investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Gold Breaks $2,000 – And Its Outlook Remains “Wildly Bullish”

The price of gold continues to soar .
At the time of this writing , it is up a staggering 14.9 % from its price on July 16 , to $ 2,069 .
The extraordinary increase from just three weeks ago seems to be happening thanks , in part , to the recent debasement of the U.S. dollar .
According to a Newsmax piece , negative yields are also playing a role : You can see the incredible jump in the price of gold on the 6-month chart : Not to be outdone , silver ’ s price has increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That even sharper increase in value , likely due to similar reasons as gold , is reflected here : And with the dollar in a slow and steady decline since March 20 , and yields getting worse , the Fed hasn ’ t been able to help to drive both gold and silver prices even higher .
In fact , the market is betting on it .
According to a CNBC piece , “ Markets have been betting on higher inflation , with surging gold prices , a falling dollar and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears as though the Fed is going to deliver exactly what the markets are betting on .
From the same article : There are even hints that inflation up to 4 % could be a possibility , and without much resistance .
Morgan Stanley thinks Americans should “ brace for it ” : The most powerful leading indicator for inflation has already shown its hand – money supply , or M2 .
As Milton Friedman famously said 50 years ago , “ inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon.
” [ … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then isn ’ t the risk of higher inflation greater than it ’ s ever been , too ?
Indeed , the sharp moves higher in breakevens and precious metals suggest that markets are considering the possibility .
And as the above note alludes to , both gold and silver could benefit from the Fed ’ s insistence that inflation be allowed to “ run hot.
” In fact , it could be “ ‘ wildly bullish ’ for alternative asset classes and in particular growth stocks and precious metals like gold and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Institute for Economic Research shines a light on the possibility that , “ If inflation were to really get out of hand , the dollar could lose its status as the international reserve currency.
” Out of control inflation , coupled with dollar debasement , could provide rocket fuel for the price of precious metals .
( And if the Fed would report “ real inflation , ” that boost could come a lot faster than you think ) .
It sure looks like both gold ’ s and silver ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just hope we don ’ t add hyperinflation to the mix .
Time to Add Gold and Silver While the Opportunity is Still “ Ripe ” With gold and silver continuing to rise , now is a good time to serious think about adding precious metals to your savings .
It ’ s one of many things you can start doing to make your nest egg more resilient in case inflation gets out of control .

From Birch Gold Group
The price of gold continues to soar. At the time of this writing, it is up a staggering 14.9% from its price on July 16, to $2,069.
The extraordinary increase from just three weeks ago seems to be happening thanks, in part, to the recent debasement of the U.S. dollar.
According to a Newsmax piece, negative yields are also playing a role:
The impact of the pandemic has driven real yields deeper into negative territory, which has boosted interest in the haven of gold. The dip below -1% on the 10-year is “a pretty big level,” according to TD Securities analyst Ryan McKay.
You can see the incredible jump in the price of gold on the 6-month chart:
Not to be outdone, silver’s price has increased more than 45% since July 16.
That even sharper increase in value, likely due to similar reasons as gold, is reflected here:
And with the dollar in a slow and steady decline since March 20, and yields getting worse, the Fed hasn’t been able to help to drive both gold and silver prices even higher.
In fact, the market is betting on it.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Fed’s Commitment to Higher Inflation Could Send Metals Prices Higher
According to a CNBC piece, “Markets have been betting on higher inflation, with surging gold prices, a falling dollar and a rush to inflation-indexed bonds.”
And it appears as though the Fed is going to deliver exactly what the markets are betting on. From the same article:
Recent statements from Fed officials and analysis from market veterans and economists point to a move to “average inflation” targeting in which inflation above the central bank’s usual 2% target would be tolerated and even desired.
There are even hints that inflation up to 4% could be a possibility, and without much resistance. Morgan Stanley thinks Americans should “brace for it”:
The most powerful leading indicator for inflation has already shown its hand – money supply, or M2. As Milton Friedman famously said 50 years ago, “inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon.” […] If Mr. Friedman was correct, then isn’t the risk of higher inflation greater than it’s ever been, too? Indeed, the sharp moves higher in breakevens and precious metals suggest that markets are considering the possibility.
And as the above note alludes to, both gold and silver could benefit from the Fed’s insistence that inflation be allowed to “run hot.” In fact, it could be “‘wildly bullish’ for alternative asset classes and in particular growth stocks and precious metals like gold and silver.”
A recent article from the American Institute for Economic Research shines a light on the possibility that, “If inflation were to really get out of hand, the dollar could lose its status as the international reserve currency.”
Out of control inflation, coupled with dollar debasement, could provide rocket fuel for the price of precious metals. (And if the Fed would report “real inflation,” that boost could come a lot faster than you think).
It sure looks like both gold’s and silver’s time has come. Let’s just hope we don’t add hyperinflation to the mix.
Time to Add Gold and Silver While the Opportunity is Still “Ripe”
With gold and silver continuing to rise, now is a good time to serious think about adding precious metals to your savings.
It’s one of many things you can start doing to make your nest egg more resilient in case inflation gets out of control.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Bill introduced in Senate to seize the assets of rich people, calls it a one-time only emergency tax

Bill introduced in Senate to seize the assets of rich people, calls it a one-time only emergency tax so it’s okay

The funds would be used to pay for out-of-pocket health-care expenses for all Americans for a year .
Sens .
Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , Ed Markey , D-Mass.
, and Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. , on Thursday introduced the “ Make Billionaires Pay Act , ” which would tax tech ’ s top leaders tens of billions of dollars in wealth made during the pandemic .
Top tech leaders and other billionaires would be forced to hand over billions of dollars in wealth they ’ ve gained during the coronavirus pandemic under a new bill introduced by Sens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Mass.
, and Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y .
The “ Make Billionaires Pay Act ” would impose a one-time 60 % tax on wealth gains made by billionaires between March 18 , 2020 , and Jan. 1 , 2021 .
The funds would be used to pay for out-of-pocket health-care expenses for all Americans for a year .
As of Aug. 5 , the bill would tax $ 731 billion in wealth accumulated by 467 billionaires since March 18 , according to a press release .
If passed , the bill would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the year , however .

The funds would be used to pay for out-of-pocket health-care expenses for all Americans for a year.
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., on Thursday introduced the “Make Billionaires Pay Act,” which would tax tech’s top leaders tens of billions of dollars in wealth made during the pandemic.
Top tech leaders and other billionaires would be forced to hand over billions of dollars in wealth they’ve gained during the coronavirus pandemic under a new bill introduced by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
The “Make Billionaires Pay Act” would impose a one-time 60% tax on wealth gains made by billionaires between March 18, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2021. The funds would be used to pay for out-of-pocket health-care expenses for all Americans for a year. As of Aug. 5, the bill would tax $731 billion in wealth accumulated by 467 billionaires since March 18, according to a press release. If passed, the bill would tax billionaires on wealth accumulated through the end of the year, however.
www.cnbc.com/2020/08/06/sanders-billionaire-tax-bill-would-cost-bezos-musk-zuckerberg.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Warren Buffett’s best-performing stock over the past 3 months isn’t Apple or Amazon. It’s a luxury f

Warren Buffett’s best-performing stock over the past 3 months isn’t Apple or Amazon. It’s a luxury furniture company.

Warren Buffett ’ s best-performing stock over the past three months isn ’ t Apple or Amazon .
The billionaire @ @ @ @ @ ’ s biggest gainer is Restoration Hardware , a luxury-furniture seller whose shares have more @ @ @ @ @ the start of May .
Buffett ’ s second-best performer over the period is StoneCo @ @ @ @ @ than 80 % .

www.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-best-performing-stock-rh-not-apple-amazon-2020-8
Warren Buffett’s best-performing stock over the past three months isn’t Apple or Amazon.
The billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO’s biggest gainer is Restoration Hardware, a luxury-furniture seller whose shares have more than doubled in value since the start of May.
Buffett’s second-best performer over the period is StoneCo, which has soared more than 80%.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Expect your garbage service to end

Expect your garbage service to end

I posted yesterday that the garbage collection was canceled in my town .
I live in a large town right @ @ @ @ @ 80,000+ in 5 sq miles .
Just herd Philly is going through Covid outbreak in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to spread to other municipalities like wild fire .
Like one of @ @ @ @ @ it .
If you got scratch buy a used garbage truck and start your own @ @ @ @ @ with money will pay a high premium .

I posted yesterday that the garbage collection was canceled in my town.
I live in a large town right outside of Philly. Prob 80,000+ in 5 sq miles.
Just herd Philly is going through Covid outbreak in their sanitation dept.
It’s going to spread to other municipalities like wild fire.
Like one of the replies yesterday, burn it.
If you got scratch buy a used garbage truck and start your own private collection company. People with money will pay a high premium.
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h/t Tupac’s ghost


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--TRUMP to HOLD EMERGENCY CONFERENCE tonight @7:00!

President @ realDonaldTrump will hold a news conference tonight at 7 p.m .
ET .

President @realDonaldTrump will hold a news conference tonight at 7 p.m. ET.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 7, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Jim Rickards discusses the very real possibility of Lebanon’s imminent collapse

Jim ’ s new book : The New Great Depression : Winners and Losers in a Post-Pandemic World Jim Rickards @ @ @ @ @ banker and economist with over thirty years ’ experience in capital markets .
He is @ @ @ @ @ Meraglim .
He advises the Department of Defense , the U.S. intelligence community , and @ @ @ @ @ finance , and served as a facilitator of the first ever financial war games conducted @ @ @ @ @ frequent guest on financial news programs , Rickards is also the author of The New @ @ @ @ @ Wars : The Making of the Next Global Crisis and The Death of Money .
@ @ @ @ @ New Great Depression : Winners and Losers in a Post-Pandemic World .

FDD, Released on 8/6/20
Jim’s new book: The New Great Depression: Winners and Losers in a Post-Pandemic World
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
*The interview begins around 5:00
Jim Rickards is a lawyer, investment banker and economist with over thirty years’ experience in capital markets. He is currently Chief Global Strategist at Meraglim. He advises the Department of Defense, the U.S. intelligence community, and major hedge funds on global finance, and served as a facilitator of the first ever financial war games conducted by the Pentagon. A frequent guest on financial news programs, Rickards is also the author of The New York Times bestselling novels Currency Wars: The Making of the Next Global Crisis and The Death of Money. His latest book is The New Great Depression: Winners and Losers in a Post-Pandemic World.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Minneapolis in BIG TROUBLE! Businesses leaving! “Hundreds of Millions Lost”

Steve Cramer , president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council , told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS concerns over public safety @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s police department have some companies looking to leave downtown .
“ Almost @ @ @ @ @ in downtown , ” Cramer said .
“ The point where it all started to @ @ @ @ @ City Council announced it supported defunding the police department .
”

Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS concerns over public safety and the future of the city’s police department have some companies looking to leave downtown.
“Almost overnight the brakes went on in downtown,” Cramer said. “The point where it all started to change was the day the City Council announced it supported defunding the police department.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Joe Biden’s cognitive decline is getting worse

He cant even form a sentence .

www.bitchute.com/video/LmJCchy1vbXi/
He cant even form a sentence.
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AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Impacts of 5G Wireless Radiation on Children’s Health: CHD Law Suit against FCC

What we put in our bodies and our children ’ s developing bodies is the most important and most personal choice we make as human beings .
But when it comes to damaging levels of radiation , that right to choose has been stolen from us .
The Children ’ s Health Defense ( CHD ) mission to protect children from toxic exposure reached a major milestone on Wednesday , July , 29 with the filing of the principal brief in our case against the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice for parents of kids who have suffered health impacts from wireless radiation .
The case challenges the agency ’ s refusal to review its 25-year-old obsolete wireless “ health guidelines ” and adopt scientific , biologically based radio frequency emissions rules that adequately protect public health .
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , CHD ’ s chairman and chief legal counsel , said , “ We are committed to making our government accountable , and giving a voice to injured children , their parents and doctors , and the scientists who have spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read our full press release .

What we put in our bodies and our children’s developing bodies is the most important and most personal choice we make as human beings. But when it comes to damaging levels of radiation, that right to choose has been stolen from us. The Children’s Health Defense (CHD) mission to protect children from toxic exposure reached a major milestone on Wednesday, July, 29 with the filing of the principal brief in our case against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Our case also seeks justice for parents of kids who have suffered health impacts from wireless radiation.
The case challenges the agency’s refusal to review its 25-year-old obsolete wireless “health guidelines” and adopt scientific, biologically based radio frequency emissions rules that adequately protect public health. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CHD’s chairman and chief legal counsel, said,
“We are committed to making our government accountable, and giving a voice to injured children, their parents and doctors, and the scientists who have spoken out for justice on this issue.” Read our full press release.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
more:
www.globalresearch.ca/children-health-defense-principal-brief-landmark-case-against-fcc-5g-wireless-harms-submitted/5720499


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Dr. Theresa Tam warned on TV this past Tuesday that the restrictions due to the Pandemic will remain

Dr. Theresa Tam warned on TV this past Tuesday that the restrictions due to the Pandemic will remain in place for years to come.

OTTAWA — Shooting down some of the optimism around a COVID-19 vaccine being discovered spelling the end of the pandemic , Canada ’ s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says that vaccine or not , health officials are preparing to deal with the presence of the novel coronavirus and prevention of further spread for years to come .
While some heads of major pharmaceutical companies have said a vaccine could be ready before the end of the year , other experts have cautioned that even 2021 may be an unrealistic timetable .
Now , Canada ’ s leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be too optimistic .
“ We ’ re planning , as a public health community , that we ’ re going to have to manage this pandemic certainly over the next year , but certainly it may be planning for the longer term on the next two to three years during which the vaccine may play a role .
But we don ’ t know yet , ” Tam told reporters on Tuesday .
“ People might think that if we get a vaccine then everything goes back to normal the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the case… All of the measures we ’ ve put in place now will still have to continue with the new reality for quite some time , ” Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo said .
“ Certainly I think that we need to temper people ’ s expectations , thinking that the vaccines can be that silver bullet that will take care of everything , and everything we ’ ve done up to now won ’ t be necessary in the future , ” said Njoo .

OTTAWA — Shooting down some of the optimism around a COVID-19 vaccine being discovered spelling the end of the pandemic, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says that vaccine or not, health officials are preparing to deal with the presence of the novel coronavirus and prevention of further spread for years to come.
While some heads of major pharmaceutical companies have said a vaccine could be ready before the end of the year, other experts have cautioned that even 2021 may be an unrealistic timetable.
Now, Canada’s leading health officials are saying even that estimate may be too optimistic.
“We’re planning, as a public health community, that we’re going to have to manage this pandemic certainly over the next year, but certainly it may be planning for the longer term on the next two to three years during which the vaccine may play a role. But we don’t know yet,” Tam told reporters on Tuesday.
“People might think that if we get a vaccine then everything goes back to normal the way it was before. That’s not the case… All of the measures we’ve put in place now will still have to continue with the new reality for quite some time,” Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo said.
“Certainly I think that we need to temper people’s expectations, thinking that the vaccines can be that silver bullet that will take care of everything, and everything we’ve done up to now won’t be necessary in the future,” said Njoo.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--40 million Americans are at risk of eviction without a stimulus bill

New York ( CNN Business ) Up to 40 million Americans could be evicted by the end of this year @ @ @ @ @ report published Friday by the Aspen Institute .
The report warns that the United States @ @ @ @ @ severe housing crisis in history if conditions do not change , with up to 43 @ @ @ @ @ eviction this year .
“ As the data demonstrates , the gravity of this situation @ @ @ @ @ ” said Emily Benfer , law professor at Wake Forest University School of Law and @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Unless the federal government invests in eviction prevention , we are not only @ @ @ @ @ , we are guaranteeing negative health outcomes , greater unemployment , educational decline , and @ @ @ @ @ property owners and communities .
”

New York (CNN Business)Up to 40 million Americans could be evicted by the end of this year, according to a new report published Friday by the Aspen Institute.
The report warns that the United States may be facing the most severe housing crisis in history if conditions do not change, with up to 43% of renter households facing eviction this year.
“As the data demonstrates, the gravity of this situation cannot be overstressed,” said Emily Benfer, law professor at Wake Forest University School of Law and a co-author of the report. “Unless the federal government invests in eviction prevention, we are not only risking widespread eviction and homelessness, we are guaranteeing negative health outcomes, greater unemployment, educational decline, and long-term harm for renters, property owners and communities.”
www.cnn.com/2020/08/07/economy/eviction-stimulus/index.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Pelosi flips out at Judy Woodruff

Pelosi flips out at Judy Woodruff

Pelosi flips out at Judy Woodruff here because Woodruff is n't trying to bury the evidence that Democrats are purposely @ @ @ @ @ they 'd rather see Republicans take a loss than see people receive relief : pic.twitter.com/vUmAedWKCO @ @ @ @ @ D-Calif. , had a bitter exchange with “ PBS NewsHour ” anchor Judy Woodruff Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill between lawmakers negotiating a so-called “ Phase 4 ” coronavirus aid bill .
@ @ @ @ @ interview , Woodruff asked Pelosi about the “ flexibility ” GOP lawmakers are showing in @ @ @ @ @ for state and local governments , as well as Republican arguments that “ much of @ @ @ @ @ the CARES Act “ has not even been spent yet.
” That didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ “ Well , if you want to be an advocate for them , Judy , @ @ @ @ @ an advocate for them , listen to what the facts are , ” the speaker @ @ @ @ @

Pelosi flips out at Judy Woodruff here because Woodruff isn't trying to bury the evidence that Democrats are purposely obstructing the stimulus bill because they'd rather see Republicans take a loss than see people receive relief: pic.twitter.com/vUmAedWKCO
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had a bitter exchange with “PBS NewsHour” anchor Judy Woodruff Tuesday over the ongoing stalemate on Capitol Hill between lawmakers negotiating a so-called “Phase 4” coronavirus aid bill.
At one point in their interview, Woodruff asked Pelosi about the “flexibility” GOP lawmakers are showing in terms of allocating more money for state and local governments, as well as Republican arguments that “much of the money” allocated in the CARES Act “has not even been spent yet.”
That didn’t sit well with Pelosi.
“Well, if you want to be an advocate for them, Judy, if you want to be an advocate for them, listen to what the facts are,” the speaker scolded the veteran anchor.
“I’m playing devil’s advocate here,” Woodruff responded.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--A Mysterious Outbreak Of Flesh-Eating Bacteria Buruli Ulcer In Australia

The little-known illness is caused by a pathogen known as a mycobacterium ( Mycobacterium ulcerans ) .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Uganda , which is where scientists first identified the collection of symptoms as a specific @ @ @ @ @ enters the skin , it releases a unique toxin known as mycolactone and begins breaking @ @ @ @ @ leaving painful and debilitating wounds that can be disfiguring if left untreated .

What is Buruli Ulcer?
The little-known illness is caused by a pathogen known as a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium ulcerans).
It’s named for Buruli county in Uganda, which is where scientists first identified the collection of symptoms as a specific condition.
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Once the bacterium enters the skin, it releases a unique toxin known as mycolactone and begins breaking down and consuming flesh, leaving painful and debilitating wounds that can be disfiguring if left untreated.
strangesounds.org/2020/08/australia-flesh-eating-bacteria-outbreak-buruli-ulcer.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--The Left Is Weaponizing Medicine: Fireside Chat With Dennis Prager

Why is there so much hate and mockery around a single medication ?
Is there really no evidence of its @ @ @ @ @ been following this politicized medication for months and provides scientific facts that the mainstream media @ @ @ @ @ Welcome , Enjoy & Share 1:36 HCQ Is Very Safe 3:57 Why So Much Hate @ @ @ @ @ Science Has Become Corrupted 7:54 Ridiculed And Removed Doctors 9:57 People Are Dying 10:23 Doctors @ @ @ @ @ Left Does Is Mock And Defame 13:30 HCQ Helping India 16:23 Dr. Harvey Risch Of @ @ @ @ @ Health Minister Agrees 20:54 The Censorship Should Trouble You 23:48 Dennis On Being Young At @ @ @ @ @ Political ?
28:38 HCQ In Other Countries 29:01 Should The Media Be Punished ?
30:36 @ @ @ @ @ Mock And Censor

PragerU, Released on 8/6/20
Why is there so much hate and mockery around a single medication? Is there really no evidence of its efficacy? Dennis Prager has been following this politicized medication for months and provides scientific facts that the mainstream media attempts to suppress.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
0:00 Welcome, Enjoy & Share
1:36 HCQ Is Very Safe
3:57 Why So Much Hate For A Medication?
5:28 Science Has Become Corrupted
7:54 Ridiculed And Removed Doctors
9:57 People Are Dying
10:23 Doctors Hoarded HCQ
11:03 All The Left Does Is Mock And Defame
13:30 HCQ Helping India
16:23 Dr. Harvey Risch Of Yale Agrees
19:22 Former French Health Minister Agrees
20:54 The Censorship Should Trouble You
23:48 Dennis On Being Young At Heart
27:23 Is It Purely Political?
28:38 HCQ In Other Countries
29:01 Should The Media Be Punished?
30:36 Disagree But Don’t Mock And Censor


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Anti-government protests simmering in Beirut after port blast

Anti-government protests are boiling in Beirut over the deadly port blast that killed more than 100 people and decimated the @ @ @ @ @ tear gas on dozens of demonstrators near the nation ’ s parliament Thursday night as @ @ @ @ @ negligence for the disaster , the BBC reported .
Officials believe the massive explosion in @ @ @ @ @ caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that authorities had known had been unsafely stored @ @ @ @ @ blast injured another 5,000 residents and destroyed neighborhoods of homes and businesses as the country @ @ @ @ @ already exacerbated by the coronavirus .

Anti-government protests simmering in Beirut after port blast t.co/ZXSqRiS19F pic.twitter.com/j1ejTJhApq — New York Post (@nypost) August 7, 2020
Anti-government protests are boiling in Beirut over the deadly port blast that killed more than 100 people and decimated the city center.
Authorities deployed tear gas on dozens of demonstrators near the nation’s parliament Thursday night as residents point blame on government negligence for the disaster, the BBC reported.
Officials believe the massive explosion in the port on Tuesday was caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that authorities had known had been unsafely stored there since 2013.
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The blast injured another 5,000 residents and destroyed neighborhoods of homes and businesses as the country grapples with an economic crisis already exacerbated by the coronavirus.
nypost.com/2020/08/07/anti-government-protests-simmering-in-beirut-after-port-blast/?utm_medium=SocialFlow&utm_source=NYPTwitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow
Reports of clashes between protesters and security forces in the vicinity of the Lebanese Parliament in Beirut — Faytuks News 🔴 (@Faytuks) August 7, 2020
h/t BFD


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--ELECTION INTERFERENCE: Twitter censors Trump interview – but not Chinese disinfo… Twitter has banned

ELECTION INTERFERENCE: Twitter censors Trump interview – but not Chinese disinfo… Twitter has banned Bitchute links from being placed on their website

Twitter Censors Trump Interview on Coronavirus – But Not Chinese Misinformation Twitter censored a video clip of President Trump ’ s recent interview on Fox & Friends alleging that the clip spread misinformation about the Wuhan coronavirus — yet has consistently failed to stop misinformation spread by Chinese government officials on the platform .
Breitbart News recently reported that social media sites Facebook and Twitter removed a clip of President Trump appearing on the Fox News show Fox & Friends in which he claimed that children have heightened immunity to the Wuhan coronavirus .
The Trump campaign has stated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Facebook and Twitter have taken issue with the President ’ s statement .
However , despite censoring President Trump ’ s comments on the Wuhan coronavirus , Twitter has not applied the same standards to other governments and heads of state .
In particular , the site has refused to remove posts from Chinese government officials spreading conspiracy theories suggesting that the Wuhan coronavirus actually originated in the United States .
In some instances , Twitter added a flag to tweets from official Chinese accounts inviting readers to “ get the facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of the outright censorship exercised against Trump .

Twitter Censors Trump Interview on Coronavirus – But Not Chinese Misinformation
Twitter censored a video clip of President Trump’s recent interview on Fox & Friends alleging that the clip spread misinformation about the Wuhan coronavirus — yet has consistently failed to stop misinformation spread by Chinese government officials on the platform.
Breitbart News recently reported that social media sites Facebook and Twitter removed a clip of President Trump appearing on the Fox News show Fox & Friends in which he claimed that children have heightened immunity to the Wuhan coronavirus. The Trump campaign has stated that it stands by the claim, but both Facebook and Twitter have taken issue with the President’s statement.
However, despite censoring President Trump’s comments on the Wuhan coronavirus, Twitter has not applied the same standards to other governments and heads of state. In particular, the site has refused to remove posts from Chinese government officials spreading conspiracy theories suggesting that the Wuhan coronavirus actually originated in the United States. In some instances, Twitter added a flag to tweets from official Chinese accounts inviting readers to “get the facts on COVID-19,” which falls far short of the outright censorship exercised against Trump.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--How Do You Know The Urban Insurrection Has Failed? Because The NYT, After Flying Cover For Months, I

How Do You Know The Urban Insurrection Has Failed? Because The NYT, After Flying Cover For Months, Is Throwing Democratic Mayors Under The Bus:

Abolish the Police ?
Those Who Survived the Chaos in Seattle Aren ’ t So Sure .
What is it like when a city abandons a neighborhood and the police vanish ?
Business owners describe a harrowing experience of calling for help and being left all alone .
What follows is excellent reporting , a sign that the NYT can still do that if it wants to .
But until today it hasn ’ t wanted to .
The Democrats ’ internal polling must be truly horrific .
Excerpts : Faizel Khan was being told by the news media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hometown were peaceful , with “ a block party atmosphere.
” But that was not what he saw through the windows of his Seattle coffee shop .
He saw encampments overtaking the sidewalks .
He saw roving bands of masked protesters smashing windows and looting .
Young white men wielding guns would harangue customers as well as Mr. Khan , a gay man of Middle Eastern descent who moved here from Texas so he could more comfortably be out .
To get into his coffee shop , he sometimes had to seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross a border they had erected .
“ They barricaded us all in here , ” Mr. Khan said .
“ And they were sitting in lawn chairs with guns.
” For 23 days in June , about six blocks in the city ’ s Capitol Hill neighborhood were claimed by left-wing demonstrators and declared police-free .
Protesters hailed it as liberation — from police oppression , from white supremacy — and a catalyst for a national movement .
.
.
.
Now a group of local businesses owners — including a locksmith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a mechanic , the owners of a Mexican restaurant and Mr. Khan — is suing the city .
The lawsuit claims that “ Seattle ’ s unprecedented decision to abandon and close off an entire city neighborhood , leaving it unchecked by the police , unserved by fire and emergency health services , and inaccessible to the public ” resulted in enormous property damage and lost revenue .
.
.
.
The Seattle lawsuit — and interviews with shop owners in cities like Portland and Minneapolis — underscores a key question : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which are now rethinking the role of the police , to keep them safe ?
The issue is especially tense in Seattle , where the city government not only permitted the establishment of a police-free zone , but provided infrastructure like concrete barriers and portable toilets to sustain it .
Many are nervous about speaking out lest they lend ammunition to a conservative critique of the Black Lives Matter movement .
In Portland , Elizabeth Snow McDougall , the owner of Stevens-Ness legal printers , emphasized her support for the cause before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ One window broken , then another , then another , then another .
Garbage to clean off the sidewalk in front of the store every morning .
Urine to wash out of our doorway alcove .
Graffiti to remove , ” Ms. McDougall wrote in an email .
“ Costs to board up and later we ’ ll have costs to repair.
” The impact of the occupation on Cafe Argento , Mr. Khan ’ s coffee shop on Capitol Hill , has been devastating .
Very few people braved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come in for his coffee and breakfast sandwiches .
Cars coming to pick up food orders would turn around .
At two points , he and his workers felt scared and called 911 .
“ They said they would not come into CHOP , ” said Mr. Khan , referring to one of the names that protesters gave to the occupied Capitol Hill area .
“ It was lawless.
” .
.
.
He had to start chipping in for private security , a hard thing to do when his business had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he considers himself lucky — and he was .
Even weeks after the protests , blocks of his previously bustling neighborhood remained boarded up and covered in shattered glass .
Many business owners are scared to speak out , Mr. Khan said , because of worries that they would be targeted further .
A confusing array of security teams wandered around , armed with handguns and rifles .
Some wore official-looking private security uniforms .
Others wore casual clothes and lanyards identifying their affiliation with Black Lives Matter .
A third group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and declined to name their group affiliation .
When a tall man in a trench coat and hiking boots walked over to question Mr. Khan , the man spread his coat open , revealing several pistols on harnesses around his chest and waist .
He presented a badge on a lanyard that read “ Black Lives Matter Community Patrol.
” His name is Rick Hearns and he identified himself as a longtime security guard and mover who is now a Black Lives Matter community guard , in charge of several others .
Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said as he handed out his business card .
( Mr. Khan said he and his neighbors are now paying thousands of dollars a month for protection from Iconic Global , a Washington State-based private security contractor . )
But even the guy asking for protection money is appalled : Mr. Hearns has had bad experiences with the police in his own life .
He says he wants police reform , but he was appalled by the violent tactics and rhetoric he witnessed during the occupation .
He blamed the destruction and looting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that much of the damage on Capitol Hill came from a distinct contingent of violent , armed white activists .
“ It ’ s antifa , ” he said .
“ They don ’ t want to see the progress we ’ ve made .
They want chaos.
” Many of the business owners on Capitol Hill agreed : Much of the violence they saw and the intimidation of their patrons came from a group these business owners identified as antifa , which they distinguished from the Black Lives Matter movement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black movement and turning it into a white occupation , it ’ s white privilege in its finest definition , ” Mr. Khan said .
“ And that ’ s what they did.
” ISSUES & INSIGHTS : No Doubt About It : Democrats Are Part Of The Riot Problem .
“ The Democrats ’ silence when asked to condemn Antifa violence is coming through louder than a deranged Joe Biden outburst on the campaign trail.
” MAYBE HE SHOULD ASK PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HELP : Portland protesters cause mayhem again , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon turned violent again even after the mayor pleaded with demonstrators to stay off the streets .
Portland ’ s nightly protests turned violent again even after the city ’ s mayor pleaded for demonstrators to stay off the streets and a police officer hit by a rock early Friday suffered what was described as a serious injury .
The protesters who came out Thursday night clashed with officers near a police precinct station and also used metal bars to disable police vehicles , police said in a statement .
The nightly clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city after an agreement was reached last week between state and federal officials for federal agents to pull back from their defense of a federal courthouse that was prevously the focus of the protesters ’ rage .
The strategy initially appeared to calm down the protesters , but violent demonstrations re-emerged on the streets this week , miles away from the courthouse – marking a new phase in the nightly protests for Portland that have happened since May 25 , following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Tear gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday for the first time since the U.S. agents left the city .
On Thursday , Mayor Ted Wheeler warned the protesters clashing with police that “ you are not demonstrating , you are attempting to commit murder.
” MOSTLY PEACEFUL RIOTS : Portland Mayor Finally Admits Violent Riots Aren ’ t the Same as ‘ Peaceful Protests , ’ After 68 Nights .

Abolish the Police? Those Who Survived the Chaos in Seattle Aren’t So Sure. What is it like when a city abandons a neighborhood and the police vanish? Business owners describe a harrowing experience of calling for help and being left all alone.
What follows is excellent reporting, a sign that the NYT can still do that if it wants to. But until today it hasn’t wanted to. The Democrats’ internal polling must be truly horrific. Excerpts:
Faizel Khan was being told by the news media and his own mayor that the protests in his hometown were peaceful, with “a block party atmosphere.” But that was not what he saw through the windows of his Seattle coffee shop. He saw encampments overtaking the sidewalks. He saw roving bands of masked protesters smashing windows and looting. Young white men wielding guns would harangue customers as well as Mr. Khan, a gay man of Middle Eastern descent who moved here from Texas so he could more comfortably be out. To get into his coffee shop, he sometimes had to seek the permission of self-appointed armed guards to cross a border they had erected. “They barricaded us all in here,” Mr. Khan said. “And they were sitting in lawn chairs with guns.” For 23 days in June, about six blocks in the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood were claimed by left-wing demonstrators and declared police-free. Protesters hailed it as liberation — from police oppression, from white supremacy — and a catalyst for a national movement. . . . Now a group of local businesses owners — including a locksmith, the owner of a tattoo parlor, a mechanic, the owners of a Mexican restaurant and Mr. Khan — is suing the city. The lawsuit claims that “Seattle’s unprecedented decision to abandon and close off an entire city neighborhood, leaving it unchecked by the police, unserved by fire and emergency health services, and inaccessible to the public” resulted in enormous property damage and lost revenue. . . . The Seattle lawsuit — and interviews with shop owners in cities like Portland and Minneapolis — underscores a key question: Can businesses still rely on local governments, which are now rethinking the role of the police, to keep them safe? The issue is especially tense in Seattle, where the city government not only permitted the establishment of a police-free zone, but provided infrastructure like concrete barriers and portable toilets to sustain it.
Plus:
Many are nervous about speaking out lest they lend ammunition to a conservative critique of the Black Lives Matter movement. In Portland, Elizabeth Snow McDougall, the owner of Stevens-Ness legal printers, emphasized her support for the cause before describing the damage done to her business. “One window broken, then another, then another, then another. Garbage to clean off the sidewalk in front of the store every morning. Urine to wash out of our doorway alcove. Graffiti to remove,” Ms. McDougall wrote in an email. “Costs to board up and later we’ll have costs to repair.” The impact of the occupation on Cafe Argento, Mr. Khan’s coffee shop on Capitol Hill, has been devastating. Very few people braved the barricades set up by the armed occupiers to come in for his coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Cars coming to pick up food orders would turn around. At two points, he and his workers felt scared and called 911. “They said they would not come into CHOP,” said Mr. Khan, referring to one of the names that protesters gave to the occupied Capitol Hill area. “It was lawless.” . . . He had to start chipping in for private security, a hard thing to do when his business had already been hurt by the coronavirus. But he considers himself lucky — and he was. Even weeks after the protests, blocks of his previously bustling neighborhood remained boarded up and covered in shattered glass. Many business owners are scared to speak out, Mr. Khan said, because of worries that they would be targeted further.
And:
A confusing array of security teams wandered around, armed with handguns and rifles. Some wore official-looking private security uniforms. Others wore casual clothes and lanyards identifying their affiliation with Black Lives Matter. A third group wore all black with no identifying labels and declined to name their group affiliation. When a tall man in a trench coat and hiking boots walked over to question Mr. Khan, the man spread his coat open, revealing several pistols on harnesses around his chest and waist. He presented a badge on a lanyard that read “Black Lives Matter Community Patrol.” His name is Rick Hearns and he identified himself as a longtime security guard and mover who is now a Black Lives Matter community guard, in charge of several others. Local merchants pay for his protection, he said as he handed out his business card. (Mr. Khan said he and his neighbors are now paying thousands of dollars a month for protection from Iconic Global, a Washington State-based private security contractor.)
But even the guy asking for protection money is appalled:
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Mr. Hearns has had bad experiences with the police in his own life. He says he wants police reform, but he was appalled by the violent tactics and rhetoric he witnessed during the occupation. He blamed the destruction and looting on “opportunists,” but also said that much of the damage on Capitol Hill came from a distinct contingent of violent, armed white activists. “It’s antifa,” he said. “They don’t want to see the progress we’ve made. They want chaos.” Many of the business owners on Capitol Hill agreed: Much of the violence they saw and the intimidation of their patrons came from a group these business owners identified as antifa, which they distinguished from the Black Lives Matter movement. “The idea of taking up the Black movement and turning it into a white occupation, it’s white privilege in its finest definition,” Mr. Khan said. “And that’s what they did.”
Related:
ISSUES & INSIGHTS: No Doubt About It: Democrats Are Part Of The Riot Problem. “The Democrats’ silence when asked to condemn Antifa violence is coming through louder than a deranged Joe Biden outburst on the campaign trail.”
MAYBE HE SHOULD ASK PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HELP: Portland protesters cause mayhem again, police officer hurt: Protests in Portland, Oregon turned violent again even after the mayor pleaded with demonstrators to stay off the streets.
Portland’s nightly protests turned violent again even after the city’s mayor pleaded for demonstrators to stay off the streets and a police officer hit by a rock early Friday suffered what was described as a serious injury. The protesters who came out Thursday night clashed with officers near a police precinct station and also used metal bars to disable police vehicles, police said in a statement. The nightly clashes this week have ratcheted up tensions in the city after an agreement was reached last week between state and federal officials for federal agents to pull back from their defense of a federal courthouse that was prevously the focus of the protesters’ rage. The strategy initially appeared to calm down the protesters, but violent demonstrations re-emerged on the streets this week, miles away from the courthouse – marking a new phase in the nightly protests for Portland that have happened since May 25, following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Tear gas was used by Portland police on protesters Wednesday for the first time since the U.S. agents left the city. On Thursday, Mayor Ted Wheeler warned the protesters clashing with police that “you are not demonstrating, you are attempting to commit murder.”
MOSTLY PEACEFUL RIOTS: Portland Mayor Finally Admits Violent Riots Aren’t the Same as ‘Peaceful Protests,’ After 68 Nights.
h/t Glenn


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Fed Chair Powell Had 4 Private Phone Calls with BlackRock’s CEO Since March as BlackRock Manages Upw

Fed Chair Powell Had 4 Private Phone Calls with BlackRock’s CEO Since March as BlackRock Manages Upwards of $25 Million of Powell’s Personal Money and Lands 3 No-Bid Deals with the Fed

Earlier this year , Wall Street On Parade reported that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve , Jerome Powell , had an upward range of $ 11.6 million invested with the investment management firm , BlackRock , and its iShares Exchange Traded Funds , according to Powell ’ s 2019 financial disclosure form .
Powell ’ s 2020 financial disclosure form is now available .
It was signed by Powell on May 15 , 2020 and it shows that Powell ’ s holdings in BlackRock investments have reached an upward range of $ 24.95 million – an increase of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s upward range .
( See Editor ’ s note below . )
The date that Powell signed his latest financial disclosure , May 15 , is noteworthy .
It means that more than 45 days after the New York Fed had hired BlackRock to manage its commercial mortgage-backed securities program and its $ 750 billion primary and secondary purchases of corporate bonds and ETFs in no-bid contracts , Fed Chairman Powell saw no reason to avoid the conflict of interest of allowing BlackRock to continue managing upwards of $ 25 million of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement released by the New York Fed , BlackRock was retained on March 24 to manage the $ 750 billion corporate bond buying programs for the Fed .
The commercial mortgage-backed securities contract was entered into with BlackRock on March 25 .
The contract includes this language : “ …the Manager is hereby appointed as the FRBNY ’ s [ Federal Reserve Bank of New York ] agent in fact , and it shall have full power and authority to act on behalf of the Account with respect to the purchase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other transactions in any and all stocks , bonds , other securities , or cash held for investment subject to the Agreement… “ The Manager shall initially meet at least weekly with the FRBNY and any other investment managers participating in this FOMC directive to discuss strategy .
Absent agreement from the FRBNY , these meetings should be attended only by individuals at the Manager who are behind the ethical wall established by the Manager… “ The Manager acknowledges that all information and material that comes into the possession or knowledge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020…including the identity and amount of the assets held in the Account…shall be considered to be confidential and proprietary…providing the FRBNY , at the expense of the FRBNY , with all reasonable assistance in resisting or limiting disclosure.
” The ethical wall between the New York Fed and BlackRock would have no reason to include the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington , D.C .
Despite that , Powell has conducted four confidential phone calls with BlackRock ’ s CEO , Larry Fink , since March , lasting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call on March 19 lasted 30 minutes ; there were two calls in April , one on April 3 and one on April 9 , both lasting 15 minutes .
May is the last month of Powell ’ s calendar that is currently available .
It shows a call between Powell and Fink on May 13 lasting 30 minutes .

via wallstreetonparade:
Earlier this year, Wall Street On Parade reported that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, had an upward range of $11.6 million invested with the investment management firm, BlackRock, and its iShares Exchange Traded Funds, according to Powell’s 2019 financial disclosure form.
Powell’s 2020 financial disclosure form is now available. It was signed by Powell on May 15, 2020 and it shows that Powell’s holdings in BlackRock investments have reached an upward range of $24.95 million – an increase of $13.35 million over the prior year’s upward range. (See Editor’s note below.)
The date that Powell signed his latest financial disclosure, May 15, is noteworthy. It means that more than 45 days after the New York Fed had hired BlackRock to manage its commercial mortgage-backed securities program and its $750 billion primary and secondary purchases of corporate bonds and ETFs in no-bid contracts, Fed Chairman Powell saw no reason to avoid the conflict of interest of allowing BlackRock to continue managing upwards of $25 million of his own personal money.
According to a statement released by the New York Fed, BlackRock was retained on March 24 to manage the $750 billion corporate bond buying programs for the Fed. The commercial mortgage-backed securities contract was entered into with BlackRock on March 25. The contract includes this language:
“…the Manager is hereby appointed as the FRBNY’s [Federal Reserve Bank of New York] agent in fact, and it shall have full power and authority to act on behalf of the Account with respect to the purchase, sale, exchange, conversion, or other transactions in any and all stocks, bonds, other securities, or cash held for investment subject to the Agreement…
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“The Manager shall initially meet at least weekly with the FRBNY and any other investment managers participating in this FOMC directive to discuss strategy. Absent agreement from the FRBNY, these meetings should be attended only by individuals at the Manager who are behind the ethical wall established by the Manager…
“The Manager acknowledges that all information and material that comes into the possession or knowledge of the Manager on or after March 22, 2020…including the identity and amount of the assets held in the Account…shall be considered to be confidential and proprietary…providing the FRBNY, at the expense of the FRBNY, with all reasonable assistance in resisting or limiting disclosure.”
The ethical wall between the New York Fed and BlackRock would have no reason to include the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. Despite that, Powell has conducted four confidential phone calls with BlackRock’s CEO, Larry Fink, since March, lasting a total of 90 minutes. The first call on March 19 lasted 30 minutes; there were two calls in April, one on April 3 and one on April 9, both lasting 15 minutes. May is the last month of Powell’s calendar that is currently available. It shows a call between Powell and Fink on May 13 lasting 30 minutes.
…
…


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Unusual sendoff for President from WhiteHouse

Why were staffers watching POTUS leave on his trip today ?
This is unusual .
This may mean more than @ @ @ @

Why were staffers watching POTUS leave on his trip today? This is unusual. This may mean more than a blackout. pic.twitter.com/jhaVDdf7o3
— MaryMo 🐸🐸🐸 (@SoulOnJourney11) August 7, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Suddenly Democrats Are Being Honest? What’s Up?

After pushing for school closures for months , Cuomo is now saying that : Gov .
Cuomo says all New @ @ @ @ @ , but must get specific plans approved by state .
Ted Wheeler is suddenly calling @ @ @ @ @ !
Chuck Schumer says : Sen. Chuck Schumer : “ If we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re going to hurt the economy significantly.
” A MAJOR CAVE TO TRUMP @ @ @ @ @ TO THE TEACHERS ’ UNION , WHICH HAS WILDLY OVERPLAYED ITS HAND : Andrew Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ open in the fall .
The Democrats ’ internal polls on keeping schools closed must @ @ @ @ @ So now democrats are suddenly not behaving like communist nut jobs , and really speaking @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. Is Pursuing The Worst Possible COVID-19 Education Policy , Forcing Young Children Online @ @ @ @ @ College Students .

After pushing for school closures for months, Cuomo is now saying that: Gov. Cuomo says all New York school districts can reopen, but must get specific plans approved by state.
Gov. Cuomo gave the green light to reopen every New York state school district this fall — if they first earn passing grades from the state Health and Education departments.
“We are probably in the best situation in the country right now,” Cuomo said in a Friday conference call with reporters. “If anybody can open schools, we can open schools and that’s true for every region in the state.”
The gubernatorial go-ahead still requires approval of each district’s specific plans from state Health and Education officials before students return to class for the first time since schools were mandated by executive order to close by March 18. The other caveat for the September openings, a positive coronavirus test rate below 5% in their region, was met statewide as of Friday.
But wait, there’s more…
Ted Wheeler is suddenly calling the rioters what they are!
But wait, there’s more…
Chuck Schumer says:Sen. Chuck Schumer: “If we don’t open up the schools, you’re going to hurt the economy significantly.”
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Sen. Chuck Schumer: "If we don't open up the schools, you're going to hurt the economy significantly." pic.twitter.com/Ne5znhvk2y — The Hill (@thehill) August 7, 2020
A MAJOR CAVE TO TRUMP, AND A MAJOR BLOW TO THE TEACHERS’ UNION, WHICH HAS WILDLY OVERPLAYED ITS HAND: Andrew Cuomo says New York schools will open in the fall.
The Democrats’ internal polls on keeping schools closed must be awful, too.
So now democrats are suddenly not behaving like communist nut jobs, and really speaking out against their own evils…
The U.S. Is Pursuing The Worst Possible COVID-19 Education Policy, Forcing Young Children Online While Risking On-Ground Classes For College Students.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--STIMULUS DEAL TALKS HAVE BROKEN DOWN, TRUMP PREPARING EXECUTIVE ORDERS AS EARLY AS TONIGHT – FOX BUS

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said that an order cutting the payroll tax was drafted and ready for President @ @ @ @ @ if Trump would use the order , Kudlow told Fox Business in an interview on @ @ @ @ @ he will.
” Kudlow said that he was working with the White House Counsel ’ @ @ @ @ @ finalize the action .
“ The legal drafting is complete , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ want to make a “ prediction ” on what the president might do .
“ @ @ @ @ @ him to inform the public .
”

STIMULUS DEAL TALKS HAVE BROKEN DOWN, TRUMP PREPARING EXECUTIVE ORDERS AS EARLY AS TONIGHT – FOX BUSINESS — Breaking Market News (@breakingmkts) August 7, 2020
SCHUMER SAYS WHITE HOUSE SAID IT CANNOT GO MUCH BEYOND $1 TRILLION ON CORONAVIRUS RELIEF — FXHedge (@Fxhedgers) August 7, 2020
*MNUCHIN SAYS HE'LL SUGGEST TRUMP TAKE EXECUTIVE ACTION ON AID — zerohedge (@zerohedge) August 7, 2020
Larry Kudlow: Executive order to cut payroll tax ready for Trump!
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said that an order cutting the payroll tax was drafted and ready for President Trump to sign.
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Asked if Trump would use the order, Kudlow told Fox Business in an interview on Friday, “I believe he will.” Kudlow said that he was working with the White House Counsel’s Office Thursday night to finalize the action.
“The legal drafting is complete,” he said, adding that he did not want to make a “prediction” on what the president might do. “It’s up to him to inform the public.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Best Practices For Preventing & Treating Covid-19

Given all that we know after our months of intensively tracking the coronavirus pandemic , what are the best ways @ @ @ @ @ ?
1 ) Everyone should invest in boosting the “ terrain ” of their own @ @ @ @ @ Boost your intake of Vitamins D & C , eat healthy , get plenty of @ @ @ @ @ .
2 ) Everyone should wear a mask , practice social distance , and get @ @ @ @ @ illness is suspected .
At-risk people deserve extra precautionary protections .
3 ) If exposed @ @ @ @ @ , administer HCQ+ within 2 days or sooner of symptoms onset .
4 ) If @ @ @ @ @ administering the MATH+ cocktail .
5 ) If symptoms worsen further , deliver advanced therapeutic @ @ @ @ @ hospital setting .

by Adam Taggart
Given all that we know after our months of intensively tracking the coronavirus pandemic, what are the best ways to prevent & treat it?
1) Everyone should invest in boosting the “terrain” of their own body’s health. Boost your intake of Vitamins D & C, eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and avoid stress.
2) Everyone should wear a mask, practice social distance, and get tested asap if exposure or illness is suspected. At-risk people deserve extra precautionary protections.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
3) If exposed or in initial sickness stages, administer HCQ+ within 2 days or sooner of symptoms onset.
4) If symptoms progress, switch to administering the MATH+ cocktail.
5) If symptoms worsen further, deliver advanced therapeutic support, ideally in a hospital setting.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--#MacroView: Fed Wants Inflation But Their Actions Are Deflationary

A recent CNBC article states the Fed will make a major commitment to ramping up inflation .
How is this different than the past decade of promises for higher inflation ?
More importantly , while the Fed may want inflation , their very actions continue to be deflationary .
“ In the next few months , the Federal Reserve will be solidifying a policy outline that would commit it to low rates for years as it pursues an agenda of higher inflation and a return to the full employment picture that vanished as the coronavirus pandemic hit .
Recent statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans and economists point to a move to “ average inflation ” targeting in which inflation above the central bank ’ s usual 2 % target would be tolerated and even desired .
To achieve that goal , officials would pledge not to raise interest rates until both the inflation and employment targets are hit.
” – CNBC Over the last decade , the Federal Reserve has engaged in never-ending “ emergency measures ” to support asset markets and the economy .
The stated goal was , and remains , such actions would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There has been little evidence of success .
The table and charts below show the Fed ’ s balance sheet ’ s expansion and its effective “ return on investment ” on various aspects of the economy .
For example , since 2009 , the Fed has expanded its balance sheet by 612 % .
During that time , the cumulative total growth in GDP ( through Q2-2020 ) was just 34.83 % .
In effect , it required $ 17.58 for every $ 1 of economic growth .
We have applied that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No matter how you analyze it , the “ effective ROI ” has been lousy .
These are the unseen consequences of the Fed ’ s monetary policies .
The only reason Central Bank liquidity “ seems ” to be a success is when viewed through the lens of the stock market .
Through the end of the Q2-2020 , using quarterly data , the stock market has returned almost 135 % from the 2007 peak .
Such is more than 12x the growth in GDP and 3.6x the increase in corporate revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the chart below as it is what happens at the top line of income statements and is not AS subject to manipulation . )
Unfortunately , the “ wealth effect ” impact has only benefited a relatively small percentage of the overall economy .
Currently , the Top 10 % of income earners own nearly 87 % of the stock market .
The rest are just struggling to make ends meet .
While in the short-term ongoing monetary interventions may appear to be “ risk-free , ” in the longer-term , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game ” of monetary policy .
What the Federal Reserve has failed to grasp is that monetary policy is “ deflationary ” when “ debt ” is required to fund it .
How do we know this ?
Monetary velocity tells the story .
With each monetary policy intervention , the velocity of money has slowed along with the breadth and strength of economic activity .
However , it isn ’ t just the expansion of the Fed ’ s balance sheet which is undermining the strength of the economy .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try and stimulate economic activity .
In 2000 , the Fed “ crossed the Rubicon , ” where lowering interest rates did not stimulate economic activity .
Instead , the “ debt burden ” detracted from it .
To illustrate the last point , we can compare monetary velocity to the deficit .
To no surprise , monetary velocity increases when the deficit reverses to a surplus .
Such allows revenues to move into productive investments rather than debt service .
The problem for the Fed is the misunderstanding of the derivation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just the Federal debt burden that is detracting from economic growth .
It is all debt .
As stated , the belief that lower interest rates would spur more economic activity was correct , to a point .
However , as shown , once the debt burden because to consume more than it produced , the lure of debt turned sour .
You will notice that in 1998 , monetary velocity peaked and began to turn lower .
Such coincides with the point that consumers were forced into debt to sustain their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WallStreet , advertisers , and corporate powerhouses flooded consumers with advertising to induce them into buying bigger houses , televisions , and cars .
The age of “ consumerism ” took hold .
However , while corporations grew richer , households got poorer , as growth in the economy and wages remained nascent .
The problem for the Federal Reserve , is that due to the massive levels of debt underlying the meager economic activity it generates , interest rates MUST remain low .
Any uptick in rates quickly slows economic activity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support it .
For the last several years , the Fed ’ s belief has been inflating asset prices would lead to a rise in economic prosperity and inflation .
As noted , the Fed did achieve “ asset inflation , ” which led to a burgeoning “ wealth gap.
” What monetary policy did not do was lead to “ general fluctuations in price levels.
” Despite the Fed ’ s annual call of higher rates of inflation and economic growth , the realization of those goals remains elusive .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates “ bad ” inflation , without supporting the things that lead to “ good ” inflation .
The Fed believes the rise in inflationary pressures is directly related to an increase in economic strength .
However , as I will explain : Inflation can be both good and bad .
Inflationary pressures can be representative of expanding economic strength if reflected in the more robust pricing of imports and exports .
Such increases in prices would suggest stronger consumptive demand , which is 2/3rds of economic growth and increases in wages allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That would be “ the good.
” The bad would be inflationary pressures in areas which are direct expenses to the household .
Such increases curtail consumptive demand , negatively impacting pricing pressure , by diverting consumer cash flows into non-productive goods or services .
If we look at import and export prices , there is little indication that inflationary pressures are present .
This lack of economic acceleration is seen in the breakdown of the Consumer Price Index below , which shows where inflationary pressures have risen over the last 5-months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ healthcare ” related costs , due to the surging premiums of insurance , pushed both consumer-related spending measures and inflationary pressures higher .
Unfortunately , higher health care premiums do not provide a boost to production but drain consumptive spending capabilities .
[ Housing costs , a very large portion of overall CPI , is also boosting inflationary pressures .
But like `` health care ” costs , rising housing costs and rental rates also suppress consumptive spending ability .
It is the same for Other Goods and the cost of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the core calculation , but eat away at disposable incomes . ]
“ For the middle-class and working poor , which is roughly 80 % of households , rent , energy , medical and food comprise 80-90 % of the aggregate consumption basket.
” – Research Affiliates The Fed ’ s problem is that by trying to push inflation higher , which will also drive interest rates higher to compensate , will immediately curtail increases in economic activity .
Such is why the Fed remains caught in a liquidity trap .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention to the last sentence .
As discussed through the entirety of this article , every aspect of a liquidity-trap has been checked : • People hoard cash because they expect an adverse event ( economic crisis ) .
• Fluctuations in monetary base fail to translate into general price levels .
Importantly , the issue of monetary velocity and saving rates is critical to defining a “ liquidity trap.
” Such is the biggest problem for the Fed and one that monetary policy can not fix .
Deflationary “ psychology ” is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the last four decades , every time the Fed has taken action trying to achieve their goals of “ full employment and stable prices , ” it has led to an economic slowdown , or worse .
The relevance of debt growth versus economic growth is all too evident .
Over the last decade , it has taken an ever-increasing amount of debt to generate $ 1 of economic growth .
In other words , without debt , there has been no organic economic growth .
While the Fed has been diligently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long-elusive 2 % inflation target , it will result in the same outcome as the last decade .
The problem is the debt , and you can ’ t solve a debt problem with more debt .
At some point , you have to stop digging .

by Lance Roberts
A recent CNBC article states the Fed will make a major commitment to ramping up inflation. How is this different than the past decade of promises for higher inflation? More importantly, while the Fed may want inflation, their very actions continue to be deflationary.
The Fed Has A Plan
“In the next few months, the Federal Reserve will be solidifying a policy outline that would commit it to low rates for years as it pursues an agenda of higher inflation and a return to the full employment picture that vanished as the coronavirus pandemic hit. Recent statements from Fed officials and analysis from market veterans and economists point to a move to “average inflation” targeting in which inflation above the central bank’s usual 2% target would be tolerated and even desired. To achieve that goal, officials would pledge not to raise interest rates until both the inflation and employment targets are hit.” – CNBC
Such certainly sounds familiar.
“The Federal Reserve took the historic step on Wednesday of setting an inflation target that brings the Fed in line with many of the world’s other major central banks. In its first-ever ‘longer-run goals and policy strategy’ statement, the U.S. central bank said an inflation rate of 2 percent best aligned with its congressionally mandated goals of price stability and full employment.”– Reuters Reporting On Ben Bernanke’s Fed Policy Statement January 26, 2012
The Unseen
Over the last decade, the Federal Reserve has engaged in never-ending “emergency measures” to support asset markets and the economy. The stated goal was, and remains, such actions would foster full employment and price stability. There has been little evidence of success.
The table and charts below show the Fed’s balance sheet’s expansion and its effective “return on investment” on various aspects of the economy. For example, since 2009, the Fed has expanded its balance sheet by 612%. During that time, the cumulative total growth in GDP (through Q2-2020) was just 34.83%. In effect, it required $17.58 for every $1 of economic growth. We have applied that same measure across various economic metrics.
No matter how you analyze it, the “effective ROI” has been lousy.
These are the unseen consequences of the Fed’s monetary policies.
The Seen
The only reason Central Bank liquidity “seems” to be a success is when viewed through the lens of the stock market. Through the end of the Q2-2020, using quarterly data, the stock market has returned almost 135% from the 2007 peak. Such is more than 12x the growth in GDP and 3.6x the increase in corporate revenue. (I have used SALES growth in the chart below as it is what happens at the top line of income statements and is not AS subject to manipulation.)
Unfortunately, the “wealth effect” impact has only benefited a relatively small percentage of the overall economy. Currently, the Top 10% of income earners own nearly 87% of the stock market. The rest are just struggling to make ends meet.
While in the short-term ongoing monetary interventions may appear to be “risk-free,” in the longer-term, the Fed has now reached the “end game” of monetary policy.
Fed’s Actions Are Deflationary
What the Federal Reserve has failed to grasp is that monetary policy is “deflationary” when “debt” is required to fund it.
How do we know this? Monetary velocity tells the story.
What is “monetary velocity?”
“The velocity of money is important for measuring the rate at which money in circulation is used for purchasing goods and services. Velocity is useful in gauging the health and vitality of the economy. High money velocity is usually associated with a healthy, expanding economy. Low money velocity is usually associated with recessions and contractions.” – Investopedia
With each monetary policy intervention, the velocity of money has slowed along with the breadth and strength of economic activity.
However, it isn’t just the expansion of the Fed’s balance sheet which is undermining the strength of the economy. It is also the ongoing suppression of interest rates to try and stimulate economic activity.
In 2000, the Fed “crossed the Rubicon,” where lowering interest rates did not stimulate economic activity. Instead, the “debt burden” detracted from it.
To illustrate the last point, we can compare monetary velocity to the deficit.
To no surprise, monetary velocity increases when the deficit reverses to a surplus. Such allows revenues to move into productive investments rather than debt service.
The problem for the Fed is the misunderstanding of the derivation of organic economic inflation
It’s The Debt
It isn’t just the Federal debt burden that is detracting from economic growth. It is all debt. As stated, the belief that lower interest rates would spur more economic activity was correct, to a point. However, as shown, once the debt burden because to consume more than it produced, the lure of debt turned sour.
You will notice that in 1998, monetary velocity peaked and began to turn lower. Such coincides with the point that consumers were forced into debt to sustain their standard of living. For decades, WallStreet, advertisers, and corporate powerhouses flooded consumers with advertising to induce them into buying bigger houses, televisions, and cars. The age of “consumerism” took hold.
However, while corporations grew richer, households got poorer, as growth in the economy and wages remained nascent.
The problem for the Federal Reserve, is that due to the massive levels of debt underlying the meager economic activity it generates, interest rates MUST remain low. Any uptick in rates quickly slows economic activity, forcing the Fed to lower rates and support it.
Economic Inflation
For the last several years, the Fed’s belief has been inflating asset prices would lead to a rise in economic prosperity and inflation. As noted, the Fed did achieve “asset inflation,” which led to a burgeoning “wealth gap.”
What monetary policy did not do was lead to “general fluctuations in price levels.”
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Despite the Fed’s annual call of higher rates of inflation and economic growth, the realization of those goals remains elusive.
The problem for the Fed is that monetary policy creates “bad” inflation, without supporting the things that lead to “good” inflation.
Good Inflation
The Fed believes the rise in inflationary pressures is directly related to an increase in economic strength. However, as I will explain: Inflation can be both good and bad.
Inflationary pressures can be representative of expanding economic strength if reflected in the more robust pricing of imports and exports. Such increases in prices would suggest stronger consumptive demand, which is 2/3rds of economic growth and increases in wages allowing for the absorption of higher prices. That would be “the good.” Bad Inflation The bad would be inflationary pressures in areas which are direct expenses to the household. Such increases curtail consumptive demand, negatively impacting pricing pressure, by diverting consumer cash flows into non-productive goods or services. If we look at import and export prices, there is little indication that inflationary pressures are present. This lack of economic acceleration is seen in the breakdown of the Consumer Price Index below, which shows where inflationary pressures have risen over the last 5-months. (Thank you to Doug Short for help with the design) As is clearly evident, the surge in “healthcare” related costs, due to the surging premiums of insurance, pushed both consumer-related spending measures and inflationary pressures higher. Unfortunately, higher health care premiums do not provide a boost to production but drain consumptive spending capabilities. [Housing costs, a very large portion of overall CPI, is also boosting inflationary pressures. But like “health care” costs, rising housing costs and rental rates also suppress consumptive spending ability. It is the same for Other Goods and the cost of “food,” which is stripped out of the core calculation, but eat away at disposable incomes.] “For the middle-class and working poor, which is roughly 80% of households, rent, energy, medical and food comprise 80-90% of the aggregate consumption basket.” – Research Affiliates The Fed’s problem is that by trying to push inflation higher, which will also drive interest rates higher to compensate, will immediately curtail increases in economic activity. Such is why the Fed remains caught in a liquidity trap.
The Liquidity Trap
Here is the definition:
“When injections of cash into the private banking system by a central bank fail to lower interest rates or stimulate economic growth. A liquidity trap occurs when people hoard cash because they expect an adverse event such as deflation, insufficient aggregate demand, or war. Signature characteristics of a liquidity trap are short-term interest rates remain near zero. Furthermore, fluctuations in the monetary base fail to translate into fluctuations in general price levels.”
Pay particular attention to the last sentence.
As discussed through the entirety of this article, every aspect of a liquidity-trap has been checked:
Lower interest rates fail to stimulate economic growth
People hoard cash because they expect an adverse event (economic crisis).
Short-term interest rates near zero.
Fluctuations in monetary base fail to translate into general price levels.
Importantly, the issue of monetary velocity and saving rates is critical to defining a “liquidity trap.”
Confirmation
As noted by Treasury&Risk:
“It is hard to overstate the degree to which psychology drives an economy’s shift to deflation. When the prevailing economic mood in a nation changes from optimism to pessimism, participants change. Creditors, debtors, investors, producers, and consumers all change their primary orientation from expansion to conservation. Creditors become more conservative, and slow their lending. Potential debtors become more conservative, and borrow less or not at all. As investors become more conservative, they commit less money to debt investments. Producers become more conservative and reduce expansion plans. Likewise, consumers become more conservative, and save more and spend less. These behaviors reduce the velocity of money, which puts downward pressure on prices. Money velocity has already been slowing for years, a classic warning sign that deflation is impending. Now, thanks to the virus-related lockdowns, money velocity has begun to collapse. As widespread pessimism takes hold, expect it to fall even further.”
Deflationary Spiral
Such is the biggest problem for the Fed and one that monetary policy cannot fix.
Deflationary “psychology” is a very hard cycle to break.
“In addition to the psychological drivers, there are structural underpinnings of deflation as well. A financial system’s ability to sustain increasing levels of credit rests upon a vibrant economy. A high-debt situation becomes unsustainable when the rate of economic growth falls beneath the prevailing rate of interest owed. As the slowing economy reduces borrowers’ ability to pay what they owe. In turn, creditors may refuse to underwrite interest payments on the existing debt by extending even more credit. When the burden becomes too great for the economy to support, defaults rise. Moreover, fear of defaults prompts creditors to reduce lending even further.”
For the last four decades, every time the Fed has taken action trying to achieve their goals of “full employment and stable prices,” it has led to an economic slowdown, or worse.
The relevance of debt growth versus economic growth is all too evident. Over the last decade, it has taken an ever-increasing amount of debt to generate $1 of economic growth.
In other words, without debt, there has been no organic economic growth.
While the Fed has been diligently working on its next program to achieve the long-elusive 2% inflation target, it will result in the same outcome as the last decade.
The problem is the debt, and you can’t solve a debt problem with more debt.
At some point, you have to stop digging.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Lumber Prices Outpacing Timber

Lumber Prices Outpacing Timber

The recovery from the Covid Crash has helped to boost lumber futures prices up to challenge the record high made in 2018 .
That peak in 2018 came about when the U.S. government imposed “ softwood lumber ” tariffs on Canadian imports , an action resulting from a long running complaint to the WTO , which that body decided in favor of the U.S .
This time , the rapid rise is happening because mills have experienced workforce shutdowns due to Covid , and a simultaneous increase in demand for new home construction .
Part of that is the maturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of young adults who were born around the 1990 births peak , and who now want to own their first home .
Another part of the rise in housing demand is the flight of city-dwellers out of dense metropolises , and toward the suburbs where the Covid risk is supposedly lower , and where they can hopefully find a home with space for a home office .
The curious insight in this week ’ s chart is that even though lumber futures prices are zooming , the price of timber ( i.e .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the lows it made in 2018-19 .
Data source : DNR.wa.gov .
The implication is that even though the mills are getting paid handsomely for their finished product going out the gate , those mills are not bidding up prices for their own raw materials .
There are reports that mills have plenty of inventory of logs to process , so they don ’ t need to scramble to get more logs in so that they can fill their orders .
So it is a squeeze at just one end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general boom time for the timber/lumber industry as a whole .
The spread between log prices and lumber prices shown in this week ’ s chart is great news if you are running a mill , but not so great if you own raw timberland .
The tree farmers are not benefiting much ( yet ) from the big rise in lumber prices .
It could be that timber ’ s response is just being delayed slightly , and eventually it will catch up .
But generally speaking the two price series move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you as an investor want to try to take advantage of this big spread between raw material and finished goods prices , all you have to do is buy a sawmill .
If you do that , then you can also get the additional side benefit of broadening your understanding of all of the different federal , state , and local laws about labor , inventory storage , environmental protection , OSHA , trucking , and many other fascinating fields of study .
You could try to own a mill as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities for that in the U.S. stock market are pretty limited .
Most of the major producers like Weyerhaeuser , Georgia Pacific , or Canfor are fully integrated with both sawmills and timberland assets .
There are almost no pure play sawmill company stocks for investors to pile into .
ETF investors can participate in this industry through products like WOOD ( iShares ) and CUT ( Invesco ) .
This next chart compares WOOD ’ s share prices to lumber futures .
It is clear that there is a correlation there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a correlation as we might like .
That is because most of the holdings of WOOD have exposure more to the timber production part of the industry than to the lumber processing end .
We can see that better in this next comparison : In this chart , it is pretty clear that the share price of WOOD moves in sympathy with timber prices , and matches the magnitudes of those movements .
That might still be what an investor wants , if he thinks that the prices for timber and timberland holdings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not a way to play the current large spread between log prices and 2×4 prices .

by Tom McClellan
The recovery from the Covid Crash has helped to boost lumber futures prices up to challenge the record high made in 2018. That peak in 2018 came about when the U.S. government imposed “softwood lumber” tariffs on Canadian imports, an action resulting from a long running complaint to the WTO, which that body decided in favor of the U.S.
This time, the rapid rise is happening because mills have experienced workforce shutdowns due to Covid, and a simultaneous increase in demand for new home construction. Part of that is the maturing of the “echo boom” generation of young adults who were born around the 1990 births peak, and who now want to own their first home. Another part of the rise in housing demand is the flight of city-dwellers out of dense metropolises, and toward the suburbs where the Covid risk is supposedly lower, and where they can hopefully find a home with space for a home office.
The curious insight in this week’s chart is that even though lumber futures prices are zooming, the price of timber (i.e. unprocessed logs) is just barely back up to the lows it made in 2018-19. Data source: DNR.wa.gov.
The implication is that even though the mills are getting paid handsomely for their finished product going out the gate, those mills are not bidding up prices for their own raw materials. There are reports that mills have plenty of inventory of logs to process, so they don’t need to scramble to get more logs in so that they can fill their orders. So it is a squeeze at just one end of the process, as opposed to a general boom time for the timber/lumber industry as a whole.
The spread between log prices and lumber prices shown in this week’s chart is great news if you are running a mill, but not so great if you own raw timberland. The tree farmers are not benefiting much (yet) from the big rise in lumber prices. It could be that timber’s response is just being delayed slightly, and eventually it will catch up. But generally speaking the two price series move in unison, and without a lag.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
If you as an investor want to try to take advantage of this big spread between raw material and finished goods prices, all you have to do is buy a sawmill. If you do that, then you can also get the additional side benefit of broadening your understanding of all of the different federal, state, and local laws about labor, inventory storage, environmental protection, OSHA, trucking, and many other fascinating fields of study.
You could try to own a mill as just a shareholder, but unfortunately the opportunities for that in the U.S. stock market are pretty limited. Most of the major producers like Weyerhaeuser, Georgia Pacific, or Canfor are fully integrated with both sawmills and timberland assets. There are almost no pure play sawmill company stocks for investors to pile into.
ETF investors can participate in this industry through products like WOOD (iShares) and CUT (Invesco). This next chart compares WOOD’s share prices to lumber futures.
It is clear that there is a correlation there, but it is not as good of a correlation as we might like. That is because most of the holdings of WOOD have exposure more to the timber production part of the industry than to the lumber processing end. We can see that better in this next comparison:
In this chart, it is pretty clear that the share price of WOOD moves in sympathy with timber prices, and matches the magnitudes of those movements. That might still be what an investor wants, if he thinks that the prices for timber and timberland holdings might rise in the future. But it is not a way to play the current large spread between log prices and 2×4 prices.


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Is the US Dollar Nearing Bottom? Or Is It Different This Time?

The U.S. Dollar ran into a perfect storm in 2020 : a pandemic ( Coronavirus ) , an easy Federal @ @ @ @ @ dollars in government stimulus .
The result has been a steep decline in the greenback @ @ @ @ @ s chart , however , suggests that the US Dollar may be nearing a bottom @ @ @ @ @ history proves true .
The Dollar is testing its 9-year bullish up-trend support at ( @ @ @ @ @ bulls are disappearing .
In fact , investors are the least bullish the US Dollars @ @ @ @ @ since 2011 at ( 2 ) .
Notice that each time the Dollar tested support @ @ @ @ @ it rallied higher .
Time for a rally ?
Or will this time be different @

by Kimble Charting
The U.S. Dollar ran into a perfect storm in 2020: a pandemic (Coronavirus), an easy Federal Reserve, and trillions of dollars in government stimulus.
The result has been a steep decline in the greenback.
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Looking at today’s chart, however, suggests that the US Dollar may be nearing a bottom. That is if recent history proves true.
The Dollar is testing its 9-year bullish up-trend support at (1) and US Dollar bulls are disappearing. In fact, investors are the least bullish the US Dollars (20% bulls) since 2011 at (2). Notice that each time the Dollar tested support with few Dollar bulls, it rallied higher.
Time for a rally? Or will this time be different?


investmentwatchblog--2020-08-07--Total Household Debt Decreased in Q2 2020, Marking First Decline Since 2014

Credit card balances fell sharply , marking the steepest decline on record NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve Bank of New York ’ s Center for Microeconomic Data today issued its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit , which shows that total household debt decreased by $ 34 billion ( 0.2 % ) to $ 14.27 trillion in second quarter of 2020 .
This marks the first decline since the second quarter of 2014 and is the largest decline since the second quarter of 2013 .
The Report is based on data from the New York Fed ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sample of individual- and household-level debt and credit records drawn from anonymized Equifax credit data .
This latest report reflects consumer credit data as of June 30 , 2020 .
Mortgage balances—the largest component of household debt—rose by $ 63 billion in the second quarter to $ 9.78 trillion .
Mortgage originations , which include mortgage refinances , reached $ 846 billion , the highest volume seen since the refinance boom in 2013 .
Origination credit scores for mortgages increased notably in the second quarter of 2020 .
Reflecting the sharp decline in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and related social distancing orders , credit card balances fell sharply by $ 76 billion in the second quarter .
This was the steepest decline in card balances seen in the history of the data .
Auto and student loan balances were roughly flat in the second quarter .
In total , non-housing balances ( including credit card , auto loan , student loan , and other debts ) saw the largest drop in the history of this report , with an $ 86 billion decline .
Aggregate delinquency rates dropped markedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uptake of forbearances , which were provided by the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act .
Note that accounts in forbearance are typically marked as current on consumer credit reports .
The share of mortgages in early delinquency that transitioned ‘ to current ’ rose to 61.1 % , while there was a decline in the share of mortgages in early delinquency whose status worsened during Q2 2020 .
Like mortgages , credit cards , student and auto loans also showed lower transition rates into delinquency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs and various forbearance options for troubled borrowers .
Approximately 7.0 % of aggregate student debt was 90+ days delinquent or in default in Q2 2020 as compared to 10.8 % in Q1 2020 .
The sharp decline in student debt delinquency reflects a Department of Education decision to automatically qualify all federal student loans for CARES Act forbearances and report their status as current .
“ Protections afforded to American consumers through the CARES Act have prevented large-scale delinquency from appearing on credit reports and damaging future credit access ” said Joelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Microeconomic Data at the New York Fed .
“ However , these temporary relief measures may also mask the very real financial challenges that Americans may be experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic slowdown.
” The New York Fed also issued an accompanying Liberty Street Economics blog post that examined key developments on consumer balance sheets , at a monthly frequency , in the period since the COVID-19 pandemic began .
The Report includes a one-page summary of key takeaways and their supporting data points .
Overarching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include : • Approximately 0.5 % of current mortgage balances became delinquent in Q2 2020 , as many borrowers enrolled in forbearance programs .
• Approximately 24,000 individuals had a new foreclosure notation added to their credit reports between April 1 and June 30 .
This is the lowest level seen since the beginning of the report in 1999 .
• Outstanding student debt stood at $ 1.54 trillion in the second quarter , roughly flat with the previous quarter .
• Approximately 7.0 % of aggregate student debt was 90+ days delinquent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 1 ] The sharp decline in student debt delinquency reflects a Department of Education decision to report current status on loans eligible for CARES forbearances .
• The number of credit inquiries within the past six months – an indicator of consumer credit demand – was at 127 million , a small decline from the previous quarter .
A change in the treatment of inquiries for utility accounts may have also contributed to the decline .
• Account openings declined by 15 million accounts to 203 million , the largest drop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closings ticked up slightly , with 210 million accounts closed within the past 12 months .

by MasterCookSwag
www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc.html
www.newyorkfed.org/medialibrary/interactives/householdcredit/data/pdf/HHDC_2020Q2.pdf
Credit card balances fell sharply, marking the steepest decline on record
NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data today issued its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit, which shows that total household debt decreased by $34 billion (0.2%) to $14.27 trillion in second quarter of 2020. This marks the first decline since the second quarter of 2014 and is the largest decline since the second quarter of 2013. The Report is based on data from the New York Fed’s Consumer Credit Panel, a nationally representative sample of individual- and household-level debt and credit records drawn from anonymized Equifax credit data. This latest report reflects consumer credit data as of June 30, 2020. Mortgage balances—the largest component of household debt—rose by $63 billion in the second quarter to $9.78 trillion. Mortgage originations, which include mortgage refinances, reached $846 billion, the highest volume seen since the refinance boom in 2013. Origination credit scores for mortgages increased notably in the second quarter of 2020.
Reflecting the sharp decline in overall consumer spending due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related social distancing orders, credit card balances fell sharply by $76 billion in the second quarter. This was the steepest decline in card balances seen in the history of the data. Auto and student loan balances were roughly flat in the second quarter. In total, non-housing balances (including credit card, auto loan, student loan, and other debts) saw the largest drop in the history of this report, with an $86 billion decline.
Aggregate delinquency rates dropped markedly in the second quarter, reflecting increased uptake of forbearances, which were provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Note that accounts in forbearance are typically marked as current on consumer credit reports. The share of mortgages in early delinquency that transitioned ‘to current’ rose to 61.1%, while there was a decline in the share of mortgages in early delinquency whose status worsened during Q2 2020. Like mortgages, credit cards, student and auto loans also showed lower transition rates into delinquency, likely reflecting the impact of government stimulus programs and various forbearance options for troubled borrowers. Approximately 7.0% of aggregate student debt was 90+ days delinquent or in default in Q2 2020 as compared to 10.8 % in Q1 2020. The sharp decline in student debt delinquency reflects a Department of Education decision to automatically qualify all federal student loans for CARES Act forbearances and report their status as current.
“Protections afforded to American consumers through the CARES Act have prevented large-scale delinquency from appearing on credit reports and damaging future credit access” said Joelle Scally, Administrator of the Center for Microeconomic Data at the New York Fed. “However, these temporary relief measures may also mask the very real financial challenges that Americans may be experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic slowdown.”
The New York Fed also issued an accompanying Liberty Street Economics blog post that examined key developments on consumer balance sheets, at a monthly frequency, in the period since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The Report includes a one-page summary of key takeaways and their supporting data points. Overarching trends from the Report’s summary include:
Housing Debt
• Approximately 0.5% of current mortgage balances became delinquent in Q2 2020, as many borrowers enrolled in forbearance programs.
• Approximately 24,000 individuals had a new foreclosure notation added to their credit reports between April 1 and June 30. This is the lowest level seen since the beginning of the report in 1999.
Student Debt
• Outstanding student debt stood at $1.54 trillion in the second quarter, roughly flat with the previous quarter.
• Approximately 7.0% of aggregate student debt was 90+ days delinquent or in default in Q2 2020.[1] The sharp decline in student debt delinquency reflects a Department of Education decision to report current status on loans eligible for CARES forbearances.
Account Closings, Bankruptcy Notations and Credit Inquiries
• The number of credit inquiries within the past six months – an indicator of consumer credit demand – was at 127 million, a small decline from the previous quarter. A change in the treatment of inquiries for utility accounts may have also contributed to the decline.
• Account openings declined by 15 million accounts to 203 million, the largest drop in the history of the series. Account closings ticked up slightly, with 210 million accounts closed within the past 12 months.