Cisco announces first dividend

Finally! It is great to see. I have been stating for years that Cisco needs to pay a dividend to increase institutional interest and drive the stock price up.

Cisco announces first dividend

Trade Deficit Destroys 3 Million Jobs a Year

Finally an economist steps up and places a "job loss" price on China's currency manipulation. Beijing undervalues the yuan by 40% leading to imbalanced trade, a flood of cheap imports, and loss of American jobs. While it is easy to "blame China" for the entire situation - typical American politics in Washington also deserves an equal share of the blame. It is time for the U.S to address the continuing trade deficit by placing appropriate tariffs on nations that do not freely float and manipulate their currencies. Only these type of measures will restore trade balance and American manufacturing.

Trade Deficit Destroys 3 Million Jobs a Year

A solution is proposed "The United States should impose a tax on dollar-yuan conversions in an amount equal to China's currency market intervention divided by its exports -- about 35%. That would neutralize China's currency subsidies that steal U.S. factories and jobs. It is not protectionism; rather, in the face of virulent Chinese currency manipulation and mercantilism, it's self defense."

Greece on the Brink

Default risk in the Euro zone is rising. Rating agencies are regularly behind the curve, the implication being that the default risk is greater than the current debt rating. Credit ratings of other Euro zone countries will be downgraded over the next few months - setting the table for a buffet of defaults in 2012/2013.

Moody's downgrade tips Greece closer to brink

"Moody's Investors Service downgraded Greek debt to B1 from Ba1 - lower than Egypt - and said it may cut further."

An example of personal finance failure

One would think that after all the recent financial turmoil that families would educate themselves regarding the basics of personal finance and stop spending more than they make. Unfortunately example after example shows this is not true. Here is the latest.

After bankruptcy filing, couple's spending continued
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/20/business/la-fi-money-makeover-furry-20110220

Lisa and Stephen Furry splurged on a getaway at a four-star hotel but haven't paid the mortgage on their North Hollywood home since September. A financial planner helps them with a reality check.

The EU disintegration

When Humpty falls off the wall, it does not look like all of the EU's politicians, lawyers, economists, and businesses will be able to put the pieces back together. The shadow is rocking and only a short time remains before a mess is splattered across the entire continent.

An earlier post discussed possible outcomes to the EU currency default crisis. An excellent summary of the new awareness growing across Europe can be found in the Telegraph article - The horrible truth starts to dawn on Europe's leaders.

Favorite EE Video Blog

One of my favorite Electrical Engineering Video Blogs is from Dave Jones on YouTube. When I get a moment I listen to recent episodes. He covers topics from Product Teardowns (a recent episode had the new Kindle) to design, testing, test equipment evaluation, and Dilbert marketing experiences. Of course YouTube tries to come up with the best "suggestions" for people who view the EEV Blog. See the red rectangle on the screen shot below. :)