The level of global financial market integration is truly underestimated by most investors: “Overseas banks accounted for about 70 percent of discount window loans when borrowing reached its peak of $113.7 billion in October 2008, according to the Fed’s data. The discount window, established in 1914, is known as the lender of last resort.” (Click here to read Bloomberg.com article)
The unemployment rate dropping to 8.8% is a milestone. Combine this data with the continued strength in manufacturing and you have an optimistic outlook for continued growth in employment. Despite the ugly real estate outlook, the economy continues to expand and employment is growing. Biggest hurdle left is the deficit and what moves can be made to lower it, without slowing economic progress. (Click here to read article)
This is good perspective on how the US recovery is shaping up, relative to our European counterparts. The focus is on an expansive fiscal and monetary policy approach verses austerity measures or less expansive fiscal and monetary policy approach. (Click here to read Fidelity article)
The drop in the unemployment, despite the slow growth in farm payrolls, is a good sign for the economy. I think it is likely we’ll see this number drop to close to 8% by year-end, but given the structural unemployment issues, extended unemployment benefits and older generations not retiring, these issues create a lot of upward pressure on that number and will take time to drop below 8%. (Click here…
Despite unrest in Egypt the markets are looking towards further economic expansion. Hurdles remain, but confidence continues to improve. (Click here to read Bloomberg.com article)
The Fed’s role in the recent financial crisis is unprecedented. While there is no doubt they staved off a true collapse of our financial system, there is also no doubt that they wield significant power over our capital markets that truly tests the principals of “free markets”. A few quotes from the article below are worth noting: ““The Federal Reserve followed sound risk-management practices in administering all of these programs,…
Hopefully this is a start of several measures to reign in the deficit… and hopefully it gets bipartisan support. (Click here to read Bloomberg.com article)
The trend toward further recovery continues… although, uncertainty on the Korean peninsula and the final details of Ireland’s bailout help to keep equities flat over two days of trading. (Click here to read Bloomberg.com article)
It is this type of small business activity that will further drive the economy. The next two quarters wills a lot about the strength of the current recovery, in terms of hiring activity and consumer confidence over the holiday season. (Click here to read Bloomberg.com article)
An interesting look at China’s influence in global deal making and the fear it stokes amongst purveyors of capitalism. The point at the end of the article “Show a Little Confidence” is poignant. I’ve said for a long-time that capitalism can be the tool that could erode communistic tendencies, within China itself. As… China adapts to the world, in order to spread its capital and make future investments, it learns…
