“When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.” Lewis Carroll, Through…
Now Bad News Is Bad News
With the end of quantitative easing due to take place next month, reality may once again have an impact on financial markets. Since QE began more than five years ago,…
Less than “Less than Zero”
In June, the ECB lowered the interest rate on bank deposits, including reserve holdings in excess of the minimum reserve requirements, from zero to -0.10%. This week, surprising just about…
Going Prudential In a Macro Way
Obfuscation is an art form in which the Federal Reserve Board excels. It follows a few simple rules: Never use a word or phrase that is simple and widely understood…
Bad News – The Economy May be Recovering
“This is what it sounds like when doves cry.” …
The QE Apocalypse
The end is near. The Federal Reserve Board has now put a date on the quantitative easing apocalypse, letting us know that bond buying will end in October – unless…
Sprinkling the Fairy Dust of Illusory Riches
When the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) calls central bank market rigging “the fairy dust of illusory riches,” it’s time to pay attention. The BIS is the central banks’ central…
Prozac Nation
It’s all stress-free bliss these days … at least for anyone who’s not paying attention. Has someone been putting anti-depressants in the water supply? That’s one way to explain Wednesday’s…
Good Market Rigging vs. Bad Market Rigging
“The markets are rigged. … These firms make their money by front-running trades. They’re using their speed advantage to buy shares first and then selling them back at a higher…
Translating Fedspeak
While the week’s biggest news has taken place in Russia, Ukraine and China, it’s the news out of the Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee that’s most in need…