Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Asia Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Zeev Hed who wrote (3046)	4/11/1998 12:28:00 PM
From: Jack Clarke	Respond to of 9980

Zeev, If they do not, the US will be doomed to have a $200 billion trade deficit this year. This has been going on for a long time. Does it no longer make a difference? Is there no price to pay for a chronic trade deficit? Mystified, Jack

To: Zeev Hed who wrote (3046)	4/11/1998 12:29:00 PM
From: jhild	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9980

Here's an article from Nikkei.net that describes the "Business Sentiment" and a little on how they calculate the number. Maybe this should help explain what you are talking about. It appeared in the March 12 issue: Business Sentiment At Smaller Firms Hits Record Low: MOF TOKYO (Nikkei)-Business sentiment among small-business executives dropped to its lowest level ever in February, while leaders of large corporations have not been this pessimistic since 1983, the Finance Ministry reported Wednesday. At big firms, a diffusion index on expectations of a business upturn for the January-March quarter over October-December fell to minus 25.6. The figure at midsize companies was minus 33.1, and minus 42.9 at small businesses - the lowest figures ever recorded. Projections for April-June and July-September also resulted in negative figures, but with a slight improvement over the current quarter. Meanwhile, a big business diffusion index on the willingness of banks to lend to corporations hit minus 36.7, down a steep 38.5 points from a November survey. The diffusion indexes are calculated by subtracting the percentage of negative replies from that of positive replies. (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Thursday morning edition) satellite.nikkei.co.jp

To: Zeev Hed who wrote (3046)	4/11/1998 8:34:00 PM
From: yard_man	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9980

>>I won't even comment on the suicidal "support the Yen" action.<< What will they get for doing this? Do they cynically know that it is destined to fail or what? Why has Rubin come out to support this idea --- does he really think this can be an effective way to deal with the deficit? To someone who knows practically nothing about currency issues: Can you give me your idea of what both sides are trying to accomplish here? They will not go through with a stimulus package that big, right? I think you are in the camp that thinks this is their last best hope. Supposing they would go for such a large package: Can they really spend themselves into better shape?