Macro

The Cost of Japan's Farm Protectionism - Part 1

written by Richard Katz on September 17, 2014

How much is it costing the Japanese people each year for Abe administration to protect the farm vote and the farmers’ lobby known as JA-Zenchu (JA being short for Japan Agriculture)? While we cannot pretend to give a precise estimate, we can give a sense of the some of the magnitudes involved, and they add up to several ties the entire output of the farm sectors.

The Real Cost of Japan's Farm Protectionism - Part 3

written by Richard Katz on September 22, 2014

This report continues to detail the costs to the Japanese economy of the continued protection of inefficient farm sectors, this time focusing on the Local Allocation Grants from the national budget that are given out to prefectural and local governments. These grants amount to upwards of 3.5% of GDP and quarter of the national budget.

Standoff at TPP Corral

written by Richard Katz on September 25, 2014

Amari-Froman talks end early; "no progress" say both sides.

A Graphic Presentation of FMI Key Economic Trends

written by Michael Lewis on July 31, 2014

FMI’s end-of-the-month report for July Graphic summary of economic trends.

The U.S. Dollar and International Economic Conditions

written by Michael Lewis on July 31, 2014

Geopolitical tensions (Russia/Ukraine) are weighing on Europe As a result the dollar has appreciated some vs the Euro.

July 2014 Regional Business Activity Surveys

written by Michael Lewis on July 31, 2014

In July, the Chicago PM index plunged -10 points, its biggest monthly drop since 2008.

July 2014 Employment Preview

written by Michael Lewis on July 31, 2014

FMI’s Preview of July Employment including a review of Weekly UI Claims as well as their analysis of July Chicago Purchasing Managers Index and other Regional Surveys