5 October 2018 FT — Articles to Read

5 October 2018

 

Question: According to MSN:Money, what are 6 things other governments provide that Americans still have to pay for?

 

Sovereign bond sell-off fans out across world as belief in US economy builds – Pg. 1

–          A US economy turbo-charged by fiscal stimulus has strengthened the conviction of some investors that 2018 will mark the end of a 30-year bond bull run

–          …economists forecast will show the economy added 185,000 jobs last month and delivered workers wage growth of close to 3%

–          …the yield on the 10-year Treasury touched as high as 3.23%, ….

–          …US economy, which expanded 4.1% in the second quarter, has been one of the defining features of markets this year and helped suck money from emerging markets

 

Republican women back Kavanaugh as gender politics shape midterms – Pg. 3

–          While several women said they believed something had happened 36 years ago to Christine Blasey Ford, Mr Kavanaugh’s accuser, they were not sure just what – only that it did not rise to the level of rape.  At the same time, they seemed convinced that a man with an impeccable record had been wronged, and that the men in their own lives might also be at risk

–          (Prof Note: The world is changing.  Statements (note: I am not saying “True/False” statements, only “Statements”), are extremely difficult to prove/disprove without FACT.  In my family’s estate case, the forger and witnesses LIED!  This was proven by a jury, i.e. the finder of fact in the U.S. judicial system.  How was I able to prove this?  First, it took hundreds of thousands of dollars for experts.  Second, I had the dream team for estate litigation from the local attorneys to K&L Gates driving ALL legal strategy and research (up to five law firms at once).  Third, I had the seven figures required to finance this injustice and the resolve to see this to the end.  It is important to note that when asked if I would have pursued had I had a family to support I worry the answer would have been “no” as it was such a huge financial undertaking and I probably would not have placed family finances at such risk.  Fourth, I was able to identify and hire the BEST experts in forensic documentation analysis, meteorology, and computer forensics (thank you K&L Gates!).  YES, the forger and witnesses were proven to have lied.  For example, in deposition testimony they noted a beautiful day of happiness and family BBQ when, in fact, it had been a hurricane.  Hello Doppler Radar!!!  I mention this as I worry individuals are convicted in today’s society on statements rather than a jury (or court) verdict.  I worry today that most individuals lack the resources to prove truths and facts.  (This is NO statement on Ford and/or her statements being truthful or not, only that the statements have not been proven in a court of law by a jury and/or judge.)  In my case, I was labeled the ungrateful and angry son that could not accept his father’s decisions until the jury verdict.  I do not know what happened 36 years ago with Ford, I only feel that Kavanaugh has been convicted without the benefit of a trial.)

–          While Republican women worry about sexual assault, for example, many worry about the danger of it being unfairly “weaponized” by their political opponents.  (Prof Note: That is my fear, i.e. that Statements are now weapons.  What happened to “Innocent until proven guilty.”?)

 

Listed companies are less short-termist than was thought – Pg. 11

–          ….listings are often unpopular: “short-termism”

–          …IRS data, which covered 2.7m “firm-years”, suggest that listed groups actually invested 48.1% more – not less – than private ones, after adjusting for sector and size

–          …when the Fed team analyzed what happened when privately held companies went public, their R&D-to-physical-asset ratios increased by 34.5%, and their “R&D-to-total investment shares by 17.1%”

–          When publicly listed companies went private, however, there was “a reduction in R&D investments”

–          The research notes that listed companies from “industries that are more sensitive to earnings announcements pull back their investments in long-term physical assets and innovation” when share prices swing too wildly, investing in short-term projects instead

 

Answer: (1) College; (2) Healthcare; (3) Vacation; (4) Parental Leave; (5) Baby items; (6) Daycare