We have had massive monetary creation for decades now which we have finally come to the day of reckoning. We do not know if the top will be next month, next year or even later but we certainly are getting to the top where we cannot buy our way out of the problem through a new stimulus injection… The truth is that a terrible, deflationary depression is probably starting in the coming months. Words: 1581
July 7th, 2010 | Posted in Economic Overview,Inflation/Deflation | Read More »
Just when popular media suggests that the economy is back off the ropes, the Congressional Oversight Panel, which is charged with monitoring the banking system bailout, is warning that the economy could be headed into round two of the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Words: 734
May 8th, 2010 | Posted in Real Estate | Read More »
Over the next few years, a wave of commercial real estate loan failures could threaten America’s already-weakened financial system. Commercial loan losses could jeopardize the stability of many banks, particularly the nation’s 2,988 mid-sized banks that have these dangerous concentrations in commercial real estate lending and, as such, as the damage spreads beyond individual banks, contribute to prolonged weakness throughout the economy. In fact, between 2010 and 2014, about $1.4 trillion in commercial real estate loans will reach the end of their terms – and nearly half are “underwater” already. Words: 987
April 11th, 2010 | Posted in Real Estate | Read More »
Here are [6 of my 11] my prognostications in the areas of the economy, domestic politics, global geopolitics, and the investment markets: The US Dollar will fall to record low; house prices will fall a further 10%; interest rates will rise; unemployment rate will rise to 11%; oil prices will exceed $100; the stock market will drop 30%. Let’s hope I’m wrong! Words: 681
March 15th, 2010 | Posted in 2011-12 Forecasts,Economy | Read More »
This is NOT a business cycle: this is a one-time reversal of twenty years of inflation of the household balance sheet. An aging population needs a 10% savings rate (at least) to meet minimum funding requirements for the biggest retirement wave in US history but, instead, with 17% effective unemployment, many Americans are dis-saving. Words: 332
February 26th, 2010 | Posted in Economic Overview,Economy | Read More »
Real estate has definitely not bottomed in the U.S., and probably not anywhere else either. You have to take a long-term view of this. At this point in time I am completely uninterested in speculating in U.S. real estate – and I don’t foresee being interested for at least five years. I reserve the right to change my mind, but I think it’ll be at least five years. Words: 1340
February 23rd, 2010 | Posted in Real Estate | Read More »