The New Mercantilism Rates Race to the Bottom Currencies Depreciate
During the recent period of world growth, where nearly every country’s exports were rising, there was little incentive for governments to manipulate economic policies to foster even more economic growth. Getting back to “normal” seemed to be the universally adopted mantra, and that implied rising rates and tighter monetary policies. However, today, when world trade is contracting […]
Bitcoin: A Primer What Investors Need to Know
Bitcoin; everyone is talking about it. That’s what happens when the perceived value of something rises 2,000% in a year. (The value of Bitcoin, in terms of dollars, was under $1,000 at the start of 2107, and, as of this writing (December 18, 2017), has been as high as $20,000. Bitcoin boasts of its “Blockchain” […]
Recognition shock
The wave of anti-establishment, anti-globalization sentiment, evident in the U.S. primary election cycle, manifest itself bigtime in the U.K. with its vote on Thursday, June 23rd, to exit the European Union (E.U.). Wall Street hates uncertainty; that is why it loves the status quo. In the days leading up to this historic British decision, the […]
For Clients & Friends
Dear clients and friends, The long overdue market correction has finally arrived. And due to automated trading, volatility is extreme. Furthermore, it is likely that the volatility will last for a while. Here are the economic issues the market is fretting over: Weakness in China – their currency devaluation is a clear sign that Chinese […]
The U.S. is Losing the Currency War
Over the past year, the U.S. dollar has appreciated more than 18%, and in the week of August 10th, China surprised the markets by allowing its currency to depreciate nearly 3% against the dollar, thoroughly roiling the equity markets. The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) had typically pegged the value of the Chinese currency (RMB) […]