Hiro Ito, who updates our de jure financial openness index (sometimes known as the Chinn-Ito index), has recently calculated GDP-weighted averages of the indices for country categories. The stylized facts regarding the evolution of openness changes, particularly with regard to emerging market economies. First, here are the typically reported simple average series, standardized to range between 0 and […]

Antsy trepidation aptly describes the week just past, as markets were for the most part trying to anticipate the implications of everything forthcoming in a monetary and economic sense; while fending off softer oil and ‘bubble’ talk from some of the normally sanguine strategists (who mostly missed the Trump post-election rally). Lots of oscillations; and finishes […]

For most folks, earnings season means the 4 to 6 week period at the end of each calendar quarter when announcements of quarterly earnings releases dominate market headlines. For folks like us, however, who have to monitor and record each and every earnings release, the definition and duration of each earnings season isn’t that simple. […]

Last week I reviewed Why This Market Reminds Me Of 1999: “While there is much hope the new President, and his newly minted cabinet, will “Make America Great Again,” there can be a huge difference between expectations and reality. And, like in 1999, there is just the simple realization that eventually excesses will mean revert. But like I […]

A platoon of driverless trucks equipped with Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) appeared on the 110 freeway in San Pedro. The system controls speed, braking, and spacing of the convoy. The goal is to increase safety and fuel economy. Three big rigs barrelled up and down the 110 Freeway on Wednesday, mirroring one another in a tight […]