By Yiannis G. MostrousMCLEAN, Va.–Initial results indicate that US corporate earnings haven’t fallen off: 30 percent of the S&P 500 companies have reported, and the majority has beaten estimates (though excessive pessimism had led analysts to lower third quarter estimates). The current market rally now seems to be… Read More

MCLEAN, Va.--Shinzo Abe was elected Prime Minister of Japan on September 26; I had provided a brief background on Abe as his term as Junichiro Koizumi’s Chief Cabinet Secretary neared its end (see SRI, 16 August 2006, A Political Summer). Read More

By Yiannis G. MostrousMCLEAN, Va.–The prevailing view is that the US economy is slowing–taking its cue from the housing sector–and that the probability of a 2007 recession has risen significantly. Some say the likelihood is up to 40 percent. My view is a little more sanguine,… Read More

By Yiannis G. MostrousMCLEAN, Va.–It was raining last night in Bangkok, Thailand, as tanks rolled into the city and made their way to the Government House, putting a temporary end to the political turmoil that’s plagued Thailand since last April’s elections gave Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra a second… Read More

By Yiannis G. MostrousMCLEAN, Va.–A friend pointed out to me recently the existence of a Web site where active “condo traders” buy and sell this specific type of real estate. In disbelief– my na’vet’ wouldn’t allow me to think the situation had reached such levels–I immediately visited… Read More

By Yiannis G. MostrousMCLEAN, Va.–I’ve just landed after a transatlantic flight and haven’t had a lot of time to adjust. But my view remains quite upbeat–the onset of the usually weak month of September notwithstanding. As I noted last week, Italy could surprise to the upside… Read More

By Yiannis G. Mostrous ANTWERP, Belgium–The world’s stock markets can rally in the short term, especially if the US economy doesn’t produce any big surprises to the downside. Investors should treat such a rally as tactical in nature and therefore steer clear of major portfolio restructuring. Read More

By Yiannis G. MostrousATHENS, Greece I expect that SRI readers are enjoying the summer. After all, history has shown that extensive investment moves during the summer–especially in August–have never been particularly successful. It also allows an opportunity to make necessary portfolio changes both tactically (i.e., leading… Read More

By Yiannis G. MostrousMYKONOS, Greece–I’m currently tucked away on a small but vibrant island in the Aegean Sea. Markets, wars and the other chaos that make up our daily lives seem quite distant. I hope you found the last issue of SRI, a Geopolitics &… Read More

Business, Investments and Politics in Central AsiaOn an early September morning almost 10 years ago, more than 500 paratroopers from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division jumped into a battle zone near the Tien Shan Mountains (“Heaven Mountains”) along the China/Kyrgyzstan border in Central Asia. Their mission… Read More