Durable goods orders are one of the most watched indicators of economic activity. They comprise such items as automobiles, washers, dryers, furniture, firearms, and toys. Things that are supposed to last for years. The chart below clearly indicates the downward trend in durable goods orders, and I’m sure that members of the FOMC were well
Cryptocurrency advocates have long maintained that the primary benefit of “cryptos” is that they are not centrally controlled, actually residing on cell phones. Transfers from one holder to another do not go through a “central bank,” such as the Fed, but from one phone to another. This was supposed to be beyond the reach of
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at 2.1% in the second quarter according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ (BEA) “advanced” estimate. The first quarter saw an increase of 3.1% Both estimates are subject to change as more data is analyzed by the BEA.
Both parties are happy with the spending deal reached Tuesday night between the Trump administration and the Pelosi-controlled House. The Trump administration will see defense spending going to $750 billion while the Dems (and, admittedly, some in the GOP) will see an equivalent increase in domestic appropriations.
In March 2017, a 100-kg .99999 Gold Maple Leaf was brazenly stolen from Berlin’s Bode Museum. Now, more than two years later, four men are on trial for the theft.
From 1870 to 1970, the ratio of debt to GDP in the US averaged 1.48. Today, the ratio is 3.47, which means that the economy bears the weight of three times the debt that it did up until 1970. Not coincidentally, it was August 15, 1971 that the President Nixon made the dollar no longer
It’s crazy enough when government debt sells at negative yields. But there are 14 junk bond issues in the eurozone trading at subzero rates.
Gold is down $30 today because of massive selling on the COMEX on a day when illiquidity abounds. Because the 4th fell on Thursday, making for a four-day weekend, the manipulators took advantage of it. Monday will be a significant day for both gold and stocks as investors reassess their outlooks. The Dow Industrials are
By many measures, the world’s economy is slowing, and some CBs — namely New Zealand, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines — have already lowered rates. Australia lowered June 4, the largest developed country to cut rates this year. In May, China lowered reserve requirements for small- and medium-sized banks, which pushed interest rates there to