Friday , 29 March 2024

Monthly Archives: June 2011

Dow 20,000: the Latest in Hype, Happy Talk and Irrational Exuberance

Hot headlines about the Dow “storming back soon,” soaring to the “Next Stop, Dow 20,000” is nothing more than a new cycle of irrational exuberance. After losing an inflation-adjusted 20% the last decade, a prediction that the Dow will roar back 80% anytime soon is misleading, pure speculative hype. Reminds me of book titles like “Dow 36,000” and “Dow 100,000” back in 1999 - and memories of those mutual funds selling with absurd multiples over 40, with annual returns in excess of 100%. Worse than the tulip-bulb mania of the 1590s. What’s really roaring back is hype, happy talk and irrational exuberance. Words: 531

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Increased Productivity Has Benefited Your Employer – Not You! Here's Proof

In the past 20 years, the US economy has grown nearly 60 percent. This huge increase in productivity is partly due to automation, the internet, and other improvements in efficiency but it's also the result of Americans working harder—often without a big boost to their bottom lines. Oh, and meanwhile, corporate profits are up 20 percent. [Let me show you exactly what I mean.] Words: 550

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Global Systemic Crisis Coming THIS Summer!

This summer will confirm that the US Federal Reserve has lost its bet: the U.S. economy has, in fact, never left the "Very Great Depression" which it entered in 2008 despite the trillions of dollars injected... Unable to launch a QE3, the Fed will helplessly watch interest rates rise, US government deficit costs explode, the world dive into an intensified economic recession, stock exchanges collapse and the U.S. dollar show erratic behavior before suddenly losing 30% of its value. Words: 1157

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Stock Market is Due for a 15-20% Correction – Here's Why

Corporate America has been flying high since the recession, barely looking back since March 2009. The 70% rally in the S&P 500 in just under 2 years has been astounding to say the least - but are we really in 70% better shape as a nation since March 2009? No way! The dollar has continued to decrease in value, investments that feed off fear like gold and silver have soared....housing prices are still as low as in 2009, when they "crashed." The signs of a major market correction...[are] right in front of us... no one seems to notice [but I do]. I believe we could soon experience a market correction of from 15% to 20%. Let me explain why. Words: 913

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Will the S&P 500 Rally or Fall Off a Cliff?

In the face of lackluster economic growth and no hopes for new stimulus anytime in the near future, the global tightening cycle may force the market back into a deflation scare. Either way, caution remains warranted in such an environment. [Let me explain further.] Words: 568

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P/E Ratio of S&P 500 at 9 Month Low! Is It Time to Buy?

[One look at the P/E ratio of the S&P 500 these days clearly suggests that] the market is overly worried about the future. Put it this way: [were one to] apply the S&P 500 average earnings multiple of 16.94 from 2004 through 2007 to Wall Street’s earnings forecast for 2012 would give us an S&P 500 of 1,891! Words: 400

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Surprise! Limited Downside Risk Exists In S&P 500

A market is not built solely on fundamental realities, but how broadly those realities are expected by investors. So it goes without saying that it can be very insightful to compare market expectations to reality. When expectations are high there is the likelihood for disappointment. When expectations are low there is a potential for upside surprise. There is actually an index that measures the relationship between economic reality and crowd expectations. It is the Citigroup Economic Surprise Index (CESI). [Let's take a look at what it is saying these days.] Words: 773

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What's the Best Buy in Silver These Days?

I heard some disturbing reports about the silver supply last month that I felt every investor should know [about] and while precious metals are currently in correction mode, the long-term concerns with supply won’t disappear anytime soon. In an attempt to get a handle on the bullion market, I spoke to Andy Schectman of Miles Franklin, who has contacts that run deep in the industry. What he sees everyday might just compel you to count how many ounces you own. Words: 2020

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