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Subject: PIIGS

PIIGS is a grouping acronym used by international bond analysts, academics, and by the international economic press that refer to the economies of Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain, often in regard to matters relating to sovereign debt markets.

Some news and economic organisations have limited or banned their use due to criticism regarding perceived offensive connotations.

[wikipedia]

Euros versus the dollar

Multiple central banks weaken the euro

The reputation of the euro will depend upon the reputation of the European Central Bank and its ability to control the volume of euros in circulation.

The multiplicity of independent central banks is the Achilles heel of the eurosystem. A bank, controlled by the government, in a fiat money environment, that acts as the paying agent for that government, has — in effect — the capability to print money (although not necessarily banknotes).

Imagine, tomorrow the headlines in the Wall Street Journal read “$100 billion is inflationary euros issued without the knowledge of the European Central Bank”. What would be the effect of the news on the value of the euro as a reserve currency?

Featured articles on inside pages

Stock buybacks

Warren Buffett attacks buyback schemes

In the 2005 Berkshire-Hathaway annual report, Warren Buffet points to the unethical aspects of the buyback-option schemes so common in the US stock market. He noted that "Too often ... the deck is stacked against investors when it comes to the CEO’s pay. ... every dime paid out in dividends reduces the value of all outstanding options"
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Securities Analysis

Can index funds protect you against inflation?

Historical evidence suggests that equities do not offer fool-proof protection against inflation. Inflation brings high interest rates, confounds accounting practices, and is associated with bad government. More ...

US Politics

America grows with legal immigration

Legal immigration has resulted in solid growth of the US population, despite declining birth rates and an increasing number of old people. This is good news for investors in stocks and real estate. Illegal immigration appears to be less than 5% of legal immigration, and legal immigration is at an all time high.
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US equities

The productivity vs. population debate

The 'Baby Boomer Bomb' refers to the expected effect of the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation on capital markets, particularly equities. Two proposed 'solutions' to the problem are examined: Boomers being 'saved' by productivity and technology; and, alternatively, by selling their financial assets to the next generation..
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US Bonds

Bond demand exceeds supply for a decade

Over the decade, 1995-2004, the demand for US bonds of all types has surpassed new bond issues in eight of the last ten years. This is the reason that bond prices have held firm, even in 2003, when net new issues reached almost $1.8 trillion. More ...

World Economy

Working off the US trade deficit

Foreigners hold $16.8 trillion in US financial assets as a result of selling more goods to Americans than they buy from them. Since the 'deficit' is in dollars, the US has no problem in 'paying it off'. More ...

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2010-08-13 12:54