Tag Archives: Featured

For many, this will be the last week of the summer. However, in an unusual twist of the calendar, the US August employment report will be released on September 2, the end of the following week, rather than after the US Labor Day holiday (September 5).  The main economic report of the week ahead will be the preliminary estimate of the August PMI. The policy implications are not as obvious as they may seem. For example, in July, the eurozone composite PMI slipped...

Overview:  The dollar is on fire. It is rising against all the major currencies and cutting through key technical levels like a hot knife in butter. The Canadian dollar is the strongest of the majors this week, which often outperforms on the crosses in a strong US dollar environment. It is off 1.5% this week. The New Zealand dollar, where the RBNZ hiked rates this week by 50 bp, is off the most with a 3.5% drop. Emerging market currencies are mostly lower on the...

According to the New York Times (NYT) article July 17, 2022, “The pioneering economist says our obsession with growth must end,” a major threat to our living standard is the obsession with economic growth. Herman Daly—an economist that has been exploring for more than fifty years the relationship between economic growth and individuals’ living standards—is of the view that the pursuit of economic growth causing ecological harm. He developed arguments in favor of a...

Yes or No: Swiss voters have the final say on several issues as part of the system of direct democracy. (The picture shows a display ballot box) Keystone/Ennio Leanza Despite leading in latest polls, a proposed ban on factory farming in Switzerland has limited chances of success at the ballot box next month, pollsters say. A reform of the old age pension scheme enjoys more solid backing. The slim margin between supporters and opponents of a factory farming ban in...

Electricity cuts lasting several hours are predicted this winter in Switzerland, according to Laurianne Altwegg, vice president of the Federal Electricity Commission. This winter we should ensure we have enough candles and wood for a wood stove for those who have one, advised Altwegg in an interview with RTS. Photo by MD Molla on Pexels.com Outages may not occur, but it is necessary to be prepared, he said. During the coming winter, it is estimated that Switzerland...

Overview: The sell-off in European bonds continues today. The 10-year German Bund yield is around four basis points higher to bring the three-day increase to about 22 bp. The Italian premium over Germany has risen by almost 18 bp over these three sessions. Its two-year premium is widening for the fifth consecutive session and is above 90 bp for the first time in almost three weeks. The 10-year US Treasury yield is a little softer near 2.88%. Most of the large Asia...

Durch den Kursabfall waren die Signale der Miner in den letzten Monaten nicht positiv. Um den Wertverlust von etwa 60 Prozent auszugleichen, verkauften die Miner ihre BTC, um einen Cash Flow zu erzeugen, der notwendig war, um die laufenden Kosten zu decken. Doch nun dreht sich der Trend langsam. Bitcoin News: Bitcoin Mining Signale schalten auf GrünSeit Juni dieses Jahres haben die Miner mehr BTC verkauft als produziert. Gegen Ende des Monats verkauften sie 400...

It is common for commentator to point to corruption, incompetence, malicious Western meddling, and other factors as the source of Africa’s continued economic woes. One seldom hears so-called experts point to taxes as a major impediment to economic development. Even “development economists” do not repudiate Africa’s paradoxically onerous tax regimes. Worse still, powerful (and harmful) neocolonialist institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), tend to...

Overview: The biggest development today in the capital markets is the jump in benchmark interest rates.  The US 10-year yield is up five basis points to 2.86%, which is about 10 bp above Monday’s low.  European yields are up 9-10 bp.  The 10-year German Bund yield was near 0.88% on Monday and is now near 1.07%.  Italy’s premium over German is near 2.18%, the most in nearly three weeks.  Although Asia Pacific equities rallied, led by Japan’s 1.2% gain, but did not...

Die Russen seien „eschatologisch auserwählt“, behauptet Alexandre Dugin – der prominente russische Philosoph und vorgebliche Mentor von Präsident Wladimir Putin. Russland muss sich gegen den falschen Glauben, die Pseudoreligion des westlichen Liberalismus und die Verbreitung seines Übels stellen: Gegen Moderne, Szientismus, Postmoderne und die Neue Weltordnung. Als geographisches „Dreh- und Angelgebiet“ muss Russland seine Position im Kernland des eurasischen...