Guest post by Llewellyn King for OilPrice.com
Oil Price Could Doom Obama
Like death and taxes, the price of oil is always with us. And like taxes, it may be President Barack Obama's worst nightmare at election time next year.
Among forecasters, there is a sharp division between those who see an inexorable rise in the price of oil and those who believe it will stabilize about where it is now.
The hawks see gasoline streaking ahead to $4-a-gallon this year and $5-a-gallon in 2012.
Others say demand will collapse and it won't go that high. The Energy Information Administration is very conservative in its forecasts and it gives very high prices only a 10-percent chance of coming about.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
James Simons' Speech at MIT (Renaissance Technologies, Medallion Fund Founder)
Tom DeMark On CNBC Predicting a Market Top, 11% Decline (1/26/2011)
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| Source: CNBC |
According to DeMark's chart of the S&P 500, there was a 13, or "major turning point", at the 2009 low and now when using the daily and weekly time series. The snapshot is of the "combo weekly". Watch the video for more charts. According to Bloomberg, Steven A. Cohen (SAC Capital) and John Burbank (Passport Capital) are partners in Demark's firm, Market Studies. Watch the full interview after the jump.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Keep Eye On Crude Oil Futures If Unrest Spreads to Middle East (Dennis Gartman on CNBC)
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| CLH1 March 2011 Crude Oil Future |
Israel and Saudi Arabia CDS Spike On Friday, Keep Eye On Contagion Risk
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| via Bloomberg |
I also see that Saudi Arabia 5Y CDS jumped 48% on Friday to 109.83 basis points (CMA Datavision) and Egypt CDS spiked as well (Zerohedge). You can't trade CDS on Scottrade but they are interesting to watch.
Watch Live Coverage Of Egypt Anti-Government Protests Online
If for some reason the live stream doesn't work watch it at LiveStation.com http://www.livestation.com/channels/3-al-jazeera-english-english.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
$SPY, $FXI, $VIX Option Activity, SPY Chart Analysis (S&P, China and Volatility Futures)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Marc Faber Breaks Down U.S./Emerging Markets, Gold, Treasuries and Economy (1/25/2011)
Marc Faber (Gloom Boom Doom Report) on BloombergTV 1/25/2011 (video after the quotes).
U.S./Emerging Markets: "And now we have a change, where I think for a while the U.S. may outperform, may not go up, but it may go down less than emerging markets."
"In the longer run, for sure, U.S. Treasuries and most Government bonds are a suicidal investment. But there's a shorter term time frame. And I think for the next 3 months or so we have a situation where stock markets have become way overbought and emerging markets in January, most of them failed to make a new high above the November/December highs. And that is a negative sign."
U.S./Emerging Markets: "And now we have a change, where I think for a while the U.S. may outperform, may not go up, but it may go down less than emerging markets."
"In the longer run, for sure, U.S. Treasuries and most Government bonds are a suicidal investment. But there's a shorter term time frame. And I think for the next 3 months or so we have a situation where stock markets have become way overbought and emerging markets in January, most of them failed to make a new high above the November/December highs. And that is a negative sign."
Chart Updates: UUP/SPY Ratio and UUP/SPY Versus US Dollar Index
Thursday, January 27, 2011
David Stockman and Moody's Warn About U.S. Budget Deficit, National Debt
"One of these the days the global bond market or currency market is going to have a huge upset, a Greek moment, and then it will be too late because of the massive scale of what we're doing."
"It's not a matter of defaulting, it's a matter of what we have to pay to the global bond market in order to carry and add to this huge debt we already have."
Also from Reuters today: "Moody's Investors Service warned on Thursday that lack of U.S. government action on the budget deficit increases the likelihood of a negative outlook on the country's top AAA credit rating".
Borders To Get $550 Million Refinancing From GE Under Certain Conditions (BGP)
"ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) today announced that it has received a commitment from GE Capital, Restructuring Finance to provide a $550 million senior secured credit facility that, upon completion, including the obtaining of $125 million of additional junior debt financing via the conversion of vendor payables and/or external sources, will provide Borders with the financial flexibility and an appropriate level of liquidity to move forward with its strategy to reposition its business model and the Borders brand. GE Capital provided its financing commitment following a comprehensive review of the company's strategic plan to restructure its business model by focusing on core business areas in order to improve profitability and cash flow".
Conditions.
"The new $550 million senior secured credit facility, once funded, will mature in 2014, and will replace the company's existing revolving senior credit and term loan facilities.
The commitment provided by GE Capital is subject to certain conditions, including:
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Fed: Progress Toward Objectives Has Been Disappointingly Slow
FOMC Statement 1/26/2010: "Although the Committee anticipates a gradual return to higher levels of resource utilization in a context of price stability, progress toward its objectives has been disappointingly slow."
Release Date: January 26, 2011
For immediate release
Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in December confirms that the economic recovery is continuing, though at a rate that has been insufficient to bring about a significant improvement in labor market conditions. Growth in household spending picked up late last year, but remains constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit. Business spending on equipment and software is rising, while investment in nonresidential structures is still weak. Employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls. The housing sector continues to be depressed. Although commodity prices have risen, longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable, and measures of underlying inflation have been trending downward.
Tepper: Dean Foods Undervalued, Cautious and Optimistic on Stocks (DF, SPY)
David Tepper, who runs the $15 billion hedge fund Appaloosa Management, was back on CNBC on January 21. On September 24, 2010, Tepper correctly predicted the stock market would rise on better economic data or Fed support (QE2). Both ended up happening.
Tepper is still optimistic on the U.S. market through 2012 based on earnings estimates. If 2012 S&P EPS hits 100+ with a 14-15 multiple, that's 1,400+ on the S&P. We are at 1,300. However, Tepper thinks there are downside risks:
Tepper is still optimistic on the U.S. market through 2012 based on earnings estimates. If 2012 S&P EPS hits 100+ with a 14-15 multiple, that's 1,400+ on the S&P. We are at 1,300. However, Tepper thinks there are downside risks:
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Read: Ambac vs. EMC, St. Joe Squeeze?, John Paulson Makes Money, Cotton, Domino's, Post Office Closures, Market Pullback
Headlines for 1/25/2011
JP Morgan Sold Investors MBS Covered By "SACK OF SHIT" Loans... Then Shorted All Those With Exposure: A Goldman-AIG Redux (Zero Hedge) *Lawsuit: Ambac vs. EMC Mortgage (formerly part of Bear Stearns who's now part of JP Morgan)
E-mails Suggest Bear Stearns Cheated Clients Out of Billions (The Atlantic)
Bank of America Sued for Countrywide's Mortgage Sins, Again (Daily Finance) *New York Insurance Company, TIAA-CREF vs. Countrywide (now part of Bank of America)
No Audit At All: Deloitte and Bear Stearn (Francine McKenna at Forbes.com)
Cotton Is Pulled to Another High $1.6789 (WSJ)
Paulson Posts More Than $1 Billion in Citi Gains (Financial Times)
Interesting posts regarding a potential St. Joe short squeeze. In the end, does JOE need to take impairment charges or not? Einhorn thinks the company is worth $7-10 per share!.
Fairholme, Brookfield, GGP and St. Joe’s (Valueplays.net)
St. Joe ($JOE) May Be Ripe for a Short Squeeze in 2011 (Morningstar)
SAC acquired a 5.3 percent stake in Domino’s Pizza ($DPZ) (New York Times/DealBook)
JP Morgan Sold Investors MBS Covered By "SACK OF SHIT" Loans... Then Shorted All Those With Exposure: A Goldman-AIG Redux (Zero Hedge) *Lawsuit: Ambac vs. EMC Mortgage (formerly part of Bear Stearns who's now part of JP Morgan)
E-mails Suggest Bear Stearns Cheated Clients Out of Billions (The Atlantic)
Bank of America Sued for Countrywide's Mortgage Sins, Again (Daily Finance) *New York Insurance Company, TIAA-CREF vs. Countrywide (now part of Bank of America)
No Audit At All: Deloitte and Bear Stearn (Francine McKenna at Forbes.com)
Cotton Is Pulled to Another High $1.6789 (WSJ)
Paulson Posts More Than $1 Billion in Citi Gains (Financial Times)
Interesting posts regarding a potential St. Joe short squeeze. In the end, does JOE need to take impairment charges or not? Einhorn thinks the company is worth $7-10 per share!.
Fairholme, Brookfield, GGP and St. Joe’s (Valueplays.net)
St. Joe ($JOE) May Be Ripe for a Short Squeeze in 2011 (Morningstar)
SAC acquired a 5.3 percent stake in Domino’s Pizza ($DPZ) (New York Times/DealBook)
Monday, January 24, 2011
S&P, Treasury Yields Rising In Tandem, 30-Year Yield Testing Descending Channel Resistance
The second chart is of the 30-Year Treasury Yield Index (TYX). It is bumping up against resistance in a descending channel that goes back 25 years. Watch the Yield/SPX relationship going forward. I also threw up a snapshot of the Fed's Treasury buying schedule from January 24 to February 10, 2011. Good day.
Robots Are The Next Tech Revolution (See Videos)
Will Robots powered by Google (or Qwiki?) be the next technological revolution? Look at these humanoid robots. These robots are future household and company assistants. Videos below:
1. HRP-4" Humanoid Platform for Robotics
2. Honda ASIMO
3. ACTROID-F in AIST Open Lab 2010 02
4. Telenoid Robot
5. DIRK the homeless roboter - ARS Electronica 2010 - repairTV
1. HRP-4" Humanoid Platform for Robotics
2. Honda ASIMO
3. ACTROID-F in AIST Open Lab 2010 02
4. Telenoid Robot
5. DIRK the homeless roboter - ARS Electronica 2010 - repairTV
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Qwiki TechCrunch Disrupt Presentation, Founder Interviews, Looks Like The Future
"Qwiki's goal is to forever improve the way people experience information.
"Whether you’re planning a vacation on the web, evaluating restaurants on your phone, or helping with homework in front of the family AppleTV, Qwiki is working to deliver information in a format that's quintessentially human – via storytelling instead of search."
"We've all seen science fiction films (or read novels) where computers are able to collect data on behalf of humans, and present the most important details. This is our goal at Qwiki – to advance information technology to the point it acts human."
They have samples out. Here are popular topics, natural wonders, artists and cities (check out a Black hole). This looks like the future, in a way. I like it. One day robonauts powered by Qwiki and Google will be personal assistants imo.
QE2 Explained, Fed Buys Treasuries From Banks (Marketplace Video)
To prep ya'll for the potential of QE3. Paddy Hirsch, Senior Editor at Marketplace, explained how QE2 (quantitative easing part 2) works in the video below (from 10/07/2010). In summary: The Fed buys Treasury bonds from the banks which, in turn, gives banks a fresh wad of cash reserves to lend. As money gets lent out, it's supposed to stimulate the economy. I'd like to see a video explaining how QE2 makes stocks rally. I'm posting a chart comparing Treasury yields and the S&P next.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Jon Stewart Segment On States And Municipalities (Daily Show Video)
Jimmy John's Not Happy About Illinois Tax Hike, Fitch Gives "Stable" Rating To Illinois
Tax hike lifts state’s credit rating (Crain's Chicago)
Jimmy John's founder contemplates moving headquarters out of Illinois (The News Gazette)
Listen to an interview with Jimmy John's founder, Jimmy John Liautaud, on WDWS-AM (1/19/2011). He is not happy at all.
Beelman Truck Co. owner on tax hike: Illinois is 'one of the worst states to do business' (BND.com)
Amazon, CouponCabin Threaten As Illinois Moves To Tax Internet Sales (Forbes)
Other reading: O'Hare bond rating depends on relationship with airlines, S&P warns (Crain's Chicago)
Photo credit: Wikimedia
Friday, January 21, 2011
Is State Bankruptcy Law In Play?
Read this New York Times article by Mary Williams Walsh: Path Is Sought for States to Escape Debt Burdens (1/20/2011).
Bankruptcy code won't cure what ails U.S. states (WestLaw News & Insight)
On the GOP, bankrupt states and government unions by James Pethokoukis (Reuters)
Misunderstandings Regarding State Debt, Pensions, And Retiree Health Costs Create Unnecessary Alarm (The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
Newt's remarks at the Institute for Policy Innovation (Newt.org)
Gingrich seeks bill allowing state bankruptcy to avert bailouts (Pensions and Investments)
A Bankruptcy Law—Not Bailouts—for the States by Law Professor David Skeel (Wall Street Journal)
Default and bankruptcy in the municipal bond market (part one) (Self Evident)
Default and bankruptcy in the municipal bond market (part two) (Self Evident)
"Policy makers are working behind the scenes to come up with a way to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts, including the pensions they have promised to retired public workers.Related:
Unlike cities, the states are barred from seeking protection in federal bankruptcy court. Any effort to change that status would have to clear high constitutional hurdles because the states are considered sovereign." (read more at NYT)
Bankruptcy code won't cure what ails U.S. states (WestLaw News & Insight)
On the GOP, bankrupt states and government unions by James Pethokoukis (Reuters)
Misunderstandings Regarding State Debt, Pensions, And Retiree Health Costs Create Unnecessary Alarm (The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
Newt's remarks at the Institute for Policy Innovation (Newt.org)
Gingrich seeks bill allowing state bankruptcy to avert bailouts (Pensions and Investments)
A Bankruptcy Law—Not Bailouts—for the States by Law Professor David Skeel (Wall Street Journal)
Default and bankruptcy in the municipal bond market (part one) (Self Evident)
Default and bankruptcy in the municipal bond market (part two) (Self Evident)
Google Launching Groupon Competitor, Larry Page Now CEO (GOOG)
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| Google Offers via Mashable |
1) They beat earnings estimates
Google Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2010 Results and Management Changes (Google Press Release)
Instant view: Google profit beats, Page becomes CEO (Reuters)
2) Co-founder Larry Page replaced Eric Schmidt as CEO (remains Executive Chairman)
Schmidt Named Executive Chairman of Google as Co-Founder Page Becomes CEO (Bloomberg)
Power Shifts Atop Google (WSJ)
Google’s Management Shift: What Now for M.&A.? (DealBook)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Presidents Obama, Hu Meet with Business Leaders (Video/Text)
Attn: Business Leaders: "President Obama and President Hu of China meet with American and Chinese business leaders at a roundtable meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building". Video and transcript after the jump. Enjoy.
President Hu and President Obama Joint Press Conference Video/Text (1/19/2011)
President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China held a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House on 1/19/2011 (from Whitehouse.gov). Video and transcript after the jump.
Stocks Near Top Says Market Timer Tom DeMark, Sees 11% Fall
Tom DeMark, creator of the DeMark Indicators at Market Studies, told Bloomberg on 1/18 that stocks are near a top. He currently serves as "special advisor" to Steven Cohen who runs the $12 billion hedge fund SAC Capital. The Bloomberg article said Cohen and John Burbank of Passport Capital were partners in the firm. Protect yourself! From Bloomberg:
Benzinga interviewed Tom DeMark on 5/20/2010.
U.S. stocks are within a week of “a significant market top” that is likely to precede a drop of at least 11 percent in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, said Tom DeMark, creator of a set of market-timing indicators.
DeMark’s Sequential and Combo indicators, designed to identify market tops and bottoms, are giving a sell signal on the main U.S. stock benchmark for the first time since mid-2007, he said in a telephone interview." [read more at Bloomberg]
Benzinga interviewed Tom DeMark on 5/20/2010.
Niall Ferguson at Aspen Ideas Festival (ForaTV Video)
Harvard's Niall Ferguson was at the Apsen Ideas Festival on July 8, 2010 speaking at a lecture (with Mort Zuckerman) titled: The Financial Crisis: Will It Lead to America's Decline? The full video can be found at Fora.tv (hat tip zero hedge). In summary, Niall thinks the catalyst for America's decline could be the credibility of fiscal policy. That makes sense. He said to watch when the cost of servicing the debt exceeds the defense budget, which could occur in the next 5 years. On a positive note, Niall said there's a way out for the United States: 1) technological innovation and 2) entrepreneurship. Niall even brought up the possibility of a new Dark Age if the U.S. declines: "When the Roman Empire in the west collapsed, civilization collapsed." "I'm talking about how your daily life is affected. What happens when the aqueducts stop working, metaphorically. What happens when the roads are no longer maintained? That's what happened in the post-Roman world and I don't think the post-American world would be so very different." Wow, so municipalities shut down during the dark ages. Would there still be Facebook?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Rising Energy Prices Could Cause 2008 Redux (Margin and Credit Squeeze)
Oil analyst, Gregor Macdonald, was featured on Max Keiser's show on 1/14/2011 and it's a must see. He mentioned how lower oil production and higher energy prices could affect the credit markets, global stock markets, U.S. economy and oil revenues. Who remembers 2008? Here's a quote by Gregor from video #2 (embedded below):
"As energy prices rise, it crowds out all consumption outside of energy and food purchases. And that will soon enough make global stock markets choke" (due to "margin compression from U.S. corporate profits" and the "declining ability for OECD consumers to increase consumption outside of energy and food")
Commercial Property Price Index Still At 2002 Levels (Moodys/REAL)
Commercial real estate prices are still around 2002 levels and in a sideways channel (3-months delayed). The Moodys/REAL Commercial Property Price Index (CPPI) rose 1.3% to 1.11 in October 2010 (month/month), but it's still down 42% from the 2007 peak (1.91). The index started at 1.0 in year 2000. Find apartment, industrial, office and retail property price indexes at web.mit.edu. Apartments have outperformed all segments. MIT also has a "Transactions-Based Index (TBI)" that uses data from NCREIF.
CPPI All Properties/National
CPPI Apartments/National
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Carl Icahn Comedy On Drexel, Texaco/Getty, US Steel In 1980s (Videos)
THE BIGGEST BOSSES 47. DAVID RODERICK USX A CEO AS TOUGH AS STEEL (Fortune Magazine, 1987)
"this was followed by a takeover proposal from raider Carl Icahn. By most accounts the company won the strike. Roderick, 63, punctured Icahn's balloon by piling up $3 billion in debt due if the company changed hands. He used the money to restructure the company yet again"....
Houston Lawyer Joe Jamail Sued the $10.5-Billion Pants Off Texaco and Stands to Pocket a Record Fee (People Magazine, 1986)
1) Carl Icahn wants to own US Steel
2) Carl Icahn settles the Texaco/Getty Oil lawsuit (hat tip Livermore Report)
US National Debt Above $14 Trillion, Debt Ceiling In Play Soon ($14.29T)
Congress Has Time: Gross federal debt has reached $14 trillion. Ongoing deficit spending (projected at $1.4 trillion for 2011) means the ceiling of $14.29 trillion will initially be reached around mid-March. Treasury’s traditional financial toolbox and revenue surges in April and June should delay the final moment of reckoning to mid-May and possibly as late as July.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Reads: David Rosenberg Likes Muni Bonds, Assange Gets Swiss Bank Info, Hu Visiting U.S.
Articles/Videos 1/17/2010
Apple Media Advisory (Steve Jobs Press Release) - BusinessWire
Barron's 2011 Roundtable - Barron's
David Rosenberg Says This Is A Fantastic Time To Buy Beaten Down Muni Bonds - Business Insider
Argentina farmers in grain export quota strike - BBC
Albert Edwards: "I Have Been Wrong – I’ve Been Too Bullish" (SocGen) - Zero Hedge
The Financial Crisis: Will It Lead to America's Decline? (Niall Ferguson, Mort Zuckerman at Aspen Institute) - Fora.tv (ht Zero Hedge)
Apple Media Advisory (Steve Jobs Press Release) - BusinessWire
Barron's 2011 Roundtable - Barron's
David Rosenberg Says This Is A Fantastic Time To Buy Beaten Down Muni Bonds - Business Insider
Argentina farmers in grain export quota strike - BBC
Albert Edwards: "I Have Been Wrong – I’ve Been Too Bullish" (SocGen) - Zero Hedge
The Financial Crisis: Will It Lead to America's Decline? (Niall Ferguson, Mort Zuckerman at Aspen Institute) - Fora.tv (ht Zero Hedge)
Apple In Germany Falls 8% On Steve Jobs' Medical Leave (APC.F Chart)
Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, is taking a medical leave and Time Cook (COO) is filling in. Here is the media release from Steve Jobs. Apple's stock on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange fell 7.96%. U.S. markets were closed for Martin Luther king Day. Click the chart for a larger view (APC.F, Apple Inc. - Yahoo Finance)."Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs took a leave of absence as his health deteriorates from battling a rare form of cancer and the effects of a liver transplant he had almost two years ago, according to a person with knowledge of the situation." (read more at Bloomberg.com)
Nasdaq 100 E-Mini March 2011 Future -1.13%, 2293.75
S&P 500 E-mini March 2011 Future -0.35%, 1285.25
*UPDATE: ES (S&P) +0.29% and NQ +0.36% at 3:30am eastern. Carry on as usual? We'll see what happens tomorrow. AAPL is 19.74% of the Nasdaq 100 ETF, QQQQ.
Gary Shilling: Commodities Clearly In A Bubble
Gary Shilling thinks "commodities are clearly in a bubble" and "stocks aren't there yet, but we could be if things keep up at this rate". He also talked about Inventory/Sales and the savings rate, which he thinks could hit double digits. At what level is bubble territory on the S&P? SPX EPS 107x12 = 1,284, 107x15 = 1,605 or EPS 107 x 18 = 1,926? It is currently trading at 1,293. See the interview with Tom Keen after the jump.
Tunisia, Algeria Protests Due To Unemployment, Rising Food Prices and Politics (Videos)
If you've been following the news recently, Tunisia's ex-President, Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali, fled the country as violent protests hit Tunis, the nation's capital. Rising food prices, high unemployment and political corruption are to blame, according to the articles below and Al Jazeera English / Euronews videos. Tunisia has a 14.7% unemployment rate and 23% for higher education graduates. Algeria also saw protests and a protestor mentioned rising sugar prices.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Global Agriculture: Adecoagro Files $400 Million IPO (AGRO)
"An agriculture company backed by the billionaire George Soros on Thursday filed to go public in an offering of more than $400 million.
The company, Adecoagro, based in Luxembourg, but with extensive farm holdings in South America, is selling 21.4 million common shares"..... (Read More)
From their website: "Adecoagro is currently one of the leading companies in the production of food and renewable energy in South America. Present in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, our main activities include the production of grains, rice, oilseed, dairy products, sugar, ethanol, coffee, cotton and cattle meat."
Photo from website.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vs. Teachers (Town Hall Videos, CNBC)
"Governor Chris Christie responds to a teacher's question during a town hall meeting at Raritan Township. Discusses the teachers' union and the need for shared sacrifice. September 8, 2010.
MUB Breaks Dec 2010 Low, SEC Looking At Muni Bond Disclosures
According to Charlie Gasparino on Fox Business, the SEC is looking at muni bond disclosures.
"The Securities and Exchange Commission is ramping up its efforts to monitor disclosure problems in the municipal bond market, worried that cities issuing municipal debt are failing to properly disclose budget problems and other issues, thus affecting the price of bonds purchased by small investors, Fox Business has learned." [read more]
Friday, January 14, 2011
BSE Sensex and CSI 300 Down 1.6%, PBoC Raises Bank Reserve Ratio
Jim Rogers and Marc Faber win again. They were short emerging markets.
China Raises Bank Reserve Ratios to Fight Inflation (Bloomberg)
China raises bank reserves again (Reuters)
INSTANT VIEW - China raises bank reserve requirements (Reuters India)
BSE Sensex below 19,000 level, at 4-month closing low (Reuters India)
Sell-off Continues; India's Sensex Down 1.7% (RTT News)
China Raises Bank Reserve Ratios to Fight Inflation (Bloomberg)
China raises bank reserves again (Reuters)
INSTANT VIEW - China raises bank reserve requirements (Reuters India)
BSE Sensex below 19,000 level, at 4-month closing low (Reuters India)
Sell-off Continues; India's Sensex Down 1.7% (RTT News)
Meredith Whitney On Municipal Bankruptcies (Ch. 9), State Arbitrage (CNBC Video)
She also mentioned state flight risk (state arbitrage), where companies or people leave for more favorable business conditions. Imagine if people left a city in mass exodus. What would happen to the tax base? Would defectors be treated like short sellers? Detroit is going through a similar event, but it was years in the making. They are shrinking the city, shutting down services and offering incentives for people to move. FYI: Illinois increased business taxes by 46 percent and the individual income tax by 66% (Fox Video). Watch the CNBC interview after the jump.
Jamie Dimon Interviewed On CNBC About JPM's Dividend (1/13/2010)
More on the new golden age of banking. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan (JPM), is hopeful that JP Morgan will be able to "reinstate a dividend" in the second quarter.
Dick Bove: We're In A Golden Age Of Banking, C, BAC, STT, NTRS, BK Trading Below Cash Per Share
"There's so much cash in some of the banks in the United States that they're actually selling at below their cash value per share. For example, Citigroup, Bank of America, Bank of New York, State Street, Northern Trust. They all sell at below their cash per share. What that means is, these companies now have a tremendous amount of liquidity which ultimately can be put to use to generate further earnings growth. And I think for the next 2-3 years what you will see, is that banks will actually increase their earnings at about a 20% rate per year, which will be far faster than what you're going to see from the industrial averages."
"Banks have more capital as a percentage of assets since anytime since 1934"
More bullet points:
- 28% of bank assets are in cash
- Non-performing loans are down
- Net charge-offs are down
- Delinquencies are down
- Reaching point of being over reserved
Watch the CNBC interview after the jump, and the bankers vs. consultants rap battle in honor of the new golden age of finance.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Who, How and Why: $140 Oil and $5 Gas
Guest post by OilPrice.com
Who, How and Why: $140 Oil and $5 Gas
According to a loosely-organized apocalyptic Christian movement, May 21, 2011 will be the "end of days." On or about that same date, the price of oil in the United States will begin to climb to $4 a gallon, according to two savants of the oil industry.
The former is highly unlikely but the latter is very probable.
The escalation in the price of oil is predicted by the legendary oil man T. Boone Pickens, known for his financial acuity as well as his oil expertise, and John Hofmeister, who retired as president of Shell Oil Company, to sound the alarm about the rate of U.S. consumption of oil.
In an interview with a trade publication, Hofmeister predicted that oil would rise to $4 a gallon this year and to $5 a gallon in the election year 2012. Separately, Pickens-who has been leaning on Congress to enact an energy policy that would switch large trucks and other commercial vehicles from imported oil to domestic natural gas-predicts that oil currently selling for just over $90 a barrel will go to $120 a barrel, with a concomitant price per gallon of $4 or more.
Who, How and Why: $140 Oil and $5 Gas
According to a loosely-organized apocalyptic Christian movement, May 21, 2011 will be the "end of days." On or about that same date, the price of oil in the United States will begin to climb to $4 a gallon, according to two savants of the oil industry.
The former is highly unlikely but the latter is very probable.
The escalation in the price of oil is predicted by the legendary oil man T. Boone Pickens, known for his financial acuity as well as his oil expertise, and John Hofmeister, who retired as president of Shell Oil Company, to sound the alarm about the rate of U.S. consumption of oil.
In an interview with a trade publication, Hofmeister predicted that oil would rise to $4 a gallon this year and to $5 a gallon in the election year 2012. Separately, Pickens-who has been leaning on Congress to enact an energy policy that would switch large trucks and other commercial vehicles from imported oil to domestic natural gas-predicts that oil currently selling for just over $90 a barrel will go to $120 a barrel, with a concomitant price per gallon of $4 or more.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
SEC Conducts Inquiry Into St. Joe's Land Impairment Practices (JOE)
The SEC is checking out St. Joe's impairment practices. David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital, who is currently short St. Joe shares, believes $JOE needs to recognize significant impairment charges on their land. He thinks the stocks is worth $7-10 per share and it's trading at $24.60. Read: Einhorn's Presentation On Why He's Short St. Joe Vs. Bruce Berkowitz Who Owns 30%. This is getting interesting. Hat tip Going Concern.
St. Joe Reports Informal SEC Inquiry of Accounting for Land Impairments (Bloomberg 1/10/2011)
The St. Joe Company Dropping On SEC Concerns (JOE) (Benzinga)
"The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has notified The St. Joe Company ("St. Joe") that it is conducting an informal inquiry into St. Joe’s policies and practices concerning impairment of investment in real estate assets. St. Joe intends to cooperate fully with the SEC in connection with the informal inquiry. The notification from the SEC does not indicate any allegations of wrongdoing, and an inquiry is not an indication of any violations of federal securities laws." (SEC.gov Form 8K)
St. Joe Reports Informal SEC Inquiry of Accounting for Land Impairments (Bloomberg 1/10/2011)
The St. Joe Company Dropping On SEC Concerns (JOE) (Benzinga)
Financial Links - Jeff Gundlach, David Einhorn, Illinois, EUR/USD, Spain, China (1/12/2010)
Jeff Gundlach’s Doubleline Presentation: Must Read "Bonds, 2011 Bonds", 1/1/2011 (Stone Street Advisors)
An Exclusive Interview With Green Light Capital's David Einhorn (Motley Fool)
David Einhorn - Federal Reserve’s Policies are Quite Dangerous (KingWorldNews)
China’s Chongqing Plans Tax for Used Homes, CCTV Says (Bloomberg) h/t Nuibi
Illinois Lawmakers pass income tax hike; Rep. collapses on Senate floor (Chicago Sun Times)
"Illinois lawmakers OK 66% income-tax increase in budget crisis. The rate increase from 3% to 5% will generate about $6.8 billion a year. A taxpayer who used to owe $1,000 would owe $1,666 instead." (AP / LA Times)
JP Morgan chief investment officer says EUR to drop to USD 1.20 by end-Aug - (hat tip Ran Squawk/Zero Hedge)
Euro May Fail if Spanish Economy Collapses, Nobel Winner Pissarides Says (Bloomberg)
Japan May Buy More Euro Bonds to Help Region, Officials Say (Bloomberg)
Spanish Bank Debt Costs Spur Doubt on Ability to Sustain Profit (BusinessWeek)
German Economy Grew at Fastest Pace in Two Decades in 2010 (Bloomberg)
Portugal Borrowing Costs Fall at Auction as Bailout Speculation Diminishes (Bloomberg)
St. Joe’s ($JOE) Accounting for Real Estate Impairment to Get the ‘Informal’ SEC Inquiry Treatment (Going Concern)
JGB CDSs are rising. See quotes and charts: JGB CDS USD SR 5Y and JGB CDS USD SR 10Y (h/t dutch book). *JGB CDS = Japanese Government Bond Credit Default Swaps
An Exclusive Interview With Green Light Capital's David Einhorn (Motley Fool)
David Einhorn - Federal Reserve’s Policies are Quite Dangerous (KingWorldNews)
China’s Chongqing Plans Tax for Used Homes, CCTV Says (Bloomberg) h/t Nuibi
Illinois Lawmakers pass income tax hike; Rep. collapses on Senate floor (Chicago Sun Times)
"Illinois lawmakers OK 66% income-tax increase in budget crisis. The rate increase from 3% to 5% will generate about $6.8 billion a year. A taxpayer who used to owe $1,000 would owe $1,666 instead." (AP / LA Times)
JP Morgan chief investment officer says EUR to drop to USD 1.20 by end-Aug - (hat tip Ran Squawk/Zero Hedge)
Euro May Fail if Spanish Economy Collapses, Nobel Winner Pissarides Says (Bloomberg)
Japan May Buy More Euro Bonds to Help Region, Officials Say (Bloomberg)
Spanish Bank Debt Costs Spur Doubt on Ability to Sustain Profit (BusinessWeek)
German Economy Grew at Fastest Pace in Two Decades in 2010 (Bloomberg)
Portugal Borrowing Costs Fall at Auction as Bailout Speculation Diminishes (Bloomberg)
St. Joe’s ($JOE) Accounting for Real Estate Impairment to Get the ‘Informal’ SEC Inquiry Treatment (Going Concern)
JGB CDSs are rising. See quotes and charts: JGB CDS USD SR 5Y and JGB CDS USD SR 10Y (h/t dutch book). *JGB CDS = Japanese Government Bond Credit Default Swaps
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Federal Reserve Banks Earn $80.9 Billion In 2010, Up From $53B In 2009, Distributes $78.4 Billion To Treasury
The Federal Reserve Banks made $80.9 billion in 2010, up from $53.4 billion in 2009 (audited). "After providing for the costs of operations, payment of dividends, and the amount necessary to equate surplus with capital paid-in", they distribute profits to the U.S. Treasury (see chart below). Are Fed Bank shares on Second Market?
"Release Date: January 10, 2011
For immediate release
The Federal Reserve Board on Monday announced preliminary unaudited results indicating that the Reserve Banks provided for payments of approximately $78.4 billion of their estimated 2010 net income of $80.9 billion to the U.S. Treasury. This represents a $31.0 billion increase in payments to the U.S. Treasury over 2009 ($47.4 billion of $53.4 billion of net income). The increase was due primarily to increased interest income earned on securities holdings during 2010.
"Release Date: January 10, 2011For immediate release
The Federal Reserve Board on Monday announced preliminary unaudited results indicating that the Reserve Banks provided for payments of approximately $78.4 billion of their estimated 2010 net income of $80.9 billion to the U.S. Treasury. This represents a $31.0 billion increase in payments to the U.S. Treasury over 2009 ($47.4 billion of $53.4 billion of net income). The increase was due primarily to increased interest income earned on securities holdings during 2010.
Monday, January 10, 2011
EU Prepares to Approve €1 Trillion Master Energy Plan - Guest Post
Guest post by GIR Analysts for OilPrice.com
EU Prepares to Approve €1 Trillion Master Energy Plan
INCIDENT: Towards the end of last year, the European Commission presented its new energy strategy for the next decade, calling for investment of €1 trillion in the EU's energy network, among a series of other measures. Leading Eurocrats hope that an EU energy summit scheduled for next month in Budapest will endorse the proposals and give them some political traction.
SIGNIFICANCE: The new energy strategy is a set of normative proposals that depend upon the member-states, the private sector, and other EU organs such as the European Parliament (EP) for clarification and implementation.
EU Prepares to Approve €1 Trillion Master Energy Plan
INCIDENT: Towards the end of last year, the European Commission presented its new energy strategy for the next decade, calling for investment of €1 trillion in the EU's energy network, among a series of other measures. Leading Eurocrats hope that an EU energy summit scheduled for next month in Budapest will endorse the proposals and give them some political traction.
SIGNIFICANCE: The new energy strategy is a set of normative proposals that depend upon the member-states, the private sector, and other EU organs such as the European Parliament (EP) for clarification and implementation.
David Rosenberg Prefers US Dollar Over Euro, Bonds Not In Bubble (EUR/USD, UUP)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/markets/markets-blog/market-view-video/david-rosenberg-on-market-prospects/article1863551/
*Rosenberg is also bullish on Japan when using price valuation and interest rate comparables to the U.S. and Europe. Read more at Business Insider.
Dhaka Stock Exchange Index In Bangladesh Falls 20% In One Month, DGEN Chart And Protest Video
The DSE General Index (DGEN) lost 20% (8,918 to 7,135) from 12/5/2010 to 1/9/2011 and according to AP it is sparking protests."The government regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission, held an emergency meeting Monday with merchant bankers and institutional stockbrokers to decide what actions to take to save the market from further falls." (Source: AP via myway.com)
Here is the 6-month chart of DHAKA:IND courtesy of Bloomberg.com. More at Reuters: Bangladesh police, investors clash as stocks go into free fall. See people riot in the streets outside the Dhaka Stock Exchange courtesy of Russia Today.
Portugal CDS, 10 Year Government Bond Yield and Bank Watch (Charts)
Credit protection on Eurozone sovereign debt is rising and banks are under pressure. Portugal is hitting the wires hard this morning (see below). I provided snapshots of Portugal's 5Y CDS and 10-year Government bond yield with direct links to Bloomberg. Bailout coming? It looks like Portugal's 10-year yield is lower at 7.05% from 7.17% earlier. *Here's your answer: Portuguese bond spread tightens, ECB seen buying (h/t Toni).
Jim Rogers Is Long The US Dollar, Short Emerging Markets ETF (Short Term)
*Related: Marc Faber told CNBC TV18 India on 12/10/2010 that emerging Markets could fall by 20-30% (video)
$BGP February Call Option Activity, Watching Borders Group News
*More red flags up at Borders Analysts: Chapter 11 an option; company needs a strategy, too (Crains Detroit)
*Borders Group bankruptcy filing may be inevitable, University of Michigan expert says (AnnArbor.com)
BGP closed at 0.92 on Friday and $1 call options were active from February to August. February activity was over open interest. I'm not sure what this activity means. Are investors positioning for a pop on news? Is someone hedging their short positions? Either way, hopefully something interesting happens with this company, including more land for Laptopistan. Massive retail commercial real estate space is involved here as well. See my previous post for more news and information. BGP option chain snapshots and fundamental data after the jump.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Financial News and Research Links (1/9/2010)
Eclectica's Hendry Turns Greece Profit Into China Failure Bet (Bloomberg)
Freight Rates Tumbling as 35 Miles of Ships Passes Ore Demand (Bloomberg)
THE BEST RISING INTEREST RATE TRADE - Credit Suisse (Pragmatic Capitalism)
Goldman Sach's Abby Joseph Cohen January 2011 Research (Zero Hedge)
Goldman traders to leave to start hedge fund- FT (Reuters)
*$432 BILLION PENSION FUND COALITION DEMANDS BANK DIRECTORS IMMEDIATELY EXAMINE FORECLOSURE PRACTICES - (New York City Comptroller/John C. Liu) h/t Ritholtz
Christie Targets Medicaid to Close $10.5 Billion New Jersey Budget Deficit (Bloomberg)
Illinois may dig deeper credit rating hole (Pensions & Investments)
In Illinois, a Giant Deficit Leads to Talk of a Giant Tax Increase (New York Times)
For more headlines see my Twitter handle in the Wibiya toolbar below.
Freight Rates Tumbling as 35 Miles of Ships Passes Ore Demand (Bloomberg)
THE BEST RISING INTEREST RATE TRADE - Credit Suisse (Pragmatic Capitalism)
Goldman Sach's Abby Joseph Cohen January 2011 Research (Zero Hedge)
Goldman traders to leave to start hedge fund- FT (Reuters)
*$432 BILLION PENSION FUND COALITION DEMANDS BANK DIRECTORS IMMEDIATELY EXAMINE FORECLOSURE PRACTICES - (New York City Comptroller/John C. Liu) h/t Ritholtz
Christie Targets Medicaid to Close $10.5 Billion New Jersey Budget Deficit (Bloomberg)
Illinois may dig deeper credit rating hole (Pensions & Investments)
In Illinois, a Giant Deficit Leads to Talk of a Giant Tax Increase (New York Times)
For more headlines see my Twitter handle in the Wibiya toolbar below.
Higher Bond Yields, Dollar Could Trigger Gold Sell Off (Keith McCullough On CNBC)
Keith McCullough (Hedgeye Risk Management) told CNBC last week (1/7/2010) that higher bond yields and US Dollar could trigger a sell off in Gold. Watch the video below for more. LaSalle Futures Group and Doug Kass agree. Here's a 3 year chart of $GLD courtesy of stockcharts.com.
GLD (SPDR Gold ETF) - 200DMA 123.67
Friday, January 7, 2011
Bernanke's Testimony On Economy, Monetary And Fiscal Policy (Senate Hearing)
Chairman Ben S. Bernanke
The Economic Outlook and Monetary and Fiscal Policy
Before the Committee on the Budget, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.
January 7, 2011
Chairman Conrad, Senator Sessions, and other members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity to offer my views on current economic conditions, recent monetary policy actions, and issues related to the federal budget.
The Economic Outlook
The economic recovery that began a year and a half ago is continuing, although, to date, at a pace that has been insufficient to reduce the rate of unemployment significantly.1 The initial stages of the recovery, in the second half of 2009 and in early 2010, were largely attributable to the stabilization of the financial system, expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, and a powerful inventory cycle. Growth slowed somewhat this past spring as the impetus from fiscal policy and inventory building waned and as European sovereign debt problems led to increased volatility in financial markets.
VIX 1X2 Call Spreads Trading (VIX Chart, Futures Curve and Put/Call Ratio)
Below is information from the CBOE VIX options pit on 1/4/2010 and 1/5/2010 courtesy of Jamie Tyrrell of optionMONSTER TV. VIX 1X2 call spreads were in play, moving from January to March and February to March. They were protecting March upside in volatility. Here's the VIX futures curve using data from InsideStocks.com on 1/6/2010. See the videos and more after the break.
Howard Davidowitz's Retail Outlook, Real Estate Revolution, XRT Put Spread and Chart Levels To Watch
From the Xpound Blog:
"Put volume is picking up in the SPDR Retail Trust (XRT), as shares sink on disappointing December same store sales numbers. XRT is now off 63 cents to $47.12 and options volume includes 29,000 puts and 3,200 calls through midday. The top trade was part of a spread, in which an investor apparently paid 40 cents per contract for 5,400 January 46 puts and collected 10,800 January 45 puts at 20 cents. This 2X1 put ratio spread, at even money, is a bearish play. It makes its best profits if shares fall to $45 by the January expiration, in 15 days."
December retail sales disappointed according to Retail Metrics Inc. From BusinessWeek:
"Sales at stores open more than a year rose 3.2 percent in December, according to Retail Metrics Inc. That compared with the 3.5 percent average of estimates compiled by the firm and a 5.5 percent increase in November. Retail stocks fell, led by Gap Inc. and Target Corp. as both missed estimates and dropped more than six percent."
Here is the grand finale. Howard Davidowitz, who's been consulting on the retail industry since 1981, thinks the overall consumer is still in "terrible shape" with "17.5% UNDERemployment, 46 million people on food stamps and housing continuing to go down (another 10% would bring a double dip recession). He said the rise in capital markets drove holiday spending mainly in the luxury space (Coach, Tiffany, Saks, jewelry). Sears, Wal-Mart, Toys R' Us, Best Buy, AJ Wright, A&P, Loehmann's, Charming Shoppes are a different story. He also talked about Edward Lampert's strategy on Sears and thinks Wal-Mart is "scared stiff" of Amazon.
Davidowitz ultimately believes that the explosion in online sales (Amazon) will put major pressure on retail commercial real estate going forward (*this is interesting though: Malls Bet on MindSmack's FastMall App to Draw Shoppers Back*).I embedded the video below and provided quotes. Here's what he said:
"We're only at the beginning of this online sales and that has to lead you to question the whole retail real estate strategy. We've got 21 square feet of selling space for every man, woman and child in this country. We already have double of what we need. With the explosion of online sales, what happens to all these retail malls and tons of shopping centers that are marginal. I think there are huge questions going forward about size of stores, locations of stores, distribution facilities. Huge changes are going to be taking place in the next 5-years as people continue to shop online."
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Baltic Dry Index Makes New Low, Huge BDI/Copper Divergence (Chart)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
'Off With Our Heads', PIMCO's Bill Gross January 2011 Investment Outlook
"The problem is that politicians and citizens alike have no clear vision of the costs of a seemingly perpetual trillion dollar annual deficit. As long as the stock market pulsates upward and job growth continues, there is an abiding conviction that all is well and that “old normal” norms have returned. Not likely. There will be pain aplenty and it’s imperative that we recognize now what the ultimate cost of blueberries will mean for American citizens of tomorrow. Four major factors come to mind:"
"American wages will lag behind CPI and commodity price gains." [...]
"Dollar depreciation will sap the purchasing power of U.S. consumers, as well as the global valuation of dollar denominated assets."
"One of the consequences of perpetual trillion dollar deficits is the need to finance them, and at attractively low interest rates for as long as possible."
"Trillion dollar annual deficits add up, and eventually produce a stock of debt that can become unmanageable:"
"Investment Implications
Birinyi's 2,854 SP Target Vs. Rosenberg's Bear Market Rally Call (Links)
Birinyi's Projected 322% S&P 500 Advance Beats '90s Tech Rally (Bloomberg)
S&P on Steroids: Index To Hit 2,854 on Sept. 4, 2013, Birinyi Predicts (NetNet)
vs.
David Rosenberg Goes On Offensive, Mocks Birinyi, Tells Koolaid Guzzlers To "Put It In Their Pipe And Smoke It" (Zero Hedge)
S&P on Steroids: Index To Hit 2,854 on Sept. 4, 2013, Birinyi Predicts (NetNet)
vs.
David Rosenberg Goes On Offensive, Mocks Birinyi, Tells Koolaid Guzzlers To "Put It In Their Pipe And Smoke It" (Zero Hedge)
Mark Cuban Interviewed By Howard Lindzon (StockTwits TV)
Watch Howard Lindzon interview Mark Cuban on StockTwits TV. Financial hackers are running the market.
ADP: December Private Sector Employment Up 297,000 (100K Expected)
Private sector employment increased by 297,000 in December (2010) according to ADP. An increase of 100,000 was expected at Reuters. Here's a quote and chart from the December press release:
Is this already priced in?"Private-sector employment increased by 297,000 from November to December on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report® released today. The estimated change of employment from October to November was revised down but only slightly, from the previously reported increase of 93,000 to an increase of 92,000.
This month’s ADP National Employment Report suggests nonfarm private employment grew very strongly in December, at a pace well above what is usually associated with a declining unemployment rate. After a mid-year pause, employment seems to have accelerated as indicated by September’s employment gain of 29,000, October’s gain of 79,000, November’s gain of 92,000 and December’s gain of 297,000. Strength was also evident within all major industries and every size business tracked in the ADP Report. [read full release]"
SP Future Large Specs Vs. ES Future Large Specs (COT Charts 12/28/2010)
Here are COT charts as of 12/28/2010 for the E-Mini S&P Future (ES) and S&P 500 Index Future (SP) (courtesy of cotpricecharts.com). I'm not sure if this means much, but look how large speculators net long SP and net short ES closed out open interest recently. Charts after the jump.
- ES COT on 12/7/2010: 37% of large speculators were bullish with 2,979,326 contracts open. ES COT on 12/28/2010: 47% of large speculators were bullish with 2,479,708 contracts open.
- SP COT on 12/7/2010: 74% of large speculators were bullish with 384,778 contracts open. SP COT on 12/28/2010: 52% of large speculators were bullish with 273,812 contracts open.
December FOMC Minutes Text, QE2 Through Second Quarter 2011 (12/14/2010)
Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (December 14, 2010)
"Developments in Financial Markets and the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet
The manager of the System Open Market Account (SOMA) reported on developments in domestic and foreign financial markets since the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) met on November 2-3, 2010. He also reported on System open market operations, including the continuing reinvestment into longer-term Treasury securities of principal payments received on the SOMA's holdings of agency debt and agency-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (MBS) as well as the ongoing purchases of additional Treasury securities authorized at the November 2-3 FOMC meeting. Since the last meeting, the Open Market Desk at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York purchased a total of about $105 billion of Treasury securities, reflecting about $30 billion of purchases with the proceeds of principal payments and about $75 billion as part of the authorized expansion of the Federal Reserve's securities holdings. Purchases were concentrated in nominal Treasury securities with maturities of 2 to 10 years, though some longer-term securities were purchased along with some Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). The Manager also discussed the Desk's intention to place additional limits on its purchases of individual securities, as the Federal Reserve's holdings of such securities increased beyond 35 percent of the total outstanding; these limits were intended to help ensure that Federal Reserve purchases do not impair the liquidity in Treasury markets. In addition, the Manager updated the Committee on the SOMA's holdings of foreign-currency instruments. There were no open market operations in foreign currencies for the System's account over the intermeeting period. By unanimous vote, the Committee ratified the Desk's transactions over the intermeeting period."
Google's Marissa Mayer On Location, Social, Groupon (Interview Videos)
"One of the things that we’ve learned is that Google hasn’t gotten social right yet. That said, social is really important; it’s something that we’re working very hard on."
"I think that we will get it right. I think that if you look at some of the main platforms of the Web, it’s search, video, mobile and social. We’ve done really well in three out of those four, and we’re working very hard on the fourth." (via mediabistro)
I bet Google makes social and location-based marketing/coupons more interesting and smarter on mobile devices going forward. The Microsoft/Facebook collabo and Groupon could be a decent fight. What side does Twitter take? Below I was able to embed video #2 on social. Here's a link to video #1 on the failed Groupon bid.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Borders' General Counsel, CIO Resigned, Delayed Vendor Payments, Will It Merge With Barnes And Noble? (BGP, BKS)
"Late yesterday, beleaguered bookseller Borders Group (BGP) announced two executives resigned, Thomas D. Carney, the firm’s general counsel, and Scott Laverty, its chief information officer." (1/4/2010, Barron's)
And this comes after Borders delayed payments to vendors."The book chain Borders entered 2011 on an unsteady note, telling major publishers last week that it would delay payments owed to them, and stoking fears that it would not be able to recover from declining sales." (1-3-2010, NYT)
"PW has learned that at least one of the “big six” New York houses has suspended shipping books to Borders, a troubling sign for the company as it attempts to find lenders to refinance its debt and provide enough liquidity to get the national book retail chain through to early 2012." (12-31-2010, Publishers Weekly)
Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management owns 37% of Borders and on 12/6/2010 he offered to help finance a bid for Barnes and Noble.
"Hedge fund manager William Ackman is raising his wager on bookseller Borders Group Inc (BGP.N), offering to help it buy larger rival Barnes & Noble Inc (BKS.N) for $963.7 million." (12/6/2010, Reuters)
$BGP is trading at 96 cents, right around the 1-year low (chart 2). It hit an intra-day low of .87 before closing at .96 (chart 1). Get ready for something interesting to happen!
Charts courtesy of Yahoo Finance (click for larger view)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Niall Ferguson: Empires on the Edge of Chaos (ABC/ForaTV)
"Throughout history the rise and fall of empires isn't slow or cyclical, as we like to think, but arrhythmic...it mostly happens very, very suddenly. America is a superpower on the edge of chaos, according to economic historian and author Niall Ferguson. U.S. debt levels, he says, and its unwillingness to address the problem, has put it in the same category as other great empires which have collapsed throughout the ages.
Ferguson argues the world is changing. There's the rise of authoritarian China as a super-power; a Keynesian president leading a weakened United States; the re-emergence of democratic India as a great power; the continued decline of Japan; and the probability of continued global economic instability ahead.
Is the rise and fall of empires cyclical or arrhythmic? How does economic profligacy -- whether the result of arrogance or naivety -- contribute to the downfall of civilizations? Not to be missed, the address will offer a timely review of primacy, leadership, and the complex factors behind the rise and fall of great powers and civilizations."
Recent Posts with Niall Ferguson:
*Niall Ferguson On The Pitfalls of Keynesian Economics [Daily Beast Innovators Conference, 10/24/2010] (Zero Hedge)
*Niall Ferguson: Treasury Bond Vigilantes Coming, Default Or Inflation Choice For US at [Aspen Ideas Festival 7/7/2010] (Distressed Volatility)
Explore Hidden New York City Infrastructure (Undercity Video)
This is an amazing video and it's related to the "municipal" channel of the blog. So what do taxes and revenue bonds finance? Check out New York City's hidden infrastructure through the eyes of Urban Historian/Photographer Steve Duncan and Director/Cinematographer Andrew Wonder. They look at hidden NYC subway areas, sewer tunnels, tops of bridges, the hidden Amtrak tunnel etc. The website to visit is undercity.org. I embedded the "Undercity" video after the jump.
