Tag Archives: money printing

A recent short Wall Street Journal article included a chart that simplistically shows what is said to be the essence of the economic thrust of quantitative easing. The chart, reproduced here, is worth studying and thinking about.

The latest round of quantitative easing (an additional $40 billion a month until conditions improve) has been dubbed as "QEternity" or "QE-Infinity" by its critics but it will end much before that. We are witnessing a massive bubble in US government debt, and we've reached the point where no one in charge believes it will ever end - an excellent contra-indicator. [Let me explain.] Words: 720

The choice facing the leaders of the world’s largest economies is a simple one: Either they engage in massive money printing, or they let the world slip into another great depression. This article examines why they have no choice but to print money, something which will have significant consequences for everyone. Words: 560

Lately, nearly every piece of economic data is judged based on the degree to which investors perceive it will encourage/discourage central banks from embarking on a new round of quantitative easing (QE). Generally, bad data and subdued inflation is good because it means the Fed has both cause and room to ease, while good data and higher inflation are bad as they eliminate the need for easing and increase the chance that any asset purchases may contribute to already rising prices. That tendency to judge economic data in such a way is wrongheaded. [Let me explain why that is the case and more.] Words: 755

In today’s overleveraged world, greater deficits and government spending, financed by an expansion of public debt and the monetary base (“the printing press”), are not the answer to our economic woes. In fact, these policies have been proven to have a negative impact on growth. [Therefore] as long as we continue down this path, the “solution” will continue to be the problem. There is no miracle cure to our current woes and recent proposals by central planners risk worsening the economic outlook for decades to come. [Let us explain.] Words: 1510

"The U.S., with $15 trillion in debt, and roughly $1.5 trillion in tax revenues, is an enormous disaster waiting to happen. At 10% interest rates the U.S. would use 100% of its tax revenues to finance the debt....This is why money printing is guaranteed...and this time, like it has before, it will lead to a financial crash [which] will be of a worldwide magnitude.”

By threatening to drop money out of helicopters to fight deflation - to leave a paperweight on the "print" button if you will - Bernanke convinced the market and all of Wall Street that the Fed would always be there to step in and save the day. [In fact, however,] the whole thing was a bluff meant to prop up the markets - the famed Bernanke Put - and it was a lie. The markets will be realizing this in the coming months, if not sooner, and when they do, we'll see the REAL Collapse: the one to which 2008 was just a warm-up. [Let me explain.] Words: 444

At the risk of looking/sounding like some crazed religious fanatic usually seen carrying a sign or proclaiming: “Repent, the end is near,” I shall avoid the word “repent". To me, the rest of that proclamation appears accurate and reasonable, at least with regard to our economic condition. [Let me explain:] Words: 1896

In the next 2-4 weeks I would not be surprised to see the S&P500 hit 1400/1450. In the ensuing 4 months (i.e. by the end of November), however, I expect global equity markets will fall by 20-25% from current levels and to trade at or below the lows of 2011! That would bring the S&P500 down to 1100/1000. That's not all. In December I expect the Fed will introduce a $1 Trillion QE. Words: 921

When the public, and in particular the savings public at large, comes to understand that quantitative easing is actually counterfeiting...you will begin to see confidence cave and the collapse in confidence will be epic. That’s what has me nervous. [Here is how to detect when confidence is about to cave and how to protect oneself in such an eventuality.]