Central Banks Are Destroying What Was Left Of Free Markets

President Reagan memorably said that the nine words you don’t want to hear are “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Governments in all the major jurisdictions are now making good on that unwanted promise and are taking responsibility for everything from our shoulders. Those receiving subsidies and loan guarantees are no doubt grateful,…

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No Financing And No Demand: Chinese Refiners Run Into Trouble

International banks are suspending credit lines for some independent oil refiners worried about the growing risk of defaults across industries because of the coronavirus epidemic, Reuters reports, citing industry sources… According to the sources, at least three private refiners, or teapots, have had credit lines to the tune of $600 million suspended by banks including French…

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Coronavirus Triggers “Biggest Shock” To Oil Markets Since Lehman Crisis

Update: The Telegraph’s Ambrose Evans-Pritchard warned that the collapse in Chinese oil consumption is “the biggest shock to oil markets since the Lehman crisis.”  Evans-Pritchard said the plunge in consumption could be between three to four million barrels per day, adding that this amount is twice UK’s North Sea oil output.  We noted earlier (see below), OPEC+ couldn’t come to…

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