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The Swiss central bank's effort to keep Swiss Franc at 1.20 to the dollar and Japan's Abe government's push for the yen at 90 to the dollar
12/25/2012
A determined effort by the Swiss National Bank to preserve export competitiveness as eurozone economies contract in 2013, by printing francs and buying up euros and foreign assets. The effort is designed to counteract declining wages and prices in Switzerland. The newly elected Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe supports aggressive action by Japan's central bank to keep the yen between 85 yen and 90 yen to the U.S. dollar.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 12/25/2012
Button-Down Central Bank Bets It AllWall Street Journal 01/09/2013
The warning signs that were ignored by HP as it rushed into the Autonomy Acquisition
11/20/2012
Linked Articles
H-P’s Autonomy Write-Down: Remember Oracle’s Accusations Too
Wall Street Journal 11/20/2012
The Warning Signs At AutonomyWall Street Journal 11/20/2012
Obama advisor, Christina Romer, and support for Simpson-Bowles recommendations on limiting deductions
11/10/2012
The Feldstein, Romney proposals based on the ideas of the Simpson Bowles Commission of limiting tax deductions finds convergence with Obama economic advisor, Christina Romer's support for Simpson Bowles recommendations after the 2012 presidential elections.
Linked Articles
Democrats Like a Romney Idea to Cap Tax Deductions
New York Times 11/12/2012
Budget Showdown Offers an Opportunity for ProgressNew York Times 11/10/2012
The part-time low wage jobs generated by the American economy in recent years, especially since 2008
11/06/2012
The biggest challenge facing the American economy is high unemployment and the lack of well paying jobs that formed the core job base of the middle class. Jobs generated since 2008 are largely low wage part-time work in retail and related industries. Wages have also fallen sharply in manufacturing industries as the U.S. competes with Asian manufacturers.
Linked Articles
New York Times 11/07/2012
A Part-Time, Low-Wage EpidemicWall Street Journal 11/06/2012
Pete Domenici's call for tackling the "fiscal cliff" and the CEO statement of October 2012
10/25/2012
Two initiatives, Strengthening America led by Pete Domenici of the Domenici-Rivlin commisson, and Fix the Debt which organized the CEO's statement of Oct. 2012, support a bipartisan movement that would address the tough challenges of deficit reduction without simply kicking the can down the road. Both initiatives look to the Simpson-Bowles commission recommendations as the basis of tackling the problem.
Linked Articles
Pete Domenici and Sam Nunn: Building a better ‘fiscal cliff’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/27/2012
CEOs Call for Deficit ActionWall Street Journal 10/25/2012
Russian president Putin and the Rosneft-BP deal
10/18/2012
An effort by Putin to end the shareholder conflict inherent in the 50-50 TNK-BP joint venture which he says he warned about in the beginning.
Linked Articles
Moscow Had 'Mixed Feelings' on TNK-BP Deal, Putin Says
Wall Street Journal 10/25/2012
BP Nears Deal to Sell TNK-BP StakeWall Street Journal 10/18/2012
Mo Yan and Wang Xiaofang exposing corruption and arrogant government officials in China through fictional characters and humor
10/11/2012
Both writers use fictional characters to vent people's anger at arrogant officials from the government and party- this predates the communist regime and goes back to the days from the earlier part of the twentieth century down to the present day.
Linked Articles
The Deeply Odd Lives of Chinese Bureaucrats
Wall Street Journal 03/14/2013
Mo Yan Mines a Deep Well of Material in ChinaNew York Times 10/11/2012
U.S. bank lending not recovered by 2014 from the severe decline in lending in 2010-2012
09/27/2012
Linked Articles
Banks Wrestle With Lackluster Lending
Wall Street Journal 11/04/2014
Need a Loan? Where Do You Live?Wall Street Journal 09/27/2012
The Obama admnistration and the conflict in Syria
08/28/2012
A brief history shows the Alawite community constitutes about 13% of the population in Syria and live mainly in the coastal region near the Mediterranean. Under the French Alawites generally supported the colonial regime and the community was used by the French colonial regime to act as a buffer as they ruled a predominantly Sunni population. The Alawites joined the military and Hafez Assad, an Alawite general, seized control in 1971. His son now rules Syria. The Obama administration has largely missed the struggle of the people for freedom from dictatorships in Syria and Egypt under Mubarak.. With Turkey and Egypt supporting the young people in Syria, the U.S. investment is minor in military and other support compared to the cost of letting the war continue with unintended consequences for the entire region.
Linked Articles
New York Times 11/13/2012
Assad Draws Shock Troops From Elite Sect in SyriaWall Street Journal 08/28/2012
The S.E.C. rule requiring disclosure by oil and mining companies of payments to foreign governments and the example of Libya
08/17/2012
Linked Articles
A Libyan's Plea to the S.E.C. on Oil Industry Transparency
New York Times 08/17/2012
Oil and Mining Companies Must Disclose Payments to Foreign Governments, S.E.C. SaysNew York Times 08/22/2012
Nokia's plunging marketshare in the smartphone market as it moves to seventh place by Nov. 2012
08/14/2012
Linked Articles
Nokia Slips to Seventh in Smartphone Market
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2012
HTC Beefs Up China Push as U.S., Europe LagWall Street Journal 08/14/2012
The Monti interview with the WSJ's Alessandra Galloni on Italy and the Eurozone
08/06/2012
Italy's prime minister Mario Monti is interviewed by the WSJ's Alessandra Galloni following the June 28 summit of European leaders.
Linked Articles
Mario Monti: Interview Excerpts
Wall Street Journal 08/06/2012
Monti Says He Regrets Berlusconi RemarkWall Street Journal 08/07/2012
The costly software failure that cost U.S. brokerage house Knight Capital $440 million with erroneous orders on August 1, 2012
08/02/2012
Software that was introduced without proper testing by management at Knight Capital resulted in a blizzard of wrong orders going out on August 1. This led to suspension of trading on the New York Stock Exchange after identifying Knight Capital as the source.
Linked Articles
Trying to be Nimble Knight Capital Stumbles
New York Times 08/02/2012
Knight Capital Says Trading Glitch Cost it $440 MillionNew York Times 08/02/2012
China's steadily growing automobile market in 2014-2015 (1)- expanding dealer networks to Tier 2 and 3 cities by Ford Motor and Mercedes Benz
11/23/2012
China's television channel CCTV focusses on consumer issues in its program 315. VW was a focus of one of the reports on consumer issues. Problems in the U.S. for GM and Toyota are likely to keep the focus on other auto companies as well.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 04/25/2014
Ford Expands Dealer Network in ChinaWall Street Journal 11/23/2012
New leadership and old faces, Jiang Zemin, Xi Jinping, and the uncertain outlook for change in China
11/15/2012
Jiang Zemin, 86 years and former president, who set China on the three decade push for modernization, put his imprint on the seven member Politburo Standing Committee that runs China. Jinping and five other members of the Politburo are close allies of Jiang Zemin. Zemin was Mayor of Shanghai, China's business capital during the Koumintang pre war regime and now in the post war period. He made some of the reforms that led to China's entry into the World Trade Organization and its subsequent rise as a major trading nation. His support for Jinping gives the new president room for making political and economic changes that are needed in this period. The older members of the Politburo, most in the mid-60's, placed on the Politburo by Zemin are likely to be cautious and the outlook for change is uncertain.
Linked Articles
Xi Jinping Offers Few Hints of a Shift in Direction in China
New York Times 11/15/2012
Ex-Leader Wins in Beijing Power PlayWall Street Journal 11/16/2012
The dealmaking that is needed to build an agreement on deficit reduction- the challenge for Obama and Republicans
11/10/2012
The need for Obama and Republicans to build on proposals by Romer, Simpson-Bowles, Toomey, Hensarling, Feldstein, Romney Conrad and others to put dealmaking ahead of futile ideological battles. This would be good for the country and good for jobs and growth, good for building a strong middle class economy.
Linked Articles
Budget Showdown Offers an Opportunity for Progress
New York Times 11/10/2012
Obama the DealmakerNew York Times 11/12/2012
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
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 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
The new Jinping-Keqiang leadership and reducing pharmaceutical and healthcare costs to help consumers in China (1)
10/03/2012
After a decade of decline in consumer spending in favor of infrastructure spending to where it is now only 35% of GDP, or half that in the U.S. as a percentage of GDP, China's leadership realizes the need to help consumers. It is seen as high on the list of priorities for the Party's survival. Ordinary Chinese, rural households and the elderly are seriously affected by the high cost of healthcare and the need to set aside a large portion of savings for medical emergencies (Orlik). This further depresses consumer after the impact of low savings rates. With a bursting of the property bubble the money depositors shifted to real estate is also at risk for middle class investors.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 10/03/2012
Politics Is a Bitter Pill for GlaxoWall Street Journal 07/25/2013
Indian prime minister Singh's economic plan in the face of slowing growth in 2012
09/21/2012
In a televised address Singh says the market opening measures for the retail and other sectors are needed to maintain growth and foreign investment. Finance minister Chidambaram tells the WSJ in an Oct 2012 interview- the risks were too great with India facing a lowering of its credit rating, and the government having reflected on the serious consequences of not acting spelled out in the worst case scenario of the Kelkar committee report. The Indian government actions include lowering diesel subsidies and action to control the deficit, with a plan to bring it down to 3% by 2017.
Linked Articles
Q&A With Finance Minister Chidambaram
Wall Street Journal 10/08/2012
Singh Appeals to India to Support His MeasuresNew York Times 09/21/2012
Work and life in manufacturing communities across the U.S. midwest- Joliet, Illinois, and Janesville, Wisconsin
08/18/2012
The transition period in U.S. manufacturing and manufacturing based communities in the U.S. as the old manufacturing base is replaced by a new one that is more automated and competitive with Asian manufacturers with fewer jobs than the old manufacturing base. The wrenching change in communities like Janesville and Joliet as communities adjust to job losses and smaller incomes.
Linked Articles
Could Paul Ryan’s ideas help his struggling home town? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/19/2012
Caterpillar Union Bows to DemandsWall Street Journal 08/18/2012
How keeping seniors as a protected class in current Social Security proposals impacts the young and leads to shrinking investments in defense, social programs, research, education and infrastructure
08/16/2012
This includes the Republican Paul Ryan proposal which also stays away from touching Social Security for today's seniors and passes on the costs to the young. Democrats are using demagoguery and intimidation on this issue. Samuelson cites CBO estimates which show that even with shrinking defense and nondiscretionary spending by a third the U.S. deficit would still be 6.75% of GDP in 2023.
Linked Articles
Robert Samuelson: Ryan’s budget asks nothing of the elderly -; unfortunately - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/16/2012
Mr. Biden falls flat - The Washington PostWashington Post 08/16/2012
Canada's DBRS, a little known credit ratings firm that made a large difference for the credit ratings of Italy and Spain
08/09/2012
Canada's DBRS put less weight on the political shifts in Italy and more on the low growth rate. It rated Italy A (low) in November 2013, much higher than the ratings given by Moody's and S&P. This was important in the eurozone crisis because the European Central Bank uses the highest rating on a sovereign country's bonds to decide discounts on collateral pledged by banks to the ECB. DBRS has more faith in the lasting value of the euro and sees through the ups and downs of the crisis. It takes a similiar upbeat long term view of Spain. DBRS has credibility because it did not move ratings up as much before the 2008 financial crisis, and did not move the ratings down as much during the crisis, as the large credit ratings firms.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 08/09/2012
The Key to Italy's Rating Is Kept in CanadaWall Street Journal 11/02/2013
The view that with P5+1 talks with Iran ending in no agreement, the crisis with Iran is reaching a critical stage in August 2012
08/06/2012
Israeli views on the continued development of nuclear weapons capabilities by Iran in the face of tightened sanctions and diplomatic efforts. Oren and Yadlin see this has having reached a critical stage before military action.
Linked Articles
Get ready to fight Iran - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/18/2012
Time Is Short For Iran DiplomacyWall Street Journal 08/06/2012
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