Here’s the news of the past week:

US Economy

 

• How the Government Lies About the Real Inflation Rate http://t.co/g6E4KxV5 I agree inf is understated, but by 1-2%, not 6-8%/yr $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Tax Hunt Pushes Global Wealthy Into Offshore Trusts for Children in US http://t.co/l53hjFH1 Many clever ways 2cheat the taxman #thinkahead Mar 07, 2012
• How Much Do Income Taxes Affect Our Behavior? http://t.co/mADKt7a7 Answer: not much, but people favor lower marginal tax rates anyway $$ Mar 07, 2012
• On Politics, Social Security and Spine http://t.co/N8O1Eu6h @brucekrasting on the Disability Income Trust & what it implies 4 politics $$ Mar 07, 2012
• Why Young People Might (Eventually) Like to Buy a House http://t.co/yC9FX7H5 On the low end, this makes sense at present. $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Getting Ready to Buy a House http://t.co/6aqzzPmI Megan McArdle notes how low down payments r still prevalent; system not clean @ present $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Warren Buffett vs. the profiteers of doom http://t.co/02XgQ9tB Unless the US fails in entire, Buffett will be right & the scaremongers wrong Mar 06, 2012
• NACM credit managers’ index trade credit increase http://t.co/LUdFkYTZ Businesses r more confident in extending credit; coincident indicator Mar 04, 2012
• @DavidSchawel Then they are having materially better performance than the FHA; I still think housing prices have further to fall on hi end Mar 04, 2012
• Your Share of Fannie, Freddie Losses: $1,300 http://t.co/h9KdR5d3 Even considering what they are paying the US in dividends, they lose. $$ Mar 03, 2012

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Federal Reserve

• @GonzaloLiraSPG Borrow, not print. Fed becomes huge hedge fund 2 arb risky debt spreads. Not in favor of this, but it is happening in small Mar 09, 2012
• Thought experiment: What would happen if the Fed borrowed enough money to buy up all of the MBS, CMBS, ABS, Agys, Corps, Munis, etc? $$ Mar 09, 2012
• What the Fed is Considering Doing in Layman’s Terms http://t.co/dXZTMXL2 Levering up, taking more risk in an effort to reduce long yields $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Bernanke Seen Accepting Faster Inflation as Fed Seeks to Boost Employment http://t.co/AyixImcf Fed is asymmetric, only fights unemployment Mar 08, 2012
• http://t.co/DR8SLua2 NY Fed never buys the on-the-run and near the run nominal bonds, does the opposite for TIPS, pushes up implied CPI $$ Mar 07, 2012
• Fed?s Money Monopoly Endangers Liberty and Peace http://t.co/TGhcvm8O Unsound money encourage governments 2b graspy & warlike $$ Mar 07, 2012
• Central bank policy driving corporate spreads http://t.co/YvV1djQb When the Fed offers cheap financing, risk asset flourish $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Woodlands congressman battling Federal Reserve’s power http://t.co/iUiwTimH Inflation only, expand role of Regional Feds; Fisher likes it $$ Mar 04, 2012
• The eventual unwinding of QE: why it?s ignored and what it could mean http://t.co/BPRMaGaU The Fed will be reluctant 2 shrink the Bal Sht $$ Mar 03, 2012

 

Eurozone

 

• Draghi Lays Groundwork for ECB Stimulus Exit as Inflation Takes Spotlight http://t.co/0y5znzjH So u can’t get inflation thru debt growth? Mar 09, 2012
• Bond And CDS Arbitrage Opportunities? http://t.co/uRDRh59G Sov CDS “cheap” 2 bonds b/c of a lack of trust in the default trigger $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Portugal. Boo! http://t.co/ZED0TWOx Mar 09, 2012
• Draghi Headache: Inflation Heating Up in Europe http://t.co/RQqvvOiC Draghi raised the 2012 forecasts for inflation to 2.1%-2.7% $$ Mar 08, 2012
• Rift Grows Between Germany’s Bundesbank and ECB http://t.co/trwAlyWm Wise Buba will take pain where ECB wil not. Follow this it will destroy Mar 08, 2012
• Goldman?s Secret Greece Loan Reveals Sinners http://t.co/eMzOvs2X When u conspire 2b shady, u work w/the shady, who will cheat u2 $GS $$ Mar 07, 2012
• French-German Border Shapes More Than Territoryhttp://nyti.ms/zDuqpi Culture matters. Policy matters. Similar people yield different results Mar 06, 2012
• Everyone Loves Mario http://t.co/2sDYYNXh Draghi is popular at present, but this will not end well, b/c bank dependence on the ECB will tell Mar 04, 2012
• The optimistic view of Europe http://t.co/xtsVrfrY Rogoff argues that these are the birth pangs of the USE: the United States of Europe $$ Mar 04, 2012
• IMF Set to Curb Funds for Greece http://t.co/XvNhtAcm IMF has 2 much exposure to EZ-fringe; could it b global system hit peak debt? $$ Mar 04, 2012

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Economics

 

• An interesting model of asset bubbles http://t.co/cHcFGHht Follows the debt-fueled model of asset bubbles, with momentum tossed in $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Model Thinking Notes I from Stanford Class http://t.co/qHD0UCzt Those applying models to political questions predict better than others $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Investors Crave a Taste of the Island http://t.co/fjWsoVDR Amazing how reducing deficits and cleaning up finances can bring growth $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Cicero quote of the week http://t.co/Y1e6KKYL The budget should b balanced, the Treasury should b refilled, public debt should b reduced… Mar 08, 2012
• Kindleberger?s Universal Bubble and Crash Scenario http://t.co/Og2VYsX8 We are overindebted, should we be surprised that we face a crisis? Mar 08, 2012
• After 3 years, we?re all hooked on free money http://t.co/oKRDzSPD Low base rates are creating a new kind of inflation, sad but true $$ Mar 08, 2012

 

China

 

• Contra: China Inflation May Provide Room for Stimulus http://t.co/Qds1uBwx That is, if you can believe the Chinese inflation statistics $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Asian banks may b bust; tiger still bites http://t.co/2mW40PMJ Economic consultancy Lombard Street warned China is financial house of cards Mar 08, 2012
• According to Credit Suisse, the global commodity demand has peaked http://t.co/GNXsHZwL China cannot increase its demand further $$ Mar 08, 2012
• China Life Discount Swells on World Growth Woes http://t.co/Jl27DtCk I still don’t get China Life and its business model; avoid b careful Mar 08, 2012
• China needs to enhance ability to win ‘local wars’, Premier says http://t.co/THUVeHVe Dominance of the South China Sea is desired $$ Mar 07, 2012
• China?s State of the Union http://t.co/D2E2yaH0 China has fewer options by the day. GDP is shrinking because much production is worthless $$ Mar 04, 2012
• +1 $$ RT @The_Analyst: @AlephBlog ha, newsflash: people whose livlihood depends on strong real estate market say market is strong… Mar 04, 2012
• End of The World not nigh, say developers http://t.co/JTDwPtT3 A lot of cross-currents in Chinese property markets, suspect trouble $$ Mar 04, 2012
• China?s Politics in Rare Bloom http://t.co/kmDFW8ou A rare season where the hidden politics of China become publicly visible $$ Mar 04, 2012

 

Miscellaneous

 

• ‘Internet-in-a-Suitcase’: The Web Technology That Wants You to Be Free http://t.co/UXTNOHDo Not live yet, but coming 2a revolution near u Mar 09, 2012
• Wal-Mart Therapy Tried as Pentagon Copes With Traumatized Troops http://t.co/7YIU2yqJ long $WMT | PTSD? Trips 2 WMT may help, really. $$ Mar 08, 2012
• US public schools sell empty classroom seats abroad http://t.co/qTuefNqV Solves a tough problem 4 rural districts w/falling enrollment $$ Mar 08, 2012
• US Top Destination for Christian, Buddhist Immigrants, Study Says http://t.co/gZW6T62o Interesting commentary on religion & migration $$ Mar 08, 2012
• The Confucius quote is a lot like Hillel’s “Do not do unto others what you would not hav… http://t.co/XplJNuew Mar 07, 2012
• RE: @dcrothers This is too important to be left to preschools only. Mothers and fathers must take an active role in t? http://t.co/4je2nZj2 Mar 06, 2012

 

Markets

 

• Insurers to re-examine risk, capital structure in 2012 – PwC http://t.co/1Cl8bTc1 Low ins co valuations begets low interest for M&A $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Contra: Apollo Wants to ?Be the New Bank? in 2012, Co-Founder Rowan Says http://t.co/HjfMo5xx Might work in short-run; dangerous idea $$ Mar 09, 2012
• Tactical asset allocation — Another ripoff http://t.co/NVCwvCCQ During bear markets, TAA gains temporary cache as market timing $$ Mar 08, 2012
• Think Twice, Even Thrice, Before Trading http://t.co/618YZMAB Most of the time, trading leads to losses, people like the illusion of control Mar 08, 2012
• Trade to improve your portfolio http://t.co/fINnnvh1 Features thoughts of those who agree. When will average people listen to the good guys? Mar 08, 2012
• The mystery of the vanishing stock trader http://t.co/y0jvQ6F8 Volume is disappearing in Canada. That’s probably healthy; buy Canada $$ Mar 07, 2012
• @CflGator My simple solution to all of that is that only hedgers may initiate trades, speculators may not trade with speculators. $$ Mar 07, 2012
• Contra: Managed money goes LONG oil http://t.co/SartTMgC In mid-2008, there weren’t as many speculative longs & the price was far higher $$ Mar 07, 2012
• Companies Float Up to $20 Billion in Bonds http://t.co/CJTnGiTE If that much is getting digested easily, maybe the corp rally continues Mar 07, 2012
• @lcsonka39 @hedgefundinvest I did use the words “if” and “maybe.” I am far enough away that I’m not sure, but I have been through that b4 $$ Mar 07, 2012
• US Insurers Face $2 Billion in Claims From Tornadoes, Risk Modeler Says http://t.co/N6vW1uIn I would expect a rough weather year $$ Mar 07, 2012
• IBM?s Watson Computer Gets Wall Street Job http://t.co/qP2mlQDZ Bloodless. Soulless. Brilliant. Ultimate Risk Manager or Disaster Creator Mar 07, 2012
• Judge: Jefferson County Chapter 9 Case Can Continue http://t.co/MGn2sDTD Remember Ch 9 only gives breathing room, Empee benes relief $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Do You Need to Buy Big Oil Stocks? http://t.co/FlPMNBXN Arends: As fuel prices soar (again), it may make sense to invest where you spend Mar 06, 2012
• How To Make Financial Content http://t.co/NRLLm00B Funny takes from @reformedbroker on how various news organizations write their copy $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Demographic trends will depress portfolio returns, this researcher warns http://t.co/yDXh8J8C Arnott makes u look at the real economy $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Stocks Cheaper Than Any U.S. Peak in 23 Years http://t.co/wZAnn7Ij Key Q: what will profit margins do? Only will 2 use capital is scarce Mar 06, 2012
• Milwaukee?s Home-Grown Managers Shun Fads http://t.co/oSzOOjMh My hometown. People there are rational and not given to fads. $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Dan Zwirn, the Man Who Fell to Earth http://t.co/NmgWpqRm Grew hedge fund fast, inadequate operational support, scandal, business dies $$ Mar 04, 2012

 

International (rest of the world)

 

• One Year Later, Japan City Sees Light?in a Long Tunnel http://t.co/3JfbCqWG Too much $$ being tossed at too few people in short-run Mar 09, 2012
• Australian vs Canadian property http://t.co/7Q3pdBP1 Argues that Canada is in trouble, Australia in worse shape but a better economy for now Mar 07, 2012
• Faros Trading: Yen to Weaken http://t.co/cSAp3Fra & http://t.co/aJkOCcXQ Idea that the yen may weaken is gaining traction $$ Mar 06, 2012
• Canadian envoy to Iceland sparks loonie controversy http://t.co/QZfE9Kvi Hey, I would link to the loonie if I could, smart idea $$ Mar 06, 2012
• BRIC Investors Losing as Statists Forgo Earnings http://t.co/kuntGmOJ Worrisome trend, but political influence on firms tends 2b cyclical Mar 04, 2012
• Why Japan Is Looking Good http://t.co/trw811WG Argues that QE weakens the yen, leading to better corp performance of f low valuation $$ Mar 04, 2012
• London Is Eating New York?s Lunch http://t.co/UBEFijF7 London has a greater share of international transactions; New York too regulated $$ Mar 04, 2012

 

Politics

 

• Romney campaign says losing nomination would take ‘act of God’ http://t.co/Q0VS1qRV Whom God would destroy, he first makes proud #hubris $$ Mar 07, 2012
• Paralyzed Kids Employ Florida Lobbyists With Millions at Stake http://t.co/fmS5UIHu When there r damage caps, pleading 4 special exceptions Mar 07, 2012
• Hoping for a deadlocked convention that turns to Huckabee, or someone like him http://t.co/OCRBjpXF Mar 03, 2012
• @Nonrelatedsense I do not trust Romney, Santorum, or Gingrich. They change positions too easily. I may not like everything about Huckabee+ Mar 04, 2012
• @Nonrelatedsense or Ron Paul, but they don’t shift their views as much. Huckabee would be acceptable to both wings of the GOP. $$ Mar 04, 2012