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<channel><title>Human Times - petermat50</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com</link><description></description><pubDate>Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:51:51 +0800</pubDate><generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5</generator><language>zh-cn</language><ttl>30</ttl><item><title>Low Expectations, and the Failure to Meet Them...US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20111021/60366__low_expectations_and_the_failure_to_meet_them_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Today says a lot about how low all of our expectations really are of the EU leaders really putting together a solution over the weekend.
They announce yesterday that they need a second summit next... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:54:27 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>We Have Low Expectations, that the EU Consistently Fails to Meet...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111021/60365__we_have_low_expectations_that_the_eu_consistently_fails_to_meet_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ CDS financial indices are tighter, as are the Today says a lot about how low all of our expectations really are of the EU leaders really putting together a solution over the weekend.
They announce... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:42:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Mr Micawber and the Real Cure for our Financial Woes.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111019/60364__mr_micawber_and_the_real_cure_for_our_financial_woes_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ All the media frenzy that we have experienced over global financial woes in the last months seems to have focused on symptoms of the disease, rather than the disease itself. Things like bank... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:34:46 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Bullet Biting Time is Here.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111018/60363__bullet_biting_time_is_here_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I think it is time we all accepted that the structure and activities of financial markets have changed over the last 3 or 4 years and are unlikely to ever go back to the way we were during the... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:17:54 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Slovakia rules, OK? Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20111012/60362__slovakia_rules_ok_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ You have to laugh- no you do, really. Four months to approve an enhanced rescue package, 16 positive votes and now Slovakia is going to derail the whole thing&hellip; perfect. Who wants to invade... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:08:33 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Slovakia Rules OK?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111012/60361__slovakia_rules_ok_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ You have to laugh- no you do, really. Four months to approve an enhanced rescue package, 16 positive votes and now Slovakia is going to derail the whole thing&hellip; perfect. Who wants to invade... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:48:18 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Wishing and Hoping and Thinking and Praying...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111011/60360__wishing_and_hoping_and_thinking_and_praying_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Not many days when we all focus on Slovakia this much... unless England is playing them at football&hellip;Bearing in mind yesterday&rsquo;s comment focused on the importance of emotional... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:01:05 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Wishing and Hoping and Thinking and Praying...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111011/60359__wishing_and_hoping_and_thinking_and_praying_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Not many days when we all focus on Slovakia this much... unless England is playing them at football&hellip;Bearing in mind yesterday&rsquo;s comment focused on the importance of emotional... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:52 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Hang on a Minute Lads, I've Got a Great Idea...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111010/60358__hang_on_a_minute_lads_i_ve_got_a_great_idea_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So many different people are now working on THE PLAN to solve European banking/debt problems that one almost begins to believe that someone is going to come up with some actual action instead of... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:01:42 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Our Biggest Problem is Fear, Fear and Uncertainty- Our Two Biggest Problems are...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20111004/60355__our_biggest_problem_is_fear_fear_and_uncertainty_our_two_biggest_problems_are_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So the strange euphoria of last week has been replaced, again, with an only slightly less strange degree of manic depression this week.. I mean, is anything that has happened the last few days... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 4 Oct 2011 03:54:59 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Government Debt, a Tragedy Worthy of Shakespeare?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110930/60354__government_debt_a_tragedy_worthy_of_shakespeare_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It is a dark, foggy evening. A Troika appears of withered old people, looking as though the cares of the world were upon their shoulders. Are they witches? Are they warlocks? Or do they just speak... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:29:09 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Closing Down Chocolate??</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110628/60345__closing_down_chocolate_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ &nbsp;You know things are bad in the UK and that people really are economizing when a chain that sells high class chocolates and very little else has to close 120 branches.Given how bored I am with... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:06:08 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Greece; Confidence Vote, Yes-  Confidence, No.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110622/60344__greece_confidence_vote_yes_confidence_no_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So the Greek government has passed the vote of confidence and avoided a default scenario for at least another week. Of course there are still a few small problems; rioting in the streets, a tiny... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:58:39 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Greek Confidence Votes and a Few Heartfelt Wishes</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110621/60343__greek_confidence_votes_and_a_few_heartfelt_wishes.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The Greek government faces a confidence vote tonight that they need to win to reassure the IMF that there is support for the declared austerity measures required for further aid packages to be... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2011 03:33:04 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>I Bet Rory McIlroy Could Solve the Greek Problems...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110620/60341__i_bet_rory_mcilroy_could_solve_the_greek_problems_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A couple of things became clear over the weekend....Firstly- Rory McIlroy really IS as good as those of us who follow the European Golf tour have long suspected he was- and that&rsquo;s very, very,... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2011 03:20:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Feeling N-N-N-Nervous Yet?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110616/60340__feeling_n_n_n_nervous_yet_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Finally- after all these months- markets are waking up to the potential systemic problems and recovery roadblocks that have been plain to see ( and totally ignored) since sometime last year.Once... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:42:40 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>There Certainly is a Lot of Uncertainty About.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110615/60339__there_certainly_is_a_lot_of_uncertainty_about_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ If there is one thing that I am certain of, it is that markets hate uncertainty. Given that politicians make so many noises about how important markets are (and how evil all the people who dare to... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:16:17 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>It's Getting Harder to Ignore the Warning Signs...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110609/60338__it_s_getting_harder_to_ignore_the_warning_signs_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Ladies and gentlemen, the sound of fluttering you can hear is the sound of several economic chickens coming home to roost.It has been a theme of mine for a while that, whilst the bad news this year... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 9 Jun 2011 03:11:45 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>President Patrick O'Bama and Some Economic Musings.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110527/60336__president_patrick_o_bama_and_some_economic_musings_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There are times recently, particularly when penning (OK typing) these humble missives, when I worry about how cynical my world view is becoming... and me a natural optimist for most of my life.... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 27 May 2011 03:21:52 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Concerns About Greece? So What Else is New...?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110516/60335__concerns_about_greece_so_what_else_is_new_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The fact that Greece may need further help is, or should be, one of the least surprising pieces of news we have heard so far this year. Buyers demand over 20% to buy Greek debt in 2-4 year and over... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2011 03:10:17 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>An Interview with President Jefferson</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/headlines/northamerica/20110506/60334__an_interview_with_president_jefferson.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I have been seeking to gather informed commentary on the current economic situation, particularly in the USA, from people who have been involved in managing major global economies in the past.To... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 6 May 2011 06:02:06 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Conspiracy Theories.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110421/60332__conspiracy_theories_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ As predicted, Tuesday&rsquo;s S&amp;P inspired sell off just pulled the buyers out and everything in the equity/corporate bond/risk assets world is rosy again. The USA being downgraded in two years... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:06:23 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Sovereign Debt Crisis Analysed through the use of Song Titles.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110419/60331__the_sovereign_debt_crisis_analysed_through_the_use_of_song_titles_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The news that S&amp;P has put AAA ratings of the USA on negative watch is potentially so serious that I feel it can only adequately be addressed through the use of 20 song titles.My oh My! Are the... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:32:37 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Ian Dury (Remember Him?), Sovereign Debt and Risk Appetites.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110418/60330__ian_dury_remember_him_sovereign_debt_and_risk_appetites_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Easter week, so it looks destined to be a quiet one, as the market&rsquo;s strong desire to go better will war with the mounting list of concerns that flit around the backs of their minds. Finland... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Apr 2011 03:44:41 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt Problems Have Not Yet Gone Away...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110414/60329__sovereign_debt_problems_have_not_yet_gone_away_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Italy sets out to raise some E6 billion from bond markets amidst growing confidence that the sovereign debt problem in Europe might finally have been &ldquo;contained&rdquo;. In the same way, one... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2011 03:24:36 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Too Big to Save</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110412/60328__too_big_to_save.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The old saying goes that; &ldquo;Owe the bank &pound;1000 you can&rsquo;t afford to repay and you have a problem. Owe the bank &pound;1 billion you can&rsquo;t afford to repay and the bank has a... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 03:25:49 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Who Needs Economic Growth Anyway?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110408/60326__who_needs_economic_growth_anyway_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I see on my Bloomberg that The Bank of America Index of corporate bond spreads is now at its tightest level since October 2007. This not only reflects a growing confidence in economic recovery, it... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 8 Apr 2011 03:30:30 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Georgia on my Mind</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110407/60325__georgia_on_my_mind.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The least surprising news of the year must be that Portugal has applied to the EU for aid. Wouldn&rsquo;t it be funny if they said no? If they explained that lending E80 billion to someone who was... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 7 Apr 2011 04:43:54 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Family Attitudes and the Global Economic Crisis</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110406/60324__family_attitudes_and_the_global_economic_crisis.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Within the traditional family unit, an ancient concept in itself (but one that I rather like), members of the family had definite roles to play: the children were to be seen but not heard, the wife... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 6 Apr 2011 04:25:14 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Family Attitudes and the Global Economic Crisis</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/headlines/europe/20110406/60323__family_attitudes_and_the_global_economic_crisis.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Within the traditional family unit, an ancient concept in itself (but one that I rather like), members of the family had definite roles to play: the children were to be seen but not heard, the wife... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 6 Apr 2011 04:21:38 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>And the Good News is..... US update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110330/60322__and_the_good_news_is_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The 4 yr treasury sale was covered 2.79 times yesterday at the highest interest rate since last April. Although a little disappointing this was acceptable cover, with primary dealers being the main... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:49:59 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>And the Good News is....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110330/60320__and_the_good_news_is_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ OK... a determined effort to be cheerful today....Good news as home sales fell slightly less than expected in the US last month meaning sales have only dropped about 40% since first quarter... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 03:32:56 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Long Live the Cities!</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110329/60319__long_live_the_cities_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Nothing new yesterday to excite markets... same old radiation leaks, same old Middle East war- sorry, police action... or whatever it is, same old mixed up market data. Accordingly all equity... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:16:20 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Many a Merkel Makes a Muckle- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110328/60318__many_a_merkel_makes_a_muckle_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There was a time, before lawyers completely took over the daytime advertising schedules on TV by offering to sue anybody near you for any reason, when offers of &ldquo;consolidation loans&rdquo;,... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:28:03 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Many a Merkel makes a Muckle.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110328/60317__many_a_merkel_makes_a_muckle_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There was a time, before lawyers completely took over the daytime advertising schedules on TV by offering to sue anybody near you for any reason, when offers of &ldquo;consolidation loans&rdquo;... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:54:18 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Risk Appetites, plus Monty Python's Take on the Euro Crisis...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110324/60316__risk_appetites_plus_monty_python_s_take_on_the_euro_crisis_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The truism that the only factors that really move markets are fear and greed hides a larger truth. 
Markets do not move because of fundamentals, but because of emotion. You need to know and... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 24 Mar 2011 03:58:31 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Time to Refocus on the Real Dangers to the Bull Market</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110323/60315__time_to_refocus_on_the_real_dangers_to_the_bull_market.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I noted, earlier in March, that we were about to find out how resilient markets really were. A combination of Middle East revolution (and now war), potential oil price booms and a natural disaster... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:59:16 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The King's Speech?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110318/60311__the_king_s_speech_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A few things to watch today, apart from radiation levels in
Japan and gunfire in Bahrain. The King of Saudi Arabia is
giving a speech at 11.00a.m. London time (7.00 ET) and the poil
market will be... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:37:02 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Day for Waiting and Watching</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110317/60308__a_day_for_waiting_and_watching.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
STOCK FUTURES ARE SUGGESTING A CALM, OR EVEN POSITIVE START TO
EQUITIES DAY- BUT THEN THEY DID AT THIS TIME YESTERDAY MORNING
AS WELL. ODD FOR WORLD FINANCIAL MARKETS TO BE PARALYSED AND
WATCHING... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2011 04:33:09 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Germany Lays Down the Economic Law to Europe</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110314/60306__germany_lays_down_the_economic_law_to_europe.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well, the EU meetings over the weekend left no doubt about who is in charge, and intends to become more and more in charge as time goes on. Germany has declared that anyone needing help or credit... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 04:43:42 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Have the Ides of March Come Early this Year?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110311/60305__have_the_ides_of_march_come_early_this_year_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The FTSE wiped out all of this year&rsquo;s gains yesterday... I love writing dramatic sentences like that sometimes... meaningless really unless you know how much it was up to start with.It was... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:12:12 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Default or Inflation?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110310/60304__default_or_inflation_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The swap market is now, they tell me, pricing in a 60% chance of a Greek default within the next five years. It costs E1.05 million to insure E10 million of Greek government debt in the 5 year CDS... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:40:59 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The European Debt Crisis has not yet Gone Away.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110308/60303__the_european_debt_crisis_has_not_yet_gone_away_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The success of the EMU and the great single currency experiment is tough to measure at the moment. It would be easy to criticise any system which has 10 year interest rates as divergent as the... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 8 Mar 2011 03:43:12 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Will Middle East Conflict SpOIL the Rally- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110307/60302__will_middle_east_conflict_spoil_the_rally_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Markets are apparently &ldquo;nervous&rdquo; again about escalating violence in the Middle East and the effects on political and economic stability in the region this may bring.Hogwash.They are... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 7 Mar 2011 07:17:51 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Will the Middle East SpOIL the Rally?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110307/60301__will_the_middle_east_spoil_the_rally_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Markets are apparently &ldquo;nervous&rdquo; again about escalating violence in the Middle East and the effects on political and economic stability in the region this may bring.Hogwash.They are... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 7 Mar 2011 04:26:10 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Bring Back "Caveat Emptor".</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110304/60300__bring_back_caveat_emptor_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The recent disruptions in the financial world have many causes and are down to many different groups of people behaving rather badly- however much governments want you to believe that the nasty... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 4 Mar 2011 03:32:32 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Musings About a Few Things I Don't Understand</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110127/60295__musings_about_a_few_things_i_don_t_understand.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There are many, many things in life I do not understand, but a couple of them have been occupying far too much of the front pages of the media over the last few days and, although they are not all... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:31:39 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Bit of Silly- Ness as the Rally Resumes... US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110126/60294__a_bit_of_silly_ness_as_the_rally_resumes_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Three things strike one today.Firstly: Davos sounds more like a Doctor Who villain than a suitable place for the great and good of the financial worlds to decide all of our fates for the next... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:03:49 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Bit of Silly-ness... but Enough About GDP.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110126/60293__a_bit_of_silly_ness_but_enough_about_gdp_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Three things strike one today.Firstly: Davos sounds more like a Doctor Who villain than a suitable place for the great and good of the financial worlds to decide all of our fates for the next... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:01:29 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>One Quarter Away from a Recession?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110125/60292__one_quarter_away_from_a_recession_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I wonder ... where do economists go for the winter? Obviously somewhere warm and sunny, as it seems none of the 33 that Bloomberg use for their forecasting noticed that we had a bit of bad weather... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:29:38 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Early Winners and Losers.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110124/60291__early_winners_and_losers_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Who would have thought it? The place to achieve quick returns on your equity portfolio at the end of last year has proved to be Spain and Italy, which have both risen by just about 10% in the... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:01:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Poor Old Goldmans- Only $8.64bn Profit this Quarter...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110120/60289__poor_old_goldmans_only_8_64bn_profit_this_quarter_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Possibly a few signs that people&rsquo;s expectations for the earnings season in the US are higher than they should be. Apple had fantastic numbers, but shares fell yesterday and that can&rsquo;t... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:16:17 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Inflation is Only Good for Balloons and Tyres...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110119/60288__inflation_is_only_good_for_balloons_and_tyres_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A little bit of common sense seems to be reaching the markets, or at least the media reporting of the markets at last. Inflation has finally become a concern and the EU is looking at ways to beef... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:13:08 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>More Good News- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110114/60287__more_good_news_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Yesterday Spain and Italy joined Portugal in easing market bail out fears by raising new capital more cheaply than markets expected. The only sobering note was Trichet giving a warning about rate... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:39:29 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>More Good News from the Bond Auctions.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110114/60286__more_good_news_from_the_bond_auctions_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Yesterday Spain and Italy joined Portugal in easing market bail out fears by raising new capital more cheaply than markets expected. The only sobering note was Trichet giving a warning about rate... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:20:19 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Eyes on Portugal- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110112/60285__all_eyes_on_portugal_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US Equities managed gains yesterday, but markets never had the conviction that European exchanges were showing. Today we see Portugal try to access funding markets, which will give us a good idea... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:03:33 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Eyes on Portugal</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110112/60284__all_eyes_on_portugal.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US Equities managed gains yesterday, but markets never had the conviction that European exchanges were showing. Today we see Portugal try to access funding markets, which will give us a good idea... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Jan 2011 03:04:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt Back in Focus- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110111/60283__sovereign_debt_back_in_focus_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So the New Year starts with what is fast becoming an old story. Portugal is rumoured to need a bail out, denies it needs a bailout, comes under pressure to accept a bailout, denies it needs a bail... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:41:42 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt the Focus Again...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110111/60282__sovereign_debt_the_focus_again_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So the New Year starts with what is fast becoming an old story. Portugal is rumoured to need a bail out, denies it needs a bailout, comes under pressure to accept a bailout, denies it needs a bail... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:55:19 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Enough is Enough.  It's Time to Stop the Banker Bashing</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/headlines/europe/20110110/60281__enough_is_enough_it_s_time_to_stop_the_banker_bashing.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Further to last week&rsquo;s rant- and in the full knowledge that bonus season this year means banker bashing season in the media- let&rsquo;s have a brief reminder of the real causes of the recent... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 04:01:25 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Will the EU Cure be Worse than the Banking Illness?  US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20110107/60280__will_the_eu_cure_be_worse_than_the_banking_illness_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There is no doubt that banks should be better regulated. Capital requirements need to be reviewed and toughened, the whole framework that grew after Glass Stiegel was removed needs to be looked at... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 7 Jan 2011 06:48:55 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Will the EU Cure be Worse than the Illness.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20110107/60279__will_the_eu_cure_be_worse_than_the_illness_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There is no doubt that banks should be better regulated. Capital requirements need to be reviewed and toughened, the whole framework that grew after Glass Stiegel was removed needs to be looked at... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 7 Jan 2011 03:27:52 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Where There's a Will......</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101216/60276__where_there_s_a_will_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Will the Spanish get their bond sale away successfully under the threat of a downgrade?Will the Irish decide to default on their debt after the election, whoever wins? The opposition have already... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 2010 02:59:04 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>And Now for the Good News....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101215/60275__and_now_for_the_good_news_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So...Germany is increasing its resistance to any increase in government bailouts, Spain&rsquo;s Aa1 debt rating is on review for downgrade at Moody/s, the Fed is continuing with QE2,3,4 and... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:04:09 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Monetary Union Bond Issue? - US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101210/60273__a_monetary_union_bond_issue_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ OK, first a correction and humble apology- it serves me right for rushing a comment out late yesterday without proof reading it.I meant of course, to say the yield on 10yr US Treasuries had risen... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:16:58 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Monetary Union Bond Issue?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101210/60272__a_monetary_union_bond_issue_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ OK, first a correction and humble apology- it serves me right for rushing a comment out late yesterday without proof reading it.I meant of course, to say the yield on 10yr US Treasuries had risen... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Dec 2010 03:28:58 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Higher... Higher</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101209/60271__higher_higher.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A late comment today as I have been mulling over my reaction to recent events (OK- I was tied up with some data lists all morning). My immediate reaction to current news and speculation&nbsp;is... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 9 Dec 2010 09:29:45 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Why Not Buy Someone a Bank for Christmas- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101208/60270__why_not_buy_someone_a_bank_for_christmas_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Now here is an interesting statistic for youIn 2007 the largest banks in Europe and America were valued at an average of 2.15% times the declared value of their assets. This reflected various... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 8 Dec 2010 06:49:41 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Why Not Buy Somebody a Bank for Christmas?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101208/60269__why_not_buy_somebody_a_bank_for_christmas_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Now here is an interesting statistic for youIn 2007 the largest banks in Europe and America were valued at an average of 2.15% times the declared value of their assets. This reflected various... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 8 Dec 2010 02:52:51 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Good News and the Bad News- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101207/60268__the_good_news_and_the_bad_news_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ OK- I lied about the good news...Just kidding....It appears Ireland&rsquo;s austerity budget will pass, although this does not solve the problem of them having to pay back swingeing interest... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 7 Dec 2010 06:48:57 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Good News and the Bad News</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101207/60267__the_good_news_and_the_bad_news.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ OK- I lied about the good news...Just kidding....It appears Ireland&rsquo;s austerity budget will pass, although this does not solve the problem of them having to pay back swingeing interest... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 7 Dec 2010 02:58:00 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Roller Coaster Day- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101203/60265__a_roller_coaster_day_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I can only confess to being totally wrong yesterday. I thought Trichet&rsquo;s reluctance to bring in new measures of support and his restatement of his view that it is the governments&rsquo;... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 3 Dec 2010 07:03:40 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Roller Coaster Day.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101203/60264__a_roller_coaster_day_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I can only confess to being totally wrong yesterday. I thought Trichet&rsquo;s reluctance to bring in new measures of support and his restatement of his view that it is the governments&rsquo;... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 3 Dec 2010 02:56:07 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Waiting for Trichet- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101202/60263__waiting_for_trichet_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Markets rallied hard yesterday as one comment by Mr Trichet- just a general statement, not a promise of future policy- was interpreted as meaning that the ECB can solve all problems and intends to... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 2 Dec 2010 07:06:09 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Trichet Holds the Key</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101202/60262__trichet_holds_the_key.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Markets rallied hard yesterday as one comment by Mr Trichet- just a general statement, not a promise of future policy- was interpreted as meaning that the ECB can solve all problems and intends to... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 2 Dec 2010 03:20:18 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>And Now For Portugal...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101201/60261__and_now_for_portugal_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well the EU has managed the near impossible and managed to put together a &ldquo;policy&rdquo; that makes the dollar look like a good buy in currency markets.They still don&rsquo;t seem to have... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 1 Dec 2010 06:04:43 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Reasons to be Cheerful, part 2... US Update.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101126/60260__reasons_to_be_cheerful_part_2_us_update_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It&rsquo;s less than a month until Christmas day- wow. Mr Weber has commented that he believes the EU rescue fund has enough money- which it does until Portugal and Spain have to tap it. This was... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Nov 2010 07:12:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 2</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101126/60259__reasons_to_be_cheerful_part_2.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It&rsquo;s less than a month until Christmas day- wow. Mr Weber has commented that he believes the EU rescue fund has enough money- which it does until Portugal and Spain have to tap it. This seems... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Nov 2010 03:15:57 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Tis the Season to be Jolly, Well Nearly...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101125/60258__tis_the_season_to_be_jolly_well_nearly_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Markets yesterday were looking for an excuse to rally from Wednesday&rsquo;s losses and the jobless numbers gave them one. For the next two days the likelihood is that they will want an excuse for... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Nov 2010 03:06:08 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Focus is all on- the Long Thanksgiving Weekend... US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101124/60257__the_focus_is_all_on_the_long_thanksgiving_weekend_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ What is the difference between an Irish Banker and a pigeon?A pigeon can still put a deposit on a Lamborghini...All the old fears are making an appearance in the media today... the chances of Japan... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Nov 2010 06:35:26 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Focus on... A Long Thanksgiving Weekend.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101124/60256__all_focus_on_a_long_thanksgiving_weekend_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ What is the difference between an Irish Banker and a pigeon?A pigeon can still put a deposit on a Lamborghini...All the old fears are making an appearance in the media today... the chances of Japan... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:03:40 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Nothing is Certain at the Moment- I'm Certain of That- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101123/60255__nothing_is_certain_at_the_moment_i_m_certain_of_that_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Let&rsquo;s get a real world perspective for a moment; the truly worrying thing today is not Ireland having to hold a general election in January; it&rsquo;s North Korea shelling a South Korean... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 06:51:35 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Right Now You can be Certain that- Nothing is Certain.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101123/60254__right_now_you_can_be_certain_that_nothing_is_certain_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Let&rsquo;s get a real world perspective for a moment; the truly worrying thing today is not Ireland having to hold a general election in January; it&rsquo;s North Korea shelling a South Korean... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:08:03 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt? Let's Talk About Something Else... US Update.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101122/60253__sovereign_debt_let_s_talk_about_something_else_us_update_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ With that mystifying logic that global markets follow, having weakened Friday on fears that Ireland will be forced to accept a bailout package, they will strengthen today on the fact that they... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Nov 2010 06:37:04 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt? Let's Talk About Something Else..</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101122/60252__sovereign_debt_let_s_talk_about_something_else_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ With that mystifying logic that global markets follow, having weakened Friday on fears that Ireland will be forced to accept a bailout package, they will strengthen today on the fact that they... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Nov 2010 03:01:36 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Bailout Bliss and Philly Fantastic- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101119/60251__bailout_bliss_and_philly_fantastic_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Firstly, I saw a statistic this morning that I love, namely that the interest payments on the UK Government&rsquo;s debt last month reached &pound;5 million per hour. That&rsquo;s just about... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 2010 07:06:29 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Bailout Bliss and Philly Fantastic.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101119/60250__bailout_bliss_and_philly_fantastic_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Firstly, I saw a statistic this morning that I love, namely that the interest payments on the UK Government&rsquo;s debt last month reached &pound;5 million per hour. That&rsquo;s just about... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 2010 03:35:47 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>It's Deja Vu all Over Again- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101118/60249__it_s_deja_vu_all_over_again_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The heavy mob are now in Ireland having a look through the books- pretty much the same group that visited Greece back when they were insisting they hadn&rsquo;t asked for a bailout. And- like... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:07:41 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>It's Deja Vu all Over Again.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101118/60248__it_s_deja_vu_all_over_again_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The heavy mob are now in Ireland having a look through the books- pretty much the same group that visited Greece back when they were insisting they hadn&rsquo;t asked for a bailout. It is all... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:07:54 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt Focus- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101116/60247__sovereign_debt_focus_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Today the theme seems set to be one of reassurance over the EU sovereign debt problems. Ireland and Portugal, who are now very much part of the market&rsquo;s concerns, have both reiterated that... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:29:46 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt Still the Focus</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101116/60246__sovereign_debt_still_the_focus.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Today the theme seems set to be one of reassurance over the EU sovereign debt problems. Ireland and Portugal, who are now very much part of the market&rsquo;s concerns, have both reiterated that... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 02:44:04 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Eyes on Ireland- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101115/60245__all_eyes_on_ireland_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Quoting fiscal responsibility and bravely shouldering the burdens of satisfying the political will of the countries where they are based, banks have nobly begun discussions on reducing their bonus... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:57:02 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Eyes on Ireland</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101115/60244__all_eyes_on_ireland.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Quoting fiscal responsibility and bravely shouldering the burdens of satisfying the political will of the countries where they are based, banks have nobly begun discussions on reducing their bonus... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:29:55 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Don't Panic- the US Update is Here....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101112/60243__don_t_panic_the_us_update_is_here_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well, how was veterans day/armistice day for you? The world went on quietly flushing its economy down the toilet it would seem.Irish debt became even more devalued and a majority of people, in a... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:33:55 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Don't Panic!...yet...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101112/60241__don_t_panic_yet_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well, how was veterans day/armistice day for you? The world went on quietly flushing its economy down the toilet it would seem. Irish debt became even more devalued and a majority of people, in a... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Nov 2010 02:56:59 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Benefits of a Good Education.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101111/60240__the_benefits_of_a_good_education_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Another day, another mauling for Irish government bonds. The yield on the 10yr is now well over 8.5% and the margin over German bonds close to 630bp. Predictions of default, and/or a need to go cap... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:55:31 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>There May be Trouble Ahead... US update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101110/60239__there_may_be_trouble_ahead_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There&rsquo;s really nothing fresh to say today (but I&rsquo;ll say something anyway), just a sense that the concerns around the market have the edge over QE euphoria. US equities faded into the... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:53:13 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>"There May be Trouble Ahead..."</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101110/60238___there_may_be_trouble_ahead_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There&rsquo;s really nothing fresh to say today (but I&rsquo;ll say something anyway), just a sense that the concerns around the market have the edge over QE euphoria. US equities faded into the... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 03:40:26 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Is Sovereign Debt Really a Problem?  Oh yes... US Update.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101109/60237__is_sovereign_debt_really_a_problem_oh_yes_us_update_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ If we speak about the chances of a &ldquo;sovereign debt crisis&rdquo; in Europe, are we really overcooking it? Is there really any chance of the EU breaking up and/or a member country being... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 9 Nov 2010 07:18:10 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Is There Really a problem with Sovereign Debt?  Oh yes...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101109/60236__is_there_really_a_problem_with_sovereign_debt_oh_yes_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ If we speak about the chances of a &ldquo;sovereign debt crisis&rdquo; in Europe, are we really overcooking it? Is there really any chance of the EU breaking up and/or a member country being... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 9 Nov 2010 03:08:39 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>What Next?  US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101108/60235__what_next_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Having spent most of the day in negative territory, US equities rallied near the close on Friday to end more or less unchanged... A fraction to the good on fact. It seemed as though all the... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 8 Nov 2010 06:29:00 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>What Next?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101108/60234__what_next_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Having spent most of the day in negative territory, US equities rallied near the close to end more or less unchanged... A fraction to the good on fact. It seemed as though all the week&rsquo;s... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 8 Nov 2010 03:07:02 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Emperor's New Clothes- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101105/60233__the_emperor_s_new_clothes_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ As predicted the world markets greeted Mr. Bernanke&rsquo;s actions with a surge of relief and equities closed 2% to the good, with several major indices at their best levels since Lehman was just... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 5 Nov 2010 06:48:40 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Emperor's New Clothes.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101105/60232__the_emperor_s_new_clothes_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ As predicted the world markets greeted Mr. Bernanke&rsquo;s actions with a surge of relief and equities closed 2% to the good, with several major indices at their best levels since Lehman was just... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 5 Nov 2010 04:23:36 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Next Stop QE3?  US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101104/60231__next_stop_qe3_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So, $600 billion over 8 months, plus another $250-300 billion in funds reinvested as part of QE1 matures. The ides of deleveraging or financial prudence is still nowhere to be seen in US policy,... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 4 Nov 2010 07:37:23 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Next Stop QE3?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101104/60230__next_stop_qe3_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So, $600 billion over 8 months, plus another $250-300 billion in funds reinvested as part of QE1 matures. The ides of deleveraging or financial prudence is still nowhere to be seen in US policy,... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 4 Nov 2010 03:52:47 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Elections Behind us, Fed Ahead.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101103/60229__elections_behind_us_fed_ahead_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Hardly a ringing endorsement for President Obama last night, although it looks like the GOP will fall short of winning control in the senate to go with their newly anointed congressional majority.... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 3 Nov 2010 04:10:08 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>To QE, or not to QE, that is the Question...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101102/60228__to_qe_or_not_to_qe_that_is_the_question_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Yesterday was really a rather good day for the global economy. UK, US and Chinese data all came out stronger than expected and it would seem that international trade is helping the western world to... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 2 Nov 2010 04:27:23 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Eyes on the Fed- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101101/60227__all_eyes_on_the_fed_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ All eyes on the Fed for the first part of the week, as markets wait to see if all their assumptions about QE2 are justified. It should be noted that the Fed are not unanimous in their support of a... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 1 Nov 2010 07:19:47 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Eyes on the Fed...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101101/60226__all_eyes_on_the_fed_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ All eyes on the Fed for the first part of the week, as markets wait to see if all their assumptions about QE2 are justified. It should be noted that the Fed are not unanimous in their support of a... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 1 Nov 2010 04:37:05 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Mixed Messages and the President on the Daily Show.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101028/60225__mixed_messages_and_the_president_on_the_daily_show_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ All eyes still on Fed action early next week, dealers have been asked to estimate the effect on yields of various sizes of central bank bond purchases. US equities slightly lower and Asia mixed... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:52:18 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Mixed Messages from Around the World.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101028/60224__mixed_messages_from_around_the_world_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ All eyes still on Fed action early next week, dealers have been asked to estimate the effect on yields of various sizes of central bank bond purchases. US equities slightly lower and Asia mixed... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 03:09:08 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Well Done our George- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101027/60221__well_done_our_george_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The problem is; the reason we&rsquo;re having QE2 in the US is that QE1 hasn&rsquo;t worked. I seem to remember that a popular definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:05:05 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Well Done George!</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101027/60220__well_done_george_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The problem is; the reason we&rsquo;re having QE2 in the US is that QE1 hasn&rsquo;t worked. I seem to remember that a popular definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:29:19 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Small Difference of Opinion- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101026/60219__a_small_difference_of_opinion_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So- there are two clear opinions about the UK Banking system. The guy in charge of it, Mervyn King, stated during a speech in America that a total separation between retail and investment banking... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:58:59 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Slight Difference of Opinion.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101026/60218__a_slight_difference_of_opinion_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So- there are two clear opinions about the UK Banking system. The guy in charge of it, Mervyn King, stated during a speech in America that a total separation between retail and investment banking... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:58:39 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Remember When the QE2 was just a Very Big Ship? - US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101025/60217__remember_when_the_qe2_was_just_a_very_big_ship_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ All eyes on whether the US adopts QE next week or not. Or rather, since nearly everyone assumes they will, on how much and how cheap it is. My concern is that this is beginning to look like a... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 25 Oct 2010 06:29:06 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>I Remember when "QE2" Referred to a Very Big Ship....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101025/60216__i_remember_when_qe2_referred_to_a_very_big_ship_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ All eyes on whether the US adopts QE next week or not. Or rather, since nearly everyone assumes they will, on how much and how cheap it is. My concern is that this is beginning to look like a... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:26:28 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>In Praise of Comic Genius and Low Bond Yields...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101022/60215__in_praise_of_comic_genius_and_low_bond_yields_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The UK Headlines Scream... &ldquo;Shock Fall in Retail Spending...&rdquo; Why is this deemed to be a shock?
Ask around- people are trying to reduce debt... Save more and lots of us feel less well... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:59:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Top 20 Jokes of All Time.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/showbiz/jokeshumour/20101022/60214__top_20_jokes_of_all_time_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Below are listed the Top 20 from the recently published list of the 50 funniest jokes of all time- following 36,000 people voting in a survey listing 1000 jokes found on the internet. The full list... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 22 Oct 2010 03:19:38 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>In Praise of Tommy Cooper...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101022/60213__in_praise_of_tommy_cooper_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The Headlines Scream... &ldquo;Shock Fall in Retail Spending...&rdquo; Why is this deemed to be a shock?
Ask around- people are trying to reduce debt.. Save more and lots of us feel less well off... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 22 Oct 2010 03:10:53 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Composer-ator</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/showbiz/jokeshumour/20101021/60212__the_composer_ator.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Steven Spielberg was busy discussing his new action adventure about famous classical composers. Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger were in the room. &quot;Who do you want to... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:27:41 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Winners, Losers, and What the USA Should be Watching Closely...Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101021/60211__winners_losers_and_what_the_usa_should_be_watching_closely_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well... if you are an ageing banker in the UK with a long rail commute, paying higher rate tax but claiming benefit for your 15 teenage kids who all want to go to university- have ambitions to sell... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:34:35 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Irish Hunting Trip</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/showbiz/jokeshumour/20101021/60210__the_irish_hunting_trip.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Two Irishmen flew to Canada on a hunting trip. They chartered a 
small plane to take them into the Rockies for a week hunting 
moose. They managed to bag 6. As they were loading the plane to... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Oct 2010 04:20:28 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Winners and Losers.. Many, Many Losers...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101021/60208__winners_and_losers_many_many_losers_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well... if you are an ageing banker with a long rail commute, paying higher rate tax but claiming benefit for your 15 teenage kids who all want to go to university- have ambitions to sell your idea... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:58:49 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Why are 3.6% Spending Cuts so Scary- and Why the USA Should Care...Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101020/60207__why_are_3_6_spending_cuts_so_scary_and_why_the_usa_should_care_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Today we get a really scary illustration of the true cost of building up huge debt.The UK government wants to cut real spending levels by just 3.6%, barely taking it back to the levels of... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Oct 2010 06:38:07 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Why Are 3.6% Cuts so Scary?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101020/60206__why_are_3_6_cuts_so_scary_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Today we get a really scary illustration of the true cost of building up huge debt.The UK government wants to cut real spending levels by just 3.6%, barely taking it back to the levels of... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Oct 2010 03:27:41 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Cautionary Tale... US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101019/60204__a_cautionary_tale_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A cautionary tale to start the day, as we await a huge list of earnings reports, including; State Street, BONY Mellon, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Coca Cola, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Sallie Mae... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Oct 2010 06:29:18 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Cautionary Tale....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101019/60203__a_cautionary_tale_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A cautionary tale to start the day, as we await a huge list of earnings reports, including; State Street, BONY Mellon, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Coca Cola, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Sallie Mae... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Oct 2010 03:06:02 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Should the USA be more Worried about UK Spending Cuts than the UK?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101018/60202__should_the_usa_be_more_worried_about_uk_spending_cuts_than_the_uk_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Over here in the UK, for the first half of the week, it will be hard to drag ones thoughts away from the government spending review, details of which we here on the 20th. I do wonder (and I... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:05:24 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Don't Worry About Spending Cuts...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101018/60201__don_t_worry_about_spending_cuts_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ For the first half of the week, it will be hard to drag ones thoughts away from the UK spending review, details of which we here on the 20th. I do wonder (and I can&rsquo;t believe I&rsquo;m going... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Oct 2010 03:15:09 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Bulls Rule? US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101014/60200__bulls_rule_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ To repeat something I said yesterday, the main problem at the moment is a lack of demand for money, not a lack of supply. The measures announced by the Business Lending Taskforce (which sounds like... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:30:00 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Bulls Rule.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101014/60199__bulls_rule_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ To repeat something I said yesterday, the main problem at the moment is a lack of demand for money, not a lack of supply. The measures announced by the Business Lending Taskforce (which sounds like... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:29:29 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Earnings off to a Good Start- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101013/60198__earnings_off_to_a_good_start_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Intel and CSX earnings were better than expected last night and, providing the JPMorgan numbers don&rsquo;t disappoint when New York opens, that should help put a positive note into today&rsquo;s... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 13 Oct 2010 07:04:24 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Earnings off to a Good Start</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101013/60196__earnings_off_to_a_good_start.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Intel and CSX earnings were better than expected last night and, providing the JPMorgan numbers don&rsquo;t disappoint when New York opens, that should help put a positive note into today&rsquo;s... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:58:23 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Rining Sun 2?  US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101012/60193__rining_sun_2_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Back in the mid 1980&rsquo;s the USA was convinced that World commerce was about to be taken over by Japan and they became paranoid that the Japanese would take over all major US businesses. So... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:20:09 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Rising Sun 2?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101012/60192__rising_sun_2_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Back in the mid 1980&rsquo;s the USA was convinced that World commerce was about to be taken over by Japan and they became paranoid that the Japanese would take over all major US businesses. So... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 03:10:56 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Always Look on the Bright Side...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101011/60191__always_look_on_the_bright_side_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ &ldquo;More people on the dole,
The economy&rsquo;s in a hole
It doesn&rsquo;t matter if you laugh and joke and sing.
Government debt&rsquo;s immense,
Everyone feeling tense,
Just purse your lips... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Oct 2010 03:01:51 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Forget Real Solutions, Just Blame the Bankers- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101008/60190__forget_real_solutions_just_blame_the_bankers_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Global trade balances continue to widen- both deficits and surpluses. Developing Asian countries now have surpluses forecast (by the IMF) to reach close to $750 billion by 2015. This will handily... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 8 Oct 2010 08:32:21 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Forget Real Solutions, Just Blame the Bankers.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101008/60189__forget_real_solutions_just_blame_the_bankers_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Global trade balances continue to widen- both deficits and surpluses. Developing Asian countries now have surpluses forecast (by the IMF) to reach close to $750 billion by 2015. This will handily... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 8 Oct 2010 03:00:27 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>It Could be Worse- US Update.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20101007/60188__it_could_be_worse_us_update_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Having laid out the potential negatives for the global economy in my comment yesterday, I decided to concentrate only on positives today.
Ummmmm... Happy Thursday.OK- you&rsquo;re right, things are... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 7 Oct 2010 07:12:28 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>It Could be Worse....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101007/60187__it_could_be_worse_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ &nbsp;Having laid out the potential negatives for the global economy in my comment yesterday, I decided to concentrate only on positives today.
Ummmmm... Happy Thursday.OK- you&rsquo;re right,... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 7 Oct 2010 03:34:39 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Optimism Rules...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20101006/60186__optimism_rules_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So... let&rsquo;s see if I&rsquo;ve got this correct. The Bank of Japan has cut interest rates and promised to buy assets as growth is slowing and uncertain. Other central banks are expected to... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 6 Oct 2010 03:15:31 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Spain Cut, Irish Banking Woes..</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100930/60184__spain_cut_irish_banking_woes_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Just a few brief notes today, as there is really nothing new to add to recent arguments about market direction.
Spain was cut one notch by Moody&rsquo;s to Aa1 and the cost of Ireland bailing out... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:29:07 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Sovereign Debt Concerns Returning?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100929/60183__sovereign_debt_concerns_returning_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Equities showed modest gains yesterday and are off to a good start this morning, despite signs that the European government debt crisis hasn&rsquo;t gone away. S&amp;P threatened to lower... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Sep 2010 03:32:45 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Remember... Too Much Debt IS a Bad Thing.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100928/60182__remember_too_much_debt_is_a_bad_thing_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The IMF gave the UK a green light over its debt reduction policies yesterday and forecast growth of 2% next year rising to 2.5% over the medium term. So much for the new labour leadership&rsquo;s... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:37:26 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy Days...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100927/60180__happy_days_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Back from the Florida sunshine to discover that markets view of the World seems even more bright and sunny than the weather I&rsquo;ve been experiencing... The Dow Jones is up by close to 9% in... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:17:24 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>No News is Good News- Sort of...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100920/60175__no_news_is_good_news_sort_of_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Markets continue to have a happy September. Today news that certain government bond traders see things improving over the next couple of years, plus the UK&rsquo;s ratings being affirmed surely... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:03:56 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Playing the Waiting Game</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100916/60174__playing_the_waiting_game.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US equities managed small gains, Europe currently has small losses and markets are still bumbling along waiting for employment and housing data to give them a real trend. Encouraging that the... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:47:36 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>More Bad News for US Housing?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100915/60173__more_bad_news_for_us_housing_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Good call yesterday on the lack of trend it seems. Today bad jobless figures in the UK have been enough to make the markets slightly negative. Any nasty surprises in the economic data now is the... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:43:31 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Pause for Thought...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100914/60172__pause_for_thought_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Hard to tell from the comfort (?) of a New York hotel room, but it feels like today someone may have hit the pause button and we are going to struggle to find a real trend.
In the US equities were... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:02:26 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Everthing's Coming up Roses..</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100913/60169__everthing_s_coming_up_roses_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The performance of bank stocks today and the surge of confidence that has helped create in global markets have something very interesting to say about the psychology of the global economy.... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:43:51 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Positive Vibes- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100910/60168__positive_vibes_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ First of all, it needs to be stated that I am distinctly de-mob happy today as I fly off to the USA this weekend. A tour of clients in the North East will be followed by some serious sun time down... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:25:14 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Positive Vibes.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100910/60167__positive_vibes_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ First of all, it needs to be stated that I am distinctly de-mob happy today as I fly off to the USA this weekend. A tour of clients in the North East will be followed by some serious sun time down... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Sep 2010 03:27:36 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Short Term Thinking and Debt Concerns- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100909/60165__short_term_thinking_and_debt_concerns_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Equities managed modest gains all round yesterday and Europe (after a negative opening) is showing further gains this morning as, apparently, &ldquo;European Debt Concerns Eased&rdquo;. Have they... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 9 Sep 2010 07:02:16 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Short Term Thinking and "Debt Concerns"</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100909/60164__short_term_thinking_and_debt_concerns_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Equities managed modest gains all round yesterday as, apparently, &ldquo;European Debt Concerns Eased&rdquo;.&nbsp;Did they really? Well yes they did, but only because the focus of the market at... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 9 Sep 2010 03:33:11 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Spend, Spend, Spend- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100908/60162__spend_spend_spend_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I had promised myself a week free of Obama bashing, after all, the poor man is doing his best in a difficult situation... yeh right... but it&rsquo;s no good, I have to mention him today. 
There... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 8 Sep 2010 07:47:35 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Spend, Spend, Spend...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100908/60161__spend_spend_spend_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I had promised myself a week free of Obama bashing, after all, the poor man is doing his best in a difficult situation... yeh right... but it&rsquo;s no good, I have to mention him today. 
There... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 8 Sep 2010 03:29:36 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Markets Stressed About European Banks- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100907/60159__markets_stressed_about_european_banks_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ For anybody reading this at home- stay there... Don&rsquo;t come back, it isn&rsquo;t exciting out here today.
A trendless day yesterday, with the US being closed for the holiday, has given way to... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 7 Sep 2010 07:20:24 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Markets Stressed About Banks Again...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100907/60158__markets_stressed_about_banks_again_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A trendless day yesterday, with the US being closed for the holiday, has given way to a slightly negative opening today. Main concern- main new concern anyway- is the level of openness from banks... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 7 Sep 2010 04:12:35 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Labor Day Thoughts....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100906/60157__labor_day_thoughts_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ We are on Obama watch this week, as the US President launches several economic initiatives designed to limit his party&rsquo;s losses in the forthcoming midterm elections..... Sorry..... What I... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 6 Sep 2010 03:13:26 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>IT's All About Jobs...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100903/60156__it_s_all_about_jobs_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It&rsquo;s going to be a short one today, as I&rsquo;m travelling and the day will all hinge around the employment number this afternoon anyway. US equities managed modest gains yesterday on the... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 3 Sep 2010 03:05:31 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Big Cheer for the ISM, now for Home Sales- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100902/60155__a_big_cheer_for_the_ism_now_for_home_sales_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well... that shows how much I know... I was right about one thing yesterday though. Markets were desperate for a reason to rally and Chinese and US manufacturing numbers gave them that reason.... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:57:12 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Big Cheer for the ISM Data- Now for Home Sales...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100902/60154__a_big_cheer_for_the_ism_data_now_for_home_sales_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well... that shows how much I know... I was right about one thing yesterday though. Markets were desperate for a reason to rally and Chinese and US manufacturing numbers gave them that reason.... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 2 Sep 2010 03:08:30 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Farewell to a Rotten August- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100901/60153__farewell_to_a_rotten_august_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So ends the worst August for US equities since 2001, with the Dow off 4% and the S&amp;P down close to 5%. Now everyone returns from holiday, rolls up their sleeves and volume will begin to... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 1 Sep 2010 07:08:22 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Farewell to a Rotten August...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100901/60151__farewell_to_a_rotten_august_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So ends the worst August for US equities since 2001, with the Dow off 4% and the S&amp;P down close to 5%. Now everyone returns from holiday, rolls up their sleeves and volume will begin to... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 1 Sep 2010 02:53:30 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Jobs and Home Sales the Focus- US update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100831/60150__jobs_and_home_sales_the_focus_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Friday&rsquo;s relief rally on Wall Street didn&rsquo;t last long as the US ignored an encouraging speech by Barack Obama (and if only they&rsquo;d had the sense to do that back in 2008...) and the... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:28:55 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Jopbs and Home Sales Numbers the Week's Focus</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100831/60148__jopbs_and_home_sales_numbers_the_week_s_focus.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Friday&rsquo;s relief rally on Wall Street didn&rsquo;t last long as the US ignored an encouraging speech by Barack Obama (and if only they&rsquo;d had the sense to do that back in 2008...) and the... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:34:35 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Focus Switches to GDP- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100827/60146__focus_switches_to_gdp_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ S&amp;P says that banking recovery may not be as strong as we thought. Their argument seems a little strange- since the reason for their caution is that they think banks may be benefiting from... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:08:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Focus Switches to GDP Today.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100827/60144__focus_switches_to_gdp_today_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ S&amp;P says that banking recovery may not be as strong as we thought. Their argument seems a little strange- since the reason for their caution is they think banks may be benefiting from improved... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:55:19 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Way Forward- US Update</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100826/60143__the_way_forward_us_update.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US equities managed to turn positive in the last 90 minutes of trade yesterday, although gains were modest. Asia was mixed, but slightly positive on balance and Europe has traded positively all... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:53:08 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Way Forward</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100826/60142__the_way_forward.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US equities managed to turn positive in the last 90 minutes of trade yesterday, although gains were modest. Asia has been mixed, but slightly positive on balance and this may be a good couple of... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:56:53 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The End of the Summer Calm?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100825/60141__the_end_of_the_summer_calm_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ I have long maintained that the summer calm would eventually be broken and that one should not be carried away by recent rallies and become too exposed. It looks like now is the time that the... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:51:37 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Gloom, Doom and Property- New York Update.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100824/60140__gloom_doom_and_property_new_york_update_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ After a strong opening, the Dow marked time either side of flat for most of the day yesterday before closing in negative territory. European equities have had a fairly dismal morning, currently... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:47:02 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Gloom, Doom and the Property Market.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100824/60139__gloom_doom_and_the_property_market_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ After a strong opening, the Dow marked time either side of flat for most of the day before closing in negative territory. &ldquo;Fears of economic slowdown&rdquo; given as the main reason- as if... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:33:07 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Pick a Problem- New York Update.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100823/60138__pick_a_problem_new_york_update_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ For those of you who are beginning the week unsure about what your main concerns for the future should be, the UK press offers a bewildering choice of concerns for you to mull over. There are the... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:12:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Pick a Problem...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100823/60137__pick_a_problem_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ For those of you who were beginning the week unsure about what your main concerns for the future should be, the press offers a bewildering choice of concerns for you to mull over. There are the... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:38:34 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Markets Easing Again</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100820/60136__markets_easing_again.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A long awaited burst of enthusiasm in the M&amp;A markets yesterday failed to keep the markets feeling cheerful, as it coincided with some disappointing economic reports (manufacturing etc). A fall... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 07:41:23 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>test transmission- no article attached</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/showbiz/jokeshumour/20100820/60134__test_transmission_no_article_attached.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ testing ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:17:19 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>test- no article attached</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/showbiz/jokeshumour/20100820/60133__test_no_article_attached.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ testing ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:16:35 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>A Good Start...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100820/60132__a_good_start_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A long awaited burst of enthusiasm in the M&amp;A markets yesterday failed to keep anyone cheerful, as it coincided with some disappointing economic reports (manufacturing etc). A fall of about... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:41:50 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>More Money is not Always the Answer.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100816/60130__more_money_is_not_always_the_answer_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US EQUITIES SWUNG AROUND ON FRIDAY, RARELY MORE THAN 30pts UPR DOWN, BEFORE CLOSING SLIGHTLY INTO NEGATIVE TERRITORY. EUROPE THIS MORNING HAS EASED AGAIN- ALMOST NEGLIGENTLY, WITHOUT ANY REAL... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:21:35 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>New Regulations for the New Normal.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100727/60126__new_regulations_for_the_new_normal_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ &quot;They took the credit for my second symphony, rewritten by machine on new technology...&quot; amazing how much we all rely on this new technology stuff.. Until putting your hand on a mobile... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:48:46 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Meaning of life, the Universe and Economic Data</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100702/60124__the_meaning_of_life_the_universe_and_economic_data.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ There are two macro areas to be concerned with during the second half of 2010: what will happen to the real world and the economic recovery and what will happen to financial markets-
which, whilst... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 2 Jul 2010 03:01:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Cut for Growth</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100622/60121__cut_for_growth.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
This afternoon provides an opportunity for polarised opinions
on crucial decisions that must be made and that will affect
everybody here. To be precise; should we put football, the highlights of... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:39:59 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Politics & Economics of Disaster</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100615/60120__the_politics_economics_of_disaster.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
In the daily comment I publish elsewhere, I am forced to keep returning to this issue, because The Man refuses to let it go.
Let's just be clear about one thing, the future of BP depends (in my... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:57:13 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Suicide is Painless..</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100601/60118__suicide_is_painless_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Ahhhhhhhh....June....... and a mixed weekend for the British, as we beat the might of Bangladesh at cricket, storm the citadels of the Formula 1 world with a 1-2 in the Grand Prix,strike fear into... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 1 Jun 2010 09:03:11 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Investigate, or Just Complain?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100514/60115__investigate_or_just_complain_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Oh well... Just when it looked like everything was calming down, Andrew Cuomo and the SEC throw everything back into a spin by investigating nearly everyone involved with structured products. This... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2010 03:21:15 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Cynical Politics and the Market Rally.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100511/60112__cynical_politics_and_the_market_rally_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It may just be my current gloomy mood- but I find it a little harder to be proud of being British today. Wouldn't it have been nice if the Liberal Democrats had put the good of the country first... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2010 02:58:12 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>It's Deja Vu all over Again</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100505/60109__it_s_deja_vu_all_over_again.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The US Treasury Secretary at the time, Hank Paulson, has written a very interesting book about the financial crisis &quot;On the Brink&quot;. There are a couple of interesting lessons to be learnt... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 5 May 2010 06:45:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The UK's Off-Balance Sheet Debt</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100430/60108__the_uk_s_off_balance_sheet_debt.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Enough about Greece&hellip;except to note that news of an impending, larger, rescue plan pushed yields of the 2 yr notes back in to 12.5% last night. Of course, Greece can't actually borrow in the... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:26:25 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>What's Happening in the Financial World so far this Month?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100414/60107__what_s_happening_in_the_financial_world_so_far_this_month_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well- we now know that the UK General Election will be on May 6th and that, due (I presume) to a collective case if insanity in the UK- we may not kick Labour out after all. The most likely result... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:25:56 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Tiger Woods and the Masters 2010</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/sports/professional/20100414/60106__tiger_woods_and_the_masters_2010.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So what did we learn about Tiger Woods return during the US Masters?
First- we learnt that all the talk about golf coming second to his rehabilitation and his goal to become a better person is no... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:54:42 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Return of Tiger</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/sports/professional/20100325/60104__the_return_of_tiger.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It should be all about the &ldquo;How&rdquo;, not the &ldquo;When&rdquo;So Tiger Woods is going to return at the Masters in 2 weeks time. This is because, he says, he is not ready to play before... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:42:02 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>TIger Woods' Return</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/sports/professional/20100325/60103__tiger_woods_return.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It should be all about the &ldquo;How&rdquo;, not the &ldquo;When&rdquo;So Tiger Woods is going to return at the Masters in 2 weeks time. This is because, he says, he is not ready to play before... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:39:28 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Forecasts for 2010..Mark my Words....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100311/60102__forecasts_for_2010_mark_my_words_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Hard to know what there is to say that's new or fresh? Interest rates are staying low for a while, but ARE going to rise at some point..Deficits can be handled for a while, but ARE future sovereign... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:14:17 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Solution to the Greek Problem</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100309/60101__the_solution_to_the_greek_problem.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A couple of company results missing expectations and a general feeling of &quot;what next?&quot; has pushed equities down a little. Corporate bond spreads feel little changed, as is the ITRX index.... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 9 Mar 2010 11:13:26 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Solution to Greek Problems?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100309/60098__the_solution_to_greek_problems_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Well.. the latest Greek news is that, apparently, Germany has advised them to sell off some of their islands to pay their debts and the Greeks have retorted by asking the Germans to
return all the... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 9 Mar 2010 04:45:26 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Celebrating the Good News...Lotteries, Drinks and Surveys</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100304/60096__celebrating_the_good_news_lotteries_drinks_and_surveys.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Today I have 3 bits of good news to share with you. First is my lottery win last night- but, fear not, I shall not be adopting a life of leisure and giving up doing the morning comment and the... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 4 Mar 2010 03:07:03 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financial Comment. Everything's good (Apparently).</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100302/60095__daily_financial_comment_everything_s_good_apparently_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Another positive Monday for markets- where else could we all have this much fun AND be paid for it (that's a rhetorical question...please don't send me answers or suggestions). S&amp;P
index up 1%-... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 2 Mar 2010 04:29:06 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>All Quiet on the European Front..</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100223/60093__all_quiet_on_the_european_front_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH GOING ON THIS MORNING, IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO PICK OUT FIRST.... OK......THAT WAS A LIE.... BIT QUIET AND TRENDLESS AGAIN, ALTHOUGH A DISTINCT IMPROVEMENT ON THE LAST FEW... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:49:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>There is no Cause for Alarm...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100222/60092__there_is_no_cause_for_alarm_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Everything is good... discount rate hikes are good, because they show we're getting back to normal and don't need special measures- concern over Greece has abated a little in the media,
probably... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:22:48 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Feelgood Factor</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100222/60091__the_feelgood_factor.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US equities more or less unchanged Friday but the CDX Index 
tightened by over 3bp. Asia roared away overnight (apart from 
China) so we look like opening the week with positive sentiment 
in... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:47:31 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Greece is the Word...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100218/60090__greece_is_the_word_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ US EQUITIES SPENT THE WHOLE DAY DOGGEDLY CLINGING TO GAINS OF BETWEEN 20 AND 50 POINTS- FINALLY CLOSING 40 TO THE GOOD, TAKING THE DOW BACK OVER 10300. PEOPLE STILL WANT TO BE OPTIMISTIC AND IGNORE... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:48:12 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>If We Want Safer Banks, We'll Have to Pay for Them.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100217/60089__if_we_want_safer_banks_we_ll_have_to_pay_for_them_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Stellar figures from Barclays and Merck helped the Dow have its best day for about 3 months, gaining 170 points and closing very close to the day's best level. It now stands about 500 points below... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:04:23 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Invest in Equities, or Buy a Toyota?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100209/60080__invest_in_equities_or_buy_a_toyota_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So....Toyota, having recalled 8 million cars because the throttle pedal didn't work properly- is now recalling Prius models because the brakes don't work properly either.... I don't understand... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 9 Feb 2010 04:49:00 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>You Wait Ten Years for a Problem, then 5 Come Along at Once...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100209/60079__you_wait_ten_years_for_a_problem_then_5_come_along_at_once_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So....Toyota, having recalled 8 million cars because the throttle pedal didn't work properly- is now recalling Prius models because the brakes don't work properly either.... I don't understand... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 9 Feb 2010 04:47:33 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Wrong Sort of Recovery</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100203/60078__the_wrong_sort_of_recovery.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The Conservative Party economic masterplan states that for the
last decade..&quot;growth was too dependant on government spending
and debt fuelled consumption. A sustainable recovery must be
driven... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 3 Feb 2010 07:46:24 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Wrong Sort of Recovery.</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100203/60077__the_wrong_sort_of_recovery_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
The Conservative Party economic masterplan states that for the
last decade..&quot;growth was too dependant on government spending
and debt fuelled consumption. A sustainable recovery must be... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 3 Feb 2010 07:43:23 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Spend Your Way Into Trouble- Now Spend Your Way Out?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100202/60076__spend_your_way_into_trouble_now_spend_your_way_out_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Equities benefited from upbeat US data yesterday and the Dow closed over 1% up..Asia was slightly more mixed, with China still struggling, but the Nikkei put in a strong performance. One thing... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 2 Feb 2010 04:03:48 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Spend Your Way Into Trouble- Spend Your Way Out?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100202/60075__spend_your_way_into_trouble_spend_your_way_out_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Equities benefited from upbeat US data yesterday and the Dow closed over 1% up..Asia was slightly more mixed, with China still struggling, but the Nikkei put in a strong performance. One thing... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 2 Feb 2010 04:01:38 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Uncertainty Rules- at Least I Think it Does...</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100201/60074__uncertainty_rules_at_least_i_think_it_does_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ S&amp;P fell 1% Friday and the Dow 0.5% after a strong morning
session- both Indices closing close to the lows of the day.
Uncertainty seems to be becoming the dominant feeling- and
markets hate... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 1 Feb 2010 03:10:41 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Uncertainty Definitely Rules.. at Least I Think so......</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100201/60073__uncertainty_definitely_rules_at_least_i_think_so_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ S&amp;P fell 1% Friday and the Dow 0.5% after a strong morning
session- both Indices closing close to the lows of the day.
Uncertainty seems to be becoming the dominant feeling- and
markets hate... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 1 Feb 2010 03:05:58 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>There is Nothing to Fear.....on the Other Hand.....</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100129/60072__there_is_nothing_to_fear_on_the_other_hand_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A SENIOR EU OFFICIAL, MR ALMUNIA, SOUGHT TO PUT FEARS ABOUT
GREECE'S DEFICIT TO REST, SAYING &quot; IN THE EURO AREA, DEFAULT
DOES NOT EXIST&quot;. BOY I HATE STATEMENTS LIKE THAT.. WHO
REMEMBERS... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:09:38 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Financial Comment- When Will We Ever Learn??</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20100112/60061__financial_comment_when_will_we_ever_learn_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ So let's look at some of the reasons for the markets general
bullishness. Firstly, the US lost 661,000 jobs last month and
the wider measure of unemployment now stands at 17.3%. Over a
million... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:46:48 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Financial Comment- Are Markets Indecisive? I'm not Sure..</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100108/60058__financial_comment_are_markets_indecisive_i_m_not_sure_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
Great statistic...the Dow Jones Index moved from positive to
negative, or vice versa, no less than 59 times during
yesterday's trading session. Safe to say no strong trend ahead
of today's payroll... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 8 Jan 2010 04:51:15 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Financial Markets Comment. 2010? So Far, So Good..</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20100106/60057__financial_markets_comment_2010_so_far_so_good_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ ALL THAT LOVELY EQUITY MOMENTUM FIZZLED OUT YESTERDAY AS EQUITY
MKTS GLOBALLY MARKED TIME. GOOD FACTORY DATA FROM THE USD
FAILED TO INSPIRE THE DOW TOO MUCH, BUT MAY HAVE HELPED ASIAN
MARKETS... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 6 Jan 2010 04:33:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Comment- The Good News or the Bad News?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091217/60042__daily_comment_the_good_news_or_the_bad_news_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ To select a topic about which I don't know all that much (which doesn't narrow the scope of this comment much).. there seems to be a lot of bad news hidden behind the good news about
unemployment... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:37:20 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Month Before Christmas- An Investment Banker's Lament</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091216/60041__the_month_before_christmas_an_investment_banker_s_lament.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ ( with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)'Twas the month before Christmas and all round the street
The traders were feeling the Chancellor's heat.
With their bonuses taxed and their image in... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:11:46 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Comment- A Government that Decides Not to Tax a Bank???</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091216/60040__daily_comment_a_government_that_decides_not_to_tax_a_bank_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
Modest falls in US equities, which dipped to the days lows 30
minutes before the close, but then rallied to finish well off the
worst levels. Corporate bonds, which had rallied sharply for
the... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:03:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Comment- Break Open the Bubbly!!</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091215/60038__daily_comment_break_open_the_bubbly_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ The best news of the day is that scientists have decided that, taken in moderation, champagne is good for you. So are dark chocolate, some computer games and beer. All of a sudden the
rest of my... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:52:22 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Comment- Bailouts & Good Vibrations</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091214/60037__daily_comment_bailouts_good_vibrations.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Wall street closed better than half a per cent up on Friday,
making it another positive week for US equities. The high grade
CDS index tightened over 2bp and the high yield version over
20bp, now... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:19:10 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>The Inevitability of Disappointment</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091211/60033__the_inevitability_of_disappointment.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Democracy and capitalism have something in common; they are both imperfect, but seem better than the other alternatives the World has tried through history.
The problems lie at the roots of the... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:57:40 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Pre Budget Report = Pre Election Campaigning- Daily Comment?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091211/60032__pre_budget_report_pre_election_campaigning_daily_comment_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ It should probably come as no surprise that the BBC has reportedly discovered that the Treasury wanted a different sort of PBR- like, maybe, one that actually tackled the UK's problems- but... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:07:19 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Comment- Cut Taxes to Raise Revenue?</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091208/60031__daily_comment_cut_taxes_to_raise_revenue_.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Now here's a statistic I love- and one you will not hear
referred to in the pre-budget speech this week. The top 10% of
earners in this country pay 53.6% of the total income tax.
Remember that when... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 8 Dec 2009 03:46:33 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Government Spending is the Real Issue for the UK- Daily Comment</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091207/60030__government_spending_is_the_real_issue_for_the_uk_daily_comment.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
Wall Street lost it's sparkle Friday afternoon, giving back
nearly all of the morning's 1% gains. CDS Indices tightened a
couple more basis points and bond markets closed with a positive tone... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 7 Dec 2009 03:43:50 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Cut Bonus Percentages- Daily Financial Comment</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091204/60027__how_to_cut_bonus_percentages_daily_financial_comment.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
Data showed that the US service sector unexpectedly shrank
during November, putting an end to early optimism on equity
markets and leading to falls of just under 1% over
the day, with the indexes... ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 4 Dec 2009 03:03:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financial Market Comment- December 3rd</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091203/60026__daily_financial_market_comment_december_3rd.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ More offers being shown in the US last night, but the balance
still lay with offers being lifted, rather than bids hit. The
CDS indices tightened again, although by less than the
previous day.... ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 3 Dec 2009 03:50:24 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily US Financial Market Commentary- December 2nd</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20091202/60024__daily_us_financial_market_commentary_december_2nd.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ Offers being lifted again in London markets this morning and
all the CDS indices saw more tightening. Equities started in
positive territory, but have had a rockier time than bonds,
most European... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 2 Dec 2009 06:56:24 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financail Market Commentary- December 2nd</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091202/60023__daily_financail_market_commentary_december_2nd.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A lot more bids around than offers in US bond markets. Some
business done in the industrial sector, financials well bid,
although some FRN paper was still around. Overall the IG CDS
index tightened... ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 2 Dec 2009 03:54:09 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financial Market Commentary</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091201/60022__daily_financial_market_commentary.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
OK.. after a touch of gloom and doom yesterday, an attempt at
being more upbeat today. US equities closed with small gains
following the news that Dubai are only restructuring $26bn of
debt,... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 1 Dec 2009 04:32:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financial Comment</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091130/60020__daily_financial_comment.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
Well, well..the first day back and so much to think about..
Dubai, Iran etc etc.. but while I catch up on things a few
general thoughts. Markets are more than usually vulnerable to
news and events... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:08:01 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financial Comment</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20091117/60016__daily_financial_comment.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ 
Dateline- the Southern United States... and the hits just keep
on coming- although there has been something akin to a pause
this morning as markets have actually noticed that the reason
that Mr... ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:51:52 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financial Market Comment</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/newyork/finance/financialmarkets/20091116/60015__daily_financial_market_comment.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A positive start to the week again, with European equities up
by close to 1% and CDS indices tightening. Good growth figures
from Japan have helped sentiment, as has APEC's commitment to... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:58:28 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title>Daily Financial Market Comment</title><link>http://www.humantimes.com/london/finance/financialmarkets/20091116/60014__daily_financial_market_comment.shtml</link><description><![CDATA[ A positive start to the week again, with European equities up
by close to 1% and CDS indices tightening. Good growth figures
from Japan have helped sentiment, as has APEC's commitment to... ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:57:13 +0800</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
