Economy

The July 2011 Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) released yesterday puts the June year-over-year inflation rate at 1.66%, which is less than half the 3.82% average since the end of the Second World War. That being said the ShadowStats Alternate annualized rate of inflation is 9.26%. [Which is more accurate?] Words: 384

Deutsche Bank's Joe LaVorgna tracks payroll tax receipts as a measure of real-time labor market health [see an earlier article on that chart and a host of others here] and the latest data for the current quarter show receipts growing 6% year-over-year. [It brings into question all those purveyors of doom who claim that a recesssion is just around the corner.]

When the public, and in particular the savings public at large, comes to understand that quantitative easing is actually counterfeiting...you will begin to see confidence cave and the collapse in confidence will be epic. That’s what has me nervous. [Here is how to detect when confidence is about to cave and how to protect oneself in such an eventuality.]

When the public, and in particular the savings public at large, comes to understand that quantitative easing is actually counterfeiting...you will begin to see confidence cave and the collapse in confidence will be epic. That’s what has me nervous. [Here is how to detect when confidence is about to cave and how to protect oneself in such an eventuality.]

We love charts....so we reached out to some of the world's most influential analysts, economists, hedge-funders and traders and asked them a simple question: "What charts are you always keeping your eye on?" [Here they are!] Words: 440

The extremely optimistic assumptions on which both of the recent International Monetary Fund's 'World Economic Update' and 'Global Financial Stability Report' are based are such that, given all the attendant circumstances, I do not place much weight on either of them. Here is a summary of what the reports have to say and why I have come to that conclusion. Words: 625

The extremely optimistic assumptions on which both of the recent International Monetary Fund's 'World Economic Update' and 'Global Financial Stability Report' are based are such that, given all the attendant circumstances, I do not place much weight on either of them. Here is a summary of what the reports have to say and why I have come to that conclusion. Words: 625

Natixis, the French investment bank and asset manager has determined that the safest country - the country whose bonds are really risk-free - is Sweden, the only one to score a perfect 5. Where do the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia and other major countries rank. Take a look.

One can barely keep up with what is going on here in Argentina, since each day brings more 'new' government dictates, rules and initiatives which all seem to share the same features - dumb and dumber - and virtually all with guaranteed unintended negative consequences. Let me give you my on-the-ground insights of the lay of the land - of what is REALLY happening in Argentina - and about to happen! Words: 853

One can barely keep up with what is going on here in Argentina, since each day brings more 'new' government dictates, rules and initiatives which all seem to share the same features - dumb and dumber - and virtually all with guaranteed unintended negative consequences. Let me give you my on-the-ground insights of the lay of the land - of what is REALLY happening in Argentina - and about to happen! Words: 853