Category Archives: Uncategorized

Global Plague (Not Ebola – Econo-Imbecility)

Stock market jitters are not surprising. I have been shamelessly straddling the equity fence, saying rising earnings and low rates would enable stocks to “grind higher” but nevertheless the “risk of a correction” is high due to excessive complacency. Investors … Continue reading

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The Poverty and Inequality Party

Between 2001 and 2008 it was impossible to discuss economic issues with a liberal without getting a stentorious sermon about the evils of the “Bush tax cuts for the rich” and the resulting surge in income inequality. Now the Bush … Continue reading

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Gross-Out: End of an Era

The news flash crossed the wires at 8.29 AM. CNBC’s Becky Quick was astounded. Bloomberg’s Tom Keene was stunned. They had to double-check that the William H. Gross joining Janus Funds was indeed THE William H. Gross, bond king, whom … Continue reading

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Federal Reserve: Main Street Small Business Has Struggled Under Obama

President Obama likes to say the U.S. economy performs best when it grows “from the middle out.”  Unfortunately an exhaustive Federal Reserve study shows middle class entrepreneurs have struggled during this recovery, even as big business thrived. Every three years … Continue reading

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Courageous Kareem Contradicts Racial Correctness

USA Today called it a “racist e-mail.” CNN called it a “racially charged e-mail” In three separate articles, The New York Times called it “a racially charged memo,” “racially insensitive views,” and evidence of “deeply rooted racism.” Sports Illustrated said … Continue reading

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Wall Street Strategists Are Disturbingly Bullish

Barron’s is out with its always interesting “back to school” early September survey of Wall Street strategists, hailing from both the buy side and sell side. Though the samples size of nine is a bit small (where are Deutsche, U … Continue reading

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New York State Needs a War on Poverty

A few months ago Arthur Levitt–Bloomberg groupie, former SEC Chairman, and quintessential Wall Street liberal—interviewed Grover Norquist, anti-tax activist and bête noire of Wall Street liberals. At the end of the interview Levitt asked “Grover, do you think it is … Continue reading

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Fed Survey: Obamacare Impedes Hiring, Curbs Wage Gains

Although Chair Yellen is still mum on the topic, Federal Reserve economists have belatedly started to study the impact of Obamacare on employment and wages. Economists in three regions (San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York) used identical questions to survey employers … Continue reading

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Stock Prices Will Grind Higher

After being long and wrong in 2007 and 2008, I have been correctly bullish on stocks for the last few years, arguing they would scale the proverbial wall of worry. Bonds, on the other hand, have looked to me to … Continue reading

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The “Philadelphia Negro,” Then and Now

In 1896 a brilliant scholar who received his PhD from Harvard and went on to study in Europe with such luminaries as Max Weber was engaged by wealthy philanthropists to prepare a sociological study of Philadelphia’s black population. Their motives … Continue reading

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