in the 50th state.

Read More »

When Assets (Such as Real Estate) Become Liabilities

2016-12-27

by

2016-12-27

Equity in Real Estate
It will be the middle class that accepted the notion that "real estate is the foundation of family wealth" that will be stripmined by higher taxes on immobile assets such as real estate.

Read More »

The automated delivery race to send drones and robots to you | The Economist

2016-12-27

by

The automated delivery race is set to grab the public’s attention in 2017. Drones in our skies and robots on our pavements will be tested to meet ever-increasing consumer demands. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 It’s been a dream of futurists for years but 2017 will see the automated delivery …

Read More »

Emerging Market Preview for the Week Ahead

2016-12-26

by

2016-12-26

EM gained some limited traction as last week ended. However, renewed concerns about China could limit this bounce as President Xi signaled the possibility that growth could fall below the government’s 6.5% target.

Read More »

The Washington Post: Useful-Idiot Shills for a Failed, Frantic Status Quo That Has Lost Control of the Narrative

2016-12-25

by

2016-12-25

US Federal Reserve System
Don't you think it fair and reasonable that anyone accusing me of being a shill for Russian propaganda ought to read my ten books in their entirety and identify the sections that support their slanderous accusation?

Read More »

The Burrito Index: Consumer Prices Have Soared 160 percent Since 2001

2016-12-25

by

2016-12-25

Personal Consumption Expenditures
In our household, we measure inflation with the Burrito Index: How much has the cost of a regular burrito at our favorite taco truck gone up? Since we keep detailed records of expenses (a necessity if you’re a self-employed free-lance writer).

Read More »

Emerging Markets: What has Changed

2016-12-24

by

2016-12-24

China President Xi raised the possibility of sub-6.5% growth. Fitch moved the outlook on Indonesia’s BBB- rating from stable to positive. The Philippine central bank raised its 2017 inflation forecasts for 2017 and 2018.

Read More »

The Disaster of Inflation-For the Bottom 95 percent

2016-12-24

by

2016-12-24

Central banks are obsessed with boosting inflation, but the "why inflation is good" arguments make no sense for households being ravaged by inflation. The basic argument is that inflation makes it easier for debtors to service their debts.

Read More »

Modi’s Fantastic Promises

2016-12-24

by

2016-12-24

New Notes disintegrating
This article continues right where Part VI left off (for earlier updates on the demonetization saga see Part-I, Part-II, Part-III, Part-IV, and Part-V). There is still huge support for Modi even among the poor. A big carrot is dangled before them, which makes many stay numb to their current suffering. During his election campaign in 2014, Modi promised to deposit more than Rs 1.5 million (~$22,000) in each poor person’s account once the...

Read More »

We Know How This Ends – Part 2

2016-12-23

by

2016-12-23

History Most Definitely Rhymes
In March 1969, while Buba was busy in the quicksand of its swaps and forward dollar interventions, Netherlands Bank (the Dutch central bank) had instructed commercial banks in Holland to pull back funds from the eurodollar market in order to bring up their liquidity positions which had dwindled dangerously during this increasing currency chaos.

Read More »

Ex-Muslims share their experiences | The Economist

2016-12-23

by

The decision to turn your back on your religion can have huge ramifications. Two women who were shunned by their families and community share a rarely seen perspective on faith—and on losing it. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films every day of the working week. For …

Read More »

Why the Massive Expansion of “Money” Hasn’t Trickled Down to “The Rest of Us”

2016-12-22

by

2016-12-22

MZM Money Stock
There are numerous debates about money: what it is, how we measure it, and so on. In recognition of these debates, I'm referring to "money" in quotes to designate that I'm using the Federal Reserve's measure of money stock (MZM). Nowadays, "money" is often credit. We buy stuff not with currency/ cash, but with credit extended by lenders.

Read More »

Meet blind photographer Mickel Smithen | The Economist

2016-12-22

by

Mickel Smithen has been legally blind since he was five years old—but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a published photographer. Discover how he uses all of his senses to help capture an image. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 Mickel Smithen lost most of his sight when he was 5 …

Read More »

Air pollution in Oxford Street highest in Europe | The Economist

2016-12-21

by

In some cities, it’s more dangerous to breathe than smoke cigarettes. Find out more breathtaking facts and figures on the dangers of global air pollution. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 Over 50% of the world’s population now live in cities where they face daily issues with air quality. Air pollution …

Read More »

What Have the “Experts” Gotten Right? In the Real Economy, They’re 0 for 5

2016-12-20

by

2016-12-20

Personal Consumption Expenditures; Services; Housing; Rental of tenant-occupied nonfarm housing
If the "experts" were assessed on results, they'd all be fired. The mainstream media continually hypes the authority of "experts," i.e. people with a stack of credentials from top institutions. But does the mainstream media ever check on whether the "experts" got anything right? Let's compare the "experts" (conventional PhD economists) diagnoses and fixes with the results of their policies.

Read More »