JimWe

U.S. Economy: No Easy Answers, But Plenty of Questions

The author is comparing our situation with Japan - not in terms of deflation, but in terms of future growth and financial markets.

In that case, why would anyone, of any age, invest anything in stocks since the Nikkei is a fraction of what it was twenty years later and the economy is mediocre?

Can Central Bankers Prevent a Great Depression?

This is a fascinating article. I am reading all I can find on the subject of reflation.

The title is definitely a misnomer because it doesn't answer the question. Did the author come up with that himself?

S&P 500 Fifty Day Historical Volatility May Have Just Peaked

Interesting. Thanks.

I wonder if there is any comparable period of volatility - and where did the market go from there?

General Electric: Genuine Risk of Collapse?

Is GE's situation that different from other beleaguered companies in this environment?

Some comparisons would help.

Looking for a Stable Industry? Try Chinese Life Insurance

What about the potential instability that will come with a recession?

This is all uncharted territory. None of us know what will happen if there is a serious downturn in China.

Bloomberg: Poverty and Pension Fears Drive Elderly Japanese to Crime

What a pathetic story.

It is incredible that this was the nation that had so much wealth it didn't know what to do with it all twenty years ago.

Throwing in the Towel on This Market?

If, as you say "everything still standing will work" - then anything is a good buy now except those companies that are literally about to expire.

That seems like a very general statement....

Let GM Fail

What happens to the pensions? My understanding is there are more retirees than active employees. What happens to the pension plans?

Let GM Fail

What happens to the pensions? My understanding is there are more retirees than active employees. What happens to the pension plans?

CPI + PPI = Deflation

At what point does disinflation become deflation. That is - the modest fall in commodity prices in 1997 was a benefit to the economy. Of course, the situations are completely different, but with all the commentary about deflation I am wondering if there is a point where we know the spiral is getting out of control?

Lower Prices Now- Massive Inflation Later?

So it seems that you are saying there is a potential risk for significant inflation following this period of deflation. That is quite different than anything else I have read lately, and would change my investment choices.

Well, I'll think about it. Interesting.

That dapper formal tux adds to the credibility - glad to see someone expressing optimism at a time like this! No hairshirts for you. But if you're wrong, I'll expect you to send me your patent leather shoes by FedEx....

Rural Banks to Benefit From Agricultural Boom

As a small town banker, I can assure you that I don't wear overalls to work. I usually wear a pinstriped suit and a tie and even a starched white shirt.

Even more surprising, I wear both shoes and socks - wingtips and black socks, not white ones. That's just in case you were going to make a comment about barefoot bankers in small towns...