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The effect of deportation under the Obama administration on attitudes in the Hispanic community
10/28/2013
55% of Hispanics in a Pew Research Center poll preferred relief from deportation, only 35% preferred a path to citizenship, when the 2 options were offered to respondents. This shows how badly the Hispanic community has been affected by the deportation efforts under the Obama administration.
Linked Articles
Do new data on Hispanic attitudes present an opportunity for Republicans?
Washington Post 12/19/2013
The Giant U.S. Deportation Machine Runs AmokWall Street Journal 10/28/2013
Charlene Chu of Autonomous Research and estimates of bad loans in China's banking system in September 2015
08/22/2013
Linked Articles
Overheard: One ‘Best-Case’ Scenario for China’s Banks Is Pretty Bad
Wall Street Journal 09/17/2015
Charlene Chu Is the 'Rock Star' of Chinese Debt AnalysisWall Street Journal 08/22/2013
The electronics manufacturing bubble in Japan with large badly timed investments by Panasonic in plasma television and Sharp in LCD 's
11/01/2012
Linked Articles
Sony, Sharp and Panasonic Report Significant Losses
New York Times 11/01/2012
Panasonic Stock TumblesWall Street Journal 11/01/2012
The EU debate between France's Hollande and Germany's Merkel before and during the EU's Oct. 2012 meeting
10/17/2012
The issue was direct aid to Spanish banks and the early setup of an EU banking supervisor so that Spain could get early debt relief as its economy struggles with high unemployment of over 25%. Chancellor Merkel turned down direct aid to Spanish banks, and partly relented on banking supervision by agreeing to have the legislation completed by Jan 2013 and the actual setup of the supervision authority during the course of 2013, probably after elections in Germany in Sept. 2013.
Linked Articles
German Refusal on Bank Aid Mars European Summit
New York Times 10/19/2012
Hollande fires warning shot at Merkel over austerity on eve of EU summit | World news | guardian.co.ukThe Guardian 10/17/2012
Spain macroprudential supervision of its banking system once lauded now turns out to be "timid" and false, could the same be true for China?
07/18/2012
Spain's central bank had a reputation of providing good supervision for Spain's banking system. The problems at the Cajas Savings banks and the current assessment after the request for $125 billion in EU funds for Spain's banks shows how this turned out to be false. Does China face a similiar problem with its housing bubble. The U.S., UK and Spain, failed to control and manage the effects of a housing bubble, can China be a lone exception? Rapid growth enabled China to cope with bad loans in the banking system, with slower growth, a weak European market for exports, and a stimulus that is about one eighth the size in annual investment- one trillion yuan over 4 years in the current stimulus compared to 4 trillion over 2009-2010 in the last stimulus plan. Can China manage this bubble, does it have the experience managing this type of problem or has it papered over the problems as Spain did? This has repercussions for industries and countries from the export sector in Germany, Australia and Brazil to industries such as the German automobile industry, and companies such as Caterpillar.
Linked Articles
As China’s economy slows, real estate bubble looms - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/03/2012
Spanish Official: Slow Reaction to CrisisWall Street Journal 07/18/2012
The Mass at Reims Cathedral in France then and now 50 years later for a lasting reconciliation between France and Germany
07/06/2012
German chancellor Adenauer and French president De Gaulle met at Reims Cathedral in May 1962 The service commemorating the 50th anniversary of that historic meeting and service was held recently. It was an occasion to bring together two leaders with diverging opinions on the eurozone financial crisis, Merkel and Hollande. Their mentors Jacques Delors of France and Helmut Kohl of Germany played an important role in setting up the EU and its institutions.
Linked Articles
Fifty Years Later, a New Chance for Reconciliation
Wall Street Journal 07/06/2012
Germany and France Celebrate Their BondNew York Times 07/08/2012
The basics of the Eurozone architecture with deposit insurance and eurozone bank regulatory authority in a June 2012 report by the EU, EC and ECB
06/11/2012
Linked Articles
Report Suggests ECB Bank Supervision
Wall Street Journal 06/26/2012
The Next Step for Europe Is Financial UnionWall Street Journal 06/11/2012
Span's Cajas Savings bank, problems with managment and culture, lack of financial controls, and the large losses from the real estate bubble
05/24/2012
Bankia was the new name for seven troubled cajas savings banks that were merged. The failure of the government's handling of the bad real estate debt, the collapse of the IPO price for bankia's IPO, and the insovency followed by takeover of Bankia by the government, is what led to the $125 recapitalization request by Spain to the EU. The cajas in Galicia give an insight into the operation of these savings banks, in many cases run by leaders who became influential in the political system and expanded healvily int real estate during the bubble years. Management remained in place for decades with authoritarian leaders and there were no financial controls.
Linked Articles
Clash of Cultures Upends Spain's Cajas
New York Times 08/20/2012
Spain to Recapitalize Bankia in Latest BailoutWall Street Journal 05/24/2012
The $436 million payment by Greece to holdout bondholder Dart Management and the $1.5 billion demanded by holdout bondholder Elliott Management leading to Argentine default in 2014
05/15/2012
Greece made the payment to Dart Management at a time of 20% unemployment and daily protests on Athens streets, a month before elections in June 2012. Greece only did this as a last resort for release of EU funds that were being held up to make pament of interest on debt. This exacerabated discontent inside Greece as pensions were being cut and layoffs taking place, including increase in electricity bills. The Syriza party made gains in that election and the two main parties lost ground to other parties, including a violent anti-immigrant party. Argentina's Christina Kirchner faces a difficult time with the unions and centrist parties in Buenos Aires province, with a shortage of cash and sovereign wealth fund down to $29 billion in May 2014. Stevenson points out the payment to Elliott Management could lead to a situation where Argentina owed $15-$27 billion to all holdout and exchange investors in its bonds.
Linked Articles
Argentina Finds Relentless Foe in Paul Singer's Hedge Fund
New York Times 07/30/2014
Bet on Greek Bonds Paid Off for a Vulture FundNew York Times 05/15/2012
Greece's long delayed bond swap with European banks of March 9, 2012
03/09/2012
The bond swap of new bonds with long maturities reflecting a writedown of 53.5% for the old bonds with short maturities was finally achieved on March 9, 2012. By this time Greece's economy was shrinking badly and the new bonds were trading at levels that reflected the need for further writedowns only days after the deal. Prof. Cochrane at the University of Chicago and Prof. John Taylor at Stanford say French and German banks exaggerated the effects of contagion from the beginning to delay writedowns for as long as possible. The effects on the eurozone of the delays in tackling the problem early and decisively are negative or slowing growth and is likely to hurt the banks operating in that environment, raising questions about the wisdom of that strategy.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 03/09/2012
Greece Passes Key Debt TestWall Street Journal 03/09/2012
U.S. automaker GM's efforts to reduce risk levels from pension obligations in 2012-2013
02/16/2012
WIth lower margins than competitors General Motors (GM) is increasing the margin of safety by reducing risk levels from its underfunded pension plan.
Linked Articles
GM Acts to Pare Pension Liability
Wall Street Journal 06/02/2012
GM Cuts Benefits for Salaried StaffWall Street Journal 02/16/2012
Mario Monti and the future of the European Union
02/10/2012
Monti on more democracy in the European Union with more power for the European Parliament, and the enduring quality of the EU becaus it is in the interests of Germany.
Linked Articles
Italyâs Leader Is Optimistic About Greece and Euro
New York Times 02/10/2012
Italy's Leader Warns EU Needs Better DemocracyWall Street Journal 02/16/2012
Tax evasion in Italy and Greece and Germany's insistence on good governance and financial practices for a sound euro currency
11/25/2011
One estimate of tax evasion in Italy cited by Faiola in the Post is $340 billon a year. Greece has a similiar problem. This is one area in which the culture and practices of individual countries have to converge to acceptable norms to make a common currrency viable, something the founders of the euro currency did not take as seriously as needed and account for in a disciplined framework. The political enthusiasm for a union of European countries of EU founders led to ignoring the dangers of not having controls and convergence in place.
Linked Articles
New York Times 12/01/2011
Amid crisis, Italy confronts a culture of tax evasion - The Washington PostWashington Post 11/25/2011
The single supervisory authority for European Union banks at the European Central Bank
10/20/2013
The task ahead of the supervisory authority for EU banks at the ECB- ensuring confidence in the banking system of the EU as a first a first step towards economic recovery and growth.
Linked Articles
ECB to Start Review of Bank Balance Sheets
Wall Street Journal 10/23/2013
The Man Whoâll Do Triage on Europeâs BanksNew York Times 10/20/2013
The Egyptian military and Gen. Sissi's rejection of the E.U. envoy Bernardino Leon's deal for a peaceful removal of Morsi protester camps followed by talks and new elections
08/15/2013
Burns, Leon and the foreign ministers of Qatar and the UAE arranged the deal which was supported by El Baradei and then rejected by Gen. Sissi leading to the violent military crackdown and 525 dead on Aug. 14, 2013.
Linked Articles
U.S. allies were near a deal for peaceful end to Egypt crisis - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/17/2013
Egyptâs Blood, Americaâs ComplicityNew York Times 08/15/2013
German chancellor Merkel and the EU plan for aid to Spain's banks in Oct. 2012
10/18/2012
Merkel turns down an effort pushed by France and Spain at the Oct. 2012 EU leaders meeting for direct aid to Spanish banks. Instead money has to go from the European Stability Mechanism fund to Spain after a request by Spain for aid. The aid request by Spain would be met under program of conditionality set by the IMF, EU and ECB. Spain is delaying a request for aid as borrowing rates on Spanish bonds declined to about 5% by late October 2012. The Rajoy government in Spain faces regional spending problems and separatis sentiment in addition to high unemployment and a worsening situation with its banks. Merkel faces elections for chancellor in Germany in Sept. 2013 and says more time is needed to setup the eurozone banking supervisory authority- to be set up in the course of 2013 with the legal setup completed by Jan 2013 as a concession to France. This would push banking supervision and financial architecture till after the election.
Linked Articles
German Refusal on Bank Aid Mars European Summit
New York Times 10/19/2012
Europe Seeks a Spain StrategyWall Street Journal 10/18/2012
The slow response of Spain compared to the more aggressive aproach of France
07/18/2012
The contrast between Spain's lack of strong and quick action for its banking problems and France's aggressive approach to its debt problem. Spain's problems come from the housing bubble and bad loans in parts of the banking sector especially the cajas savings banks. The lack of strong and early action by bank supervisors at the central bank and the government to cleanup the banks created conditions requiring a bailout. The problems in France which did not experience a housing bubble were the result of slow growth, rising debt and deficits. France took an aggressive approach to tackle these problems, with shared sacrifices, and setting a goal of bringing the deficit down to 3% in 2013 with its 2013 budget.
Linked Articles
France's New Budget Focuses on Cutting Deficit
New York Times 09/28/2012
Spanish Official: Slow Reaction to CrisisWall Street Journal 07/18/2012
How Nokia missed the smartphone market opportunity
07/18/2012
A focus on pure R&D and not building new products hurt Nokia badly.
Linked Articles
Nokia Slips to Seventh in Smartphone Market
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2012
Nokia's Bad Call on SmartphonesWall Street Journal 07/18/2012
The reports of audit and consulting firms on bad loans in Spain's banking system in 2012 and the need for credible estimates to restore confidence
06/20/2012
Linked Articles
For Spain, Accusations of Lagging on Reforms
New York Times 06/20/2012
Spain Tallies the High Cost of Riding Out Bank CrisisNew York Times 06/21/2012
A recovery in auto sales in the U.S. market to the annual 14 million vehicle level in 2012
06/01/2012
The aging of vehicles to about 10.8 years on average for vehicles on the road in the U.S. is supporting a reovery in the automobile market in 2012. The strong recovery for Japanese automakers in the U.S. is reducing the advantage of American automakers who benefitted from the shortages of Japanese cars after the tsunami in Japan in 2011. The recovery for Japanese automakers is uneven with Toyota doing better than Honda in the U.S.
Linked Articles
May Car Sales Keep Up Healthy Pace
New York Times 06/01/2012
U.S. Auto Sales Keep RisingWall Street Journal 06/02/2012
Enrique Pena Nieto's vision for the future of Mexico
05/20/2012
Nieto describes his vision and outlines his plan for Mexico in an op-ed in the NYT and in an interview with Lally Weymouth of the Washington Post. He says this is a new generation and this is not the PRI party of the past.
Linked Articles
New York Times 07/02/2012
Interview with Mexican presidential candidate Enrique Peña Nieto - The Washington PostWashington Post 05/20/2012
De Anza College in Cupertino, California where a Apple co-founder got his start and the implications of tax avoidance strategies
04/28/2012
A U.S. Senate Report in May 2013 points to tax avoidance strategies by Apple, and Apple CEO Tim Cook appears before a Senate hearing. EU leaders meet in Brussels to address the problems of tax avoidance by digital companies which aggravate the budget deficits of EU countries, especially at a time of cutbacks in infrastructure spending and education that supports the digital companies access to to human resources. De Anza College in Cupertino is where on of the Apple cofounders went to school. The head of the college describes the effects of cutbacks in funding on the college. On the other side of the Atlantic Fredrik Reinfeldt, Sweden's prime minister makes a similiar case saying the digital companies need access to infrastructure and educational centres which makes the payment of taxes used to fund this necessary for the whole system not to fall into dysfunction.
Linked Articles
Apple's Tax Strategy Aims at Low-Tax States and Nations
New York Times 04/28/2012
Europe Tackles Tax EvasionWall Street Journal 05/22/2013
GM, Ford and Chrysler efforts to improve profit margins in 2011-2013
02/16/2012
Detroit automakers profit margins lag behind Hyundai and VW which have 9% margins. The lower margins leaves Detroit automakers more exposed to risks from swings in the market. Detroit automakers are showing improved discipline in reducing inventory overhang and keeping supply in closee relation to demand. Still Ford's small car inventory is much higher than normal and Ford needs to reduce production to balance supply and demand at its higher prices.
Linked Articles
Detroit's Welcome Sticker Shock
Wall Street Journal 05/04/2012
GM Cuts Benefits for Salaried StaffWall Street Journal 02/16/2012
The likelihood of greater public contribution towards Greece's debt and changes to the IMF program after May 2012 elections in Greece and France
02/13/2012
France's Socialist presidential candidate Hollande considers the EU-IMF programs a failure of governance in Europe. He predicts larger public contributions to Greece's debt after the elections in Greece and France.
Linked Articles
Watch Athens, Not Paris, This Weekend
Wall Street Journal 05/04/2012
French Candidate Hollande Assails European Policy on GreeceNew York Times 02/13/2012
Larger impact on Eurozone countries of oil price increases in 2012
01/06/2012
The decline in the value of the euro increases the impact of higher oil prices in 2012. It also comes at a bad time.
Linked Articles
Fears of a 2008 Repeat for Oil
Wall Street Journal 03/18/2012
Beware Strait Talking on OilWall Street Journal 01/06/2012
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