Tag: fiscal policy

We’ve Got It All Wrong

We’ve Got It All Wrong

Americans fear for their bank deposits. Your deposits are safe. However, you should fear the remedy. The Fed bail out from last Sunday could result in $1-2 trillion of additional public debt assuming that the Fed marks up the assets of and extends loans to all U.S. banks except J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Wells … Continue reading We’ve Got It All Wrong

Price Inflation Persists. Now What?

Price Inflation Persists. Now What?

Core CPI accelerated month-to-month to 0.5% (from 0.4% in January), as "Shelter" accelerated to 0.8%. Our view is that the Fed will continue to hike rates but may slow the pace of QT, particularly as it relates to Treasuries. The Fed says it will maintain interest rate hikes as the Banking sector stumbles. More importantly, … Continue reading Price Inflation Persists. Now What?

Short-Term Paper, Quality Names and Gold

Short-Term Paper, Quality Names and Gold

Short-term Treasuries look attractive. The 1-month T-Bill offers a 4.67% yield. Beats cash and beats holding an equity index fund or ETF. I'm always a fan of owning Quality companies at an attractive price. However, I don't value equities as most investors do - I don't bucket stocks into "Value" "GARP" and "Growth" buckets. I … Continue reading Short-Term Paper, Quality Names and Gold

Treasury’s Vicious Debt Cycle

Treasury’s Vicious Debt Cycle

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is campaigning for the U.S. to raise its debt ceiling. This is code for Treasury can't afford to pay down its debt and wants to issue new debt to pay down the old debt. Reducing fiscal spending is the answer, but Washington is used to having its cake and eating it … Continue reading Treasury’s Vicious Debt Cycle

The U.S. Economy’s Debt Burden

The U.S. Economy’s Debt Burden

The growing interest expense on the expanding Public Debt is an albatross the U.S. Economy must bear at a time when Washington continues to run Trillion Dollar-plus fiscal deficits. This debt burden will consume an increasing percentage of Government revenue and will be a significant headwind to Real GDP growth for decades to come. The … Continue reading The U.S. Economy’s Debt Burden

Debt Crisis

Debt Crisis

The debt crisis is America's greatest threat. Not China. Not nuclear war. Not identity politics. Larger than the U.S. Economy and growing. Public Debt outstanding is approximately $31.4 trillion, significantly larger than the U.S. economy as fiscal spending far outpaces Real GDP growth. Public Debt outstanding will almost certainly continue to grow as fiscal deficits … Continue reading Debt Crisis

Strange Days: From Bizarre Fed Policy To Election “Week”

Strange Days: From Bizarre Fed Policy To Election “Week”

From head-scratching fiscal and monetary policy to political elections, the 2020's thus far have been strange days. No tears for Powell. I have zero sympathy for the Fed. When COVID rolled through in Jan/Feb 2020 and team Trump and Mnuchin thought it would be a good idea to pump trillions of dollars into the economy … Continue reading Strange Days: From Bizarre Fed Policy To Election “Week”

Independence Day Edition

Independence Day Edition

To celebrate Independence Day we give you Milton Friedman's 10-part "Free To Choose" video series. Free To Choose – Vol. 01: “The Power of the Market” https://youtu.be/dngqR9gcDDw Free To Choose – Vol. 02: “The Tyranny of Control” https://youtu.be/CWgNe8v6KFc Free To Choose – Vol. 03: “Anatomy of Crisis” https://youtu.be/fKz6KrMGj3I Free To Choose – Vol. 04: “From Cradle to Grave.” https://youtu.be/ysf-5MdWDt0Continue reading Independence Day Edition

Cash Rich Stocks & Other Ideas To Hedge Inflation

Cash Rich Stocks & Other Ideas To Hedge Inflation

Hate to say we told you so, but this inflation train is moving into high gear and will remain strong throughout 2022, particularly as higher home rental prices start to flow through the Fed's home rental price surveys. Our view is that the Fed will be forced to accelerate its tapering effort to perhaps conclude … Continue reading Cash Rich Stocks & Other Ideas To Hedge Inflation

Inflation Is A Primary Driver Behind The Economic Slowdown

Inflation Is A Primary Driver Behind The Economic Slowdown

Whether it is the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg or CNBC, the business press fails to mention price inflation as a primary factor behind the economic slowdown as measured by Real GDP of 2%. Supply chain bottlenecks and the Delta variant are not exclusively responsible for the stagflationary period we are about to embark on where … Continue reading Inflation Is A Primary Driver Behind The Economic Slowdown