Author Archives: Yves Smith

Who Is Behind FDA-Weakening Bill Based on False Premise That It Restricts Access to Experimental Drugs for the Terminally Ill?

A look at some of the forces out to undermine the FDA.

Links 9/14/17

Brexit Talks Stall, Making Hard Brexit Even More Likely

The Brexit talks went from bad to worse in August.

Puerto Rico Is Getting Squeezed, and It Will Cost All of Us

Puerto Rico illustrates why implementing austerity policies in weak economies backfires.

Is “Islamic Finance” Islamic?

On the origins, doctrinal propriety, and political significance of Islamic finance.

We Are Reopening Comments

We missed you! Welcome back to comments.

Dow Jones Sent Mother of All Nastygrams to CalPERS Over Its Massive Copyright Infringement; New York Times Called It Outrageous, Brazen, Possibly Unprecedented

Missives from the Dow Jones and the New York Times to CalPERS confirm that the pension fund is going to have to write some very large checks.

CalPERS Runs Unconstitutional, Tamper-Friendly Election With Non-Secret Ballots

CalPERS’ new board election procedures make a mockery of the California Constitution’s requirement that voting be secret.

North Korea: Are Sanctions Working?

Experts have said a military response North Korea’s belligerence is not viable. Is the current economic approach likely to succeed?

From Credit Risk to Pipeline Risk: Why Loan Syndication is a Risky Business

How pipeline risk poses a danger to banks even in an “originate to distribute” business like loan syndication.

Links 9/12/17

How US Regulators Created the Equifax Mess

How regulators made credit bureaus like Equifax powerful, and why banks could live without them if they needed to.

More Signs of Private Equity Market Frenzy: Firms Selling Stakes

Yet more evidence that the private equity market is overheated.