Al Gore

Posted by Joseph Y. Calhoun, III

If you click on the title of this post, you will be taken to the website of Generation Investment Management. The Chairman of the firm is Al Gore.
Generation’s investment philosophy incorporates sustainability issues into their investment process. I think that is admirable, as long as their investors are happy with their returns. However, I wonder [...]

A Yen for a Correction

Posted by Joseph Y. Calhoun, III

Why did the stock market sell off over 400 points yesterday? The standard explanation was the sharp correction of Chinese stocks which was caused (allegedly) by fears that the Chinese government would take measures to reduce speculation by locals on their exchange. Why would selling on the local Chinese market cause a worldwide selloff in [...]

Iraqis Learn Nothing

Posted by Joseph Y. Calhoun, III

The current Iraqi government is hard at work trying to emulate all those other states who have nationalized their oil industry. Too bad. As indicated below, the Iranians and Venezuelans haven’t had a lot of luck with that central planning thing. Nevertheless, the Iraqis seem headed down the same sad path:
In its current form, the [...]

Venezuela and Iran

Posted by Joseph Y. Calhoun, III

Venezuela and Iran are providing a real world economics lesson to their citizens. Both these countries are command economies run by decree from on high rather than responding to market signals. And the results are just what economics predicts.
From the Miami Herald
CARACAS, Venezuela — Meat cuts vanished from Venezuelan supermarkets this week, leaving only unsavory [...]