Today we look at why energy is becoming a flash point in Europe and how natural gas is taking centre stage. First, though, we’d like to announce a changing of the guard in the leadership of the resources market.
February 6th, 2012 | Dan Denning | 1 comment | ContinuedAustralasia
Commentary on Australian and Asian economics, politics and society by your Daily Reckoning editors in Melbourne, Australia. Still haven’t subscribed to the Daily Reckoning? What are you waiting for… sign up here, it’s free!
A chronological listing of articles is below.
The Economic Policy of Do As I Say, Not As I Do
There is a delicious irony in the world of economic policy at the moment. The Asian crisis back back in 1997 and 1998 was brought on by the same things that led to the current crisis in Europe and the US (and the one I believe is coming to China).
February 4th, 2012 | The Daily Reckoning | 1 comment | Continued
The First Casualty of the Currency Wars
Can Australia’s currency continue its rampage while exporters burn? The currency wars have been going on quietly here at home for some time now. And going by the state of our exporters, we’re losing.
February 4th, 2012 | Nickolai Hubble | 3 comments | Continued
The System D Speak-Easy Economy
Robert Neuwirth says System D is the world’s second-largest economy, amounting to economic productivity of $10 trillion, which is probably a low estimate. At the pace at which government is growing, System D is set to employ as many as two of three workers by 2020.
February 3rd, 2012 | The Daily Reckoning | 1 comment | Continued
Health, Wealth and Stealth Inflation in the Great Food Swindle
Today’s Daily Reckoning will deal with health and wealth – in equal measure (with a dose of inflation thrown in). Having good health, especially as you get older, is a form of enrichment so there’s symmetry between it and your wealth. And if you’ve been to a doctor / specialist / hospital recently, you’ll know maintaining your health is not cheap.
February 3rd, 2012 | Greg Canavan | 3 comments | Continued
On the Edge of Evolution: An Investment Story in Three Acts
Today’s story is how the investment world you live in came to be…and how we’re on the edge of a great leap forward…or a great leap into a deep abyss. If you don’t have time to read it, go over to Facebook and tell everyone you’re too busy to read about the most important investment story of your life.
February 1st, 2012 | Dan Denning | 2 comments | Continued
What the Facebook IPO Says About Your Most Valuable Asset
Social networking site Facebook may go public this week. This is important. The fact that the company is ready to sell shares to the public and Wall Street is underwriting for the initial public offering (IPO) can only mean one thing: the age of superficial communication devoid of real content and real meaning may be peaking… as soon as tomorrow!
January 31st, 2012 | Dan Denning | 11 comments | Continued
The Energy Empire of the Sun
We take up the issue of national power and real energy in today’s Daily Reckoning. And we take it up because the fate of nations and the welfare of men and women are directly related to how much sunlight we all get. All power—from the stored solar energy in fossil fuels to the sunlight that makes food grow—comes from energy.
January 30th, 2012 | Dan Denning | 16 comments | Continued
A Question of Currency: Should Australians Invest in the Fourth Reich?
The first thing to think about, if you’re a foreign investor in another region, is currencies. Well, it may not quite be the first thing, but keep in mind: movements in currencies can make or break investment returns.
January 30th, 2012 | Nickolai Hubble | 0 comments | Continued
Currency Wars
The currency wars are heating up. On Wednesday, Federal Reserve boss Ben Bernanke promised speculators he would keep interest rates low until 2014.
January 27th, 2012 | Greg Canavan | 1 comment | Continued
Australia’s Place in the World of Debt – An Each-Way Bet On The 21st Century
Australian government debt (Federal) crossed the $200 billion barrier last year. In a few short years, then, the government has gone from a modest $20 billion surplus to a $200 billion debt. That debt is still small as percentage of GDP compared to the US, Japan, and the UK. But it’s a lot larger than it was a few years ago…and once these things get rolling, they have a way of building momentum.
January 25th, 2012 | Dan Denning | 7 comments | Continued
The Link Between Japan’s Economy and Australia
Japan’s economy posted its first trade deficit since 1980. This is a country whose entire economic model has been based on exporting manufactured goods to the rest of the world. But for 2011, the Japanese ran a trade deficit of $2.6 billion.
January 25th, 2012 | Dan Denning | 0 comments | Continued
Megaupload, Orwell and Knowing Your Role as an Obedient Citizen
Now, one might assume that artists would want their music distributed, to have their artwork seen and heard by as many eyes and ears as possible. Correct. In fact, that was exactly what Megaupload – a website owned and operated by recording artists – was trying to accomplish.
January 24th, 2012 | Joel Bowman | 13 comments | Continued
Tales from the Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is not a bad place to be in the wintertime. That is, when it is wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere. By the time the chilly winds from Baltimore reach the southern tip of Africa they have been warmed by the South Atlantic. Flowers bloom. The sun shines. Gentle breezes glide over the fields and parking lots.
January 24th, 2012 | Bill Bonner | 5 comments | Continued
The Downside of a Strong Australian Dollar in the New Brand of Capitalism
The strong Australian dollar makes some export industries chronically uncompetitive. Not only does this make them bad investments, it damages their ability to remain a going concern.
January 24th, 2012 | Dan Denning | 4 comments | Continued
