Jack the Pipper

What is great about seeing the economy through Keynesian lenses is the fact that you never have to say you are sorry for all the damage you caused.

Let’s look at the South African rand, and then let’s look at what’s set to impact South Africa — shall we?

Scanning the Reuters headlines this morning we find the following array of not so good growth news gracing our otherwise happy Wednesday

In the few short days of 2011 some themes are already emerging. One such theme is that of upwardly revised growth forecasts for the United States.

New lending to small businesses recovered in 2010. A Thomson Reuters/PayNet survey showed such lending jumped by 17% compared to 2009. The survey also suggested small businesses are investing again.

Thru the end of the week we will be publishing some of the Currency Currents past we liked …and think still contain some thinking points for markets as we move into 2011…

If you are sitting on euro debt issued by a periphery country, and said periphery country decides to pull the plug on its club membership in the single currency, it won’t be fair when the value of your debt denominated in euros, of course effectively guaranteed by the venerable European Union, plunges in value.

Jeremy Siegel had an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal this week. And he also did an interview with Reuters. If you don’t know of Mr. Siegel, just know that he is a big-time equities guy.

Hodgepodge today … Dollar mostly higher today. Pound taking a pounding on jobs. Seems to be a bit of conversion flow to the idea US growth may be improving and inflation may be a problem for China.

Hopefully you know by now. In fact, it would have been nice to know a month ago … or better yet six months ago (or even better yet two years ago!) …