John Browne

Contributor since: 26 Feb 2010

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• U.S. Economy Still on Life Support

  Published 16 October 2008 | viewed 3,477 times

  On Monday October 13th, the Dow took the fifth biggest upward leap (in percentage terms) in its history and, most notably, since the 1930's. It…

• Congress Charges Commission

  Published 08 October 2008 | viewed 3,218 times

  Faced with an imminent financial meltdown and a looming depression, one might have expected Congress, inspired with a rush of patriotism, to have stepped vigorously…

• Too Little Too Late

  Published 24 September 2008 | viewed 5,385 times

  Last week, Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke faced Congressional leaders with a reported forecast that we are "literally days away from a…

• The Price of Nationalization

  Published 15 September 2008 | viewed 3,366 times

  Last week, the U.S. government took the unprecedented step of effectively nationalizing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Together, the two companies hold or…

• In the Eye of the Storm

  Published 03 September 2008 | viewed 5,575 times

  As we enter the height of the hurricane season, it may be worthwhile to recall, when considering the economy at large, the particular deception that…

• Who will Suffer the Least from Depression?

  Published 27 August 2008 | viewed 4,835 times

  Though few may have noticed, the past few weeks may be regarded as a global economic turning point. Evidence is mounting that the United States…

• Set to Soar or Swoon?

  Published 13 August 2008 | viewed 4,567 times

  Despite a series of worrying news items last week, U.S. stock markets managed to deliver strong gains. Time and again, U.S. investors seem to turn…

• The Fed's Next Move is Down

  Published 06 August 2008 | viewed 4,184 times

  Yesterday, the Fed surprised no one and left its key rates unchanged and gave no indication that the committee was preparing to raise or lower…

• The Cost of Socialism

  Published 30 July 2008 | viewed 4,059 times

  Over the past few decades, the United States has steadily evolved from a nation of 'producers' to one of 'consumers'. The change has been celebrated…

• No Bottom Yet for Ailing Financials

  Published 23 July 2008 | viewed 5,402 times

  In recent months, even the most blindly optimistic forecasters have come to grips with how our banks and investment banks took wildly imprudent risks that…

• Dont Buy the Head Fake

  Published 17 July 2008 | viewed 5,304 times

  This week, we were treated to strong statements by both Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke about the desirability of a "strong…

• Stagflation Sightings Multiply

  Published 10 July 2008 | viewed 3,476 times

  We have long warned that stagflation, or economic contraction accompanied by inflation, would become so evident that even the most optimistic observers could not deny…

• Das Monetary Policy

  Published 02 July 2008 | viewed 2,849 times

  On June 25th, the Fed made no changes in its key interest rates and issued a statement that underscored how narrow their room for maneuver…

• Cheerleaders Will Face Reality, Eventualy

  Published 25 June 2008 | viewed 3,425 times

  When listening to the typical, television-based, Wall Street cheerleader work themselves up into a bull market frenzy, one is tempted to wonder if they ever…

• G-8 Fails to Sound the Charge

  Published 18 June 2008 | viewed 3,438 times

  With market watchers the world over feeling increasingly alarmed by spreading economic problems, much hope and attention was focused on Japan last weekend as finance…

• The Next Big Spending Spree

  Published 11 June 2008 | viewed 4,142 times

  As the economic indicators turn down and election year politics heats up, the calls from politicians for more government intervention and enhanced economic stimulus are…

• Soaking Them at Harvard

  Published 05 June 2008 | viewed 3,608 times

  This week I watched Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke charm the rain soaked graduating class of Harvard, my Alma Mater. As he spoke, I was reminded…

• The Statistical Battleground

  Published 29 May 2008 | viewed 3,152 times

  With consumer confidence now testing generational lows, our politicians are never the less continuously assuring us that the economy is strong, and that there is…

• The "BRICs" (and Mortar) of the New Global Economy

  Published 13 May 2008 | viewed 3,752 times

  In the early days of the American republic, fortune seekers were urged to "Go west young man!" Unfortunately, with the American economy now clearly showing…

• Rationioning -- Food For Thought

  Published 30 April 2008 | viewed 2,547 times

  'Food, glorious food' conjures up the image of Oliver Twist and his brother orphans wailing over a shortage of porridge in Dickensian England. Last week,…