The PBOC also raised reserve requirements on banks six times in 2010, obliging them to set aside 18.5% of their deposits, a record ratio.

ECONOMIST: Price rises in China

To take effect from 29 November, it will be a record high for the reserve ratio, and the ninth rise this year.

BBC: RELATED BBC SITES

It also set off a decadelong decline in reserves, which left banks with a record low reserve-to-loan ratio of 1.21% at the end of 2006--just in time for the housing bust to hit.

FORBES

America's ratio of house prices to rents is at a record high, 26% above its average over the 25 years to 2000 (see chart).

ECONOMIST: Global house prices

America's property market certainly looks pricey: the ratio of house prices to incomes is currently at a record high, and about a fifth above its 30-year average.

ECONOMIST: The American economy

After recovering from a record low of negative 86% in December 2008, meaning that 86% of estimate changes were downgrades, the ratio hit a high of 25% in May but began to moderate in June to 22%.

FORBES: Stocks Are Cheap Enough To Absorb Earnings Downgrades