”

Source: Washington Post

Unemployment has reached multi-year lows in 27 states, a bit of positive news for state labor markets that are still struggling through a mild recovery.

In just over a third of states, there are more jobs now than there were when the recession began, according to an analysis of new Labor Department data by the Economic Policy Institute, a think tank focused on the needs of low- and middle-income workers. There may be more jobs in many states since the recession, but there are also more people.

In only one state, oil-rich North Dakota, has the growth in jobs outpaced the growth in the working-age population, according to the EPI analysis. Forty nine states have added more adults in their working prime than jobs for them to fill. And the share of the working-age population that has jobs has declined in every state since 2007, though the fall has only been statistically meaningful for 35 of them, according to a Pew analysis….

*** WASHINGTON POST (VIA BARRY RITHOLTZ) / LINK

Words That Make You Go Hmmm…

		Dave Collum is the most knowledgable finance guy many of you have never heard of.An amateur investor with a distinctly professional eye, Dave puts many in my industry to shame. Dave’s “2013 Year in Review” (Page 32) is a tour de force, and in this interview with Chris Martenson, Dave discusses the issues with his customary insight and sardonic wit.
CLICK TO WATCH
Steen Jakobsen of Saxo Bank is a man I listen to and read whenever I get the chance.He is amongst the rare few who seem to be able to call things exactly as they see them from within the confines of an investment bank, and so Steen’s views are always worth hearing. This week, we get to hear his take on the dreaded Taper. (via Zerohedge)
		CLICK TO LISTEN
		Jim Rickards has been absent from these pages for quite some time, but he’s back today to discuss the history of the recent tapering announcement by the Fed as well as the likely effects on various asset classes and markets, particularly gold.
CLICK TO LISTEN

and finally…

Simon Beck is one crazy guy!

Who else would walk miles in the snow to create beautiful art when he knows the odds are heavily stacked against its surviving 24 hours?

The result of Simon’s calculated wanderings, however, are utterly breathtaking, as this set of amazing pictures shows.

Don’t let the rather dull-looking teaser photo deter you from clicking on the link… I didn’t want to spoil it for you!

(Thanks Dody!)

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS

Hmmm…

Grant Williams

Grant Williams is the portfolio manager of the Vulpes Precious Metals Fund and strategy advisor to Vulpes Investment Management in Singapore — a hedge fund running over $280 million of largely partners’ capital across multiple strategies.

The high level of capital committed by the Vulpes partners ensures the strongest possible alignment between the firm and its investors.

Grant has 28 years of experience in finance on the Asian, Australian, European and US markets and has held senior positions at several international investment houses.

Grant has been writing Things That Make You Go Hmmm… since 2009.

For more information on Vulpes, please visit www.vulpesinvest.com.

*******

Follow me on Twitter: @TTMYGH

YouTube Video Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/GWTTMYGH

ASFA Annual Conference 2013: ‘Wizened In Oz‘

66th Annual CFA Conference, Singapore 2013 Presentation: ‘Do The Math‘

Mines & Money, Hong Kong 2013 Presentation: ‘Risk: It’s Not Just A Board Game‘

Fall 2012 Presentation: ‘Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Markets‘