Oct242019
Spiral of cash

The Monetary Black Hole and the Recession of 2020

Is it coming? Is it imminent? Is it here? How close is the world to the next recession? There is certainly evidence that could spell economic trouble ahead. Bloomberg’s GDP tracker shows global growth slowing to just 2.2% in the third quarter of this year. There are also whispers that the IMF will cut its 2019 growth forecast, already projected to be the lowest since 2009. And the Brookings Institute is sounding the alarm…

The Monetary Black Hole and the Recession of 2020Details
Oct172019
Gold & Silver American Eagle Coin Stacks

Diversification Brings Peace of Mind in Tumultuous Times

It’s the simple things that we all have in common. Sometimes, all anyone wants at the end of the day is a sense of inner peace. Peace of mind, however, can be a scarce commodity.   Nearly 40 percent of Americans have reported that politics have stressed them out.  If you are stressed out about political turmoil, you are not alone. A recent study published in the Public Library of…

Diversification Brings Peace of Mind in Tumultuous TimesDetails
Oct22019
Gold Bars Stacked on Top of One Hundred Dollar Bills

Paper Wealth, Paper Millionaires, and the Paper Rich

We all know that the financial markets cannot continue to climb indefinitely. Stocks have routinely collapsed throughout history, and bad things have been set in motion by a variety of factors, like speculation, inflation, asset bubbles, bank failures, mass unemployment, and geopolitics.   Market crashes wipe out what’s called “paper wealth,” leaving a wake of decimated “paper millionaires” who, according to Investopedia, are individuals with “a high net worth as a result of the large total market value of the assets he or she owns.”  Many of us with robust pensions or 401(k)s may…

Paper Wealth, Paper Millionaires, and the Paper RichDetails
Sep262019
Arrow Trending Down in Front of German Flag

The Mighty German Engine Is Sputtering—so Goes the Eurozone?

Europe has just posted downright dismal PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) numbers. The Purchasing Managers’ Index is a leading indicator of manufacturing activity and a carefully watched barometer of economic health. The latest PMI flash data that covers 19 countries in the European Union suggests that the eurozone could be moving closer to recession.  A PMI reading above 50 generally suggests an economic expansion, while anything below 50 indicates a contraction. The monthly flash report for September (an advanced indicator) fell from…

The Mighty German Engine Is Sputtering—so Goes the Eurozone?Details