European Stocks Rise on China Stimulus Optimism, US Data – Bloomberg 06-27-12

Predictions: Mike Lenhoff at Brewin Dolphin Securities said China is prepared to ease, which will be good for European markets, particularly cyclical stocks – investors sense a more determined spirit to push through tangible measures in Europe. Julian Callow at Barclays Capital forecasts ECB rates will be cut on July 5. Read the full article

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Merkel Rebuffs Rajoy Plea, Shuts Door to Euro Area Bonds – Bloomberg 06-27-12

Salient to Investors: Professor Niall Ferguson at Harvard said the key negotiators, including Merkel, do not understand that the timeframe for financial crises is days, for structural reforms is years. Merkel has to realize that the cost of disintegration to Germany would be mind-blowing, and whatever happens, Germany pays – either through massive defaults or fiscal transfers. Read

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U.S. Banks Aren’t Nearly Ready for Coming European Crisis – Bloomberg 06-24-12

Salient to Investors: Simon Johnson at MIT Sloan School of Management says: The euro area faces a major economic crisis, most likely a series of rolling, country-specific problems involving some combination of failing banks and sovereigns that can’t pay their debts in full. Expect system wide stress, emergency liquidity loans from the

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Soros Pushes EU to Start Joint Debt Fund or Risk Summit Fiasco – Bloomberg 06-24-12

Salient to Investors: George Soros said: A failure to produce drastic measures could spell the demise of the Euro. Europe should create a European Fiscal Authority to purchase sovereign debt in return for Italy and Spain implementing achievable budget cuts – funding to come from the sale of European Treasuries, which would

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Oil Declines Below $80 for a Third Day on Euro-Zone Debt – Bloomberg 06-25-12

Salient to Investors: George Soros warned that a failure by EU leaders to produce drastic measures could spell the demise of the Euro and that policy makers should create a European Fiscal Authority to purchase sovereign debt in return for Italy and Spain implementing achievable budget cuts Soros said Angela Merkel

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U.S. Stocks Fall Amid Concern Europe’s Crisis Will Worsen – Bloomberg 06-25-12

Salient to Investors: George Soros called on Europe to buy Italian and Spanish bonds, warning a failure by leaders meeting on June 28 to produce drastic measures could spell the end of the euro.  Wayne Lin at Legg Mason says the EU summit won’t produce anything extraordinary, that Soros’ views are extreme, and  expects more volatility.

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European Stocks Retreat as German Confidence Declines – Bloomberg 06-22-12

Salient to Investors: German auto rebates on new cars rose to a seven-year high in June. Moody’s cut the ratings of 15 global banks due to their significant exposure to the volatility and risk of outsized losses. Predictions: Lucy MacDonald at  RCM expects extremely low growth, low interest rates and much politically driven volatility

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Treasuries Hold Gains Amid Stock Declines, Gross Warning – Bloomberg 06-21-12

Salient to Investors: Moody’s Investors Service slashed credit ratings on 15 global banks yesterday. Hiromasa Nakamura at Mizuho Asset Management said even Germany can’t avoid a slowdown, showing the instability of Europe’s financial system is affecting the region’s economy. Nakamura said the weakening global economy is leading to risk aversion among investors, putting

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Manufacturing Slump Deepens From Euro Area to China: Economy – Bloomberg 06-21-12

Salient to Investors: Euro-area manufacturing output shrank at the fastest pace in three years in June.  Chinese output gauge indicated contraction. Japan reported its first trade deficit with the EU since it began tracking data in 1979. Howard Archer at IHS Global Insight said the EU is dealing with serious tightening of fiscal policy

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