Mainstream News

Renters to thank for healthier housing market

"Shares of the biggest U.S. builders including Lennar Homes (LEN) and Toll Brothers (TOL) have soared during the past year, but investors appear more excited about renters than a return of homeowners. To date, construction of multi-family units destined for the rental market rose by 150% over the two years ending in the third quarter of 2012. That's by far higher than the 50% rise of newly constructed multi-family homes for sale, and a 30% increase of single-family starts also for sale, according to Capital Economics." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRenters to thank for healthier housing market

Japan’s economic minister wants Nikkei to surge 17% to 13,000 by March

"Economic and fiscal policy minister Akira Amari said Saturday the government will step up economic recovery efforts so that the benchmark Nikkei index jumps an additional 17 percent to 13,000 points by the end of March. 'We want to continue taking (new) steps to help stock prices rise' further, Amari stressed, referring to the core policies of the Liberal Democratic Party administration — the promotion of bold monetary easing, fiscal spending and greater private sector investment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJapan’s economic minister wants Nikkei to surge 17% to 13,000 by March

Obama rebukes North Korea over nuke test and calls for ‘swift’ and ‘credible’ action

"US President Barack Obama said Tuesday that North Korea’s 'provocative' nuclear test did not make it more secure and called for 'swift' and 'credible' international action in response. Obama also vowed in a written statement that Washington would remain vigilant in the face of the underground detonation by the Stalinist state and steadfast in its defense commitments to its allies in Asia. 'The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants further swift and credible action by the international community,' Obama said, ahead of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called for later on Tuesday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama rebukes North Korea over nuke test and calls for ‘swift’ and ‘credible’ action

U.S. ‘very disappointed’ by Russian ban on U.S. meat

"Washington sharply criticized Moscow Monday for banning imports of US meat, saying the Russians had ignored scientific proof that an additive in US animal feed is safe. Top US officials said that global food-safety experts had cleared the additive, ractopamine, as safe at levels used in the United States. But Russia, enforcing its own rules against any presence of ractopamine, on Monday banned all imports of beef, turkey, chicken, pork and other animals." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. ‘very disappointed’ by Russian ban on U.S. meat

U.S. gold bars and coins find new home overseas on Asian demand

"Booming demand for gold as a store of wealth among Asian investors is driving physical gold bars and coins out of the United States and into Asia. A growing number of gold vaults for affluent Asians and new precious metals investment products, particularly exchange-traded funds, have led to an exodus of gold owned privately from the United States into emerging economic powers such as China. On Friday, Commerce Department data showed U.S. exports of nonmonetary gold, which excludes central bank transactions, soared by 43 percent to $4 billion in December from the previous month." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. gold bars and coins find new home overseas on Asian demand

China Eclipses U.S. as Biggest Trading Nation

"China surpassed the U.S. to become the world’s biggest trading nation last year as measured by the sum of exports and imports of goods, official figures from both countries show. China’s customs administration reported last month that the country’s trade in goods in 2012 amounted to $3.87 trillion. China’s growing influence in global commerce threatens to disrupt regional trading blocs as it becomes the most important commercial partner for some countries. Germany may export twice as much to China by the end of the decade as it does to France, estimated Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s Jim O’Neill." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina Eclipses U.S. as Biggest Trading Nation

Tax Haven Reputation Plagues Planned EU Bailout of Cyprus

"The euro rescuers face a dilemma. On the one hand, they want to prevent the country from going bankrupt. On the other hand, they lack the support of a majority of member states for an aid program that would mostly benefit rich Russian tax fugitives. The tricky situation is prompting European leaders to do what they always do when a crisis comes to a head: play for time. Until now, someone who wanted a safe haven for his money could simply take a plane to Nicosia, because the country is an EU member and yet is lax when it comes to financial regulation, say German investigators." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTax Haven Reputation Plagues Planned EU Bailout of Cyprus

Greeks strip country for scrap cash

"Train lines, bridges, cables and even cemeteries have all been targeted for scrap to feed a market driven by China and India. Police now arrest an average of four metal thieves every day, compared to a few cases every month before the crisis started in late 2009. The profile of the metal thief is also changing, authorities say, from gypsies and immigrants living on the margins of society to mainstream Greeks who have fallen on hard times. Athens' nine-year-old light rail system has been a prime magnet for metal robbers, with at least five major disruptions reported in the past six months due to cable theft." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGreeks strip country for scrap cash

Venezuelan devaluation sparks panic buying

"Panic buyers thronged Venezuelan shops over the carnival weekend after the government of Hugo Chavez announced a surprise devaluation. Domestic appliances such as fridges and cookers were in particularly high demand as Venezuelans snapped up goods imported at the now-defunct exchange rate of 4.3 bolívars per dollar. From now on they will be imported at 6.3 bolívars per dollar. Opposition politicians seized on what is Venezuela's fifth devaluation since strict currency controls were introduced in 2003, criticising the socialist government for quietly announcing it on Friday while people headed for the beach over the holiday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVenezuelan devaluation sparks panic buying

Yahoo, Dell Swell Netherlands’ $13 Trillion Tax Haven

"The Netherlands, in the heart of a continent better known for social welfare than corporate welfare, has emerged as one of the most important tax havens for multinational companies. Now, as a deficit-strapped Europe raises retirement ages and taxes on the working class, the Netherlands’ role as a $13 trillion relay station on the global tax-avoiding network is prompting a backlash. The Dutch Parliament is scheduled to debate the fairness of its tax system today. Lawmakers from several parties, including members of the country’s governing coalition, say they want to remove a stain on the nation’s reputation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingYahoo, Dell Swell Netherlands’ $13 Trillion Tax Haven