Some people remain intent on believing that falling oil prices are the result of a conspiracy to keep Republicans in power. No sooner had I addressed the theory that Goldman Sachs had somehow initiated the huge price swings currently underway than a new theory pops up to replace it.
Twin deficits redux
On the current account deficit, “We have met the enemy, and he is us”.
And they all lived happily ever after
Can high-flying stocks be reconciled with an inverted yield curve? David Rosenberg of Merrill Lynch, via Felix Salmon and Business Week thinks “it is highly doubtful that both asset classes can be getting the story right.” But here’s one scenario under which both markets in fact might be telling the same story.
It’s not such a small world after all (and it’s getting bigger)
Taking a break from recession talk, I discuss some aspects of the progress of economic integration highlighted in a paper by Bergin and Glick presented at a SCCIE–JIMF conference on Financial and Commercial Integrations.
Pending home sales up
The National Association of Realtors released favorable news today on pending home sales.
The great gasoline price conspiracy
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?