What do central banks do?
When central banks declare a new interest rate, how does that magic into existence? Steve explains how they trade in bonds, to drive yields close to their target rate. If they are buying up bonds held...
18 Dec 202439min
Banks, reserves, lending and money supply
There’s a common myth around banks. That banks are the intermediaries who collect deposits from customers, keep a bit in reserve, then lend out the rest at a higher interest rate. That argument then e...
11 Dec 202445min
Government debt, bonds and money supply
Does government debt expand the supply of money? According to Modern Monetary theory, yes it does. It’s all down to simple double-entry book-keeping and an understanding of the role of financial equit...
4 Dec 202442min
Can Europe be Draghi-ed out of stagnation?
You’ll know the name Mario Draghi. He was the President of the European Central Bank and, for a short while, Prime Minister of Italy. Earlier this year he produced a report EU Competitiveness. It call...
27 Nov 202440min
Tariffic Trump
At least half of America is elated with its new choice of President. Money is already flowing into the country, with early gains on the NYSE and the dollar shooting higher in value. Tariffs will be f...
20 Nov 202440min
Milking inheritance
The UK Labour party seems top have scored another own goal, with their inheritance tax on family farms. Previously farms were exe pt from inheritance, but that meant wealthy landowners, with massive s...
13 Nov 202439min
The economics of irresponsibility
The classical economic assumption, from the days of Adam Smith, is that we all have free will and this freedom ensures the best possible outcomes for the economy, provided those decisions are based on...
6 Nov 202438min
Britain’s capex crisis and how to fix it
Ever wondered why Britain’s roads are riddled with potholes, why the trains keep breaking down and why there aren’t enough hospital beds? Simple. Britain is not making enough capital investments. Taki...
30 Okt 202445min
