BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Consider Western Union, on the revival of sending money home ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/16/consider-western-union-on-the-revival-of-sending-money-home/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/16/consider-western-union-on-the-revival-of-sending-money-home/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/16/consider-western-union-on-the-revival-of-sending-money-home/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'm reiterating my Buy rating for Western Union (NYSE: WU), first recommended on July 9, 2009 at a price of $16.49. If you bought WU then, you're up about 20%.

The July call confirmed an earlier calculation that pointed to a decent 4-7% revenue gain in FY2010 for Western Union.

Continue reading Consider Western Union, on the revival of sending money home

Consider Western Union, on the revival of sending money home originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developing worldDevelopingWorldmoney transferMoneyTransferwestern unionWesternUnionFri, 16 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten views of unemployment around the world]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/03/ten-views-of-unemployment-around-the-world/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/03/ten-views-of-unemployment-around-the-world/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/03/ten-views-of-unemployment-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The United States is not alone. We just saw the unemployment rate creep higher to 9.8% for September, and the rest of the world is coming with us.

The worldwide recession is still circling the globe, it seems, leaving slashed jobs in its wake. While the rise in unemployment is essentially a fact of life, how countries are responding to it differs widely. Some are spending aggressively to protect jobs; for example, by chipping in some extra cash to pay for shorter work weeks.

In the 30 countries comprising the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), unemployment is as low as 3.2% in the Netherlands and as high as 17.6% in Spain, as of July 2009.

Continue reading Ten views of unemployment around the world

Ten views of unemployment around the world originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developing countriesdeveloping marketsdeveloping nationsdeveloping worldinthenewsjob lossesjoblessjobless rateunemploymentunemployment rateSat, 03 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Whirlpool knows emerging markets won't be down-and-out forever]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/13/whirlpool-knows-emerging-markets-wont-be-down-and-out-forever/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/13/whirlpool-knows-emerging-markets-wont-be-down-and-out-forever/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/13/whirlpool-knows-emerging-markets-wont-be-down-and-out-forever/#commentsFiled under:

The critical and discerning financial institutions know that on Wall Street the mantra is not, 'better late, than never,' but 'if you're late, then never.'

In other words, if you're late to a stock buying opportunity with a company on the rise, you've lost out regarding that opportunity. And with the above in mind, Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is worth a review.

Continue reading Whirlpool knows emerging markets won't be down-and-out forever

Whirlpool knows emerging markets won't be down-and-out forever originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developing worldDevelopingWorldWhirlpoolWHRMon, 13 Apr 2009 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Foreign nations, sovereign investors stay on sidelines, wait for bargains]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/25/foreign-nations-sovereign-investors-stay-on-sidelines-wait-for/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/25/foreign-nations-sovereign-investors-stay-on-sidelines-wait-for/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/25/foreign-nations-sovereign-investors-stay-on-sidelines-wait-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

One might think that with the financial system in the world's largest economy in need of additional liquidity to avert a financial panic, foreign investors would be preparing similar fixes at home and/or standing at the ready to assist the United States, if needed.

Not quite.

Although central banks around the world have coordinated policies and cooperated fully, leaders of foreign governments balked at similar bailout plans, and many foreign sovereign investors also remain on the sidelines, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

While policy makers in Europe and Latin American agree that the global financial system is facing its greatest stress and threat since the period up to and after the 1929 stock market crash, they saw little need - - so far - - for major rescue packages in their own countries, The Post reported. Further, sovereign wealth funds, likewise, showed little interest in stepping up to the plate.

The world: well-capitalized spectators

Economist David H. Wang said Britain has cooperated fully, France has proposed a special G-8 summit to deal with the financial crisis, and Russia has acted to stabilize its stock and credit markets, but the rest-of-the-world is "watching the events as they unfold."

Wang said three factors are at work in the rest-of-the-world's cautious stance: national interest, a shift in the geopolitical balance of power, and posturing.

"Regrettably, but predictably, much of the world has turned inward and chosen to focus on its own domestic banks and institutions. There's also the belief, in nations like Brazil and in Middle Eastern economies, that they're more-insulated from the crisis, due to expanded non-U.S. trade relationships and the ability to undertake financial transactions and store value in other currencies, such as the euro," Wang said. "They also see the financial crisis in the context of a transition to a multi-polar financial world, from one dominated by the United States."

Continue reading Foreign nations, sovereign investors stay on sidelines, wait for bargains

Foreign nations, sovereign investors stay on sidelines, wait for bargains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutdeveloping worlddollarEUeuroEuropean Unionfinancial crisisFrancegdpglobalizationinstitutional investorsinthenewsLatin Americamortgage backed securitiessovereign wealth fundssovereignstradeU.S. economyU.S. TreasuryThu, 25 Sep 2008 13:12:00 EST<![CDATA[OECD decreases 2008 GDP growth forecast to below 2%]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/06/oecd-decreases-2008-gdp-growth-forecast-to-below-2/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/06/oecd-decreases-2008-gdp-growth-forecast-to-below-2/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/06/oecd-decreases-2008-gdp-growth-forecast-to-below-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development cut its forecast for 2008 growth in its 30-nation membership to "less than 2%" -- the lowest growth rate since 2003 -- due to fallout from the U.S. economic slowdown, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.

Sixth months ago, the OCED predicted that 2008 growth in the 30-nation zone would total 2.3%, following 2.7% growth in 2007.

The growth revision marks a substantial shift in OECD expectations. Earlier, the OECD predicted that member economies would be to withstand the U.S. economic slowdown without considerable negative consequence. That outlook, along with economic analysis from other countries, helped form the basis for the so-called 'decoupling thesis' -- where Europe and other developed countries race along unscathed by the doldrums in the world's largest economy.

Continue reading OECD decreases 2008 GDP growth forecast to below 2%

OECD decreases 2008 GDP growth forecast to below 2% originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Asiaconsumer spendingdeveloped worlddeveloping worldEuropeGDPinthenewsinvestmentLatin AmericaOECDOrganization for Economic Cooperation and DevelopmentU.S. economyThu, 06 Mar 2008 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Costly crude oil means costly cooking oil for much of developing world]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/21/costly-crude-oil-means-costly-cooking-oil-for-much-of-developing/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/21/costly-crude-oil-means-costly-cooking-oil-for-much-of-developing/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/21/costly-crude-oil-means-costly-cooking-oil-for-much-of-developing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The decade's dramatic rise in crude oil prices to roughly $90 per barrel levels has had a lesser-known, but equally consequential impact on life in the developing world -- a rise in price of cooking oils from palm, soybean and many other types of vegetable oils, The New York Times reported.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said that exports of 60 internationally-traded foodstuffs increased 37% in 2007, following a 14% rise in 2006. Further, price increases in cooking oils hit the developing world particularly hard, as the bulk of poor families in these countries grow their own food, but buy the oil to cook it with.

In the case of palm oil, The Times reported that rising consumption in China and other emerging markets, along with use of the oil in developed markets as a substitute for chemically-altered trans fats, are two major factors behind its price rise.

Biofuel nexus

However, for other oils the rise in crude oil is playing a considerable role, according to London-based economist Mark Chandler. Chandler, whose economic specialization includes developing world economies, said crude oil's rise has led to a dramatic rise in the use of cooking oils as biofuels.

Continue reading Costly crude oil means costly cooking oil for much of developing world

Costly crude oil means costly cooking oil for much of developing world originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Asiabiodieselcooking oilcornCPIcrude oildeveloping worldemerging marketsfeaturedfood pricesinflationLatin Americaoil pricespalm oilsoybeansUnited Nationsvegetable oilMon, 21 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[In reversal, poorer countries, not U.S., seen boosting 2008 global GDP]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/09/in-reversal-poorer-countries-not-u-s-seen-boosting-2008-glob/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/09/in-reversal-poorer-countries-not-u-s-seen-boosting-2008-glob/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/09/in-reversal-poorer-countries-not-u-s-seen-boosting-2008-glob/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Continued robust growth in developing countries will counteract an economic slowdown in the United States, but overall global economic growth will slow to a more-modest 3.6% rate, the World Bank announced Wednesday.

The bank's 3.6% global growth forecast is down 0.3 percentage point from 3.9% in 2006, a downturn that's primarily attributable to slower growth in high-income countries. The Washington, D.C.-based international bank also sees 2008 global GDP growth of 3.6%.

GDP growth in developing countries is expected to total 7.1% in 2008, while growth in high-income countries is expected to increase a modest 2.2% next year, the bank said.

Continue reading In reversal, poorer countries, not U.S., seen boosting 2008 global GDP

In reversal, poorer countries, not U.S., seen boosting 2008 global GDP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Asiacommoditiesdeveloping worldemerging marketsEuropeGDPglobal economyglobal growthglobalizationinthenewsLatin Americaoiloil pricesOilPricesrecessiontradeUnited StatesWorld BankWed, 09 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rising food prices may be here to stay]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/rising-food-prices-may-be-here-to-stay/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/rising-food-prices-may-be-here-to-stay/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/rising-food-prices-may-be-here-to-stay/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A food policy research group is predicting substantial increases in food prices, arguing that a combination of factors will lead to rising food prices "for the foreseeable future."

The International Food Policy Research Institute said a major secular trend -- falling food prices prompted by high-yield grains and technological advancement, among other factors -- is set to end.

IFPRI Director Joachim Braun said climate risk and climate change, rising demand for food in emerging markets, and trade barriers will contribute to higher food prices in the decades ahead. For example, global warming is expected to decrease global agricultural production by 16% by 2020, while China and India and other rapidly-developing markets increase demand for meat and dairy products, increasing the price of those goods, as well as grain.

Continue reading Rising food prices may be here to stay

Rising food prices may be here to stay originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agricultureBrauncommoditiesconsumer price indexcore inflationCPIdeveloping worldfeaturedfoodfood pricesfood supplyIFPRIinflationInternational Food Policy Research InstituteJoachim BraunPPIproducer price indexTue, 04 Dec 2007 14:22:00 EST<![CDATA[An OPIC to counter OPEC? The time is right]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/an-opic-to-counter-opec-the-time-is-right/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/an-opic-to-counter-opec-the-time-is-right/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/an-opic-to-counter-opec-the-time-is-right/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The "Totally Informal Economics Roundtable" (TIER) met this week. For those unfamiliar, the Roundtable achieves a quorum whenever yours truly and my three astute economist friends from graduate school convene to discuss matters economic...or to celebrate the birthday of one our school-age children.

This week's the topic was OPIC. That's OPIC, not OPEC.

Most readers/investors know about OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.






Continue reading An OPIC to counter OPEC? The time is right

An OPIC to counter OPEC? The time is right originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate energy sourcesAsiaChinadeveloping worldemerging marketsenergyenvironmentEuropegasolinegasoline pricesindustrialized worldMiddle Eastoiloil pricesoil productionOilPricesOPECOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countriesrenewable energyU.S.United StatesThu, 15 Nov 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IEA's global oil demand projection isn't pretty]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/08/ieas-global-oil-demand-projection-isnt-pretty/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/08/ieas-global-oil-demand-projection-isnt-pretty/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/08/ieas-global-oil-demand-projection-isnt-pretty/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If the industrialized - - and the industrializing - - world needs a wake-up call regarding the development of alternate and renewable energy sources, the nations need look no further than the International Energy Agency's research.

IEA projects that between now and 2015, the world will need an additional 37.5 million barrels per day of oil to meet rising demand. Currently, the world use about 84 million barrels of oil per day. [Oil closed Thursday down 91 cents to $95.46. A convergence of events, including strong global economic growth and geopolitical concerns, has pushed oil's price up more than 135% in three years; traders see oil testing the $100 per barrel mark in the weeks ahead.]

And here's the riveting statistic from the IEA: current oil production development plans will add only about 25 million barrels per day by 2015.

And what about that 12.5-million barrel gap? The gap, the IEA said, must be made up through further investment or easing of demand.

If the gap is not filled, a supply shortfall will result, the IEA said. "'A supply-side crunch in the period to 2015, involving an abrupt escalation in oil prices, cannot be ruled out," the agency said.

Oil Analysis: While oil consumption increases are expected in every region in the world and by dozens of nations, the importance of the United States and China in marshaling any energy coalition cannot be underscored enough. Each is the primary engine of growth in its hemisphere. Each has the private, public, and university-based economies of scale necessary to both implement conservation measures and development new energy sources - - practices that smaller nations in each region would undoubtedly mirror. Finally, each - - by virtue of the sheer size of their consumer bases - - can decisively "move the needle" toward increased energy efficiency and, along with it, toward less CO2 in the atmosphere, in the years and decades ahead.

IEA's global oil demand projection isn't pretty originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Africaalternative energyAsiaChinaclimate changedeveloping worldemerging marketsenvironmentEuropeIEAInternational Energy AgencyNorth Americaoiloil consumptionoil productionOPECrenewable energySouth AmericaUnited StatesThu, 08 Nov 2007 17:44:00 EST