First Solar Raises Hopes for Solar’s Coming Earnings Season

After solar stocks soared in September, expectations are riding high for solar companies to carry their earnings momentum from the second quarter’s reports into the third quarter’s reports. First Solar (FSLR) made a big step in the right direction by announcing that it received an additional 380 Megawatt in orders from existing customers for delivery … Read more

links for 2010-10-05

How Fake Money Saved Brazil : Planet Money : NPR (Complete story/podcast is on Planet Money's podcast – see right panel) This is a story about how an economist and his buddies tricked the people of Brazil into saving the country from rampant inflation. They had a crazy, unlikely plan, and it worked… You have … Read more

Despite Robust Economic Conditions, Australia Holds Interest Rates Steady…for Now

While most of the Western industrial world struggles with deflationary fears, Australia continues to worry about inflation. In tonight’s latest release on monetary policy, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Glenn Stevens states: “If economic conditions evolve as the Board currently expects, it is likely that higher interest rates will be required, at some point, … Read more

links for 2010-10-04

Adopting China’s Tactics in Currency Fight – NYTimes.com …the rest of the world is beginning to mimic the technique China has perfected: manipulating currencies for national advantage, while resisting political pressure from trading partners. (tags: currency China trade_policy Brazil Japan) Man Vs. Machine: Commentary—Shouldn’t the SEC Focus on High Frequency Products? – CNBC The SEC’s … Read more