Emerging markets inflation

Inflation in emerging markets could reach double digits, while economic growth this year will average 6 %, according to  experts. 

Economic growth and rising commodity and food prices are fuelling inflation in emerging economies, but these countries have previously withstood inflation running into the thousands of %, such as in Brazil.

What you have to focus on is (the) real interest rates environment, because if the inflation rate is above what people get in the banks, they will obviously have the tendency to move into equities. 

Experts seems to think  growth in Asia will be a little faster than in other emerging markets. Some analysts say inflows to these fast-growing economies, combined with existing inflationary pressure could lead to asset bubbles, posing what some experts called "monstrous" risks. 

Well we have to look out for that then don't we. Our property boom is certainly something to be a concern for all.

French men’s sperm quality is dwindling.

A study of 26,609 men whose semen samples were tracked over 17 years, published recently in the journal Human Reproduction, found declines in both sperm concentration and in the number of normally formed sperm. Concentration alone dipped by about a third during the study period.  

The study sample is probably one of the largest in the world on the topic and raises concern that modern lifestyles may harm fertility and health, the researchers wrote. Possible causes include environmental factors such as endocrine disruptors -- chemicals found in plastics or food that interfere with the body’s hormones -- or changes in body mass index and levels of stress, they said.  

“These results indicate a severe and generalized decrease in semen quality in France, possibly since the 1970s, which constitutes a serious public health warning,” wrote the authors, led by Joelle Le Moal of the Institute for Public Health Surveillance in Saint Maurice, France. “This issue could be a growing cause of concern for the next generation’s health.”  

The men studied were partners of women who were infertile and sought assisted reproductive procedures. Their sperm concentration fell about 1.9 percent a year, or 32 percent over the 17 years. The percentage of normally formed sperm declined 33 percent in the study period, which ran from 1989 to 2005. The concentration values reached at the end of the study were low enough to affect the time it takes to conceive, according to the authors.  

Le Moal and her colleagues plan to delve back into the data to see whether men born at certain times were more affected than others and whether they can find geographic patterns. They will also be working with data collected after 2005 to see if the decline continued in subsequent year. Beyond the fertility concern, the state of male sperm can be viewed as a gauge of public health, Le Moal said. 

The drop in sperm count coincides with a rise in cancers in France. Is there also a coincidence that France has 20 nuclear power plants spread around the country?

Thailand’s Bonds Fall

Thailand’s government bonds dropped, sending the benchmark three-year yield to a five-week high, on speculation the central bank will refrain from cutting interest rates after exports rebounded last month. The baht was steady.  

Exports, which account for about two-thirds of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, climbed 14 percent in October after falling 0.1 percent the previous month, a Nov. 30 central bank report showed. The Bank of Thailand kept borrowing costs unchanged Nov. 28 after an unexpected cut in October, citing strong local demand and an improving global economy. Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said a further reduction wasn’t needed.  

“Recent data suggests the global economy as a whole is beginning to bottom out, and the bond yields are rising to reflect less likelihood of further rate cuts,” Tohru Nishihama, an economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc. in Tokyo. “Funds are flowing into Asia, especially into bonds, and the recent yield gains reflect a position adjustment rather than a long-term trend.”  

The yield on the 3.125 percent securities due December 2015 rose one basis point, or 0.01 percentage point, to 2.95 percent as of 9:10 a.m. in Bangkok, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s the highest level since Oct. 25.

The central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75 percent last week after lowering it by a quarter of a percentage point in October. Consumer prices rose 2.74 percent in November, compared with a 3.32 percent gain the previous month, official data showed yesterday.  

The baht was unchanged from yesterday at 30.65 per dollar, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. One-month implied volatility, a measure of expected moves in exchange rates used to price options, dropped 14 basis points to 3.89 percent.

Everyone is into printing money now???

Printing money is how the govt gets to keep spending !!!!

Counterfeiting is relative, when the govt prints worthless 'money' then that is okay ,but when some mafia families do it that is somehow not good !!!!...lol....


There is no difference every dollar the govt prints that is not exchangeable for gold is just as counterfeit