Macro vs. Detailed Perspective

Hotnot_20080523185708I’m a macro guy; that means I try to see the world from the 40,000 foot view. I look for big themes, long arcs, threads that run throughout the tapestry of the capital markets — trying not to get too caught up by the day-to-day noise.

That’s my biggest biggest peeve about financial journalism — they do a rather poor job separating the noise from the signal. While the day-to-day action matters very little in the grand scheme of things, its often fodder for the tv channels that have an inordinate amount of air time to fill.

This doesn’t mean the details matter any less; its just that some shorter term observations just hint at the bigger picture. For example, this week’s Barron’s Trader column observes:   

"In recent weeks, crude and stocks have rallied in tandem, with bulls interpreting rising petroleum prices as yet another sign of robust global growth. But the two parted ways last week: As crude and gasoline both rallied for the eighth time in nine weeks, stocks pulled back hard to register their second decline in six weeks, amid increasing nervousness that rising energy costs will cut into consumers’ already tight wallets."

Now, I do not disagree with anything in that statement. Its an accurate assessment of what happened this week– but I simply believe it understates a bigger theme that is now occurring in the markets.

After many months and months of denial, there is a slow recognition of the following:

1. The Economy is slowing — possibly dramatcially
2. Inflation is problematic –a nd getting worse
3. The consumer is being hurt by #s 1 and 2
4. The Fed may not be able to save the day — at least in terms of a recession

Another way to contextualize this is to consider what thought sets the bulk of investors — both pro and am — believe may be least worthy of replacement with a different set of beliefs. . Its been my view that these market tremors are the process by which one belief system gets replaced with another.

What beliefs? Consider each of these investment postures and the belief systems they embody:

Bull into Bear
Long into Short

Cheerleader into Realist
Possibly False into likely True
Stocks into Cash

Regardless of your personal perspectives or investment posture, its worth considering what belief sets you may be swapping. Its a subconscious process, one that you may not even be aware of.

What beliefs are you reconsidering?

>

Source:
Stocks Fall Hard As Oil Hits New Highs
KOPIN TAN
Barron’s May 26,2 008
http://online.barrons.com/article/SB121158245045518545.html

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  1. Rock commented on May 24

    All judgements of truth are relative to the amount of information you have.

    If I may give my favorite quote from Donald Rumsfeld, “Donald Rumsfeld
    …as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

    I know a lot therefore I know that there is a lot I don’t know.

    Which is why it’s often so hard to know whether to be a bull or bear. Today, I’m a bear.

  2. Crispy commented on May 24

    BR: “After months of denial, the is a slow recognition of the following: 1. The Economy is slowing”

    First, nobody was denying “the economy is slowing”. (denying Financial Armageddon but not slowing economy)

    Second, between oil at $133 and ultra pessimistic Fed minutes (I think they had to be gloomy about the economy to cover their backs for bringing interest rates down) released this week (never mind that the meeting was before last two back-to-back positive leading indicators) and Buffet traveling throughout Europe spreading gloom and doom about the economy and USD, I am not surprised the market sentiment has changed so fast this week.

    Third, 33-50% retracements are normal after 150 points run (from 1276 to 1426 S&P cash closing price)

    33% retracement (50 points) will take us to 1376 (we are near this level and could see some buying)

    50% retracement (75 points) will take us to 1350

    The pullback has been on extremely low volume (low volume pre-holiday week).

    I think we will regain this week’s loses next week. Again, this is a buying opportunity.

  3. alnval commented on May 24

    Thank you. It’s helpful to get a measure of how you think.

  4. BG commented on May 24

    Barry,

    In regard to your stated transition in investment posture…I’m already there and have been for some time now.

    Honestly, I am so pessimistic right now, while at the same time being realistic of the effects from numerous events being played out…, that some time within the next few months or years, we will may suffer a financial accident. That accident may turn out to be the investment opportunity of our lifetime.

    So having said that, am I a bull or a bear? As stated many times before…I am a realist and that’s the way I see it at the moment. I’m thinking patience and John Templeton’s statement of “blood in the streets”. These two tenets will make you a fortune if you heed their advice.

    Lastly, oil will break soon. It is now at the point of changing behavior across this country. The next time gasoline demand is reported, it will be way down. (It won’t make it to Labor Day.) Be patient and keep your powder dry. There will be rough sledding ahead, remembering oil is but one of the major problems we are facing right now. Don’t be early and don’t try to be a hero.

  5. Barry Ritholtz commented on May 24

    Crispy —

    Nobody was denying the economy was slowing?

    Until it was staring them in the face, the usual cheerleaders refused to acknowledge any slowdown, and when they finally did, it was claimed the market had fully discounted it and we were now ready to rally on the expected recovery 6 months hence.

    Its only the past month or so that reality has slapped these people across the face.

    Alnval —

    I crank out 5,000-10,000 words per week around here. If that didn’t give you any hint as to what I think, I sincerely doubt one post will . . .

  6. rhodium commented on May 24

    I wonder how useful you would find reading Thomas Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions? (if you have not already). Are there any similarities in how scientists change their thinking and how traders shift? Scientists change paradigms once a lifetime at most. It seems in your business changing one’s views on what drives the world is more common. Of course there are differences; scientists don”t oscillate between classical and quantum physics as traders might between bullish and bearish.
    Given Kuhn’s influence I suppose there is a lot of economic literature answering my question, but I would be interested in the viewpoint of a trader, not a scholar.

  7. John commented on May 24

    My personal belief is that the Stock Market has been holding out for some other form of ‘Bail-Out’ for the U.S. consumer, whether it be in the form of:

    1) Rule changes (close “swap loophole”–which speculators use to roll over monthly futures contracts, allowing them to “effectively circumvent position limits–see Mark Masters testimony before U.S. Senate May 20), or enforcement of existing regulations (CEA), at the CFTC to limit the amounts of SWAPS, Options, Futures Contracts that Pension Funds/Index Funds/Hedge Funds can purchase in the commodities Markets, to (hopefully– but only temporarily– in my opinion) lower the price of Oil…
    See discussions here:

    http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=3fe95f08-0b7d-45d0-94ea-4c4346c353de …”Financial Speculation in Commodity Markets: Are Institutional Investors and Hedge Funds Contributing to Food and Energy Price Inflation?”

    And Here:
    http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/engdahl/2008/0502.html

    2) As reported in the Financial Times –Relax accounting rules on valuing highly illiquid assets using “Historical” rather than “Market” prices–Banks would apparently be freed from the requirement to hold them to maturity and would be able to sell them after two years, thereby avoiding oftten “dramatic” rightdowns– see Financial TImes “Banks call for easing of Rules” Thursday May 22.

    3) I think this current Rally has been pricing in the effects of the 150+ billion Stimulus Plan and any Home Foreclosure prevention Relief from the Senate version of the 300+ Billion ‘HomeOwner Rescue’ bill in which some 500,000 strapped borrowers would get cheaper, government-backed mortgages, backed by the profits of Fannie and Freddie– instead of the U.S. Taxpayer…

    It seems to me that with all of the Problems facing the U.S. consumer– the continued deterioration in Home Prices, continued increases in Food and Energy prices, continued pressure upon the Dollar (what is the current rate of MZM growth??? … see St. Louis Fed) that this Market should be a helluva a lot lower.
    The reason we continue to see this Managed-Program Trading/ type of SellOff, in my view, is that this Market is continuing to Hold out Hope for some other form of Bail-Out thrown it’s way.

  8. ECONOMISTA NON GRATA commented on May 24

    “What beliefs are you reconsidering?”

    The glass is 1/13th full into the glass is 12/13th(s) empty…?

    Eco

  9. BG commented on May 24

    John,

    All very good points.

    Two additional thoughts I have are (1) once the demand for oil starts to go down in this country (at least temporarily) will the global demand continue to increase keeping upward pressure on the price of oil even though demand here is reduced ~a scary thought and (2) if the Fed uses up most of its Balance Sheet on the credit crisis, will it still have enough left to fund the PPT on the days (or string of days) when the market picks up momentum on the down side.

  10. random nihilistic thoughts commented on May 24

    ***What beliefs are you reconsidering?***

    I see cliff risk everywhere (consumers/financials/geopolitical) and waiting for “cliff risk” to be the next overused social meme a la ‘tipping point’

    If energy sells off too hard, is that a sign of credit-delevering-induced deflation?

    Why is volatility so low? (a bad sign if things turn bad…as it’ll mean any decline will be the unrelenting waterfall type)

    What’s with the divergence between GLD and USO? Shouldn’t GLD be hitting new highs as well (unless it’s ‘cuz of the gold demand destruction trumping the investment demand)

    Why am I reading this over memorial day weekend?

    And as an aside, Pete Peterson’s appearance on CNBC Fri. morning was great…..except CNBC picked the most useless 90 seconds as their highlights. Can’t find the complete 20+ min appearance on the CNBC site.

    Happy weekend all who are hard-core enough to read BP over this long weekend.

  11. Kung Po commented on May 24

    I think G-7 should fight OPEC to bring oil prices down.

    My plan:

    1. Use $200-300 billion to short crude futures
    2. Release oil from SPR before Wednesday inventory data (to get a huge spike in inventories and initiate panic selling hysteria)
    3. Chase the speculators down to $80 per barrel by continuously shorting the futures
    4. Keep releasing oil from SPR to have build-up in inventories data on Wednesdays
    5. Gradually cover short positions and gradually replenish SPR at significantly lower prices during speculators selloff hysteria
    6. Use profits to setup a special fund fighting speculation in the future

    I guess, Paulson will go against this plan because he does not want to screw his Goldman friends speculating in oil. I say screw Paulson, his Goldman friends, and screw OPEC.

  12. Greg0658 commented on May 24

    Kung Po – I was wondering on suggestions of opening the SPR; if an attack what you submitted was feasable.

  13. Chief Tomahawk commented on May 24

    Free markets and commodities’ futures.

  14. Sebastian commented on May 24

    “After many months and months of denial, there is a slow recognition of the following:

    1. The Economy is slowing — possibly dramatically
    2. Inflation is problematic –and getting worse
    3. The consumer is being hurt by #s 1 and 2
    4. The Fed may not be able to save the day — at least in terms of a recession”

    I’m seeing a slow recognition of things that simply aren’t true.:)

    1. Real GDP shows a slowing economy? No. Measured by year-over-year quarterly growth, the economy isn’t slowing dramatically. Measuring straight quarter-over-quarter, it’s *already* slowed, past tense. Since real GDP growth has more of a tendency to mean-revert instead of continue in a trend, it’s more likely that real GDP will *improve* instead of deteriorate.

    2. Inflation is *not* problemmatic. CPI-U hit recent peaks of 4.3% in November, 2007 and a matching level of 4.3% in January, 2008. Now it’s *lower*, at 3.9% for April, 2008. The price of *gasoline* or *oil*, specifically, may be problemmatic, but not inflation in general.

    3. Consumer pain? Maybe, or maybe just enough to cause consumers to complain, which isn’t the same thing. If they’re really in pain, they’ll vote with their feet and quit paying $3.95/gallon for gasoline, which will bring prices back down. But as long as they only gripe but take no action…

    4. Fed action can’t prevent recession? See #1. What recession?

    My strongly-held belief that I’m seriously questioning? That the vast amount of information that’s free and readily available on the Internet is empowering Everyman with high levels of understanding about the U.S. economy.

    Sebastian

    ~~~

    BR: Excellent comment — we disagree about many of these items, but I love a reasoned argument base don data and facts.

    I tip my hat to you, sir . . .

  15. Greg0658 commented on May 24

    the question at hand
    What beliefs are you reconsidering?

    not my situation but thinking others maybe considering; children are a _______

    in the money constrained world; on one end they are a source for subsidies and on the other end a source for fullfillment in other ways; which that fullfillment is across the board of both spectrums as long as the subsidies dont dry up

  16. Howard Veit commented on May 24

    Interesting, but I pay attention to none of them. I learned my craft from Peter Steidlmayer of the CBOT and use his Market Profile system to trade. All trades are made from market information (price and volume at a price) only and you track them through a bell curve. I never know news and never have opinions, I just trade. I remember one of his earlier classes in which he said that markets move dramatically when the long term trader becomes a short term; guys who hold positions for years suddenly selling or buying. All this is now much harder because of world markets, but his stuff still works. I must point out here that I am the only person I know who can trade this way, not because I’m a genius but because after years of losing, his ideas turned me around. In other words he was the first person who ever made sense to me.

  17. doug champion commented on May 24

    Question on volume. I have been reading about more and more volume moving away from NYSE and into other markets that are less transparent. Does this goof with volume indications?

  18. jagmohan Swain commented on May 24

    Let’s consider the following secular themes:

    Interest rate is low:
    That encourages capital spending and production boost because many low return projects becomes viable.

    Sales/Inventory ratio remains low:
    When production is in step with sales any further retrenchment in consumption requires very slight adjustment in production and hence very slight adjustment in employment.So vicious loop of economic weakness would be shallow at worse albeit protracted.

    Corporate sector has become a fund surplu unit:
    That’s a huge change from decade old pattern and one bullish aspect that is not being discussed publicly, but I bet being looked at by smart money.When the prevailing sentiment of negativity lifts and business managers and consumers foresee that Armageddon is nowhere in sight it should lead to quick pick up in spending and production which should pick up in employment.

  19. Donny commented on May 24

    It seems to me like the Perma-Bulls look for ways to rationalize any pullback in the markets. This week it was oil’s fault.

    The problems that are becoming more obvious by the week, are NOT regulated to oil and/or inflation.

    JMHO … Our largest problem can be pinned down to falling home prices. Something Bill Gross has pointed out. We are now in unchartered waters in, (a) we haven’t seen a repricing of real estate like the current one in the modern era, and (b) the US homeowner is currently at an all-time low on the equity position LTV.

    There are going to be consequences for the nonsense that was going on in housing … we haven’t seen that yet.

  20. William Roth commented on May 24

    I have been firmly in the bear camp for 6 months, but see a big obstacle in the coming months. As worldwide economies slow in the coming months, oil inventories will rise and the price will likely begin to fall. This will be wrongly interpreted generally as a huge positive for the economy, and I am concerned that this will cause a powerful rally. Of course, in the end this will be a negative for stocks, but I worry about my ability to hang on to short positions.

  21. Abe, NYC commented on May 24

    I am reconsidering my disbelief in decoupling.

    Chindia may be driven by industrials and services, but Russia and Middle East are driven by commodities. Russia is now booming on the back of $70 oil ($130 a barrel has yet to be felt). So if oil does collapse, however low, it will likely still sustain Russia, not to mention Middle East. And that’s a huge market, which may in turn sustain China. I’m not saying this is going to happen, but I now think this a lot more likely than before.

    As for the US, I’m as gloomy as I ever was, and that’s not being reconsidered.

  22. DL commented on May 24

    What beliefs are you reconsidering?

    None.

    Most of my “reconsidering” occurred on or about January 8th, when the “head and shoulders” pattern (in the S&P500) was completed.

    Since then, a raft of fundamental factors have confirmed my somewhat negative views on the economy and the markets. (However, I am not entirely convinced that the S&P will drop below 1200 during 2008).

  23. Winston Munn commented on May 24

    “Interest rate is low:
    That encourages capital spending and production boost because many low return projects becomes viable.”

    I believe you are misjudging the reasoning for the rate cuts. The present series of rate cuts have not be spurred by a slowing economy but by a financial crisis – the financial crisis has caused slowing GDP growth. The low rates are to steepen the yeild curve to try to help bail out the banks.

    Capital spending can only be done by those who have no need to take on debt; until the banking industry restores balance sheets there can be no quick rebound in capital spending.

    The damage to the banks is massive and ongoing – it will take years to recover. We are no where near through the loss process much less the recovery stage.

    Besides, what is the driving force of capital spending without demand increases?

    Why borrow cheaply and build 2-bedroom huts at low margin when the consumer can buy a 6-bedroom McMansion at foreclosure aution for the same price?

  24. rob commented on May 24

    After decades of being a Mary Ann guy, I am beginning to believe that Ginger may have been vastly underappreciated.

  25. drey commented on May 24

    William –

    I too have been solidly in the bear camp for months but I don’t think moderating oil prices will be enough to turn around an economy where the consumer is on the ropes, home equity is tapped out, etc. The price of oil may follow GDP downward but it won’t in and of itself be enough to reverse an economic slide which has been brought about by a perfect storm of events.

    The question in my mind isn’t whether the market goes up or down from here but whether the descent is grinding and gradual over the course of the next few months or calamitous due to an unforeseen event (collapse of BAC/Countrywide deal, perhaps? bond insurer going belly up? large bank implosion?).

    Bottom line is I wouldn’t give up those short positions just yet. As Barry indicates, this week may have marked a turning point in investor sentiment with many finally realizing that there will be no quick or easy way out of this recession and there’s lots of pain still to come.

  26. Emma Anne commented on May 24

    The thing that has changed the most in my sentiment is my faith in the openness and honesty – and basic sense – of the markets and the financial system. And even the government – I don’t entirely trust the official inflation rate for example.

    The system is more tattered and weak than I had realized. The raters haven’t been doing their job. The banks haven’t been doing their job. The government regulators haven’t been doing their job. I knew housing was in a bubble, but I had no idea how rotten the system was from top to bottom. And I never would have dreamed the Fed would do the things they have done.

    So now I think – why do I assume anyone else in the system is minimally competent? Why should I assume muni bond ratings are realistic? That corporate leadership is acting with basic common sense (for example a drug company selling drugs they know are dangerous or ineffective)? That accountants or regulators are fulfilling their purposes?

    This is coming off far more rant-like than I intended. It isn’t like I was perfectly naive before, or that I think everyone is a crook or a moron now. It’s just that my overall sense of the workings of the system I am trying to invest in is noticeable tarnished.

  27. xyz commented on May 24

    Bear hoping I don’t have to become a hysterical uber-bear in the future. I think it may come this that. Unfortunately….too many references to ‘uncharted’ blah blah blahs.

  28. VennData commented on May 24

    Here’s an odd belief; it has two parts:

    I believe that one day consumers must pull back. However at the same time I also think I SHOULD believe – from everything I’ve seen over the years at the macro level – that American consumers, in aggregate, will consume all of their income and any debt they can acquire. It’s not a helpful philosophical stance to analyzing macro. So I’ve learned to just buy index funds and not to worry.

    I’ve come to this normative part of the belief time and again after assuming Americans must “pull back,” then, the consumption machine continues to churn and proves me wrong. I then, happily watch the indexes rise.

    I’m dropping this outlook and the normative qualification. I think American consumers are addicted to consumption. They’re nuts, it’s a neurosis. It’s not a choice, it’s a mad sickness. Conspicuous consumption is an American cultural leitmotif. It starts with the ads and product placements on Saturday morning cartoons and ends with ‘angry’ AARP members demanding the government pay for their meds – on top of their Medicare and Social Security – so they can buy all the other stuff they want.

    The government’s further complicity: from their tax rebates to the President’s unvarnished words of comfort that shopping while a “war’s” going on is not only OK, but is your patriotic duty.

    It will not end until you take their credit cards from their cold, dead hands.

  29. Steven commented on May 24

    I’ve never had much respect for investing in Russia. But I’ve recently become much more constructive to a long term view of Russia in comparison to China/India.

    I’m not investing now on the Russia upside breakout and the Goldman upgrade. I suspect that there will be a global recession that will present a better buying opportunity in Russia, after commoditiy prices and Russian inflation have corrected.

  30. rww commented on May 24

    Barry, your kudos to Sebastian for his data-based post was understandable, except for his denial of “consumer pain”. On that score he ignores all the facts. Consumer pain is the undeniable heart of the problem.

  31. dave54 commented on May 24

    After the 70’s energy crisis, I thought we’ll never again see those bogus ads; “CONVERT YOUR CAR TO RUN ON WATER”…I was wrong – They’re back!

  32. dave54 commented on May 24

    For decades REAGANOMICS advantaged capital over labor. Now does a new majority adopt publicly-finaced-elections, starting a march to worker utopia? Or with trillion$ on one side, and armies of MBA’s on the other, will Democrats settle for reelection…And the markets move on to focus on other worries.

  33. Dr, Waterbury commented on May 24

    I have invested in stocks since 1968; last July on the day the Dow reached 14002, I transferred all my positions into a money market. Nothing that has happened since has changed my opinion. Government statistics are so bogus that only the completely ignorant put any faith in them. We are all on the Titanic, and I am sitting in a low-yielding lifeboat.

  34. John Thompson commented on May 24

    Well, Hillary basically said she’s staying in the race in case Obama gets assassinated.

    I’m reconsidering whether Hillary is sane. I worked in the Alaska cannery she did (although 25 years later).

    That woman has a dark side.

  35. Jurgen commented on May 24

    “If they’re really in pain, they’ll vote with their feet and quit paying $3.95/gallon for gasoline”

    I like walking and hate to see my dollars going to Arabs and Russians, but unfortunately there are almost no sidewalks where I live (on Long Island) and walking along the road is very dangerous. As a result, I am forced to drive (for safety).

    Building something simple like sidewalks along the roads would save a lot of energy, reduce obesity, and reduce medical expenses, (Americans would be healthier if they walked more). America is the only country that does not build sidewalks. In Europe, you can walk almost anywhere using sidewalks but I am forced to drive (unless you want to be killed by a reckless teenage driver) here in the US.

  36. Francois commented on May 24

    “What beliefs are you reconsidering?”

    All of them; since I can’t make sense of this market, I’m all in cash. That gave me some time to read “The Complete Turtle Trader”.

    And re-read it. Twice.

    I’m sold!

    Bull into Bear
    There is no bull, bear, wolverine or gray fox anymore.

    Long into short
    Whatever the trend dictates shall be fine with me.

    Cheerleader into Realist
    By definition, emotions are to be mastered and acknowledged. So, realism reigns supreme.

    Possibly False into likely True.
    The only truth is in the price. Period!

    Stocks into cash
    Stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies etc. All these are markets amenable to trade. The keys are risk management and position size.

    This market juncture has been a God send for me. Gave me the opportunity to rethink quite a few things.

  37. Goldilocksisableachblonde commented on May 24

    In your list of beliefs subject to change , I would replace ” Cheerleader into Realist” with ” Bush-created-reality Realist into Reality-based-reality Realist “.

    I think I’ve been in the reality-based category for some time but I have to admit , I have my doubts. The Bush-created version has the support of almost all of the rich people , so maybe there’s something to it after all.

    Anyway , reality-based reality leads me to the conclusion that inflation is higher than reported , GDP growth is lower , and we’re in the early , mildest phase of a brutal recession , if we’re lucky.

    I don’t think you can find an advanced economy that has faced a nationwide housing bust like we’re having , with the associated de-leveraging , that wasn’t followed by a severe downturn. The fact that we may be able to moderate the effects thru massive gov’t spending , like Japan tried to do , doesn’t alter the “real” reality of our situation.

    The Michigan consumer confidence numbers look to be heading south into uncharted territory, and as one of the few real-reality-based recession indicators we have left , it has more to say about where we are and where we’re heading than all the gov’t crap put together , IMO.

  38. mark mchugh commented on May 24

    Beliefs I’m reconsidering:

    1) House prices never go down.

    2) Wars are good for the economy.

    3) There is a free lunch if you do things right.

    4) Deficits don’t matter.

    5) Charles Ponzi was a bad guy.

    Especially the last one. Ponzi is a hero. The entire US economy is based on his work and no one gives him any credit. I say we posthumously award him a Nobel Prize for economics.

  39. VennData commented on May 24

    Sebastian? He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

    He claims consumers aren’t affected by gas prices and he sees no data to show otherwise, yet the blog he loves to smudge, CR, has a post that proves consumers are cutting back on driving.

    http://www.dot.gov/affairs/fhwa1108.htm

    Driving DOWN Sebastian. Reconcile that to another one of your clueless posts.

  40. Winston Munn commented on May 24

    Beliefs I’m reconsidering: that the U.S. is “too big to fail”.

  41. VoiceFromTheWilderness commented on May 25

    What beliefs am I reconsidering?

    that most people are smart enough to care about things *before* those things screw them up one side and down the other.

    That most people care if they take their society down in flames.

    That it makes any sense at all to do anything other than exactly what the crowd is doing. I live in a way suburban, way high density, decent but not expensive condo development 30 or more miles from the real city it’s on the outskirts of. One of my neighbors, and I don’t know who, has one of these cadillac SUV half truck things (can you beieve a cadillac pickup? come on!) must have cost at least 40K probably more, looks real tricked out. There is no way his condo cost more than 6 times that car. At four dollars a gallon, a 6 year regular use of that car will double it’s cost, so now it’s only 1/3 his house price, and is a guaranteed depreciating asset. Oh and it’s brand new. I can only think we are talking about credit card debt here, big time. And I’m just wondering: ‘if everybody else defaults on their 50,000 dollar car payments and their 300K-3M house payments, just how smart is it going to turn out to be, being the only guy the government can leach real cash out of to save everybody else?’

    The answer? Not very.

  42. blin commented on May 25

    What beliefs am I reconsidering?

    That it will take a lot longer for Greenspan’s bubblenomics to make its way through the whole system.

    As for the bull vs. bear camp. I am solidly entrenched in the bear camp just as we touched the 200 MA and have started to rollover. Financials will drag everything down with them. Higher oil prices will also contribute to the drag.

    I still foresee a 25-30% haircut for the major averages before the end of the year. At that point, it could become very interesting as the wheels could come flyng off of the US economy.

    In my opinion, the Fed has no other option other than to inflate its way out of this “no way out” situation. EU countries will probably follow the US into recession.

    I’m starting to get the feeling that precious metals will be the darlings of the second half of 08 and all of 2009. The downside is limited for what many consider to be “real currency” and gold is definitely trading like a currency.

  43. Bruce commented on May 25

    Well, let’s see…this week Warren Buffett sees a long deep recession and Don Luskin says we will avoid recession…I am reconsidering if Luskin might not be an alien…….

    Bruce in Tennessee

  44. Bruce commented on May 25

    Actully, I think in 3 years we’ll be just fine…

    nuclear will no longer be a curse word.

    emphasis on education will have been reborn.

    electric cars and high economy hybrids will be commonplace.

    more people will be making their own investing decisons…

    after the tech and housing bubbles there will be much less herd mentality…

    that said, for awhile thing will be bad…really bad.

    Bruce in Tennessee

  45. Ralph commented on May 25

    N, I was just starting to accept that the markets are gonna be good until the election. That is the goal of all this bad economic policy isn’t it?

    I do agree that sentiment seemed to change this week and change quickly. Yet I still think that there will be at least one more period of euphoria. Fed, congress and wall street will all participate.

    So, I guess what I am saying is that the sentiment may just shift back again in the near future.

    It seems that we are destined for some kind of fall off of a cliff kind of change when the current process breaks down. It does seem that it will either implode under its own weight.

    Change happens one person at a time. So, I won’t disagree that there are more and more people who are starting to shift their view point and one could say to the viewpoint that is a more realistic one. However, I would not say that we have a majority yet. That will be the big day, when that happens.

  46. Marc commented on May 25

    I spoke with a friend the other day. This is a person who normally would have his IRA/401k in your average mutual fund. He tells me “I just put all my money into Euros and Oil”.

    And this is how speculative bubbles mature…

  47. Todd commented on May 25

    I’m challenging my belief that major US stock market averages reflect the American economy.

    As bearish as I’ve been over the past 9 months at times, waiting for the markets to fall off a cliff has been fairly fruitless. Not that I’m not bearish now and am long SDS and TWM, some gold and Aussie Dollars. But, I have come to the realization that there is a true bifurcation going on. Many companies listed on US exchanges are thriving because of the underlying commodity trends, and it would appear that any dip in these should be bought. The bullish trends driving ag, energy, coal, steel, infrastructure etc are globally based. Many US companies are just so globally diversified and will continue to score big profits even while the US economy tanks. I therefore don’t see a huge move of 30-50% down in the averages because of that changing perception, and in the event of another panic I will be much less scared to buy into it in the sectors mentioned above.

    There’s no way in hell I’d buy a financial stock, though. Those are the stocks that are the true reflection of the state of the US economy.

  48. sage commented on Jun 18

    [random nihilistic houghts] above suggested G-7 use $200-$300 billion to short oil futures to push down prices. Guess what? The big 5 banks who own the Federal Reserve have already done that over the last year to keep prices down and that is now being reversed. They did this not only in oil, but metals and grains as well, anything real for a quick paper buck. They are now in a major short squeeze. With their level 2 & 3 “illiquid assets” in trouble they now face true insolvency were it not for the Fed’s special facilities. Problem with short futures is you can not deliver what you do not have, no matter what you may have promised……

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