If you think Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has a firm grasp of the economy, you may change your mind after listening to Bain Capital co-founder Coleman Andrews quoting Chairman Bernanke…
Europe – The Weakest Link
With the election, sequestration showdown and other pressing domestic news, we’ve hardly had time to think about Europe. Yet the continent is as troubled as ever and is crying out…
The Incredible Shrinking Economy
Only in today’s America would a shrinking economy cause the stock market to rise. The federal government reported this week that the U.S. economy contracted by -0.1% in the last…
The End of QE?
The Fed’s quantitative easing program has been like that endless tub of popcorn or vat of soda that those with large appetites buy at the theater. It goes on and…
It’s A Correction for Nasdaq, Russell Indexes
Stock markets have become increasingly bearish since the election. With the fiscal cliff approaching, and little confidence that Democrats and Republicans will agree on a solution to avoid it, the…
Set Our Markets Free!
In the not-too-distant past, the stock market rewarded entrepreneurs who worked hard and had innovative ideas. Today, the market is driven primarily by two things: Monetary policy. The Federal Reserve…
Going For Broke
So The Fed is “all in.” QE3, the third round of quantitative easting, will continue until the unemployment rate drops to an acceptable level. The implication is that buying bonds…
Consumers Might Spend – If They Had Any Money
Bond buying will pump money into the economy and reduce long-term interest rates, which are already at historic lows. Theoretically, this will give consumers a greater incentive to spend their…
The Other QE
It’s not QE3, the Fed’s highly anticipated and much discussed quantitative easing program, but the European Central Bank’s (ECB) bond buying program is having a similar impact. Stock markets worldwide…
Bernanke’s “On the Other Hand” Speech
To the disappointment of many on Wall Street, and to the relief of many in the real world, the Federal Reserve Board did not announce a third quantitative easing program…