Alea

Interfluidity

Capabilities, constraints, and confidence

Mark Thoma offers a very thoughtful rejoinder to my post on whether the Fed should be given authority to pay interest on deposits. Mark's comments range from specific,...

naked capitalism

Links 5/16/08

Global food prices fall in April BBC. A robin does not make a spring; this is the first decline in 15 months. But any reversion is good news. Taking your laptop into the US? Be sure to hide all your data first Guardian Recession Proof: Not Tax Preparation Services Bill Conerly Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley Issue ...

A Dash of Insight

Bailout for Homeowners and Lenders?

Developments in housing remain crucial for the economy and for stocks. Nearly any account of the housing situation includes reports of the number of foreclosures, the inventory of empty homes, and the potential ARM re-sets that may stimulate even more foreclosure activity. Any help for distressed homeowners would help to shift the supply curve for ...

Stumbling and Mumbling

For private education

The other day I was toiling away when I heard a series of loud bangs. "What idiot is setting off fireworks in the middle of the afternoon?" I wondered. I went out to find out. It was Oakham School's army...

Paul Krugman

I am a jelly donut

A Berliner There is no truth to the old claim that when John F. Kennedy said, “Ich bin ein Berliner” — as opposed to “Ich bin Berliner” — he described himself as a pastry. But the story has truthiness, so it persists. Besides, when I was in 8th grade a German woman really did tell ...

Le blog d'éconoclaste

Localisme universitaire

Un débat intéressant se lance sur le localisme universitaire, avec de vrais morceaux d'économistes dedans. Le localisme est, rappelons-le, cette pratique consistant à favoriser pour le recrutement des enseignants des "locaux" au détriment de candidats venus de l'extérieur. Le débat a été lancé par O. Godechot et A. Louvet sur la vie des idées, qui ...

The Aleph Blog

Average? I Like Average, if It’s My Average. (Part I)

Okay, same drill as my pieces for my worst losses, but this time I chose the ten most average investments of mine in terms of dollars earned. Remember, one of my key disciplines is rebalancing. Honeywell Honeywell was short and simple.  I felt it was out of favor, and I bought some.  Six months later, ...

FT Alphaville

Yahoo responds to Icahn: You just don’t get it, now go away

Via BusinessWire. Dear Mr. Icahn: We are in receipt of your letter with regard to your intention to seek control of Yahoo!’s board of directors. Unfortunately, your letter reflects a significant misunderstanding of the facts about the Microsoft proposal and the diligence with which our board evaluated and responded to that proposal....

Abnormal Returns

Friday links: absent edition

Abnormal Returns is going to be taking a short break from blogging. During an earlier break we wrote this post highlighting some additional linkfests worth your time. In the meantime, feel free to drop us a line with any questions and/or comments. Will be back to our regular posting schedule as soon as possible. ...

Going Private

Financial Journalism for the Mathematically Challanged

Portfolio.com: Market Movers

Extra Credit, Thursday Edition

Why H-P’s Stock Is Stuck: "It??s a well-run, slow growing giant of a company" The New Peak Oil: Peak Demand Chicago Overturns Foie Gras Ban Is "the X-word" Dead? First it was XFRML. Then it was XBRL. Now it's ID, or Interactive Data. Icahn Sends Open Letter to Board of Directors of Yahoo! Related: ...