Friday, April 19, 2024
The Fed has begun the battle against double-digit inflation. CNBC reports they are raising interest rates (very slowly) and announced: “Officials “generally agreed” that a maximum of $60 billion in Treasuries and $35 billion in mortgage-backed securities would be allowed to roll off, phased in over three months and likely starting in May.” CNBC adds: […]
When the Fed bailed out the banks in 2008, interest rates dropped to historic lows. Many retirees were heavily invested in CDs and quality bonds earning a safe 6% interest, paying their bills, and enjoying their golden years. Overnight, trillions in CDs and bonds were called in, savers lost a major portion of their anticipated […]
Just when you think things can’t get crazier, they do. The US pulls out of Afghanistan, leaving people and weapons behind unnecessarily. Russia invades Ukraine because they are threatened by NATO. China is rattling the saber over Taiwan. The Canadian Prime minister governs against the will of the majority; all because he wants to save […]
With all the world turmoil, high inflation, war in Ukraine, China rattling their saber, gold has gone up in price. Trading Economics tracks gold prices for the last 12 months. Less than a year ago, gold was just under $1,700/oz. It recently hit $2,050/oz. and was knocked down $60/oz. the following day. Remember the old saying, there […]
Last fall the Fed said it began “tapering” the amount of debt securities they were buying. This Wall Street on Parade (WSOP) headline reports; “Since the Fed Announced It Was ‘Tapering’ Last November, It’s Actually Added $332 Billion in Liquidity with New Debt Security Purchases.” The Fed says one thing and does another; they continued buying debt […]
In a recent interview with Chuck Butler, we concluded, short of dumping the FED and a ballot box revolution, inflation is here to stay. Individual investors can control where/how we invest to protect our life savings. Chuck summed up his feeling about a market fraught with risk: “I recently had some bonds mature. These maturities brought me […]
Subscriber Steve F. asked Chuck Butler and me what we meant when we said the Fed and government is destroying the economy and wealth of the nation: “That seems like a subject the average Joe can get his or her head around. Why not put together what that would really look like for us?” We […]
It was a cold January Indiana morning. I headed to the shopping center. They were delivering a TV and I needed a part before they arrived. I pulled into the empty parking lot about 15 minutes before the store opened. I thought good, it’s pretty cold, I’ll get a nice parking space close to the […]
Since the 2008 bank bailouts, readers regularly ask, “what the hell is going on?” I’m not an economist, but I’ll try to explain things – and it isn’t pretty. A major plank in problem-solving is, “Look at the consequences of your decisions, don’t let your solutions cause bigger problems.” Since Clinton repealed the Glass-Steagall act, the […]
Asset prices soaring to ridiculous levels, well beyond anything regarding true, intrinsic values creates a bubble. Eventually things come crashing down. Those holding overpriced assets lose a lot of money and the ripple effect can cause economic hardship to many others. Ozak Durmus tells us about “Tulipmania“: “Tulipmania was the first major financial bubble. It happened […]
