Federal Reserve Surprise! "We may have to print more money" to spur "recovery"
Federal Reserve officials, increasingly concerned over signs the economic recovery is faltering, are considering new steps to bolster growth. With Congress tied in political knots over whether to take further action to boost the economy, Fed leaders are weighing modest steps that could offer more support for economic activity at a time when their target for short-term interest rates is already near zero.
Niall Ferguson: The US Has 6 Years Before Debt Payments Surpass Defense Spending
Businessinsider.com | Joe Weisenthal | Jul. 6, 2010, 4:51 AM The world’s hottest deficit hawk Niall Ferguson brought his message of fiscal doom & gloom to the Aspen Ideas Festival, where he warned that politicians were lacking urgency over the crisis to come. The Aspen Times reports: And American politicians don’t have a sense of […]
Germany focuses on cutting spending
Germany’s cabinet is poised this week to approve a 2011 budget as part of a four-year programme of public spending cuts meant to serve as an example to other European governments without jeopardising the country’s increasingly robust economic recovery.
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Its starting to feel like 1932
People queue for a job fair in New York. The share of the US working-age population with jobs in June fell from 58.7pc to 58.5pc. The ratio was 63pc three years ago. “The economy is still in the gravitational pull of the Great Recession,” said Robert Reich, former US labour secretary. “All the booster rockets for getting us beyond it are failing.”
Dow Repeats Great Depression Pattern: Charts
Dow Repeats Great Depression Pattern: Charts DOW JONES, WALL STREET, GREAT DEPRESSION, TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, MARKETS, STOCKS, DAX, FTSE, FOOTSIE, CNBC.com | 05 Jul 2010 | 05:31 AM ET The Dow Jones Industrial Average is repeating a pattern that appeared just before markets fell during the Great Depression, Daryl Guppy, CEO at Guppytraders.com, told CNBC Monday. […]
Illinois Stops Paying Its Bills, but Can’t Stop Digging Hole
CHICAGO — Even by the standards of this deficit-ridden state, Illinois’s comptroller, Daniel W. Hynes, faces an ugly balance sheet. Precisely how ugly becomes clear when he beckons you into his office to examine his daily briefing memo.
Phony Financial Reform
The huge overhaul bill ignores most big problems and dodges the rest. There is something in the financial-services bill for almost every interest, but the real winners are the cynics who think Congress can’t do anything right. The monster that crawled out of the conference committee on June 25 has about 2,300 pages, and one hostile Republican congressman said it probably has three unintended consequences per page.
Avoiding the Austerity Trap
Recent increases in the federal deficit have made the pundit class tremble, but they aren’t really mysterious. They are, for the most part, a product of the recession, which has reduced tax revenue, justified the bailouts and last year’s stimulus package, and brought unemployment insurance and other “automatic stabilizers” into effect.
The 2011 Tax Tidal Wave + Greenspan’s Bubble with Bill Fleckenstein
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The 2011 Tax Tidal Wave + Greenspan’s Bubbles: On this week’s program, Jerry Robinson examines recent statements by President Barack Obama and Senator Nancy Pelosi, and discusses the three-fold tax tidal wave that will strike America on January 1, 2011. Are you prepared for the largest tax increase in American history? It’s just six months […]
The housing bubble hangover, part 2
A booming ‘shadow inventory’ in the housing market is almost certain to bring another wave of falling prices and another round of Federal Reserve stimulus.
Six Months to Go Until The Largest Tax Hikes in History
In 2001 and 2003, the GOP Congress enacted several tax cuts for investors, small business owners, and families. These will all expire on January 1, 2011: The top income tax rate will rise from 35 to 39.6 percent (this is also the rate at which two-thirds of small business profits are taxed). The lowest rate will rise from 10 to 15 percent. All the rates in between will also rise. Itemized deductions and personal exemptions will again phase out, which has the same mathematical effect as higher marginal tax rates.
Obama and the Fiscal ‘Road to Hell’ – Karl Rove
At last week’s G-20 meeting, President Barack Obama achieved a two-fer. He suffered a significant international defeat, and he increased the chances his party will suffer a major domestic one this fall.
Mr. Obama’s international defeat was self-inflicted. He went to Toronto to press other major nations to do as he has done: Expand government spending, or suffer, in the president’s words, “renewed economic hardship and recession.”
Time runs out for 1.2 million on unemployment
With her unemployment benefits coming to a halt, Miriam Cintron is forced to make a difficult choice between health insurance and daily expenses.
UN report: Abandon the U.S. dollar
A new United Nations report released on Tuesday calls for abandoning the U.S. dollar as the main global reserve currency, saying it has been unable to safeguard value.
“The dollar has proved not to be a stable store of value, which is a requisite for a stable reserve currency,” the U.N. World Economic and Social Survey 2010 said.
Consumer Confidence Index plummets to 52.9 in June; Lowest numbers since March
U.S. consumers are increasingly worried about jobs and the economy, the Conference Board said Tuesday, as it reported that its consumer confidence index plummeted to 52.9 in June — the lowest level since March — from a downwardly revised 62.7 in May.
Fannie-Freddie Bailout Could Cost Taxpayers $1 Trillion
For American taxpayers, now on the hook for some $145 billion in housing losses connected to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, that amount could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Secretive and Powerful BIS Annual Report Released
The very fabric and the seams of the financial system are coming apart. Who knows what the timetable is for the implosion of the current monetary system? We are witnessing the greatest wealth transfer in history, and the horrors of the aftermath of this tragedy will not be forgotten for decades.
The Third Depression
Recessions are common; depressions are rare. As far as I can tell, there were only two eras in economic history that were widely described as “depressions” at the time: the years of deflation and instability that followed the Panic of 1873 and the years of mass unemployment that followed the financial crisis of 1929-31.
Derivative Monster: Alive and Kicking Despite Reforms
Anyone who thinks the new financial reform law will save us from the next debt disaster must be dreaming. Here are the facts…
Top Global Bank tells clients to prepare for ‘monster’ money-printing by the Federal Reserve
Entitled “Deflation: Making Sure It Doesn’t Happen Here”, it is a warfare manual for defeating economic slumps by use of extreme monetary stimulus once interest rates have dropped to zero, and implicitly once governments have spent themselves to near bankruptcy.
President could get power to turn off Internet
A US Senate committee has approved a wide-ranging cybersecurity bill that some critics have suggested would give the US president the authority to shut down parts of the Internet during a cyberattack.
G-20 World Leaders Agree to Cutting Deficits in Half by 2013
The wealthiest of the Group of 20 countries said they would halve their government deficits by the year 2013 and “stabilize” their debt loads by 2016, a signal to international markets and domestic political audiences they are taking seriously the need to wean themselves from stimulus spending.
US state budget crises threaten social fabric
The small southern California city of Maywood has hit on a unique solution to its budget crisis. Crushed by the recession and falling tax revenues, the city is disbanding its police force and firing all public sector employees.
Consumer spending, incomes edged up in May
Americans spent a little more in May but not enough to speed along the economic recovery.
Consumer spending rose 0.2 percent last month after no change in April, the Commerce Department said Monday. Incomes rose for the sixth time in seven months, boosting household finances and potentially providing fuel for greater future spending.
Geithner says US can ‘no longer drive global growth’
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has told the BBC that the world “cannot depend as much on the US as it did in the past”.
He said that other major economies would have to grow more for the global economy to prosper.
He also played down any differences in policy between the US and Europe regarding deficit reduction.
Mr Geithner was speaking in Washington ahead of G8 and G20 meetings this weekend in Toronto.
FOR SALE: Greek Islands
There’s little that shouts “seriously rich” as much as a little island in the sun to call your own. For Sir Richard Branson it is Neckar in the Caribbean, the billionaire Barclay brothers prefer Brecqhou in the Channel Islands, while Aristotle Onassis married Jackie Kennedy on Skorpios, his Greek hideway.
RUSSELL: THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TOPS IN STOCK MARKET HISTORY
Earlier this year, Russell warned that the stock market was once again becoming grossly overvalued despite its relentless new highs. He has maintained that the bear market never ended and that the world is far too indebted to exit the bear market. He also believes the bear will not end until all fiat currencies have failed.
New home sales plunge to lowest level on record
Sales collapsed a record 33 percent to an annual pace of 300,000 last month from April, less than the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and the fewest in data going back to 1963, figures from the Commerce Department showed today in Washington. Demand in prior months was revised down.
Merrill Lynch: "Gold Will Hit $1,400/oz by 2012"
Merrill Lynch metals analysts maintain gold will hit a US$1,500 per ounce target by the end of next year as investor demand pushes gold prices higher.
In research published Monday, analysts Michael Widmer, Francisco Blanch, and Alex Tonks are predicting average gold price forecasts of US$1,200/oz this year, $1,350/oz in 2011, and $1,400/oz in 2012, up from $1110/oz, $1179/oz and $1109/oz. respectively.
Asian millionaires overtake Europeans
The net wealth of Asian millionaires has eclipsed that of rich Europeans for the first time, largely because of the relative health of stock markets in Hong Kong, India and China last year, according to a new survey.
Is U.S. Now On Slippery Slope To Tyranny? – Thomas Sowell
For as long as I can remember I have looked forward to reading Thomas Sowell’s columns for his acute insights. He is a former economics professor and has written some great books, including one called: Basic Economics. In my opinion, it is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the way the U.S. economy works – and doesn’t work.
Bank failure is 83rd in ’10; pace more than double last year’s
The 83 closures so far this year is more than double the pace set in all of 2009, which was itself a brisk year for shutdowns. By this time last year, regulators had closed 40 banks. The pace has accelerated as banks’ losses mount on loans made for commercial property and development.
China to Overtake U.S. as World’s Top Manufacturer
The US remained the world’s biggest manufacturing nation by output last year, but is poised to relinquish this slot in 2011 to China – thus ending a 110-year run as the number one country in factory production.
Another Record High for Gold: $1265/oz
Gold rose to a record in London and New York as other commodities gained on speculation demand for raw materials will increase and as investors bought the metal to protect wealth from Europe’s financial turbulence.
Seven Big Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Financial Advisor
I have given countless talks over the last 15 years to groups of people interested in hiring financial advisers or working better with the helpers they have, and I typically poll my audience to learn about their experiences.
Gold to Jump to Record $1,300 as Investors Shun Euro
Gold may climb to a record $1,300 an ounce this year as investment demand shifts from the euro and the dollar, said Bruce Ikemizu at Standard Bank Plc.
Medvedev sees chance for new world order
Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, said Moscow was bidding to help lead efforts to build a new world economic order after the old system collapsed in the global financial crisis.
Canada’s economy is suddenly the envy of the world
Canada thinks it can teach the world a thing or two about dodging financial meltdowns.
The 20 world leaders at an economic summit in Toronto next weekend will find themselves in a country that has avoided a banking crisis where others have floundered, and whose economy grew at a 6.1 percent annual rate in the first three months of this year. The housing market is hot and three-quarters of the 400,000 jobs lost during the recession have been recovered.
FTMWeekly Financial Radio Show: The Retirement Timebomb – What You Should Know
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This Week’s Topic: The Retirement Timebomb, What You Should Know. This week’s special guest interview: John Bearss. Follow the Money Weekly Radio is a financial radio show about the stock markets, commodities, energy investing, the global financial crisis, how to prepare for the coming hyperinflation, where to invest money, how to buy gold, how to buy silver, saving money, finding a financial advisor, and paying off debt. Hosted by economist and best-selling author, Jerry Robinson. For the best in financial news, listen to the Follow the Money Weekly Financial Radio Show.
Central banks join gold rush
Foreign banks and investors alike have been flocking to the precious metal over the last year, sending it soaring to record highs.
Greenspan Says U.S. May Soon Reach Borrowing Limit
By Jacob Greber June 18 (Bloomberg) — Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the U.S. may soon face higher borrowing costs on its swelling debt and called for a “tectonic shift” in fiscal policy to contain borrowing. “Perceptions of a large U.S. borrowing capacity are misleading,” and current long-term bond yields are masking America’s debt […]
Elliot Wave predicts triple-digit Dow in 2016
An investment letter that called the Crash of 2008 said that this would be a bad year — and it now says it will get worse.
Over 90 Banks Miss Their Bailout Payments
More than 90 U.S. banks and thrifts missed making a May 17 payment to the U.S. government under its main bank bailout program, signaling a rising number of lenders are struggling to meet their obligations.
Jobless claims rise sharply to 472,000
The number of people filing new claims for jobless benefits jumped last week after three straight declines, another sign that the pace of layoffs has not slowed.
Russia to Buy Canadian, Aussie Dollars for First Time
Russia may add the Australian and Canadian dollars to its international reserves for the first time after fluctuations in the U.S. dollar and euro.
Price increases fuel fears of food ‘crises’
Food commodity prices will increase more than previously expected in the next decade because of rising energy prices and developing countries’ rapid growth, two leading organisations said on Tuesday, worsening the outlook for global food security.
Gates, Buffet on mission to get billionaries to give half their wealth
Just over a year ago, in May 2009, word leaked to the press that the two richest men in America, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, had organized and presided over a confidential dinner meeting of billionaires in New York City. David Rockefeller was said to have been a host, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Oprah Winfrey to have been among those attending, and philanthropy to have been the main subject.
Treasury Dept: China’s US govt debt holdings hit 2010 high
China’s holdings of US debt climbed to the highest level this year, the US Treasury said Tuesday even as Beijing stepped up attacks on the United States for its burgeoning debt.
American on mission to kill bin Laden arrested
“We initially laughed when he told us that he wanted to kill Osama bin Laden,” said Khan. But he said when officers seized the pistol, the sword and night-vision equipment, “our suspicion grew.”
Nightmare vision for Europe as EU chief warns ‘democracy could disappear’ in Greece, Spain and Portugal
Democracy could ‘collapse’ in Greece, Spain and Portugal unless urgent action is taken to tackle the debt crisis, the head of the European Commission has warned.
8 Traits for Financial Success
Did you know that when you look at the top 30% of the population of America in terms of wealth and success, nine out of 10 of those folks weren’t there a decade ago? That’s one of the things I learned in conducting a study of 5,000 Americans for my book “The Difference.”