The February jobs numbers were released this morning and they were smoking hot. With unemployment already at its lowest level over 17 years, 313,000 jobs were added last month—that’s the most jobs created in a month since the summer of 2016. Not only were hundreds of thousands of jobs created, but over 800,000 people entered the labor force. Manufacturing employment increased by 31,000 jobs last month following a gain of 25,000 jobs the month before. Since Trump took office, manufacturing employment has gained steadily following a two-year period of stagnation. Clearly, despite the … [Read more...]
The World’s Fastest Growing Major Economy is…India
India has ousted China as the world's fastest growing major economy. The South Asian country posted 7.2% growth in the last quarter of 2017, beating China's GDP growth of 6.8%. The two countries, both with populations well over 1 billion, have been trading places back and forth at the top of the rankings for fastest growth among major economies. Despite the rapid growth, India's population growth demand even faster expansion by its economy to soak up all the new members of the workforce entering each year. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successes so far, some are wondering if his … [Read more...]
Global Earnings Generate Dividends and Deals
Strong earnings in Europe are leading to increases in dividend payouts and an uptick in M&A activity on the Continent. Global diversification is more important than ever. As always, investors should focus on harvesting dividends to create a portfolio that generates income for compounding, and funding retirement. Nina Trentmann reports on Europe's strong performance: European companies have struck several deals since the beginning of the year, including Sanofi SA ’s SNY 0.48% proposed takeover of Bioverativ Inc. for more than $11.5 billion. Swiss industrial firm ABB Ltd. ABB -0.20% is … [Read more...]
Inflation in America: A Reason to Avoid Emerging Markets?
Traditionally emerging markets haven't performed well in times of inflation in the United States. While most inflation predictions for the U.S. don't put emerging markets in jeopardy, the latest inflation numbers and some predictions are raising red flags that all emerging market investors should be paying attention to. Steve Johnson reports in the FT: Matters could yet become a little fraught, however, with some estimates for inflation starting to come uncomfortably close to the danger level for EMs. Research by Daniel Salter, head of emerging market equity strategy at Renaissance … [Read more...]
Will the Powell Fed be Steady-as-she-Goes?
Jay Powell is the new chairman of the Federal Reserve. Janet Yellen's term was marked mostly by her continuance of Ben Bernanke's policies. Now, will Powell be a steady-as-she-goes chairman who continues the plan of rate normalization set in place by Bernanke/Yellen? Or will he chart his own course, either ratcheting rates up faster than expected to fight any potential inflation, or putting the pedal to the metal by lowering rates again to combat any drop in asset prices? The FT's Sam Fleming discusses Powell's future: Jay Powell received a brutish welcome from the stock market on his first … [Read more...]
Push for Business Freedom by Macron has France’s Economy Booming
Reforms implemented quickly by new President Emmanuel Macron have already had a positive effect on the French economy. The loosening of France's notoriously tough labor laws has boosted business confidence. The reforms have also released pent-up demand, driving the economy to some of its best growth in a decade. Paul Hannon and William Horobin report: Firms and investors say the election of French President Emmanuel Macron and his first steps to cut red tape and taxes are unleashing pent-up demand. Investment in France by nonfinancial companies rose 4.3% in 2017, the fastest increase in a … [Read more...]
Connecticut: Big Government Utopia Begins to Crack
After decades of close relationships with the public sector unions working for their towns and cities, mayors are begging to be protected from collective bargaining. With money running out, and undiminished power held by unions, mayors are finally beginning to understand why having powerful public sector unions makes it hard to balance budgets and provide services to citizens. As negotiations have become deadlocked with public unions demanding more from the ailing cities and towns in Connecticut, the mayors are begging state legislators to change the rules to give them more power in … [Read more...]
Is Your City Prepared for the Storm?
Boston is preparing for the Great Flood. After watching water inundate New York's subway system, Boston officials began to examine the possibilities of heavy flooding in Bean Town. The outlook was not good. It's possible your city is in the same position. Read here how Boston is planning for disaster: The estimated long-term tab for storm-proofing the Big Dig: $196 million. Using Mr. Miller’s model, the city in October identified between $151 million and $253 million in projects for two vulnerable neighborhoods by 2040. The cost for securing the rest of Boston? Nobody has even tried to … [Read more...]
Consumer Economy is Hot
Fourth Quarter GDP was released this morning and the first estimate came in short of 3%, but the details of the report were positive. Inventory drawdowns detracted three quarters of a point from GDP in the fourth quarter. Personal Spending rose at a 3.8 percent annual rate with durable goods soaring double digits. Look for upward revisions to fourth quarter GDP when new numbers are released next month and in March. The durable goods orders numbers that came out today also showed strength. This is a separate series from GDP. Durable goods orders were up 2.9% in December vs expectations of a … [Read more...]
Is there a Private Equity Bubble?
The FT points to conditions of froth in the private equity market. Is private equity in a bubble? It may be, but private equity isn’t the only equity market where bubble conditions are dominant. Check out the U.S. stock market for example. It is an indication of the feverish conditions in private equity that buyout groups are not only setting new records for fundraising, they are also turning money away at their fastest ever rate. CVC identified demand of €25bn-€30bn from investors while raising its new €16bn fund last year: more recently Bridgepoint, the private equity owner of Pret A … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- …
- 96
- Next Page »