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A word of caution about the recovery. Expert opinion that sees dangers in the recovery of 2nd quarter 2009.
04/21/2009
It may only be a glimmer of hope says the Economist and not the real thing, which may be a long ways away.
Linked Articles
Economists Seek Breakup of Big Banks
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2009
A glimmer of hope?Economist 04/23/2009
Bogle at Vanguard Group says we live in an agency society where agents like pension fund managers and mutual fund managers make decisions for us.
04/12/2009
Its this agency society and not an ownership society that we have syas Bogle. Ownership society was 50 years ago. And what did these agents do, they did not ask the questions and exercize their civic obligations in the business sense, which means scrutiny for things like selection of board members, corporate governance, executive compensation and conflicts of interest, and dilution of responsibility where it has to be exercized. Here private equity firm Carlyle Group is shown to have given millions of dollars to get access to New York State pension fund investments in Carlyle Group. In the process pension fund managers made millions of dollars, and Bogle's agents have sold their obligations to fiduciary responsibility.
Linked Articles
He Doesn’t Let Money Managers Off the Hook
New York Times 04/12/2009
N.Y. Pension Deals Seen as Focus of Wide InquiryNew York Times 04/14/2009
The crisis in Eastern Europe and other developing countries and the G20 policy mandate to the IMF to support social help and stimulus spending
03/28/2009
The G-20 mandate that the IMF be the conduit for funds to help emerging countries, with the policy direction that an additional $850 billion be used not only to fix finances, but also emphasize social goals, and help people in these countries cope with the crisis. This is of great help to countries in difficulty, and assurance that the social fabric in these countries will not be torn apart as has happened before, and that people will get the necessary assistance.
Linked Articles
Steven Pearlstein - A Rare Triumph of Substance at the Summit
Washington Post 04/03/2009
Eastern Europe and the Financial CrisisWall Street Journal 03/28/2009
Geithner's Paulsonlike plan for toxic assets and doubts whether it can work.
03/23/2009
Krugman and Eavis have doubts about the new Geithner plan as it looks so much like his predecessor Paulson's failed efforts to do much about toxic assets. Krugman sees things only getting worse as 600,000 jobs are being lost every month, as Geithner, Congress and the public fail to push for the tough solutions including government taking over failed banks to deal with tosic assets without having to sort out pricing in advance.
Linked Articles
Geithner's Gamble Needs Speculators
Wall Street Journal 03/23/2009
Financial Policy DespairNew York Times 03/23/2009
Child hunger in India and India's Food Security legislation in August 2013
03/13/2009
Food expert Rieff cites figures showing child malnutrition at over 40% in India for children under the age of 5 in 2009. A World Food Program report says 230 million people in India are hungry each year. India's Food Security legilation has to be seen in this context. Rieff says India is in danger of losing its demographic dividend as a result of child malnutrition. All developing countries can learn from each other and their programs to reduce child malnutrition, improve health care and vaccinations, and introduce healthy food and sanitary practices. Programs are in place in Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, India, and China.
Linked Articles
As Indian Growth Soars, Child Hunger Persists
New York Times 03/13/2009
India's Lower House Passes Food Bill to Help PoorWall Street Journal 08/26/2013
Krugman thinks no early action to takeover insolvent banks will prolong this crisis, the President wants to "do no harm" by undermining confidence.
03/06/2009
Krugman thinks that this crisis could go on for adecade if no actions are taken to takeover insolvent banks before the situation worsens. THe President in his speech at Georgetown, on April 13, says he has not acted preemptively, not out of coddling these banks and their management, but becuase he did not want to undermine confidence. It suggests the President has moved quickly on many fronts, and he may be taking a pause to take stock of the situation and how to improve public support, before thaking on this issue and a number of others in the next round.
Linked Articles
BusinessWeek 04/14/2009
The Big DitherNew York Times 03/06/2009
The efforts of banks in better shape but still weak to wish the crisis away.
03/06/2009
Chase and Goldman's efforts to rewrite history, and act as though they did not benefit from government help is wrong and dangerous says the Economist. Its dangerous because it sends the message that any resoultion of toxic assets on banks books is unnecessary, and these banks should be treated differently when it comes to setting new prudent bank regulations, including setting regulation for incentives that do not support excessive risk taking and leveraging. A change in the economic climate for the worse could make this a dangerous complaceny.
Linked Articles
New York Times 03/06/2009
Thanks, for nothingEconomist 06/11/2009
Consumer goods companies feel the effects of this recession.
02/23/2009
As cash strapped consumers make their largest purchases following the paycheck cycle, how deep this recession is turning out to be becomes evident. Lately the drops in the Dow Jones average reflect declines in consumer goods companies like Procter and Gamble.
Linked Articles
Consumer-Goods Makers Heed 'Paycheck Cycle'
Wall Street Journal 02/23/2009
Stock-Market Pullback Isn't Just 'Financial' NowWall Street Journal 02/23/2009
Is this wasteful government spending or are there infrastructure projects out there that would give us efficient, productive spending?
02/15/2009
With spending in the Stimulus plan derided as wasteful spending a closer look is needed of what is happening in infrastucture projects out there. Here are some big projects, and the list does not include numerous others. Robert Frank, a Cornell economist, clarifies how government spending in a sharp downturn, as consumers rebuild their finances, is just what is needed.
Linked Articles
Big Ideas, Grand Plans, Modest Budgets
New York Times 02/15/2009
Go Ahead and Save. Let the Government Spend.New York Times 02/15/2009
The Economist's view that nationalizing the failed banks is the only serious option.
02/03/2009
With the banks in private hands it becomes almost impossible to value these toxic assets says the Economist. As the situation worsens between now and 2010 nationalization will become more acceptable. Its the only serious option, and one way ot or another the government will be guaranteeing these assets, as the banks are dependent on the government. It asks why pretend otherwise?
Linked Articles
Economist 02/03/2009
The spectre of nationalisationEconomist 02/03/2009
How Pearson compares with New York Times Company.
01/20/2009
Pearson has shifted out of dependence on adspending for revenues by reducing ads as apercentage of revenues at Financial Times to 30% from 50%. Its textbook and Penguin books cushions it further from big declines in ad spending. The New York TImes has no such businesses and ad spending dominates. Its burdened by overborrowing and debt coming due and not enough controls on spending.
Linked Articles
Pearson Expects Strong 2008 Earnings
Wall Street Journal 01/20/2009
Billionaire Reaches Deal On Funding For Times Co.Wall Street Journal 01/20/2009
The view from Boise, Idaho. How families are coping, and saving and what it means for business.
01/06/2009
The shift to buying things at prices that conform to ideas of thrift and saving, getting rid of expensive stuff, and a new philosophy of living for the times, as well as reviving memories of the way things used to be, and the things that mattered.
Linked Articles
Hard-Hit Families Finally Start Saving, Aggravating Nation's Economic Woes
Wall Street Journal 01/06/2009
Frugality Forged in Today's Recession Has Potential to Outlast ItWall Street Journal 04/06/2009
Obama looks for a stimulus spending plan that packs the greatest punch for the middle class and unemployment.
01/05/2009
About $300 billion of an estimated $800 billion stimulus spending plan by the Obama administration will be for tax cuts to individuals and businesses. There will be incentives for businesses to make net new hires and make new investments. The idea is to avoid wasteful spending if there is only spending on infrastructure and other spending.
Linked Articles
Obama Eyes $300 Billion Tax Cut
Wall Street Journal 01/05/2009
Government Spending Is No Free LunchWall Street Journal 01/22/2009
In the two areas that government can make aserious difference, foreclosure prevention and bank lending it is failing.
04/15/2009
The government has only indirect influence over the other important variables in the equation for economic recovery, consumption and employment. Through foreclosure prevention and bank lending it can influence consumption and employment. Obama's program while admirable may simply fall short of what is required. Through asimple takeover of insolvent banks the administrationcan implement its own programs for goreclosure prevention and aggressive bank lending at attractive rates, but this has to be done early before business go into permanent retrenchment mode and consumers simply revert to a frugal lifestyle of an earlier generation.
Linked Articles
Lending By Bailout Recipients Falls Again
Washington Post 04/16/2009
Banks Ramp Up ForeclosuresWall Street Journal 04/15/2009
Interest rate swap contracts sold by banks to the city of Detroit in 2005 and the "kiko" derivative contracts sold by banks to exporters in S. Korea before the 2008 global financial crisis
04/03/2009
The huge losses suffered by Detroit and by exporters in S. Korea and how the issues raised were handled in the two places. What takes precedence fairness or contracts, how much of a contract has to be intelligible to the investor and the broader question of why banks needed to write such contracts or conduct business in this way which could hurt their reputation. An example is given by Floyd Norris of NYT where Bankers Trust reputation suffered badly in 1994 for selling such contracts to P&G.
Linked Articles
New York Times 04/03/2009
'Safe Harbor' in Bankruptcy Upended in Detroit CaseNew York Times 12/23/2013
Reinhart's view that the Geithner Public-Private Investment program won't work
03/24/2009
Reinhart, joins Peter Eavis, Rosenfeld and Krugman, in view that this won't work. He thinks the government is just buying time for a favorable opportunity to take stronger action. It may be engaging in this circuitous roundabout plan as away of saying that we tried aprivate sector solution. Krugman warns though that time is running out with the job loss numbers.
Linked Articles
New York Times 04/06/2009
Why Congress Will Kill the Bank RescueWall Street Journal 03/24/2009
Peter Eavis thinks the Geithner plan isn't based on sound logic.
03/23/2009
If only the confidence and liquidity were an issue then maybe the Geithner Public Private Investment Program plan might work. But says Eavis, the underlying price structure for these mortgage securities is gone with this crisis,so that the recovery in their price for banks to avoid huge losses is going to be elusive. He cites Credit Sights which estimates losses of US banks through 2010 of $250- $450 billion.
Linked Articles
Treasury’s Got Bill Gross on Speed Dial
New York Times 06/21/2009
Geithner's Gamble Needs SpeculatorsWall Street Journal 03/23/2009
To just be where America was in 1999, household debt has to drop 30%!
03/11/2009
The movement among Americans like Mr Bailey in Boise, Idaho, to get debt free, is going to be as big a factor as the toxic assets at banks, and foreclosuresin housing, in the fundamental changes that are going on in the economy that will last for years, decades. These are conservative lending, government lending to make up, savings, less consumption and scrapping or sale of unneeded factory capacity (plant) to developing countries.
Linked Articles
Deleveraging: It's Not Over Till It's Over
Wall Street Journal 03/11/2009
Frugality Forged in Today's Recession Has Potential to Outlast ItWall Street Journal 04/06/2009
The administration's idea that somehow the bad asset problem can be solved by wishful thinking.
03/06/2009
Can a bad asset at abank really be disposed off through private investors purchases with the help of government money? Under the current circumstances who will decide the value of an asset, and would banks be willing to sell them at 40 cents when they see them worth 50 cents on the dollar?
Linked Articles
Economists Seek Breakup of Big Banks
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2009
The Big DitherNew York Times 03/06/2009
The financial crisis poses a challenge to the idea of a single European Community, the EU itself.
02/26/2009
The countries of Eastern Europe and the banks of western European countries are enmeshed in a growing financial crisis that threatens the unity of Euope, and the idea of the European Community. What kind of help will Germany and other nations of western Europe provide. Will this be differentiated by different groups of countries like the Baltics different from Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic, and how will leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany negotiate the political winds, as she faces an upcoming election.
Linked Articles
The bill that could break up Europe
Economist 02/26/2009
Sweden Aids Bailout of Baltic NationsNew York Times 03/13/2009
Politicians who deride "mere spending programs" may have not got it right.
02/15/2009
Republicans in the House, with every single one voting against the Stimulus bill, have derided government spending as wasteful and unnecessary. The impact on the deficit makes it look sensible. However on closer examination Robert Frank, a Cornell economist, points out that in some situtations like this government spending can be not wasteful but productive and efficient, and necessary.
Linked Articles
Go Ahead and Save. Let the Government Spend.
New York Times 02/15/2009
In Gingrich Mold, a New Voice for Solid Resistance in G.O.P.New York Times 02/15/2009
Cornell's Frank points out that savings may be good for America once they are chanelled into investment.
02/15/2009
For this to happen some of the excess household debt from the number 96% of GDP, that household debt in the USA has reached, has to be shaved off. This is happening as Americans are shifting to becoming debt free in their finances. This affects consumption through the paradox of thrift. But says Prof. Frank this is OK, as the government steps in in the meantime to give the boost to the economy, till consumers recover from debt. Future savings can then be channelled into new productive investment for modernization's next phase, just as China and India are doing.
Linked Articles
Imbalance in Nations' Savings Clouds Forecasts for Recovery
Wall Street Journal 03/23/2009
Go Ahead and Save. Let the Government Spend.New York Times 02/15/2009
The New York Times Company struggles with debt payments after years of overborrowing.
01/20/2009
Its not clear that the $250 million investment at 14% interest by Carlos Slim of Mexico will be enough as much of the repayment of debt of $1.1 billion comes due in the next couple of years.
Linked Articles
These Times Demand Tough Action
Wall Street Journal 01/20/2009
Billionaire Reaches Deal On Funding For Times Co.Wall Street Journal 01/20/2009
Akio Toyoda brings a broader mindset, American and overseas experience to his CEO role.
01/12/2009
The grandson of the founder was educated in the U.S. and worked in the Chinese operations. He brings a broad exposure to countries around the world that his predecessors lacked with their more parochial backgrounds. This will be invaluable as he steers Toyota back to its roots and accomodates a changing world.
Linked Articles
New York Times 06/02/2010
Toyota, Needing Change, Taps a Scion to LeadWall Street Journal 01/12/2009
Gates new perspective on the US role in foreign affairs.
01/05/2009
How Gates sees the US role in foreign affairs and its relaions with Russia, the war with extremist Islamic militants, and the ways in which US policies should be reshaped in the new administration.
Linked Articles
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
A Balanced StrategyForeign Affairs 01/05/2009
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