Recent stories
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Chancellor: A 300-year bubble worth remembering
Next year marks the tricentennial of England’s most notorious speculative mania. Even the great mathematician Sir Isaac Newton couldn’t resist The South Sea Company’s charms. Unicorn and cryptocurrency crazes suggest financial practices haven’t improved much over the centuries.12 December 2019 -
Review: How greedy executives choked off growth
Interest rates are ultra-low and earnings are at record levels, so why has corporate investment slumped? In “Productivity and the Bonus Culture”, economist Andrew Smithers points the finger at soaring executive compensation. His rigorous diagnoses call for some radical cures.9 August 2019 -
Chancellor: A 300-year lesson in bubble inflation
In December 1718, the newly nationalised Banque Royale became France’s first de facto central bank. Under Scotsman John Law, it proceeded to issue paper money in what was arguably the first instance of quantitative easing. Central bankers take note: it ended very badly.13 February 2019 -
Review: Paul Volcker’s exemplary life
30 November 2018 -
Chancellor: Lehman’s easy money extends to China
17 September 2018 -
Chancellor: The carry trade that followed Lehman
14 September 2018 -
Chancellor: “Haves” enriched most from Lehman bust
13 September 2018 -
Chancellor: The legacy of ultralow interest rates
10 September 2018 -
Chancellor: Zombies are Lehman’s dangerous spawn
11 September 2018 -
Chancellor: The mother of all speculative bubbles
11 September 2018