Category Archives: Risk and risk management

Taleb Questions CalPERS Ben Meng’s Competence and Honesty in Defending Missed $1 Billion Hedge Gain; Taleb Estimates CalPERS Net Loss on Meng’s “Alternative Mitigation” Over Two Years at $19 Billion

Nassim Nicholas Taleb calls out one of CalPERS CIO Ben Meng’s Big Lies, and unearths an even bigger one.

Damning New Story on CalPERS Sacrificing $1 Billion Hedge Profits Confirms Doubts About Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng’s Competence

More evidence that CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng is over his head.

CalPERS Dumps Risk Hedge Right Before Coronacrash, Sacrificing $1 Billion and Confirming Doubts About Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng’s Expertise

CalPERS supposed star hire Ben Meng just cost the giant fund $1 billion, over the objections of expert adviser Wilshire Associates.

Martin Wolf and Wishful Thinking on Ending Coronavirus Lockdowns

It would be nice to go back to something like the old normal. But the coronavirus is still very much in charge.

New York Fed, FDIC Tout “Opacity in a Banking Crisis” to Keep Corporations, Hedge Funds, PE Firms & Counterparties in the Dark about Weak Banks

An article by Fed and FDIC researchers argues for hiding banks’ dirty laundry. Too bad the authorities didn’t make banks shape up instead.

Global Level 4 Travel Advisory: Stealth Subsidy for Insurers?

The State Department’s global level 4 health advisory,recommending US citizens not travel internationally, has travel insurance implications.

COVID-19 Math Explained, With Data

Looking at COVID-19 R0s.

When Safety Measures Lead to Riskier Behavior by More People

How safety measures can backfire.

Tim Cook and Apple Bet the Farm on China, But Then Coronavirus Hit

WSJ examines the consequences of the decision by Apple to become so dependent on China – what looks to be a catastrophic mistake in the age of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Collateral Damage: How a Case in Korea Hit a Small Business in the US

How coronavirus is causing some US businesses headaches, and potentially distress

On February 6 Antarctica Was Warmer Than Orlando, But Mainstream Democrats Fiddle as the Planet Burns

Democrats ex Sanders are punting on climate change.

Foreign Exchange Swaps: Hidden Debt, Lurking Vulnerability

How hidden foreign exchange swaps contribute to financial fragility.

How CEOs, Experts and Philosophers See the World’s Biggest Risks Differently

Trying to understand CEOs’ blinkered view of risks.

Boeing Again Pushes Back Guesstimated 737 Max “Good to Go” Date to Mid 2020 as Company Bleeds Cash

Yet more bad news for the 737 Max.

FAA Considering Mandatory Simulator Training for Boeing 737 Max as New Hardware Problem Surfaces

The FAA and Boeing may be moving towards a deal.