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.