Sweden’s Central Bank Is Already Fighting the Next Bubble

While most of the world’s central banks are still fighting the last war, Sweden’s Riksbank has moved on to the next one. Rather than looking at conventional inflation gauges, the world’s oldest central bank is basing its action…

China’s Christmas Rate Hike Drags Banking Shares Lower

China’s 25 basis point hike in the one-year base lending rate sent banks spiraling and crippled real estate shares. The Shanghai Composite Index sank 1.9%, but in Japan the Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.8%. The Hong Kong Stock Exchan…

Markets Have Posted Big Gains Since the Fed Launched QE2

Republican leaders may be worried about the Federal Reserve’s second round of quantitative easing, but the stock and credit markets are delighted: They’ve improved significantly since the plan was announced. But can the rally b…

Markets Have Posted Big Gains Since the Fed Launched QE2

Republican leaders may be worried about the Federal Reserve’s second round of quantitative easing, but the stock and credit markets are delighted: They’ve improved significantly since the plan was announced. But can the rally b…

U.S. Mortgage Rates Reach a Seven-Month High

U.S. mortgage rates have grown for five straight weeks, in the last week hitting their highest levels in seven months. Ten-year Treasury note yields have been climbing on inflation concerns, driving the higher rates.
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