Long-term trends grow from short term trends. We attampt to determine the short term trends and where they are pointing.
As you’ve probably heard Argentina has defaulted on it’s Sovereign debt. This is the second time in 12 years that Argentina is defaulting. Of course the Kirchner Government is trying to blame the U.S. for their troubles by saying that it is our fault…
Argentina Coming Apart at the Seams… Again Read More »
Once upon a time, Gross National Product (GNP) meant the goods and services that a country produced. But as our economy shifted more toward government and away from the free market, more of the total economy came under the control of the government. So the government changed the definition.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he doesn’t think the European community can do without the natural gas it gets from energy monopoly Gazprom. With a Russian economy starting to decline, however, it may be Gazprom that’s too strongly interconnected to the European market to break free. The narrative over European energy security reaches at least
Will Putin Lose His Eastern European Energy Gamble? Read More »
And Where We are Going? Policy Makers- Blowing Bubbles Again Many hard-working Americans are scratching their collective heads about the following questions: Why have stocks performed in a manner that seems to be out of step with the relatively slow pace of economic expansion? Why has the economic recovery failed to gain traction, even though
Investors: Do You Know How We Got Here… Read More »
In the United States we consider a family with a household income of less than $100,000 to be “Middle Class”. But how well are families really doing? Let’s look at middle class income, net worth, taxes, etc since the recession of 2008. According to the 2010 census, the median household income was $51,371. Which means that half the households earn more and half earn less.
If we break the population up into 5 segments of 20% each we can get a closer look at how the population as a whole is doing. Based on the $100,000 definition, the “middle class” probably comprises segments 3 and 4 of the total population. Households in the top 20% earned about $239,100 per household and those in the bottom 20% earned about $24,100 before taxes. But that doesn’t tell the whole story…
How is the Middle Class in the U.S. Doing? (Infographic) Read More »
Throughout Europe regions that were once independent are seeking to shed the shackles of their non-productive neighbors. Those areas that feel they are paying more in taxes than they are receiving in benefits are looking to their historical roots and dreaming of independence. Among them are Scotland, Catalan, Spain and Venice, Italy.
Separatist Forces Growing in Europe Read More »
Russia and China could develop stronger economic ties as Europe pulls away in light of the annexation of Crimea. After all, Russia needs an outlet for its energy production and China’s energy needs continue to grow, so there could be a good fit there.
Russia Looks to China as Relations with Europe Deteriorate Read More »
Birth of a New Ukrainian Nation? Interview with Robert Bensh Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula is now Russia’s. It was done with an impressively organized non-violent military operation, and supported by the foregone conclusion of a referendum on independence from Ukraine. One Ukrainian soldier was reportedly killed on 18 March, after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the
What the Loss of Crimea Means for Ukrainian Energy Read More »
Ukraine: Three Views By John Mauldin All eyes are on Ukraine as the drama continues to unfold. Today, for an early Outside the Box, I’m going to offer three sources on Ukraine. The first is a note that I got from the head of emerging-market trading at one of the world’s largest hedge funds. This
How Events in the Ukraine will Affect the World Read More »
If you’re ready to do some investing, you need a broker to be able to buy stocks, options, and pretty much anything else. Deciding on the right broker for you can be difficult. If you’ve made the rounds of the local brokerage firms you’ll notice a trend: they all charge a lot in commissions. If you start looking online you’ll notice the commissions are decidedly lower but are these brokers a good deal or just a good deal of trouble?
Choosing a Brokerage Firm Read More »
