Spill Bill on the Hill
7/29/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Is there enough political will to pass a contentious energy bill?
European Stress Management
7/27/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Even a more stringent look at Europe’s banks show they are healthier than many expect.
All Else Is Never Equal
7/1/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Correction fears continued cycling Wednesday, even as fretted “crises” show signs of moderation.
The Paper Companies’ Big Win
6/28/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Congress celebrated reconciliation of financial reform on Friday—but there’s a lot more paper than substantive reform targeting major factors driving 2008’s financial panic.
An Uphill Battle
5/20/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
German politicians recently banned naked short-selling of sovereign debt and bank shares.
Goldman on Trial
4/19/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Goldman Sachs has been charged by the SEC for allegedly failing to disclose material information about CDOs.
Freer + Butter = Better
4/7/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
We don’t often think much of Washington’s “bright” ideas, but clearing houses could be a good thing for some credit derivatives markets.
There's a Pill for That
3/23/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The House of Representatives passed the Senate health care bill Sunday night—what does this mean for stock markets?
Dead Bill Walking?
2/23/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The White House is hoping to breathe new life into the health care legislation—but is it just a dead bill walking?
Ben There. Done That. Now Let's Do It Again.
1/26/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Senators are dragging their feet over Fed chair Bernanke’s confirmation vote, but it’s very likely he’ll get another term.
A Limiting Proposal
1/22/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
President Obama proposed further regulation of large financial institutions on Thursday, but lacking details, sent markets into a tailspin.
Submerging Market
1/12/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Emerging markets are leading the global economic recovery, but events in Venezuela show not all emerging markets are equal.
Pacific Politics
12/11/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Japan’s new leadership continues to shake things up—leaving investors wondering what’s next for the country’s stock market.
Jobs Report, Sarbox, and Japan Post
12/7/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The world is full of rotating characters, and some acts have more power to move markets than others.
The Talented Mr. Van Rompuy
11/24/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Besides a talent for haikus, what will the new EU president bring to the table?
Paying for the Bailouts
11/10/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The financial crisis appears to be over, but thanks to onerous regulations and political scrutiny, Financials’ woes aren’t.
Shot Across the Bow
11/5/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
In efforts to get re-elected, Republicans and Democrats alike will continue moving toward the center or risk losing seats.
Here Come the Irish!
10/6/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Irish voters overwhelmingly approved the Lisbon Treaty—after saying “no” to the treaty last year.
What’s Brewing in Germany
9/29/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The German parliament is set to shift toward a business-friendly, center-right majority. But the status quo, not significant change, is probably what’s brewing.
Separation Anxiety
9/15/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Though Treasury and White House speak of “exit strategy,” financial regulation proposals could mean continued government involvement in the financial sector.
And the Nominee Is…
8/26/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Predictably, President Obama nominated Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke for another four years Tuesday.
Sayonara, LDP?
8/25/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
If current polls are correct, Japan may soon be saying sayonara to its long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Nothing Sweeter Than Sour Grapes
8/5/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Washington’s legislative loggerheads could benefit stock investors.
Statutory Sunshine
7/29/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The financial regulation debate is raging again.
A Confused Chorus
7/8/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Well before the current round of fiscal stimulus has been fully deployed, let alone allowed to work its mojo, a confused (but ever louder) chorus is calling for the encore.
The Regulatory Ring
7/1/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Almost drowned out by the King of Pop and King of Con, a recent Supreme Court decision may negatively affect banks down the line.
Banks and the Temple of Doom
6/4/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Big banks are eagerly trying to escape TARP, but it isn’t easy.
The Taxman May Cometh
5/5/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The government’s looking overseas for extra tax revenue.
Political Appeal
4/21/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
When Democratic presidents learn to appeal to voters beyond their party base, history shows markets do very well in their inaugural years.
Climate Control
3/26/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Ambitious cap-and-trade legislation won’t get through Congress easily. That’s good news for the economy.
Bad News Banks
2/20/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Political rhetoric continues to focus on banks—this time touching on the idea of nationalization.
A Calculator, and Bananas
2/19/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The 3.5 million jobs promised by the stimulus package is based on fuzzy math, but it doesn’t matter much for investors.
Orange-Hued Sticks?
2/3/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Government capital infusions to help banks lend appear to be sticks disguised as carrots.
Strings Attached
1/22/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
TARP’s strings are tightening around the banking sector.
Don’t Count On It
1/21/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
President Obama’s first term may be less revolutionary than expected—and for markets, the less change, the better.
The Usual Suspects
12/4/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
President-elect Obama’s economic Cabinet picks are experienced economic and political veterans—the usual suspects.
Down to One
11/5/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The US elected a new president Tuesday night, removing one key uncertainty.
Looking Forward to the Back End
9/5/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Major indexes have declined 20% or more from their highs, indicating a bear market. With the US presidential election at hand, investors face a critical juncture.
Get Us the President
8/4/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
With the 2008 presidential election in full swing, taxes are a hot topic. What impact might tax policy changes have on markets?
Not So Green Acres
5/16/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The 2008 farm bill passed the House and Senate. That’s okay, because it amounts to little more than election year pandering.
New Rules for the Street?
4/1/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced an “overhaul” plan for U.S. financial markets. But the plan, if it survives, will likely look very different.
Goldilocks Government
3/28/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A “Goldilocks” government solution—just the right amount of government intervention and regulation—in economic markets is merely a fairytale.
Trial by Fire
3/14/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Treasury Secretary Paulson’s new policy recommendations intended to strengthen financial markets could prove to be more bane than boon.
Pick Your Poison
3/4/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Whether you fear a Democrat or a Republican in the White House, you can rest easy. Either way, markets historically perform just fine.
Let the Market Do Its Thing
2/28/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Hidden in the credit crisis clamor, a little noticed development makes us smile—no sweeping legislative or regulatory change has taken root.
Political Turnover
2/20/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Political changes are afoot. While noteworthy developments, they don’t amount to a hill of beans for the global economy and financial markets.
Surveying Lending
2/6/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The recent Loan Officer Survey paints a dour picture on lending, but a closer look reveals far different results.
The Circle of Life
1/18/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Bond insurers are struggling to keep their heads above water as ratings agencies evaluate credit ratings. But new companies are entering the market and increased competition promises an improved industry over the coming years.
Did Nothing
12/21/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
2007 was a year of political rhetoric in the US where virtually nothing got done.
MarketMinder’s Letter to Santa
12/10/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
As 2007 draws to a close, we consider just a few of the market conditions that could help fuel a continued global equity bull market.
Blunder Now Alliance
11/30/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A new proposal to aid those in mortgage default danger is bad economics and bad public policy.
Outback Ouster
11/26/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Australia’s new leader, Kevin Rudd, talks a big game of change and reform, but when the political dust settles, expect the status quo.
Six Degrees of Tax Policy
11/19/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Contrary to popular opinion, a Democrat President and Congress doesn’t guarantee a tax hike. Rather, it’s conceivable the Democrats maintain the tax cuts for political leverage.
A Government Sponsored Bank Run?
11/9/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
In a bizarre twist of irony, the British government exacerbated credit problems by blocking a merger between banks earlier this year. The episode underscores both the perils of government intervention and the gross misunderstanding of today’s so-called “credit crunch.”
Rangel Rouser
10/25/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
One of the most ridiculous tax bills in US history was proposed today. Good thing it has no chance of passing.
Futile Congressional Fixes
10/23/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Congress is at it again. Their proposed fixes for troubled subprime borrowers are unlikely to solve anything, and most likely will have unintended, negative consequences.
Hail to the Tax Cuts
10/11/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Big proposed tax changes and political turmoil in Britain may turn out to be a tempest in a teapot. A simpler tax system may be in the cards for Britain, but British politicians have a long time to foul up positive proposals.
Global Politics Update
10/8/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
While the media focuses on the US 2008 presidential election, many forget the importance of politics on global stock returns. Today, an update and analysis on global politics.
Veto Power
10/4/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Politicians continue to hem and haw, but no legislation of consequence has passed in 2007—a great thing for stocks. Bush’s veto of new healthcare legislation is the latest example.
Japan’s Benny Hill
9/12/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Fraught with scandal, gaffes, and general embarrassment, the end of Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s reign was closer akin to watching Benny Hill shuffle around the stage than a dignified exit. Antics aside, this doesn’t appear to be a crippling event for stock markets or the Japanese economy.
Presidential Popularity Contest
7/25/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
How will President Bush’s tanking popularity impact the stock market this year?
French Fries Redux
6/20/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
There are two countries about to enact new laws.
Hot Fuzz
5/17/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Here come the Fuzz.
Morning in France?
5/7/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Some call him the Ronald Reagan of France; some call him the new Margaret Thatcher.
Labor's Punchline
5/2/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Tony Blair is set to step down as Prime Minister.
Bang the Doldrums (of Protectionism)
3/30/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Our federal government has banged its booming drum today, delivering a baffling decree heading into what’s an otherwise blissful spring weekend.
Flesh Eating Solutions
3/28/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Giant, poisonous toads capable of killing crocodiles are bedeviling Australian farmers (as we reported yesterday).
Poison Pill Protectionists
3/19/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
According to Investopedia, a Poison Pill is: "A strategy used by corporations to discourage a hostile takeover by another company.
Political Bracketology
3/16/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
March Madness is in the air. Everybody’s got their favorite to win the men’s collegiate basketball championships, and the odds-makers in Vegas are hard at work determining the appropriate lines for each game. In honor of the NCAA tournament, we’re breaking down the state of the current US Presidential race, bracket style.
A Gore-y Correction Correlation
3/5/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Congratulations are in order to Mr. Al Gore, inventor of the internet and former Vice President, for winning an Oscar in the "best documentary" category for his film denouncing humanity for it’s carbon burning ways in "An Inconvenient Truth".
Too Much Scotch?
1/6/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
2007 marks the 300-year anniversary of the Treaty of Union between England and Scotland.
The Boy Scout in the White House
12/28/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
One of America’s shortest running presidents was also its longest lived.
Low-Impact Tragedy
12/15/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Democratic Senator Timothy P.
Surf's Up
12/14/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
You may be tempted to view the recent elections in Latin America as further evidence of a growing red tide sweeping the region.
Little Surprise Power for the Donkeys and Elephants
11/9/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The media blitz is on.
Thoughts on Election Eve
11/7/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
With the media giddily anticipating tomorrow’s mid-term elections, headlines are dominated by breathless commentaries, wild predictions, and 11th hour campaigning.
School's Out for the Congressmen!
10/12/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Throw your pencils and notebooks in the air! The 109th Congress is out for the year and they’ve all gone home.
Get Some Sleep on November 7th
10/7/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
While pundits, the press, and pollsters pine away for results of the US mid-term elections deep into the night on November 7th, we’ll be tucked in for a long autumn slumber.