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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Shanghai: Mr. Wang’s Bad Timing
A staple of 19th century popular literature was the lurid expose of the glamour and grit of the modern metropolis, be it London, Paris or New York. These books invariably highlighted the cruel contrast between airy boulevards lined with elegant … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged China, China corruption, inequality, nineteenth century slums, Shanghai
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Shanghai: Will Big Brother Smother the Service Economy?
We cleared immigration in Pudong International Airport and staggered into the arrivals hall, dazed and confused after 20 hours of travel. Two airport functionaries—call them Mr. Li and Mr. Wang—noticed us and politely asked if they could help. No thanks, … Continue reading
Shanghai Brands: What’s Hot and Not
We spent ten interesting and usually enjoyable days in and around Shanghai. Here’s what I learned that is of interest to investors in U.S. stocks. The Boeing 777’s that took us out and back were full of Chinese tourists; they … Continue reading
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Tagged China, China malls, Chinese consumer, Haagen-Dazs, Shanghai, Starbucks
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Politics Uber Economics: Europe’s “War Between the States”
Today’s Wall Street Journal carries an article by Princeton economist Alan S. Blinder titled “Enough With European Austerity, Bring on the Stimulus.” The Financial Times carries similar columns every day of the week and two or three times in the … Continue reading
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Cuomo and de Blasio Must Be Reading My Blog
A couple of days ago I suggested the Obama administration should provide some positive incentives for doctors and nurses to help out in West Africa, in order to get beyond the ideological stalemate over quarantines. I recommended they be paid … Continue reading
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Outbreak! – Lessons from London (1665) & Philadelphia (1793)
We are not hearing much about the horrific tribulations of the folks in West Africa, but we can start to appreciate their suffering by considering Philadelphia’s yellow fever epidemic of 1793. With a population of about 45,000, it was America’s … Continue reading
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Tagged disease, Ebola, history, London, Philadelphia, quarantine
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FT: Obamanomics Failed, but Don’t Blame Obama
In a Financial Times column titled “The riddle of black America’s rising woes,” Edward Luce spins a convoluted alibi to absolve Barack Obama of his egregious policy failures. He may have been President for the past six years, and Democrats … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged financial times, income inequality, median income, Obamanomics, poor blacks, Poverty, Tea Party
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Q3 Earnings: Off to a Strong Start
Based on results so far, I believe investors will conclude in mid November that third quarter profits were fairly good and better than feared. The big exception, which will surprise no one, is the energy sector, which will weigh on … Continue reading
Seven Stock Picking Themes
I have argued that investors should “create their own conglomerate” of high quality companies, mostly growth companies that pay dividends, and own them for long periods of time. I know this sounds like just another dumb investment platitude. Now we … Continue reading