The automotive industry is more than the proverbial “canary in the coalmine” when it comes to the health of the global economy – it is, in fact, its center of gravity. And according to a particularly powerful voice on the world economic stage, it is the auto industry dragging down the global economy right now. […]
Poll: Over 40% of Americans Say Socialism Would Be a “Good Thing” for the Country
According to the folks at Gallup, it seems that Americans have a decidedly more favorable opinion of socialism than they did in the first half of the 20th century. Comparing their results with those of a survey conducted in 1942, Gallup found that 43% of those recently polled say that they “see socialism as a […]
Traditional Investments Could Suffer Greatly from Trade Conflict
The initial tariffs have gone “live,” and it’s possible, according to President Trump, they’ll eventually touch more than $500 billion of goods. So the move toward protracted, painful trade conflict is underway; this despite numerous public reassurances that the disagreements would all get worked out. Christopher Beddor, writing for Reuters, correctly points out it is […]
Gold Prices Could Jump As Tariffs Add to Inflation Troubles
An article currently appearing over at IRIS, an online industry newsletter for financial professionals, is asking its audience if they’re ready for inflation, particularly in light of the highly protectionist trade posture now assumed by the Trump administration. They’ll know if they are, continues the piece, because they will have their clients in gold. The […]
Are the Chaotic 1970s Returning to Wreck Your Portfolio?
The 1970s are coming back. So says financial analyst John Rubino in an article that appears over at ZeroHedge. Rubino makes a case suggesting there are “eerie and scary” similarities between the chronic economic and geopolitical upheaval of that decade, and that which is unfolding today. And that if you’re not prepared for the trouble, […]
Prepare for a Market Crash with Physical Gold and Silver
Can you really prepare for a market crash? This is the question posed by a recent article at the website of The Globe and Mail newspaper. And the answer delivered by the piece? If you approach investing from the perspective of thoughtful asset allocation, and eschew sexy strategies like market timing, you can, indeed, “prepare […]
Subprime Mortgages Are Back – Will It Be 2008 All Over Again?
An exotic and dangerous financial animal – one assumed to have gone extinct in the flames of the 2008 recession – has returned, and many of those for whom that financial crisis remains an acutely painful memory are none too happy about it. A CNBC.com article is reporting that a beast no less fearsome than […]