At the risk of being repetitive, if you look at the macro economic data and the upcoming political showdowns over taxing and spending, the markets are justified in listing with a negative bias, as we sail into the future.
Regrettably, this includes a shocking but probable casualty suffered by the U.S. debt obligation’s AAA credit rating, by 2012.
The massive selloff seen in Wednesday’s Treasury bond market rested on disclosed information communicated throughout the trading day, as well as what was unspoken; that deep down inside, short-term investors and long-term money managers alike do not believe in green shoots sprouting across America.
Let us review a few macro-economic facts that can poison US green shoots faster than eating the wrong part of a blowfish in a Sushi bar:
- The IRs reported that tax revenues fell by $138 billion or 34% in April versus a year ago.
- Some municipalities are contemplating disincorporation in the face of budget shortfalls.
- Forty-two states are facing at mid-year a $60 billion shortfall for FY 2009.
- In April 21 states saw unemployment fall, 11 unchanged, 18 states are still experiencing rising unemployment.
- TransUnion Credit reported individual credit scores, on average 6 points to 11 points, between the 3rd quarter. of 2008 and the 1st quarter of 2009.
- Consumer debt fell six out of eight months ending in March, which is up .1 per cent, the slowest growth in 17 years.
- Germany, the world’s largest exporter, economy is growing worse.
- The Federal Reserve Z1 statistical release shows household wealth fell $.5 trillion in 2007 and $11.8 trillion in 2008.
- The US will not be able to sell 2 trillion dollars in obligation, for FY 2009, without significantly higher interest rates.
- Higher interest rates will choke off any recovery and retard growth.
- The rebound in real estate is an aberrational illusion, which will peter out later this year, when move-up buyers fail to show up this fall.
I hate being the skunk at the summer picnic; however, to ignore these facts and promote the meme of “less bad is good” is a bit too Orwellian for my sensibilities. Losses are not equal to profits. Once you accept the premise that de-leveraging will continue for the next several years, it becomes easier to discern between green shoots and weeds, and what awaits future business trends.
Now is the time to exit most fixed rate debt in exchange for variable rate debt like TIPS.
What’s more ominous, though, is the unhealthy political climate to correct problems that do require sagacious political solutions and strong political leadership. The pervasive irrational mindset that the largest industrialize nation’s infrastructure can be had with niggardly taxation defies logic. Maintenance of our transportation system, our communication system, as well as our public/private healthcare and pension schemes, for too many years was paid for by dubious credit, OPM (other people’s money), or ignored altogether.
California is an exquisite example of bad politics. In the name of fiscal discipline and conservatism, California may allow the eighth largest economy in the world to fail, aided perhaps by the Obama administration’s refusal to be involved. California’s Legislative budget analyst projects a 2009-2010 budget deficit of $28 billion dollars.
Short-term, California is looking for a $15 billion dollar backstop in guarantees by the feds. That will help 38.2 million people, or 12.4% of the US population. California generates 13% of the nation’s GDP. How many green shoots will that strangle in its infancy?
If you think that this assessment is too gloomy, 2010 holds its own surprise for doubters of stagflation and global political drama.
Disclosure: No positions
