Analysis

  • January 29, 2015

Two developments in the last week have shaken up European markets. One was the announcement by the European Central Bank that it will buy $68 billion monthly of bonds until September 2016. The other was leftist Alexis Tsipris’ Syriza party’s victory in the Greek elections.Together, they raise the risks of… Read More

  • January 14, 2015

Oil prices have halved in the last six months, and the media are filled with stories of the benefits this is bringing the U.S. economy. Yet when looked at closely, the U.S. economy is only marginally a winner from this move. The real winner, because it produces little of its… Read More

  • December 19, 2014

Shinzo Abe’s victory in Japan’s election Sunday cements his policies in place and ensures political stability. In the short-term, Japan’s market should do well, although the yen will likely be weak.U.S. income investors should take advantage of this, but in the longer-term, perhaps two years out, trouble looms.Abe’s policies have… Read More

  • October 23, 2014

Oil appears to have settled around $80 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate crude, close to $20 below its 2013 and 2012 averages of $98 in each year. If this is to become a long-term level, then the lower oil prices will work through the global economy, producing… Read More