Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The 11 Worst Housing Markets In The World

The 11 Worst Housing Markets In The World

Inflation Speaks Many Languages


Inflation Speaks Many Languages

Using VIX to Spot Opportunities: A 21-Year Study -

More on Using VIX to Spot Opportunities: A 21-Year Study -

Case-Shiller Data: Home Prices Down 3.1% in 20-City Index

Case-Shiller Data: Home Prices Down 3.1% in 20-City Index

Portugal, Greece Debt Insurance Costs Rise After Downgrades

Portugal, Greece Debt Insurance Costs Rise After Downgrades - MarketBeat

Portugal to Revise Figures in 2010 Budget

Portugal to Revise Figures in 2010 Budget

Inflation Ahead? The Fed May Raise Interest Rates

Inflation Ahead? The Fed May Raise Interest Rates

IT’S YOUR TURN PORTUGAL | PRAGMATIC CAPITALISM

IT’S YOUR TURN PORTUGAL | PRAGMATIC CAPITALISM

Europe's Debt Woes: A United State of Denial

Europe's Debt Woes: A United State of Denial

Nouriel Roubini's 10 Big Risks To The US Economy

Nouriel Roubini's 10 Big Risks To The US Economy

The 18 US Cities Where Home Prices Continue To Dive

The 18 US Cities Where Home Prices Continue To Dive

U.K. Economy Shows Signs of Stress

U.K. Economy Shows Signs of Stress

Inflation vs. Jobs: Fed’s Move Can Seal Its Fate

Inflation vs. Jobs: Fed’s Move Can Seal Its Fate

Spanish Banks are Wild Card

Interest Rate Rise Spells Trouble for Spain

U.S. Housing Crisis: Facts About The Crash

U.S. Housing Crisis: Facts About The Crash

Why house prices will keep falling

Why house prices will keep falling

S&P Downgrades Portugal, Greece

S&P Downgrades Portugal, Greece

G-20 Fighting a Battle of Relevance

By Grant de Graf

I was always the flea in the chamber, when speakers called for a show of hands, for those in support of Gordon Brown's economic policies. I was always the one that chanted "Aye" amongst the crowd of heads shaking violently, from side to side. Frankly, I am beginning to tire of the Tories' mantra that Labor pushed the country into recession by supporting bankers who robbed innocent folk of their savings. Lest anyone should forget, the whole world went up in flames and anyone standing too close to the fire, was a casualty.

Ironically, I also supported Margaret Thatcher's policies. Britain had been crippled by the unions, and when she slew the serpent with nine heads, the economy breathed with a new sense of life. I admire Ed Miliband for his political conviction, but I think little of his economic perspectives and policies. He is a socialist that would bring Britain to her knees. Similarly, I cannot say that I support the Conservative's austerity. You don't suddenly turn off the Boeing 747's engine, when you are looking for an open field on which to crash land the kite [gently].

The WSJ reports that Gordon Brown's "biggest worry was the G-20′s failure to craft the “global growth pact” that would address the global imbalances of high debts and slow growth in Western economies and high savings rates, undervalued currencies and a lack of consumer demand in Asia and elsewhere."

Point taken, but I wonder what remedy Brown proposes. It's a bit like the rugby prop forward who kept complaining to the referee that his opponent was wedging his head into his chest. "He's boring, Mr. Ref. He's boring," the player protested.

"Well you're not too interesting yourself," quipped the referee. Much to complain about, but nothing much to say.

In defense of Brown, I have not read his latest book "Beyond the Crash" which may offer some gifted pickings or remedies for a troubled economy. Either way, I prefer to push the carrot [the solutions] rather than the stick.

Hungarian PM Orban Says "Nem!" To Sarkozy On Euro

Hungarian PM Orban Says "Nem!" To Sarkozy On Euro - Real Time Brussels

Inflation: The Lesser of Two Evils

Inflation: The Lesser of Two Evils

German Inflation Stays High

German Inflation Stays High

What's Driving Russia's Outperformance?

What's Driving Russia's Outperformance?

How’s the Growth-Through-Austerity Mousetrap Game Going in England? « Rortybomb

How’s the Growth-Through-Austerity Mousetrap Game Going in England? « Rortybomb

Review: Economic Indicators

Economist's View: Fed Watch: Quick PCE Notes

Survival Guide - Japan to Libya, China to USA - How Can Leadership Strengthen Crisis Management?

Survival Guide - Japan to Libya, China to USA - How Can Leadership Strengthen Crisis Management?

One Sign That The Housing Bust Could End Soon

One Sign That The Housing Bust Could End Soon

The Nikkei Dives In Early Going, As The Radiation Fears Come Roaring Back

The Nikkei Dives In Early Going, As The Radiation Fears Come Roaring Back

Portugal bailout pressures grow as borrowing costs hit another record

Portugal bailout pressures grow as borrowing costs hit another record -

Real estate: Review of Buying Opportunities

Real estate: It's time to buy again - Fortune Finance

German Consumer Sentiment to Decline

German Consumer Sentiment to Decline

A look at the world's new corporate tax havens

A look at the world's new corporate tax havens - 60 Minutes - CBS News

European Markets Slide, While Portuguese Yields Continue Marching In One Direction

European Markets Slide, While Portuguese Yields Continue Marching In One Direction

Goldman Sachs Explains Why The Speculative Premium In Oil Is Actually Too LOW

Goldman Sachs Explains Why The Speculative Premium In Oil Is Actually Too LOW