Michael Pascoe is one of Australia's most respected and experienced finance and economics commentators with more than three decades in newspaper, radio, television and on-line journalism. http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/ Tue, 06 May 2008 23:31:16 -0800 Yahoo! http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/80/save-valuers-from-dodgy-lenders/ Near the core of many a failed investment is a dodgy valuation. That's why I would like to see greater distance put between valuers and property developers so that scandals like the Australian Capital Reserve collapse might become less common. Tue, 06 May 2008 23:31:16 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/79/the-housing-price-mystery/ With Australia one of the most housing-centric nations on earth, the love of bricks'n'mortar flowing strongly in our veins, more people take a direct interest real estate than the stock market. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:33:52 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/78/when-bad-news-is-no-news/ Governor Glenn Stevens has effectively promised that the RBA will give the March quarter figures the benefit of the doubt thanks to signs that demand is lessening a little and that the global credit crunch remains a threat. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:54:23 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/77/banks-breaking-brokers-qbe-stalking-iag/ I want to start this column looking at something that grabbed surprisingly little attention: Westpac's opening shot in a war to cut mortgage brokers' commissions. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:09:09 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/76/no-stopping-investment-crime/ Even with the best politicians in the world, the sharpest regulators and the most enlightened guidance of the evolution, what it can never do is stop crime. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:39:44 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/75/senator-sherry-from-the-ministry-of-fear/ The Superannuation Minister, Senator Nick Sherry, kicked off the week with a pile of headlines by stating the obvious about super fund returns this year - they're going to be poor. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:12:26 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/74/nab-puts-up-mortgage-rates-while-cutting-deposits/ Just to muddy the water, the NAB's latest move to increase its mortgage rates by 9 points on Tuesday is pretty poor effort because the amount NAB pays for money has actually been falling lately. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:33:29 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/73/party-at-the-fed-rba-shining-shoes/ The US Federal Reserve has been throwing a party over the past two months, cutting interest rates by 200 points and turning on unlimited beer, in the hope that the financial system would start dancing again. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:58:30 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/72/bull-vs-bearblood-sport/ In the red corner, Alan Kohler, my Eureka Report colleague. In the blue corner, Peter Thornhill, former funds manager. Who will win? Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:54:51 -0800 Michael Pascoe http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/michaelpascoe/71/banks-rates-and-politicians/ Have you heard the one about the politician who won votes by praising banks? No, I haven't either - it doesn't exist. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:53:29 -0800 Michael Pascoe