Jim in Hav

Roubini Now Says House Prices to Fall 30%

WHO is Nouriel Roubini, and ON WHAT BASIS does he say home prices will drop 30%??? Let's ask some questions everybody.

Thoughts on 'The Lost Decade'

The key to a US market rebound (or more exactly a US economic rebound) (or are they tied?) is what exactly is going to put more $$ in consumers' pockets. Tax rebates cannot meaningfully do it. My wages have declined in real dollar terms over the last 7 years. MAYBE a 50% decline in oil could do it, but I'm not sure. Any ideas out there for what will put buying power back into middle America (70% of GDP)???

Global Precious Metals Correction: Healthy and Overdue

I guess the million dollar (trillion?) question is can the developing world (China, India, Latin America) and even Japan/Europe stay OUT OF recession if the US, and especially the US consumer, is going into it?If the answer is "Yes" then that augurs terrible times for the US middle and lower class, as commodities will stay high (oil, gasoline, corn, wheat). That should also maintain the long bull run in gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium. It MAY just work out that way - we KNOW that housing in the US is in an epochal decline AND YET copper has not contracted severely until this week - and that may be only a correction. All in all, we may be witnessing a historic 'sea change' in the net wealth and standard of living of the US.

Felix Zulauf: 4 Ways to Profit in 2008 - Barron's

Granted this is what those markets SHOULD do, but there are a few hairpin turns out there. Central banks and private equity mavens like Buffett, Ross, Zell will be doing their utmost to prop things up. This could make for some nasty short term trading moves. Take this week as an example - the S&P SHOULD BE off 150 points given the news (Consumer Sentiment, PPI, housing, jobless claims) but was it? No. Never underestimate manipulation.

Jim in Havertown