70 Words
While hoping for a change of regime in Iran that forswears nuclear weapons is a lovely idea, it’s not policy. Rather, for diplomacy to work with a recalcitrant partner such as Iran, you need a continuous coercive element. As such,…
Read MoreTwo caveats from last Friday’s decent labor report. First, rising temp employment, formerly a leading indicator of full-time employment, is no longer. Since 4/10, the number of temp workers is up 58%, while overall employment growth is up 7.8%. Second,…
Read MoreThe Friday File: The most popular condiment in the US is mayonnaise, and by a wide margin. Last year mayo sales totaled $2 billion. Ketchup was a distant second at $800 million, followed by soy sauce at $725 million, barbecue…
Read MoreThe proposed budget released by the White House shows the deficit declining to 1.9% of GDP in 2018 and a microscopic 1.6% of GDP by 2024. Don’t believe it. The budget fails to tackle entitlement reform, the Republicans will never…
Read MoreWith growth in China slowing substantially and Chinese leaders still slavishly forecasting 7.5% GDP growth, expect Beijing to step in and support the economy with aggressive fiscal stimulus. The problem, increased reliance on debt and infrastructure spending along with the…
Read MoreIn another nod to technological innovation, several of the largest US banks will soon allow their large depositors to print money directly on their home printers. While the Fed has remained mum on the subject, the U.S. Secret Service, the…
Read MoreIn an attempt to prevent deflation, the European Central Bank (ECB) is actively considering charging banks, rather than paying banks interest on deposits. Doing this, it’s hoped, will encourage bank lending to private firms, which will lower their borrowing costs.…
Read MoreThe percentage of workers who voluntarily quit their jobs fell to 1.7% of employed workers in January from 1.8% in December, the first decline since 3/13. The number is way up from a low of 1.3% in late 2009 but…
Read MoreWhile many fret that existing housing sales have recently been slumping, the angst is misplaced. Since early last year sales have declined 7%, but distressed sales as a percentage of all sales have fallen from 25% of sales to just…
Read More