Economy

Pundits and prognosticators like to throw around a lot of numbers when trying to predict where the economy is headed. The most popular economic indicators, however, aren't nevessarily the best. Russ Koesterich explains why the figures you hear most often are over-rated and identifies which indicators should be used instead.

The gold standard is a solution in search of a problem. Actually, it's worse than that. It's a problem in search of a problem. Prices would have to fall a great deal if we adopted the gold standard today. In other words, it would turn the imagined problem of price stability into a real problem of price stability. And, of course, this ensuing deflation would send the economy into a death spiral due to still high levels of household debt. [Let me explain further.] Words: 910

Something really strange appears to be happening. All over the globe, governments and big banks are acting as if they are anticipating an imminent financial collapse. Here's some of what is being said and is apparently happening. Words: 1200

When you head out to the voting booth this November, know this… whether you pick Obama or Romney, you’re essentially voting for the same person. If you watch this video all the way to the end (it gets better as it progresses) you will understand why this is so, why that come election time you'll only have one choice - Obamney of the Republicrats party. The arguments, the debates, the smear campaigns and the emphasized differences between the two candidates are there to give you an illusion of choice.

Lately, nearly every piece of economic data is judged based on the degree to which investors perceive it will encourage/discourage central banks from embarking on a new round of quantitative easing (QE). Generally, bad data and subdued inflation is good because it means the Fed has both cause and room to ease, while good data and higher inflation are bad as they eliminate the need for easing and increase the chance that any asset purchases may contribute to already rising prices. That tendency to judge economic data in such a way is wrongheaded. [Let me explain why that is the case and more.] Words: 755

Under current law, a sharp reduction in the federal budget deficit between 2012 and 2013 will cause the economy to contract but, the Congressional Budget Office projects, will also put federal debt on a path more likely to be sustainable over time. To illustrate the effects of fiscal tightening, CBO compared its projections under current law (the "baseline" projections) with projections under an alternative set of policies — two scenarios in a broad spectrum of choices - in the infographic below.

Much has been written about the merits of the Gold Standard but there seems to be a lack of knowledge about the history of the various exchange-rate regimes over the years and why each was introduced and replaced. The infographic below does an outstanding job of doing just that.

No one seems to understand what is happening in Europe the way Graham Summers does and, as such, his insightful articles keep appearing on this site as the best choice to convey the message. Below are introductory paragraphs to each of 12 articles with hyperlinks to each should you wish to read any in their entirety.

No one cuts through the economic noise better than the writer who posts articles under the pseudonym "Monty Pelerin" - so much so that the 30 posted on munKNEE.com and have, on average, received more reads than any of the 1,700 others on the site. His articles are all timely (and some even timeless) in nature so, in case you missed one or two along the way, below is a link to a page that highlights each of his articles on the site with a descriptive introductory paragraph to each article. I dare you to read just one!

The world has created another debt bubble and we've chosen to kick the can down the road just like Roosevelt did in the ‘30s, and Japan has been doing for the last 20 years. Also, just like in the ‘30s, we are going to get the same result which is persistently high unemployment and generally declining global economic conditions unless drastic steps are taken - and the cure to our problem is staring us right in the face. [ Let me explain.] Words: 760