Leo Kolivakis's blog

According to Pew, there's a $1 trillion gap between the $3.35 trillion in pension, health care and other retirement benefits states promised their current and retired workers as of fiscal year 2008 and the $2.35 trillion they have on hand to pay them. How dire is the pension problem in the US and what will ultimately shape the future of the pension crisis?

Does the Fed's move spell the end of easy bank profits? Not a chance! They will continue making a killing on prop trading and the revival of M&A activity. Then there is OTC derivatives, which fatten up profit margins and remain unregulated. We need another Brooksley Born and fast!

For all you skeptics out there, let there be no doubt that the U.S. recovery is more than just fluff. Strength in manufacturing is picking up steam and services (66% of the economy) are expanding. And even after the Fed's latest move, policy remains far too accommodating...

According to Jack Mintz, the Canadian pension crisis is all a myth. Tell it to Nortel's disabled that are still fighting for their pensions and benefits, and like many other disabled Canadians are caught in the disability poverty trap.

Love him or hate him, Putin sets the record straight. While the media's attention remains on the Greek fiscal crisis, the bigger debt crisis is in the US, and the world is starting to take notice.

Fleckenstein, Roubini, Rogoff, Eichengreen all sound off on the European debacle and more on the big, fat Greek swap.

An informed view on the Greek fiscal crisis and a brilliant interview with Michael Hudson which exposes the reality on the global financial system and explains why we are sinking back into a new feudalism.

All eyes on the Vancouver games but there is a post-Olympics winter chill headed our way, and you'll be surprised to find out that all is not peachy in good old boring Canada...

Come, let me walk you through the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's latest quarterly results and show you why they caught the tail end of the monster beta wave. I warn you, I'm in a feisty mood, and don't mince my words...

Millions of “pre-retirees” aged between 55 and 64 are being unrealistic about the size of their private pensions and living in a state of denial about their finances, experts say.

Hundreds of pension experts are to meet in Edinburgh next month to discuss the challenges facing the pension market. Proposals call for pensions to take a greater role in demanding a crackdown on excessive bank bonuses. Pensions are also putting pressure on hedge funds to lower fees. Are pensions tightening the screws, or just screwing around?

Greece just implemented pension reforms in an attempt to shore up its public finances and others will follow suit...

In the UK, the data shows the financial crisis led to a £6bn fall in dividends from the banks, leaving drug, tobacco and oil companies to fill some of the gap. Meanwhile, UK commercial property is benefiting from huge pension flows. Is this a wise long-term investment?

While it was another freaky Friday on Wall Street, I'd say the US jobs report was encouraging as was the price action in the stock market. Things are slowly getting better, but the pace of job growth is painfully slow. However, as the recovery gains steam, job growth will follow. It's only a matter of time now.

Consensus is expecting US payrolls to rise by 15,000 in January. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual print comes in at ten times that amount...