Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
IF IT QUACKS LIKE A DUCK
" And forgive me one last time for thinking that the invincible hand of the Federal Reserve – along with unfathomable global central bank liquidity creation – further bolsters boom and bust dynamics and heightens the risk of further rounds of global de-leveraging and de-risking. If it looks like a Bubble, smells like a Bubble…"
http://prudentbear.com/index.php/creditbubblebulletinview?art_id=10625
The announcement by the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates at the lowest levels since the Great Depression, basically at 0% to Banks, keeps the "risk on" trade flowing. Did anyone notice the subsequent thrashing the US $ got this week? falling to neat 78.00 from above 80.00 in the index....and GOLD caught a bid back above $1,700 an ounce! who said the gold bull was dead?
2.8 US GDP would have been higher had not State and Local governments not tightened their belts. Locally here in MD some of the Defense Contracting firms have been laying off workers....The budget for Defence spending for 2012 is somewhere near $600B, larger than all countries in the world combined....what cutback?
Local State Govt's work on passing new measures to TAX MORE, so they can bridge their budget deficit gaps, the US GOVT does not have to worry about such things.....I mean we're not Greece for goodness sakes. (see how my language has moderated? WTF????) The cool thing is, the US has the world's reserve currency, and that's our trump card......ramp up the printing...deficits don't matter.
Now, as I go around in my daily meanderings, I talked to a service tech writer at a local Toyota dealership and she hasn't had a wage increase in 3 years. Our Govenor is forced to RAISE TAXES to cover the state deficits...one will be the gas tax..oh boy, that certainly hits the rich in the mouth....not
More states want to tax internet sales, in 1992 the US SUpreme COurt upheld states cannot tax companies that do not have physical pressence in the state they do business...here come the lawsuits.
Hey did you hear Obama wants to go more green? Create more jobs in alternative energy? wasn't that a campaign promise 3 years ago? That's what ALL politicians are good at, promising stuff.....
Finally Obama made a stand and made public the fact that it isn't fair for politicians to trade on INSIDER INFO....I'd sign a bill on my desk today....did he get one?
Dem's suck, Repub's suck, and no one is voting Ron Paul in....how's that "AUDIT THE FED" GOING?
WHat's an avg investor to do? Can't get ANY return on safe savings, about only thing left is the stock market of which they still seem to shun in droves.
D
The announcement by the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates at the lowest levels since the Great Depression, basically at 0% to Banks, keeps the "risk on" trade flowing. Did anyone notice the subsequent thrashing the US $ got this week? falling to neat 78.00 from above 80.00 in the index....and GOLD caught a bid back above $1,700 an ounce! who said the gold bull was dead?
2.8 US GDP would have been higher had not State and Local governments not tightened their belts. Locally here in MD some of the Defense Contracting firms have been laying off workers....The budget for Defence spending for 2012 is somewhere near $600B, larger than all countries in the world combined....what cutback?
Local State Govt's work on passing new measures to TAX MORE, so they can bridge their budget deficit gaps, the US GOVT does not have to worry about such things.....I mean we're not Greece for goodness sakes. (see how my language has moderated? WTF????) The cool thing is, the US has the world's reserve currency, and that's our trump card......ramp up the printing...deficits don't matter.
Now, as I go around in my daily meanderings, I talked to a service tech writer at a local Toyota dealership and she hasn't had a wage increase in 3 years. Our Govenor is forced to RAISE TAXES to cover the state deficits...one will be the gas tax..oh boy, that certainly hits the rich in the mouth....not
More states want to tax internet sales, in 1992 the US SUpreme COurt upheld states cannot tax companies that do not have physical pressence in the state they do business...here come the lawsuits.
Hey did you hear Obama wants to go more green? Create more jobs in alternative energy? wasn't that a campaign promise 3 years ago? That's what ALL politicians are good at, promising stuff.....
Finally Obama made a stand and made public the fact that it isn't fair for politicians to trade on INSIDER INFO....I'd sign a bill on my desk today....did he get one?
Dem's suck, Repub's suck, and no one is voting Ron Paul in....how's that "AUDIT THE FED" GOING?
WHat's an avg investor to do? Can't get ANY return on safe savings, about only thing left is the stock market of which they still seem to shun in droves.
D
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Housing data points to slowdown in sales
Housing data points to slowdown in sales
Reuters –A view of a house for sale is seen in Los Angeles in this February 24, 2010 file photo. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/Files
"By Lucia Mutikani
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Signed contracts for the sale of existing U.S. homes retreated from a 1-1/2-year high in December and demand for home loans fell last week, pointing to a moderation in home sales after recent hefty gains."
BUT.....isn't it great news that the FED will keep rates at 0% for another 2 years....as it is working SO well.
D
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Signed contracts for the sale of existing U.S. homes retreated from a 1-1/2-year high in December and demand for home loans fell last week, pointing to a moderation in home sales after recent hefty gains."
BUT.....isn't it great news that the FED will keep rates at 0% for another 2 years....as it is working SO well.
D
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
WEEKLY TRIANGLE
if the top from 2007 and 2011 (red dashed) offer any resistance in the coming week.
D
WEEKEND POST "WHAT PRICE MANIPULATION?"
ALL this liquidity.....should be IGNITING world growth and fuel rampant inflation in a perfect world, but my guess is DEFLATION is sucking it up, leaving slow to modest growth at best.
WHAT will be the price for 3 years of 0% rates? and counting? Ron Paul the sole political voice of reason.....pay the piper, stop manipulating, then move on...never happen.... booms and bubble bursts continue. 3 years into the bubble cycle....I stand aside!
HEY but the market is moving higher......get on board the GRAVY TRAIN??!!!! Underneath the move is weak demand, tepid volume and laser like stock selection.....not BROAD BASED, NOT BACKED BY IMPRESSIVE VOLUME.
You can print NEW MONEY to take the place of the old money, gold should be at $5,000 an ounce not $1,600 but it was $300 when this mess began in 2001.
OFFICIAL unemployment still near 8.5% 3 years into "recovery", things just don't add up for me. 3 years into "recovery" FED keeps rates at 0%, savers get zilch, investors little choice but equity risk markets and yet......the low volume and partial participation continue.....have the gamesmanship and 2 bear markets caused a large group to exit and not return?
HFT makes up 50% or more of daily volume, in the old days a vote for a company used to be an individual share bought, now computer programs seek out little divergences and trade for pennies of a move....not what you would call commitment.....10 year bonds yield slightly north or south of 2%.....who can live on that?
Dem's want to give it away, tax it away, Repub's want to protect their bourgeoisie constituency and won't allow any discussion of taxing the ULTRA WEALTHY more than current rate.
CEO'S use to make 7-10 X the avg worker.....now it's 1,000's X more......every share you buy then puts the money into the pockets of the insiders with MILLIONS of shares VERY HAPPY to cash their 0 COST paper shares for your hard earned capital.
Politicians can PROFIT from INSIDER INFO, but they will out YOU in jail for same.......apathy.....no one in any party offers any real difference, choice or new ideas.
Where does all this lead us to?
D
HEY but the market is moving higher......get on board the GRAVY TRAIN??!!!! Underneath the move is weak demand, tepid volume and laser like stock selection.....not BROAD BASED, NOT BACKED BY IMPRESSIVE VOLUME.
You can print NEW MONEY to take the place of the old money, gold should be at $5,000 an ounce not $1,600 but it was $300 when this mess began in 2001.
OFFICIAL unemployment still near 8.5% 3 years into "recovery", things just don't add up for me. 3 years into "recovery" FED keeps rates at 0%, savers get zilch, investors little choice but equity risk markets and yet......the low volume and partial participation continue.....have the gamesmanship and 2 bear markets caused a large group to exit and not return?
HFT makes up 50% or more of daily volume, in the old days a vote for a company used to be an individual share bought, now computer programs seek out little divergences and trade for pennies of a move....not what you would call commitment.....10 year bonds yield slightly north or south of 2%.....who can live on that?
Dem's want to give it away, tax it away, Repub's want to protect their bourgeoisie constituency and won't allow any discussion of taxing the ULTRA WEALTHY more than current rate.
CEO'S use to make 7-10 X the avg worker.....now it's 1,000's X more......every share you buy then puts the money into the pockets of the insiders with MILLIONS of shares VERY HAPPY to cash their 0 COST paper shares for your hard earned capital.
Politicians can PROFIT from INSIDER INFO, but they will out YOU in jail for same.......apathy.....no one in any party offers any real difference, choice or new ideas.
Where does all this lead us to?
D
"THOUGHTS ON THE CRISIS OF CAPITALISM"
" And the rules of the game have become dangerously clear: policymakers will do any and everything to sustain a global Credit system some years ago exposed as dysfunctional and a risk to Capitalism. Governments are conspicuously against the bearing of consequences, and market participants are being heavily incentivized to play it that way."
http://prudentbear.com/index.php/creditbubblebulletinview?art_id=10623
Thursday, January 19, 2012
CLAIMS
"NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Initial jobless claims fell to their lowest level in nearly four years, another sign of improvement in the long-suffering labor market.
The Labor Department reported that 352,000 people filed for initial unemployment benefits last week, down sharply from a revised reading of 402,000 claims in the previous week. It is also the fewest number of people filing for jobless claims since the week ending April 19, 2008."
ARE THERE MORE JOBS? OR after nearly 3 years of a MUTED recovery fueled mostly by LOW interest rates, have many just stopped looking and other dropped off the roles of the counted as 2 years of benefits run out? LIES, STATISTICS, AND DAMNED LIES
The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell again this week to a record low 3.88%, but the eighth record low in a year is attracting few takers because most who can afford to buy or refinance have already done so. More »Rate on 30-Year Mortgage Hits New Record Low
D
The Labor Department reported that 352,000 people filed for initial unemployment benefits last week, down sharply from a revised reading of 402,000 claims in the previous week. It is also the fewest number of people filing for jobless claims since the week ending April 19, 2008."
ARE THERE MORE JOBS? OR after nearly 3 years of a MUTED recovery fueled mostly by LOW interest rates, have many just stopped looking and other dropped off the roles of the counted as 2 years of benefits run out? LIES, STATISTICS, AND DAMNED LIES
Rate on 30-Year Mortgage Hits New Record Low
APThe average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell again this week to a record low 3.88%, but the eighth record low in a year is attracting few takers because most who can afford to buy or refinance have already done so. More »Rate on 30-Year Mortgage Hits New Record Low
D
Friday, January 13, 2012
THOUGHT THIS WAS OLD NEWS?
As Debt Talks Stumble, Greece Warns of Disaster
ReutersTalks between Greece and its creditor banks aimed at avoiding a disorderly default broke down on Friday, with Greeks warning of disastrous results if a bond swap deal is not reached soon.
**Buyer of the markets beware.
D
Saturday, January 07, 2012
PRESIDENT OBAMA, BRING OUR BOYS HOME!
Pentagon: IED killed 3 airmen in Afghanistan
Staff report
Posted : Saturday Jan 7, 2012 8:52:30 EST
Posted : Saturday Jan 7, 2012 8:52:30 EST
The Defense Department on Saturday formally announced the deaths earlier this week of three airmen in Afghanistan, saying they were killed in an improvised explosive device explosion.
The airmen died Thursday in Shir ghazi district, Helmand province, when their vehicle was struck by an IED, the Defense Department said.
The fallen airmen are:
• Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, 23, of Erie, Pa. Bell was assigned to the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Previous reports state Bell enlisted in 2006 and had been in Afghanistan for two months.
• Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34, of Traverse City, Mich. Schwartz was assigned to the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.
• Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler, 24, of Westminster, Md. Seidler was assigned to the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
Matthew was the 24 yr old son of one of my closest friends, now they get to bury their son, 7 weeks into his tour and the loss cannot be explained.
I can tell you this, not a single person in Gov't office has a child there.
D
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
SMOKE AND MIRRORS WORLD
What is REAL anymore? we live in a world so manipulated, so controlled.......nature has a way of evening things out.....THEY WILL keep the game going as long as they can and its creating an EBOLI FINANCIAL STORM CRISIS down the road.....what knucklehead politician is going to square it all out?
All we can do is try to make SOME sense of it all, and pass it on. We are DEAD IN THE MIDST OF A NEW BEAR MARKET IMHO, and that means a BIG haircut in stock prices is in the cards.
With 0% rates, under 2% for 10 years....in the face of RECORD DEBT ISSUANCE....where do you go and they have gone stock raving mad!
D
With 0% rates, under 2% for 10 years....in the face of RECORD DEBT ISSUANCE....where do you go and they have gone stock raving mad!
D
Saturday, December 31, 2011
ROCKY THE ROAD
Most will probably feel, not a bad year overall, the market volatility was very high, but then what was the harm, stocks basically FLAT! So maybe you will just sit tight and figure you've been through the worst? Where else is your money going to go?
The PROS own the market, the HFT's and large Hedge Funds, but the volume has been LIGHT and there is no room for a crowd to HIT THE EXITS.
By MOST measures, we are in a new Bear Market, but you won't hear single utterance of that reality on the boobus tubus. And certainly not on the "hair cafe' "
There is life in the economy, interest rates are historically low, but the current gov and FED policies are not doing a good job clearing out the prior imbalances, it is more just holding the ship upright and from sinking.
At what cost? There is no real effort to cut costs, or to raise new revenues. We can't continue with what we got in office, yet the wannabe's look sick too.
Dirty minded Chris Rock has a routine where he says he hates all politicians, he says why can't they just wait and read the bill being voted on or not to have already come to a conclusions because of one's party or leaning right or left, why not just think about the issue, let it bounce around inside your brain and come to the BEST DECISION.....good luck with that.
60 TIMES we raise the gov't debt ceiling, this is a joke.....just blow the stupid thing up, stop playing games. Does Europe right the ship? Right now, even our currency has rallied because we look less worse? We DO have the Reserve currency....imagine if we didn't.
Wars fought we didn't want and can't win against an inivisible foe not a country, 1,000's of lives lost, $Trillions spent.....when do we return to the Constitutional principals, and lose the Roman Empire ones?
Savers continue to get the shaft, with little else offered except the RISK MARKETS.....I don't like Musical Chairs with too many people playing and only a few chairs.
Have great New years, be safe, and happy for what we DO have.....and hope for some light ahead. Me personally....100% cash , maybe short some...I'm thinkng rocky 2012
Duratek
The PROS own the market, the HFT's and large Hedge Funds, but the volume has been LIGHT and there is no room for a crowd to HIT THE EXITS.
By MOST measures, we are in a new Bear Market, but you won't hear single utterance of that reality on the boobus tubus. And certainly not on the "hair cafe' "
There is life in the economy, interest rates are historically low, but the current gov and FED policies are not doing a good job clearing out the prior imbalances, it is more just holding the ship upright and from sinking.
At what cost? There is no real effort to cut costs, or to raise new revenues. We can't continue with what we got in office, yet the wannabe's look sick too.
Dirty minded Chris Rock has a routine where he says he hates all politicians, he says why can't they just wait and read the bill being voted on or not to have already come to a conclusions because of one's party or leaning right or left, why not just think about the issue, let it bounce around inside your brain and come to the BEST DECISION.....good luck with that.
60 TIMES we raise the gov't debt ceiling, this is a joke.....just blow the stupid thing up, stop playing games. Does Europe right the ship? Right now, even our currency has rallied because we look less worse? We DO have the Reserve currency....imagine if we didn't.
Wars fought we didn't want and can't win against an inivisible foe not a country, 1,000's of lives lost, $Trillions spent.....when do we return to the Constitutional principals, and lose the Roman Empire ones?
Savers continue to get the shaft, with little else offered except the RISK MARKETS.....I don't like Musical Chairs with too many people playing and only a few chairs.
Have great New years, be safe, and happy for what we DO have.....and hope for some light ahead. Me personally....100% cash , maybe short some...I'm thinkng rocky 2012
Duratek
2011 IN REVIEW
"There is no doubt that de-risking/de-leveraging is taking its toll. It is an inhospitable environment for leverage. The MF Global fiasco proves that too little has changed here at home. And I take the drubbing unleashed upon the major U.S. financial stocks as confirmation of festering problems throughout U.S. and global finance. While the market ended little changed for the year, the extraordinary volatility connotes inherent instability. Yet even on this the final trading day of the year, much is left unclear, uncertain, unresolved and open to interpretation. Has impressive U.S. market and economic resiliency been signaling inherent strength and a stage set for a banner 2012? Or have complacency and the market’s inability to discount troubled waters ahead once again set the marketplace up for disappointment? Next week: “Issues 2012”
http://prudentbear.com/index.php/creditbubblebulletinview?art_id=10612
http://prudentbear.com/index.php/creditbubblebulletinview?art_id=10612
Friday, December 30, 2011
NOT BULLISH
Spain revises up deficit and raises taxes
APSpain's new government warned Friday that the country's budget deficit will be much higher than anticipated this year, as it unveiled a first batch of austerity measures that include surprise income and
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
BEAR MARKET ACTION IN A BULL MARKET ATMOSPHERE
There have been 38 90% volume days since this summer, no week seems to go by without having a 90% up or down volume day go by. This is not typical of bull market action, bull markets are set up by exhausting the supply of sellers and the majority are very anxious to bid stocks up so they can induce holders to sell to them, not TOO much worry about a decline in price.
But we're here in the 1250 SPX range, you might say, what's to worry, all this up and down action hasn't cost me a dime....YET!
If you read Doug Noland's DEC 23rd piece at prudentbear.com, from link I provided or on your own, you will have a better idea historically where we stand and what the current mechanics are providing to the economy.
In a nutshell, the way I see it, the voting mechanism and predictability of the stock market have eroded. The small share buyer has been replaced by the HFT and the many hedge funds that incorporate a sophisticated analogue to derive pennies of profits from 1,000's of trades a day based on spreads between 2 groups of stocks or any nuance they can find that when fed into a super computer, does all the rest. It is my belief this is all sanctioned and given rubber stamp approval by all overseeing agencies.
This is not beneficial to the individual investor nor the economy at large, HFT and those who have set up trading algorithms make up the BULK of the trading volume on any given day.
38 MANIC volume days in last 6 months is not a sign of an efficient market, and it is chasing away, and keeping away the small investor in droves. They in turn have NO reasonable vehicle to gain returns with near 0% interest rates and a 2% 10 year yield.
This policy, fostered by the Fedeeral Reserve to support economic growth is doing anything but that. YET they cling to this policy come hell or high water. STUBBORN men have gotten us into this mess, a few who think they are smarter than the combined wisdom of history and common sense.
D
But we're here in the 1250 SPX range, you might say, what's to worry, all this up and down action hasn't cost me a dime....YET!
If you read Doug Noland's DEC 23rd piece at prudentbear.com, from link I provided or on your own, you will have a better idea historically where we stand and what the current mechanics are providing to the economy.
In a nutshell, the way I see it, the voting mechanism and predictability of the stock market have eroded. The small share buyer has been replaced by the HFT and the many hedge funds that incorporate a sophisticated analogue to derive pennies of profits from 1,000's of trades a day based on spreads between 2 groups of stocks or any nuance they can find that when fed into a super computer, does all the rest. It is my belief this is all sanctioned and given rubber stamp approval by all overseeing agencies.
This is not beneficial to the individual investor nor the economy at large, HFT and those who have set up trading algorithms make up the BULK of the trading volume on any given day.
38 MANIC volume days in last 6 months is not a sign of an efficient market, and it is chasing away, and keeping away the small investor in droves. They in turn have NO reasonable vehicle to gain returns with near 0% interest rates and a 2% 10 year yield.
This policy, fostered by the Fedeeral Reserve to support economic growth is doing anything but that. YET they cling to this policy come hell or high water. STUBBORN men have gotten us into this mess, a few who think they are smarter than the combined wisdom of history and common sense.
D
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME
http://prudentbear.com/index.php/creditbubblebulletinview?art_id=10610
" However, and especially over the past year, financial power has subtly yet markedly shifted from traditional institutional fund managers, the crowded venture capitalist arena, and the scores of IPO dealmakers to "sophisticated" Wall Street financial players incorporating various forms of financial engineering (typically, variations of "spread trades"). While assets have shrunk and scores of equity mutual funds have been closed, 1,000 new hedge funds are said to have joined the fray as industry assets continue their historic Bubble ascent.”
There is NO room for John and Janet C Q Public. The game is RIGGED with VIOLENT ABNORMAL HISTORIC volatility with over 30 90% volume days since the summer!!! There probably were not 12 of these during the entire 1980-2000 greatest bull market!
Stocks reflecting the "VOTES" of millions of shares traded, bought and sold are now HFT trading schemes and large institutions using stocks as their Las Vegas Casino.
These new trends, all fostered by the SEC and anyone in charge, thinking this is all good, brings liquidity?....nothing has been done. ANy laws passed prove ineffective and aren't even enforced...BrainDEAD OXLEY is one...a joke.
Banks could actually make profits if they charged enough for loans and paid more to induce deposits, none of this is happening. SAVERS the sacrificial lambs, get near NOTHING FOR SAVINGS. AND one day.....as sure as hell....anyone holding long term bonds yielding below 2% are going to get an Historic HOSING! Bonds may be in the longest running bull market in history which began during Volkers reign.....as rates shot up to rediculous levels like 16% and have been falling ever since that INFLATION was PURGED.
Now the FED and CB'ers have been able to pile on debt, keep rates LOW, and do ALL KINDS of things to keep economies humming all these years................few talk of the TRILLIONS around in Derivitives......but the last 10 years plus of fighting the corrective forces of the BEAR MARKETS and the WILL TO REVRT TO THE NORM AND CORRECT THE PREVIOUS EXCESSES....have been fought tooth and nail with everything they could bring......
And it brings us to today......this is not 1990, or 2000, or 2009......it would seem to me we are reaching a backs to the wall, running out of financial gadgets, a DAY OF RECKONING is much closer than anytime over the last decade. 1.8% GDP 3 years into a "RECOVERY" in certainly anything but normal.
8.5% unemployment is anything but normal 3 years into "recovery". Bank Of America our largest bank has sunk under $5......penny stock territory.
Those over 50 thrown to curb, can't even get interview for a job......and many ask the question "has the American Dream been busted?"
Here we approach XMAS, and the New Years, and I'm just getting this out of my system......I can remain positive about what we can accomplish as individuals, but I have seen the faces of the REAL PEOPLE effected and there is a pain like never seen or felt before, a desperation of many of our fellow Americans.....and it feels helpless, like there is nothing we can do?
I say put a 3rd party in power or someone like RON PAUL. WE NEED REAL CHANGE, WE NEED ALMOST ANYONE but the jerks status QUO we've been getting.
BUSH a jerk and liar, abused his Conservative constituency, OBAMA a fraud and has done nothing. WASH is so crossed up and bloated with career politicians, lobbyists and special interests......they can't even pass a BILL to make it ILLEGAL for CONGRESS to TRADE STOCKS BASED ON INSIDER INFORMATION???!!^%&&$*#$(($((($##!!!
NOT one individual has had charges pressed against them for ANY CRIME committed during the WORST FINANCAIL CRISIS in history??? NOT ONE!!?????
The interent is important no doubt, but inmost cases products bought no taxes collected....has put countless retailers OUT OF BUSINESS!!
ON a personal note, I was kicked to the curb and am one of those baby boomers at 56 had no job and wondered what was next. SO I crerated my own company doing what I knew how to do for the past 30 years plus.
I have had some success, I have found people expanding, renovating.....needing office furniture.....in these difficult times! There is HOPE....we need real change...justice.....JOBS based on LOW TAXES on SMALL TO MEDIUM BUSINESS.....LOW TAXES FOR THOSE MAKING under $1M. Republicans who won't allow ANY rise in taxes to those making GOBS of funny is rediculous.
DO AWAY with the 15% DIVIDEND tax rate and double that, this MOSTLY only helps the INSIDERS who get paid with paper stocks, keep the rate at 15% for those NORMAL people not making more than $1M.
USE FLAT TAX maybe for those making under $250K. GOV'T option for health care.....the cost of health care is choking most workers....sapping their BUYING STRENGTH.
LET RATES RISE SOME....give investors a more balanced choice, SUPPORT THE US $!
GD bless, and may all my friends, family and readers enjoy health and happiness into the New Years.
Duratek
" However, and especially over the past year, financial power has subtly yet markedly shifted from traditional institutional fund managers, the crowded venture capitalist arena, and the scores of IPO dealmakers to "sophisticated" Wall Street financial players incorporating various forms of financial engineering (typically, variations of "spread trades"). While assets have shrunk and scores of equity mutual funds have been closed, 1,000 new hedge funds are said to have joined the fray as industry assets continue their historic Bubble ascent.”
There is NO room for John and Janet C Q Public. The game is RIGGED with VIOLENT ABNORMAL HISTORIC volatility with over 30 90% volume days since the summer!!! There probably were not 12 of these during the entire 1980-2000 greatest bull market!
Stocks reflecting the "VOTES" of millions of shares traded, bought and sold are now HFT trading schemes and large institutions using stocks as their Las Vegas Casino.
These new trends, all fostered by the SEC and anyone in charge, thinking this is all good, brings liquidity?....nothing has been done. ANy laws passed prove ineffective and aren't even enforced...BrainDEAD OXLEY is one...a joke.
Banks could actually make profits if they charged enough for loans and paid more to induce deposits, none of this is happening. SAVERS the sacrificial lambs, get near NOTHING FOR SAVINGS. AND one day.....as sure as hell....anyone holding long term bonds yielding below 2% are going to get an Historic HOSING! Bonds may be in the longest running bull market in history which began during Volkers reign.....as rates shot up to rediculous levels like 16% and have been falling ever since that INFLATION was PURGED.
Now the FED and CB'ers have been able to pile on debt, keep rates LOW, and do ALL KINDS of things to keep economies humming all these years................few talk of the TRILLIONS around in Derivitives......but the last 10 years plus of fighting the corrective forces of the BEAR MARKETS and the WILL TO REVRT TO THE NORM AND CORRECT THE PREVIOUS EXCESSES....have been fought tooth and nail with everything they could bring......
And it brings us to today......this is not 1990, or 2000, or 2009......it would seem to me we are reaching a backs to the wall, running out of financial gadgets, a DAY OF RECKONING is much closer than anytime over the last decade. 1.8% GDP 3 years into a "RECOVERY" in certainly anything but normal.
8.5% unemployment is anything but normal 3 years into "recovery". Bank Of America our largest bank has sunk under $5......penny stock territory.
Those over 50 thrown to curb, can't even get interview for a job......and many ask the question "has the American Dream been busted?"
Here we approach XMAS, and the New Years, and I'm just getting this out of my system......I can remain positive about what we can accomplish as individuals, but I have seen the faces of the REAL PEOPLE effected and there is a pain like never seen or felt before, a desperation of many of our fellow Americans.....and it feels helpless, like there is nothing we can do?
I say put a 3rd party in power or someone like RON PAUL. WE NEED REAL CHANGE, WE NEED ALMOST ANYONE but the jerks status QUO we've been getting.
BUSH a jerk and liar, abused his Conservative constituency, OBAMA a fraud and has done nothing. WASH is so crossed up and bloated with career politicians, lobbyists and special interests......they can't even pass a BILL to make it ILLEGAL for CONGRESS to TRADE STOCKS BASED ON INSIDER INFORMATION???!!^%&&$*#$(($((($##!!!
NOT one individual has had charges pressed against them for ANY CRIME committed during the WORST FINANCAIL CRISIS in history??? NOT ONE!!?????
The interent is important no doubt, but inmost cases products bought no taxes collected....has put countless retailers OUT OF BUSINESS!!
ON a personal note, I was kicked to the curb and am one of those baby boomers at 56 had no job and wondered what was next. SO I crerated my own company doing what I knew how to do for the past 30 years plus.
I have had some success, I have found people expanding, renovating.....needing office furniture.....in these difficult times! There is HOPE....we need real change...justice.....JOBS based on LOW TAXES on SMALL TO MEDIUM BUSINESS.....LOW TAXES FOR THOSE MAKING under $1M. Republicans who won't allow ANY rise in taxes to those making GOBS of funny is rediculous.
DO AWAY with the 15% DIVIDEND tax rate and double that, this MOSTLY only helps the INSIDERS who get paid with paper stocks, keep the rate at 15% for those NORMAL people not making more than $1M.
USE FLAT TAX maybe for those making under $250K. GOV'T option for health care.....the cost of health care is choking most workers....sapping their BUYING STRENGTH.
LET RATES RISE SOME....give investors a more balanced choice, SUPPORT THE US $!
GD bless, and may all my friends, family and readers enjoy health and happiness into the New Years.
Duratek
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