Category Archives: International

State Of The Union 2013 –

Posted on 20. February 2013 by Jim Sutliff

The 2013 State of the Union was delivered on February 12th, 2013 at 9 pm.  The White House site provides the State of the Union Address and outlines for the economic plan.  The State of the Union Address lasted slightly more … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Administrative, Budget, Business, Congress, DC, Democrat, Economy, Energy, Environment, General, Healthcare, International, Politics, Presidential, Regulatory, Republican, Tax, Trade | Leave a comment

Spanish & Italian Yields Rise –

Posted on 9. July 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Yields on 10 year government bonds from Spain rose above the 7% mark in trading on Monday.  Italian bond yields also increased and rose above 6%.  Italy is expected to sell three year bonds later in the week.  The rise in Spanish and … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, General, International | Leave a comment

Greece Elections –

Posted on 19. June 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The elections in Greece on Sunday was the second national election in less than two months.  The New Democracy party came in first and have 129 seats in the 300 member parliament.  The New Democracy party received slightly less than 30% of … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Election, General, International, Politics | Leave a comment

Greece Downgraded –

Posted on 18. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Fitch Ratings downgraded Greece one notch from B- to CCC.  A lower grade would place Greece in default.  The Greece downgrade was partially due to the risks associated with a possible exit from the European Union.  Greek elections are expected to be held … Continue reading →

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Hollande Wins French Presidency –

Posted on 7. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Francois Hollande won the French Presidential election on Sunday.  Hollande defeated Nicolas Sarkozy and became the first Socialist candidate to win the Presidency since 1985.  Francois Mitterand was the last Socialist French President from 1981-1995.  Hollande is expected to raise … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Budget, Election, General, International, Politics | Leave a comment

Moody’s Cuts Greece Rating –

Posted on 2. March 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Moody’s lowered the credit rating for Greece to C from Ca.  Moody’s indicated that the debt restructuring would provide investors with significantly less than their face value.  Earlier in the week, Standard & Poor’s indicated that the restructuring plan for … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economy, General, Infrastructure, International | Leave a comment

Euro Trades Lower –

Posted on 14. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Euro fell below $1.30 in afternoon trading on Wednesday.  The Euro has not traded below $1.30 since mid-January of this year.  Traders are watching Standard & Poor’s for any indications of sovereign debt downgrades.  France is one of the … Continue reading →

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Euro Zono Fiscal Policy –

Posted on 27. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The integration of fiscal policy is an important step for Euro zone countries in solving their debt crisis.  A recent plan would utilize bilateral agreements instead of changing European Union treaties.  Bilateral agreements could make implemention of fiscal policy changes faster than the time … Continue reading →

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Belgium Downgraded –

Posted on 25. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Standard and Poor’s downgraded Belguim debt to AA.  The downgrade forced the 10 year yield to 5.832% in Friday trading.  Belgium debt started the week trading at 4.817%. To read a related Reuters article, please click here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/25/us-belgium-sp-idUSTRE7AO1F220111125 James Sutliff

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Spain Elections –

Posted on 21. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Elections in Spain signaled another shift in governments with the People’s Party winning 186 of the 350 seats.  The debt crisis is largely responsible for the results and the new government is expected to be fiscally conservative in their policy … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Economy, Election, General, International, Politics | Leave a comment

Italy Set To Vote On Budget –

Posted on 11. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Italy is set to vote on debt reduction measures to lower their debt level and increase investor confidence.  Currently, Italy has $2.6 trillion in debt and has a bond yield near 7%.  Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected to step … Continue reading →

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ECB Italian Bond Purchases –

Posted on 5. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The European Central Bank is discussing the possibility of halting Italian bond purchases.  European Central Bank officials are determining if the Italian government is following through with the changes it promised the European Union.  The bond buying program by the ECB has … Continue reading →

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Greek Referendum Plan –

Posted on 1. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Prime Minister of Greece surprised the financial markets by calling for a referendum on the bailout plan.  Prime Minister George Papandreou has suffered a loss of some support in his party.  The call for a referendum has sent the Euro and … Continue reading →

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S & P Downgrades Spain; Barcelona –

Posted on 18. October 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Standard & Poor’s cut the debt rating for Barcelona to AA- with a negative outlook.  The downgrade was expected after Standard & Poor’s cut the sovereign debt rating for Spain.  Debt for Spain and Barcelona can expect another downgrade if economic conditions do … Continue reading →

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Europe Plan Gains Support –

Posted on 16. October 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Global finance chiefs are showing support for a plan to address the European sovereign debt crisis.  A more complete plan may be presented by the October 23rd summit in Brussels. The plan is expected to include writing down as much as 50% … Continue reading →

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