trading recap

“Quit sneaking cigarettes, improve my Elvis impersonation, build more islands, suppress volatility,” said Xi Jinping to himself, completing his New Year’s resolutions. Hapless Beijing bureaucrats executed a flawless Chinese fire drill; introducing market controls, abolishing them, circling the car, ending where they started, driving stocks down 9.9%. “Learn to Twitter-tweet on the World Wide Web, remember my children

Week-in-Review: Mon: China industrial profits -1.4% (prev -4.6%), Japan retail sales -1.0% (IP +1.6%), Japan/Korea reach wartime “comfort women” accord, Iraqi forces recapture Ramadi, Saudi’s announce record deficit (unveil austerity program), S&P -0.2%; Tue: US warns EU over granting China market status, Erdogan accuses pro-Kurdish opposition leader of treason, Iran ships 11-tons of Uranium to Russia (fulfilling

Week-in-Review: Mon: Spain’s ruling conservatives lose parliamentary majority, German PPI -2.5%, Swiss M3 +2.7% (10mth high), EU consumer confidence weakens (Swedish jumps), Barbosa replaces Levy as Brazil Fin Min, Mexico retail sales +4.8%, Brent hits 11yr low ($36.05), SpaceX successfully lands 1st reusable rocket, Chicago activity index turns negative, S&P +0.8%; Tue: China unveils 2016 economic blueprint (emp

Week-in-Review: Mon: China’s leader of the anti-gov’t “Rights Protection” movement goes on trial (gov’t intimidation), China retail sales +11.2% (IP +6.2%), Climate deal concluded (hold temperatures 2 degrees or lower below pre-industrial levels), 19 women win Saudi regional elections (but couldn’t drive themselves to polling stations), India wholesale prices -2.0% (CPI +5.41%), South Africa appoints 3rd Finance Mini

“I don’t know if sand can glow in the dark, but we’re going to find out,” threatened Ted Cruz, Harvard Law grad, Texas Senator, and aspirant to commander and chief of earth’s mightiest military. The thing about power is that those well-suited to wield it are least drawn to it. But thankfully, power is sobering. So even the unworthy are tempered when handed it. Which is why Cruz won’t nuke the middle-east if he wins.

Overall: “Mamma Mia!” he said to the mirror, tightening his tie. Preparing for the podium. He’d just dismissed his crisis management team, in full Italian rage. They’d explained a good one-liner is the difference between jail-for-life and celebrity super-stardom in America. “If the glove don’t fit acquit!” exclaimed the team lead, as if it held the key to Draghi’s escape. “What is the definition of is?” asked another

Week-in-Review: Mon: NZ migration soars to new highs, Singapore CPI -0.8%, Taiwan IP -6.15%, Saudis reportedly ready to cooperate with OPEC to stabilize prices, Belgium remains in lock down over terror concerns, EU comp PMI flash 54.4 (led by strong German numbers), Israel unemp +0.2 to 5.3%, Macri wins Argentina presidential election, Mexico ret sales +4.9%, US mfg PMI flash 52.6 (exp 54.0), existing home sales +3.9

“Allah Akbar!” cried the bearded children, storming Mali’s hotel, Kalashnikovs ablaze, ignorant of the shameful irony. The third attack in as many weeks forced us to confront ourselves. Out came the worst, the best, everything in between. America’s xenophobes stoked the fires of fear. Painting a future of walled borders, religious IDs, ankle bracelets; things that allowed America to become what it has. Because withou

Sunni versus Shia. Sharia versus secular. The search for Islam’s soul. Beirut exploded, stirring dormant dogs. Paris bled, wept, raged. Border crossings closed, the far right rose. As the Thirty Years’ War escaped its borders, spilling into Europe. And the middle-east trudged inexorably toward the Dark Ages. Dusted off an anecdote from 2011 (see below). When I had more questions than answers. Back when we had more hi