Let’s clear about the mess of Brexit. First, the media is awash with so many opinions from those who had no idea that a vote for Brexit was in the realm of possible outcomes. Yet there is no lack of insights into the end of Britain’s role in the EU. Never have so many people been spewing the hogwash of hysteria into the portfolios of public investors. So in a very typical French philosophical format, let’s DECONSTRUCT last week’s outcomes:
Posts Tagged ‘David Cameron’
Notes From Underground: A Quickie On the G-20, Or the Summers of Enchantment
February 25, 2016It was nice to be away, playing some golf and visiting with friends. And now it’s back to work. (Confession: I was engrossed in reading for part of my days.) There two key issues before us: BREXIT and this weekend’s G-20. (Side note: I did a radio interview yesterday with Anthony Crudele on #FuturesRadio. Anthony did a great job and we covered a lot of ground. Listen to the piece and it will rehash much of what my blog readers have been reading during the past six years.) Here is my take on the G-20 meeting and it is interesting how the British elites are trying to co-opt part of the G-20 meeting to get support for the British Prime Minister David Cameron and his bumbling sidekick George Osborne.
Notes From Underground: As the Fires Burn
January 12, 2016Last night’s blog contained some of the key sparks to watch this year, but I left some for today so as not to overwhelm. While we slept, the Chinese borrowed a page from the French National Bank. In an effort to curb the arbitrage of trading the YUAN in Hong Kong versus the mainland levels under the direct auspices of the PBOC, the Chinese Government raised overnight borrowing rates for those short the yuan in Hong Kong. The rate is only on overnight borrowings so it is intended to make being short against the PBOC cost prohibitive.
Notes From Underground: Unemployment Report Spot-On and Meaningless; Draghi Doesn’t Disappoint
December 6, 2015The U.S. jobs report was in line with market expectations colored by the Wednesday release of the ADP data. The market’s response was interesting in that BONDS, STOCKS AND THE DOLLAR reversed some of the reaction to ECB President Mario Draghi’s press conference on Thursday. While the jobs report seemed to SOLIDIFY an FOMC rate hike next week, the settlements on Friday raises questions about the Fed’s current strategy. Even though a rate increase is a “certainty” and with the ECB promising more liquidity at lower interest rates, the settlement prices at the week’s end were perplexing:
Notes From Underground: Who Knows What Lurks In the Mind Of the BOE, the Shadow?
July 9, 2014Tomorrow the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee meets to decide interest rates. Governor Mark Carney has recently confused markets by saying that interest rates would probably rise sooner than forecast. Then Mr. Carney changed directions by following the FOMC and suggesting that the slack in the labor market would allow the BOE to stay the present course and keep interest rates at present levels for an extended period. Overnight rates are currently at 0.50% and with the British pound strengthening against most currencies the BOE is expected to maintain the status quo.
Notes From Underground: Draghi Channels Bush’s “MissionAccomplished”
January 22, 2013Today, ECB President Draghi spoke to the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and proclaimed that the DARKEST CLOUDS OVER THE EUROZONE HAVE PASSED. Yes, since the July 26 pronouncement that the ECB would do anything to preserve the euro and its financial system–and also there would be “no taboos” on what the ECB could utilize to save the euro. The markets have certainly quieted, as has been reflected in the Italian and Spanish debt markets, as well as the equity markets across the European Union. In my opinion Mr. Draghi should not put away his boots and umbrella as some clouds may have passed but the radar is citing other severe fronts. President Draghi added in the Reuters piece: “But there is simply no alternative to the path of reform. Despite the good progress so far showing that adjustment is happening, reform efforts need to be sustained …. Countries need competitiveness to sustain growth.”
Notes From Underground: The Santelli Exchange (CNBC) — China Data: Questionable Accuracy?
November 1, 2012
Click on the image to watch Rick and I discuss the accuracy of China’s data.
Notes From Underground: Bernanke, Housing Fails to Provide Economic Foundation
January 11, 2012In a BLOOMBERG article published today, “Bernanke Doubling Down on Housing Bet Asks Government to Help,” it appears that the Obama administration and the FED are in sync that something needs to be done to lift the moribund residential real estate market. This is certainly not a new development but it shows how the FED is at a loss to explain how the ultra-low interest rate policy for the last three years has FAILED to stem the decline in housing prices and ultimately foreclosures. The FED and others don’t want to admit that this IS A BALANCE SHEET RECESSION.
Notes From Underground: In the Battle of the European Balance Sheet Bulges, Cameron Says “NUTS”
December 11, 2011Almost 67 years ago, U.S. General McAuliffe told the German command that the U.S. forces at Bastogne would not surrender and actually said it in a one-word response: NUTS. In a parallel response to German/Franco demands that all European nations surrender their sovereignty by succumbing to a “FISCAL COMPACT”, British Prime Minister David Cameron basically said the same as the U.K. moved to cast a veto vote on the proposals that resulted from the European Summit.