Yesterday, both the Netherlands and Great Britain kicked off for the European elections. In the UK the anti-EU United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) made huge gains, acquiring between 25 and 30 percent of the votes (about 19 seats). In contrast, the Dutch election results were very fragmented, with the anti-euro PVV obtaining an estimated three seats, while the pro-EU D66 party came out on t... »
Game Time: the European Elections
May 23 2014
Olav Dirkmaat
European Growth Horrendous: Politicians Blame the Weather, Again
May 16 2014
After writing extensively about the abysmal US Q1 GDP report two weeks ago ('It’s the Weather, Silly'), this week attention turned to Europe, as GDP figures over the first quarter were released. Although US growth was disappointing, euro zone growth was even weaker. Many countries actually had a declining GDP or came in below expectations. Only Germany surprised on the upside.... »
Olav Dirkmaat
The Best Inflation Hedge: Gold versus Stocks
May 9 2014
Investors can be divided into two groups: one group strongly believes that gold will protect their savings during a period of rapidly increasing inflation; the other group thinks that stocks are a better protection against inflation. Who’s right? What is the best hedge against inflation: gold or... »
Olav Dirkmaat
Its the Weather, Silly: Everything about the Abysmal GDP-report & the Failure of QE
May 2 2014
As manic-depressive Mr Market appears to focus wholly on good news only to confirm its bias that the U.S. (and world) economy is indeed recovering, the news that U.S. GDP numbers over the first quarter of this year were absolutely horrendous was silently ignored. More shockingly, if it wasn’t for Obamacare, GDP would have actually declined 1% year-to-year in the first quarter. Abysmal, in... »
Olav Dirkmaat
