[While]... I am not currently predicting an acceleration in inflation [I believe]...that the risk of interest rate instability is very real [given that] core inflation is already above a key benchmark that the Fed has staked its credibility on,. It should be of concern to investors that, despite economic growth being so anemic and overall resource utilization being so low (including human resources), there is currently very little margin for error on the inflation front. [In this article the author evaluates the danger that rising interest rates could potentially have on the U.S. economy.] Words: 2050
Read More »A Visual Snapshot of Market Signals, Commodity Trends & Economic Indicators – December Edition
A summary, in macro view, of the last month of the markets - changes in economic indicators, commodity and financial trends, market signals and technical analysis.
Read More »Mexico: The New Economic Reality Makes It An Inviting Place for Visitors, Investors & Retirees Alike (+4K Views)
Mexico, with the world's 13th largest GDP, is no longer a "Third World Country", but rather a fast growing, economically secure state. [Mexico is a great place to visit for a week or the winter, take early retirement to, and/or to invest in. This article outlines the new economic reality of the country.] Words: 785
Read More »Fiscal Cliff: 1 Step Backward – Then 2 Steps Forward (2K Views)
...Fiscal policy, both in the U.S. and in Europe, has already been a drag on economic growth, and it’s extremely likely to continue to be one as politicians begin addressing concerns about long-term debt burdens. The debate about the fiscal cliff deal might revolve around the preferred paths to reducing the nation's long-term debt, but it also will determine just how much fiscal policy will limit growth over the coming months and years. What’s really at stake, in the near term at least, is the answer to two important and interrelated questions: How dysfunctional is our political leadership and how bad is our economy going to be next year? Words: 610
Read More »Attention Chinese Nationals! This Site Provides Broad, Balanced Financial Analysis on China & the Rest of World
Of the 1000s of financial sites on the internet many contain biased, shallow, unbalanced and uncomplimentary commentary on the state of the Chinese economy and economic system - so much so that the state government has blocked access to said sites. This site prides itself in posting objective, substantive and balanced articles containing insightful analysis of the world's financial affairs including those of China. Check them out.
Read More »"Made in Mexico" vs. "Made in China": Will Mexico Be Able to Further Increase Its Share of Exports to the U.S.?
As the globalization movement matures, countries like Mexico are becoming more capable and competitive. Its exports to the U.S. have grown at the expense of China over the past few years but it is questionable if such performance will be as good in the future. Here's why. Words: 470
Read More »How Much Higher Can the Canadian "Loonie" Soar Before Its Economy Gets Singed?
Booms — and the boom in Canadian commodities is no exception — are seldom without their unintended costs....[As the Canadian dollar appreciates versus the U.S. dollar, and with the U.S. as] its largest trading partner, falling Canadian exports could well induce a secular decline in the Canadian manufacturing base. Indeed, as the loonie soars, the inevitable question is: "How much higher before its economy gets singed?" Words: 528
Read More »Driving Less? Vehicle Miles Driven in U.S. Down to Post-Crisis Low
The Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Commission has released the latest report on Traffic Volume Trends, data through September. Travel on all roads and streets changed by -1.5% (-3.6 billion vehicle miles) for September 2012 as compared with September 2011. The 12-month moving average of miles driven increased a tiny 0.27% from September a year ago and the civilian population-adjusted data (age 16-and-over) has set a new post-financial crisis low of -8.6%. Words: 732
Read More »Martin Armstrong on Capital/Currency Controls: Trying to Do Business Internationally for Americans Becoming a Real Nightmare
"Trying to do business internationally for Americans is becoming a real nightmare. The once land of the free & home of the brave has been transformed into George Orwell’s 1984 nightmare squared....The damage to international capital flows is off the charts. This single law has wiped out whatever international trade advantages Americans once enjoyed." ~ Martin Armstrong Words: 692
Read More »Obamacare is Coming: Here Are Some of the NEW Taxes You’ll Be Paying for It (+2K Views)
Now that President Obama has been re-elected, Obamacare will become reality and that means that a lot more people in the United States will have health insurance and, if the program works as it is supposed to, it also means that the growth of healthcare spending overall will eventually slow. Both of those are good but, in the near term, Obamacare also means a lot of people will be paying more taxes and higher insurance premiums. (You didn't think Obamacare was free, did you?) Below are some of the new taxes you're going to have to pay to pay for Obamacare. Words: 565
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