But we do know that financial markets are getting more volatile in recent years, not less. Is it globalization? Is it the digitalization of trading data and continuous, algorithmic trading models? Does the pursuit of an informational advantage (or the belief that one is possible) drive people to trade more?
March 2nd, 2010 | Dan Denning | 6 comments | ContinuedAll Posts Tagged With: "Glenn Stevens"
The U.S. Dollar is Not the Euro
As the main rival (amongst paper currencies) to the dollar as a global reserve currency, the euro’s coming collapse has to, almost by definition, equal dollar strength. There just aren’t that many more liquid alternatives for large institutions and central banks.
February 19th, 2010 | Dan Denning | 4 comments | Continued
IMF Report Concludes Aussie Banks are “Very Sound”…
The Guv also said he would not be too timid about raising interest rates. He believes the threat [of global financial calamity] has passed and that the bigger threat may well be inflation. That kind of tough talk sent the Aussie dollar right up to over 92 cents against the greenback. If it weren’t late fall, now might be the perfect time to take a trip to America and see how cheap things really are.
October 16th, 2009 | Dan Denning | 13 comments | Continued
Underlying Demand During a Housing Shortage
That is clever to suggest that when rates rise people will have to find another way to say that houses are affordable. But we reckon when rates rise, as they eventually must, a lot of new home buyers will find out that access to cheap credit does not make a house affordable. It just makes the amount of debt you owe to the bank a lot larger.
September 30th, 2009 | Dan Denning | 41 comments | Continued
Building a National Economy Around the Housing Industry
Let’s also assume that the government cannot borrow its way to larger stimulus payments. With lower spending forecast for government, businesses, and households, you begin to wonder if Australia’s economy has a home grown engine, or if it will rely on something else, or someone else beyond the borders.
July 30th, 2009 | Dan Denning | 9 comments | Continued
Glenn Stevens Says Australia’s Economy Has Been Travelling Better Than Others
We’ll see about that. Stocks are certainly pricing in a profit recovery (about which we have our doubts). But Mr. Stevens also had a bit to say about credit markets and balance sheets, in comments that were not as widely reported as his comments on Australian housing. More on housing in a second.
July 29th, 2009 | Dan Denning | 25 comments | Continued
Central Bankers Encourage Debt Booms That Become Debt Bombs
Do you think maybe Dr. Bernanke is just trying to talk his book too? After all, the U.S. Treasury has heaps of debt to sell this year (gross issuance over $3.25 trillion according to Goldman). If Dr. Bernanke makes adult sounds come out of his mouth, it might give people the impression the U.S. is returning to sobriety and fiscal sensibility.
June 5th, 2009 | Dan Denning | 4 comments | Continued
RBA Hoping it Has Done Enough for Economy
For now, at least for this week, it sure does look like the appetite for risk is back. The U.S. dollar and Japanese Yen are weak, while commodity currencies like the Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian dollars are up. Bond prices are down, stocks are trending up, and even oil is creeping back over $50, looking to make a breakout.
May 6th, 2009 | Dan Denning | 5 comments | Continued
RBA Rate Cut Does Little to Unlock Credit Market
“Rally to me,” said Glenn Stevens. And investors did. The RBA rate cut WAS a full percentage point as we speculated yesterday. And it certainly did make a splash. Economists loved it. The critics praised it. And investors “huzzahed” the ASX 200 up nearly two percent on a day when the rest of the globe quaked in fear. What has changed? The bank has shifted from being worried about inflation to being worried about recession. A credit crunch?
October 8th, 2008 | Dan Denning | 4 comments | Continued