Tag Archives: volatility


Equity Markets Continue to Bleed. Why? German Stupidity, Volcker Rule and the Carry Trade Unwind

As usual European news leads the way with a ridiculous ’shoot in the foot’ decision coming out of Germany… Merkel will announce, on Wednesday, a financial transactions tax, and a ban on naked short selling on 10 of the “most-important” financial institutions in Germany. Ban also applies to CDS and Euro govt bonds. Will remain in place for an indefinite period of […]

The Fed Meeting Fallout, US$ Strength / Smaller than Expected Debt Limit Increase, Shadow Home Inventory on the Rise, State Budget Problems

The Fed chose not to change rates or comments during the Wednesday meeting. While we anticipated this outcome in our Monday post, the market reaction has been anything but expected. In months past the type of Fed commentary exhibited this week led to a lower US$ and inverse strength in commodity and equity markets. This week the results have been […]

Thomas J. Powell – Reasonable Regulation: That’s Allstate’s Stand

Reasonable Regulation: That’s Allstate’s Stand             Many companies involved in financial services cower when an official of any stature mentions the threat of national regulation, but Allstate has decided to embrace it. Since late April, Allstate has been pushing an advertising campaign that is rooted in support for creating a national regulation agency for all players in the financial industry, […]