Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

Apple’s “Capital Return Program”: Rewarding the Wrong People

nstead of rewarding the taxpayers and employees who actually create value for the tech giant, Apple is doling out massive stock buybacks

Trump and the Midterms: Is It Not The Economy, Stupid?

What role did the state of the economy likely play in the midterm results?

AOC Rental Woes a Reminder of Worsening Conditions for Workers

Rising rental costs put a spotlight on how it is even harder than ever for ordinary workers to get by.

Cryptocurrencies: Financial (In)stability and (Un)fairness

If private cryptocurrencies were to find widespread economic use, either coexisting with or fully displacing fiat money, the result would be increased financial instability, inequality, and social instability.

Wolf Richter: The State of the American Debt Slaves, Q3 2018

Consumer debt continues to grind upwards.

Brexit: Even More Noise in the Signal

Rumors of Brexit progress seem to be greatly exaggerated.

Economic Distress Did Drive Trump’s Win

Contrary to the dominant media narrative, social issues like racism and sexism on their own can’t explain Trump’s success.

As the Fed Tightens, Where Will the Credit Crunch Pinch First?

Who will feel the pain first in the coming credit squeeze?

Yanis Varoufakis: How the Italian Budget Fight Helps Brussels and Salvini, Hurts Europeans and the Eurozone

Contrary to popular perception, Brussels and the Italian government come out ahead from sparring over Italy’s budget, and what works for them does not work for much of anyone else.

Brexit Stress Rises: Pound Weakens on S&P Crashout Warning, Norway Nixes “Norway,” Migrant Status at Risk

Brexit news still looks decidedly uncheery.

Marshall Auerback: So Far, the Big Trade War Loser Is China, Not the U.S.

China has more of a glass jaw than most economics commentators thought. But how is Trump’s trade war likely to progress?

US Stops Trade Talks With China: Posturing or Impasse?

The US and China are even more visibly at odds than usual.

Oil Under Threat As Global Economy Struggles

Bullish expectation for oil prices wane as the outlook for the world economy darkens.

Standoff Between Italy and European Commission Escalates as Commission Rejects Italian Budget

Italy and the European Commission are in a dispute over Italy’s budget, and no one looks likely to come out a winner in this fight.