Remarkably, even though the US Federal Reserve has lowered the Fed funds rate by 100bp since last September, US bond yields have risen sharply (roughly 100bp). Market commentators have offered a wide range of explanations for this unusual development. As the incoming Administration has signalled a significant shift in economic strategy, investors will need to [...]
Tag: debt
Election 2024: What They’re Not Telling Us
20 September 2024 The US election is now less than seven weeks away. We have witnessed two quite memorable Presidential debates. The candidates have clashed on issues of character, fitness for office, U-turns on previous policy positions, etc. All important topics, to be sure. However, direct questions on how to address key policy issues are [...]
Global Government Debt: Balloon Still Expanding
11 June 2024 Government efforts to mitigate the economic consequences of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the Covid pandemic have led to surging government debt. In the United States, for instance, public sector liabilities are approaching levels not seen before in peacetime (Chart above). And, while I will discuss important differences between countries and [...]
Asia: Are Countries Taking Sides?
18 April 2024 Since the Global Financial Crisis, globalisation appears to have slowed. Indeed, despite the enormous benefits experienced in the post-WWII era, international trade and financial flows may have gone into reverse (Chart above). In addition, following disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic, some manufacturers have shifted supply chains to domestic producers, or at [...]