Recent Posts

Trade tensions already weigh on metal prices

The prices of industrial metals, oil and other commodities have risen significantly since the Chinese manufacturing recession ended in June 2016. But many have fallen from their highs in January 2018, first in reaction to the risk of higher interest rates and now, more critically, because of trade tensions and the potential for global manufacturing and growth to be slower ...

Read More »

How the US courts could protect Mueller’s probe

If President Trump fires Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III, that won’t necessarily be the end of his investigation. Power to continue the probe, and report on its findings, could also rest with Beryl Howell, who as chief judge of the federal district court here oversees the Mueller grand jury. To prepare for the crisis that Mueller’s firing would cause, ...

Read More »

Good news is no longer unspeakable in Japan

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is crossing an important threshold. It’s about time. Once off limits, Japan’s eventual exit from ultra-loose monetary policy is now a public topic for Governor Haruhiko Kuroda. In testimony to the Japanese parliament this week, he said there are internal discussions on how to begin to withdraw from the bond buying that’s kept interest rates ...

Read More »
Send this to a friend