Global Market Commentary, Analysis and Investments
Today, we revisit a recurring theme: the assault on enterprise. It was the subject of our symposium in Vancouver in July. In this episode, we look at a particularly vulnerable segment of the economy: small businesses.
To help set the stage, let’s look at some important stats from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Small businesses:
[Read more...]With the market volatility and poor economic data ruling the market in the last few months, it’s no surprise that many investors see this part of 2010 as a time to flee the scariness of stocks for more stable assets. But they’re dead wrong…
Many industries are starting to become oversold once again, and opportunities abound for value investors in 2010. One of those industries is wireless communications…
[Read more...]Yesterday was a good day for stock market investors. Prices went up. The Dow rose 254 points, leaving us uncertain about its near-term intentions.
Of course, we’re always uncertain. But sometimes we’re more uncertain than others. What seems certain to us is that stocks are a bad bet.
[Read more...]By now, everyone and their mother knows the US stock market is a losing bet. The big indexes went nowhere over the last decade, absolutely plummeted in the last few years and now even the 2009 snap-back rally is officially kaput.
Thus, a logical question: Is it time to start buying stocks again?
[Read more...]There is lots of ugly economic news out there, but one key bright spot is world trade. In the US, one particular industry will enjoy windfall profits from exports this year. That industry is agriculture.
In 2009, world trade took a big hit in the wake of the financial crisis. Global exports fell 12%. Governments tried to protect their home teams and a wave of tariffs and other protectionist measures followed. This was what happened during the Great Depression, too, as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act raised tariffs on more than 900 goods.
[Read more...]Today’s report begins with an abominable horror: The world’s most valuable commodity has soared to its highest price in a generation.
How Japan and Switzerland Could Reshape the Currency Markets
Japan and Switzerland are facing the same threat to their economic health. And so far, every step they’ve taken to make things better has only made them worse.
But there is one way they could conceivably get out of this mess. And even though no one is talking about it yet, a mere hint of the possibility could send China-sized shockwaves throughout the global currency markets.
[Read more...]