Have you heard the latest explanation for how President Bush contrived to lower gasoline prices in time for the election?
Amaranth hedge fund losses
How in the world did hedge fund Amaranth Advisors manage to lose $6 billion in September on natural gas trading?
Seasonals in new home sales
New home sales could be worse. But don’t overlook the seasonals and the fundamentals.
Further reflections on productivity and compensation trends
Another way to look at the relationship between productivity and real compensation.
Environmental totalitarianism
What do Russia and California have in common?
Two Pictures and Prospects for the Dollar
The dollar weakens. Why? For how long? Against Whom?
Watching housing slide
The Census Bureau
yesterday released August data for housing permits and new housing starts, both of which confirm that we are in the midst of a significant housing downturn.
Current Account Release for 2006q2
According to the BEA current account release (discussed by Bloomberg here) for the second quarter, net asset-based income on a Balance of Payments basis has been negative for the past three quarters.
Productivity and Compensation
A close-up picture
Steady as she goes
Some analysts, convinced a catastrophe is looming, are starting to jump at shadows. But this week’s numbers do not give me much cause for alarm.