Author Archives: Yves Smith

How Much Oil Is Needed To Power Santa’s Sleigh?

The question “What would Santa’s fuel bill for his annual deliveries be?” makes for an interesting case study of problem solving.

Why We Brits Should Vote for Brexit

Why England would be better served by leaving the European Union.

Links 12/16/15

Bill Black: A “Jihadist” Against the Banks?

More proof that the Department of Justice is working for Big Finance: it tried to discredit Bill Black’s testimony by calling him a “jihadist”.

John Helmer: Australian Police, Dutch Prosecutors Break with Dutch Safety Board at First Coroner’s Court Inquest on MH17 Crash

Australian police and Dutch prosecutors do not agree with the Dutch safety board’s claim that they have proven that MH17 was brought down by a BUK missile.

Pensions & Investment Editorial Savages Trustees for Failing to Perform Fiduciary Duty Over Private Equity Fees

Pensions & investments, in an astonishingly outspoken editorial, excoriated fund trustees for failing to perform their fiduciary duty and called for sanctions.

Links 12/15/15

Ilargi: Marine Le Pen Will Reap What The EU Has Sown

Thanks to EU and Eurozone misrule, Le Pen is right when she says: “Nothing can stop us”.

We Won a Fight Against CalPERS Over Its Plan to Ignore Private Equity Risk

A Los Angeles Times headline recapping a board meeting Monday says it all: “CalPERS shelves controversial private equity policy.”

The Continuing Fight Over Fannie and Freddie, and the Real Problem of US Mortgages

How understanding the history of Fannie and Freddie, as well as how unnatural US mortgages are, helps explain why the fight over the future of the GSEs continues.

Partial Tally of Hidden Private Equity Fees: 6% of Equity Invested

A new study on private equity’s hidden charges is sure to fuel demands for more transparency.

Links 12/13/15