I am worried about the possibility of a second dip - of a new recession beginning sometime in the next year or so - before the current recovery has had a chance to produce much improvement. Verbally-intuitively, the case for a second dip still seems pretty overwhelming to me. I take comfort in the knowledge that I tend to have a pessimistic bias, and in the fact that sophisticated quantitative models are generally putting the odds of a second dip quite low. On the other hand, successfully forecasting recessions has not been a strong point of quantitative models. Words: 1433
Read More »Trickster Gold: The 4 Forces Affecting the Price of Gold
That gold is in a long-term uptrend is undeniable...but is gold in semi-bubble territory and set for a dramatic decline, or is it ready to continue on to $1,350 and beyond this summer? Words: 978
Read More »Tax Hikes Likely Needed to Tame Deficit? 2 Opposing Views (2K Views)
The United States should consider raising taxes to help bring deficits under control and may need to consider a European-style value-added tax and a carbon or other energy-related tax may become necessary says White House adviser Paul Volcker. Words: 758
Read More »Here’s the Best Way to Protect Against Inflation AND Deflation (+2K Views)
There are very compelling arguments for both inflation and deflation. The answer will eventually depend on decisions made in Washington and how people react to those decisions. For now, let’s stop fooling ourselves and admit that we don’t know. It is a problem that has to be dealt with and there is no easy medicine. Either path will be painful, but that’s what we get for our two and a half decade debt binge. Words: 1142
Read More »"SuperCycles: The New Economic Force Transforming Global Markets and Investment Strategy": A Book By Arun Motianey (+2K Views)
Motianey is an engaging writer and “Supercycles” should be considered a must read for economic junkies. His ideas are fresh and innovative and he attempts to avoid the dogma that frequently leads those in the profession astray. Words: 700
Read More »The Devil’s Advocate Gives 4 Reasons NOT to Buy Gold (+2K Views)
In the contrarian spirit of playing devil’s advocate four reasons are put forth as to why you shouldn’t buy gold today. Words: 553
Read More »Deflation: A Threat to the U.S. Economy? (+2K Views)
Policies aimed at countering a fall in prices, which are supposedly aimed at fighting deflation, do nothing more than provide support for nonproductive activities and delay the chances for a durable economic recovery. Words: 1586
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