investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--VIRUS COULD BREAK UP EU…

VIRUS COULD BREAK UP EU…

BERLIN —The coronavirus pandemic , with its simultaneous health and economic crises , is deepening fault lines within Europe in a way some leaders fear could prove to be a final reckoning .
The cohesion of the European Union had been battered by Brexit , bruised by the political fallout from the 2015 migration surge and the 2008 financial crisis , and challenged by rising autocracy in the east that runs contrary to the professed ideals of the European project .
Now , if Europe ’ s leaders can not chart a more united course , the project lies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week as “ mortal danger.
” In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak , the response among European Union member states showed that national interests trump more-altruistic European ideals .
Border restrictions were reimposed haphazardly , and Germany and France threw up export bans on medical equipment such as masks and ventilators , even as Italy clamored for assistance .
Quick to capitalize were the propaganda machines of Russia and China .
Moscow and Beijing have swept in with much-trumpeted — if sometimes defective — medical aid , pushing a savior narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Euroskeptics .

BERLIN —The coronavirus pandemic, with its simultaneous health and economic crises, is deepening fault lines within Europe in a way some leaders fear could prove to be a final reckoning.
The cohesion of the European Union had been battered by Brexit, bruised by the political fallout from the 2015 migration surge and the 2008 financial crisis, and challenged by rising autocracy in the east that runs contrary to the professed ideals of the European project.
Now, if Europe’s leaders cannot chart a more united course, the project lies in what one of its architects described this week as “mortal danger.”
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In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, the response among European Union member states showed that national interests trump more-altruistic European ideals. Border restrictions were reimposed haphazardly, and Germany and France threw up export bans on medical equipment such as masks and ventilators, even as Italy clamored for assistance.
Quick to capitalize were the propaganda machines of Russia and China. Moscow and Beijing have swept in with much-trumpeted — if sometimes defective — medical aid, pushing a savior narrative and providing fodder for the region’s Euroskeptics.
www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/european-leaders-warn-coronavirus-could-lead-to-the-breakup-of-their-union/ar-BB125QZz


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--Has Russia Reached Its Limit In The Oil Price War?

When Vladimir Putin was given a dire forecast of the economy under the cloud of a crippling coronavirus pandemic and a sharp fall in global demand for petroleum , the Russian president was much less bullish about his country ’ s prospects in a price war with oil-producing rival Saudi Arabia .
“ For our economy , yes definitely , this is a very serious challenge , ” Putin told Audit Chamber head Aleksei Kudrin on April 1 , adding that the United States , which recently surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world ’ s largest oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a big step back from the line being floated just two weeks ago when , despite Russia ’ s economic dependence on natural resources , Moscow engaged in a bit of chest-thumping about its chances in a price war , arguing that Russia was in a stronger position than its main competitors to ride it out .
But that was before the true impact of the coronavirus on the global economy was understood , and before Kudrin — a former finance minister and trusted ally — told Putin in a government meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could decline this year by between 3 and 5 percent .
And that was a moderate outlook , according to Kudrin , who went on to warn that the situation could be as bad as the nearly 8 percent decline the country suffered in 2009 during the financial crisis .
When faced with slumping oil demand as the global economy suffered from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , Riyadh ’ s demands for output cuts were refused by fellow OPEC+ member Moscow .
After walking away from the table , the Saudis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil output , causing the largest one-day drop in prices in nearly three decades .
Putin ’ s comment is one sign that Russia , which always expressed openness to continue negotiations with Riyadh , may be keen on coming to an agreement .
“ Today ’ s acknowledgement by Putin shows Russia is interested in the dialogue process and wants to go ahead with it , ” Rauf Mammadov , an energy analyst at the Middle East Institute in Washington , told RFE/RL on April 1 .
From the beginning , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would cave first : Moscow , Riyadh , or U.S. production , which depends on shale-oil producers that have gained market share at the expense of Russia and Saudi Arabia but require higher oil prices to stay in business .
Russia is now preparing to ramp up spending to support millions of citizens and thousands of companies affected by quarantines and shutdowns .
The Kremlin has thus far announced an increase of spending by $ 17.5 billion to counter the outbreak .
Related : $ 1 Oil : Saudi Arabia ’ s Attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the country may need to spend 5 percent of gross domestic product — or about $ 70 billion — to combat the impact of the coronavirus , which Russia has officially said has infected more than 3,500 people , but which skeptics suggest is a low-ball figure .
Those costs will be difficult to cover if oil prices are low — but on April 2 , the price of Russia ’ s Urals crude blend fell below $ 11 a barrel , the lowest since Putin came to power two decades ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meanwhile , was going for just over $ 26 a barrel on April 2 , whereas Russia depends on a price of about $ 40 a barrel to balance its budget .
Russia as of March 20 had $ 551 billion in foreign-currency reserves at its disposal , although economists suggested that Putin would prefer not to tap into them .
In just one week , however , those reserves had already fallen by $ 30 billion .
Even before Putin ’ s government meeting , there were signs that Russia was having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war with Riyadh , with Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak saying earlier on April 1 that Russia would not increase oil production in April , a reversal of earlier comments by officials .
Analysts have said that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman ’ s surprise decision to increase oil production was intended to get Putin back to the negotiating table .
And there is reason to believe that the Saudis might not want to keep the price war going either .
Like Russia , the sharp decline in the price and volume of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending programs aimed at lifting living standards and diversifying its economy .
But Riyadh needs a much higher Brent crude price to balance its budget , nearly $ 80 per barrel , analysts have said .
And while Saudi Arabia has $ 480 billion in foreign-currency reserves to lean on , it has already announced $ 13 billion in spending to deal with the lower budget revenue .
“ Despite the bravado that we have been hearing on both sides , this is not about who has the lowest cost of production and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budgets , and for both Russia and Saudi budget expansion has been significant in recent years , ” Chris Weafer , the co-founder of Macro Advisory in Moscow , told RFE/RL on March 28 .
“ The reality is that both of them need a deal to put a better price support in place.
” The other oil-producing elephant in the room is the United States , which has seen its shale-oil producers suffer as a result of the price dispute .
U.S. President Donald Trump , who has called the price war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accelerate talks between Russia and Saudi Arabia while members of Congress have been calling for sanctions and tariffs if they don ’ t find an agreement .
Trump has said he recently spoke with the leaders of both countries and that Moscow and Riyadh were “ going to get together ” but he gave no further details .
He expressed optimism on April 1 that an agreement was near .
“ I think that Russia and Saudi Arabia , at some point , are going to make a deal in the not-too-distant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Russia .
It ’ s very bad for Saudi Arabia , ” Trump said .
The U.S. president reiterated that hope on April 2 , saying in a tweet that he expected Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut 10 million barrels a day , though it was unclear if he was referring just to the two countries or to OPEC+ , the alliance of two dozen oil-producing states that Moscow and Riyadh lead .
It was also unclear if U.S. companies would be involved in the output cut .
Just minutes after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for an emergency meeting of OPEC+ members .
Macro Advisory co-founder Weafer said he expected Moscow and Riyadh to find a short-term solution to their dispute that would get them through the crisis period .
The Middle East Institute ’ s Mammadov suggested that Russia and Saudi Arabia could reach an agreement with other countries through the Group of 20 ( G20 ) format , as it would offer both Putin and Prince Salman a way to claim victory .
“ It would eliminate the face-saving confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old OPEC+ deal ” that they fought over , he said .
Trump will meet with U.S. oil executives on April 3 to discuss measures to support the domestic market , including possible tariffs on oil imports from Russia and Saudi Arabia as well as American production cuts .
Analysts have said that Riyadh and Moscow will want to see U.S. producers share the burden of stabilizing the market by cutting supply .

By RFE/RL staff
When Vladimir Putin was given a dire forecast of the economy under the cloud of a crippling coronavirus pandemic and a sharp fall in global demand for petroleum, the Russian president was much less bullish about his country’s prospects in a price war with oil-producing rival Saudi Arabia. “For our economy, yes definitely, this is a very serious challenge,” Putin told Audit Chamber head Aleksei Kudrin on April 1, adding that the United States, which recently surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world’s largest oil producer, would also suffer.
It was a big step back from the line being floated just two weeks ago when, despite Russia’s economic dependence on natural resources, Moscow engaged in a bit of chest-thumping about its chances in a price war, arguing that Russia was in a stronger position than its main competitors to ride it out.
But that was before the true impact of the coronavirus on the global economy was understood, and before Kudrin — a former finance minister and trusted ally — told Putin in a government meeting held by video that the Russian economy could decline this year by between 3 and 5 percent.
And that was a moderate outlook, according to Kudrin, who went on to warn that the situation could be as bad as the nearly 8 percent decline the country suffered in 2009 during the financial crisis.
When faced with slumping oil demand as the global economy suffered from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Riyadh’s demands for output cuts were refused by fellow OPEC+ member Moscow. After walking away from the table, the Saudis instead took the surprising route of increasing oil output, causing the largest one-day drop in prices in nearly three decades.
Putin’s comment is one sign that Russia, which always expressed openness to continue negotiations with Riyadh, may be keen on coming to an agreement. “Today’s acknowledgement by Putin shows Russia is interested in the dialogue process and wants to go ahead with it,” Rauf Mammadov, an energy analyst at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told RFE/RL on April 1.
High-Stakes Game
From the beginning, the price war has raised questions about who would cave first: Moscow, Riyadh, or U.S. production, which depends on shale-oil producers that have gained market share at the expense of Russia and Saudi Arabia but require higher oil prices to stay in business.
Russia is now preparing to ramp up spending to support millions of citizens and thousands of companies affected by quarantines and shutdowns. The Kremlin has thus far announced an increase of spending by $17.5 billion to counter the outbreak.
Related: $1 Oil: Saudi Arabia’s Attempt To Crush U.S. ShaleBut according to Kudrin, the country may need to spend 5 percent of gross domestic product — or about $70 billion — to combat the impact of the coronavirus, which Russia has officially said has infected more than 3,500 people, but which skeptics suggest is a low-ball figure.
Those costs will be difficult to cover if oil prices are low — but on April 2, the price of Russia’s Urals crude blend fell below $11 a barrel, the lowest since Putin came to power two decades ago. The international benchmark Brent crude, meanwhile, was going for just over $26 a barrel on April 2, whereas Russia depends on a price of about $40 a barrel to balance its budget.
Russia as of March 20 had $551 billion in foreign-currency reserves at its disposal, although economists suggested that Putin would prefer not to tap into them. In just one week, however, those reserves had already fallen by $30 billion.
Even before Putin’s government meeting, there were signs that Russia was having second thoughts about engaging in a price war with Riyadh, with Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak saying earlier on April 1 that Russia would not increase oil production in April, a reversal of earlier comments by officials.
Analysts have said that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s surprise decision to increase oil production was intended to get Putin back to the negotiating table.
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And there is reason to believe that the Saudis might not want to keep the price war going either. Like Russia, the sharp decline in the price and volume of oil threatens Saudi Arabia’s aggressive spending programs aimed at lifting living standards and diversifying its economy.
But Riyadh needs a much higher Brent crude price to balance its budget, nearly $80 per barrel, analysts have said. And while Saudi Arabia has $480 billion in foreign-currency reserves to lean on, it has already announced $13 billion in spending to deal with the lower budget revenue.
“Despite the bravado that we have been hearing on both sides, this is not about who has the lowest cost of production and higher profitability. This is about funding budgets, and for both Russia and Saudi budget expansion has been significant in recent years,” Chris Weafer, the co-founder of Macro Advisory in Moscow, told RFE/RL on March 28. “The reality is that both of them need a deal to put a better price support in place.”
Trump Wants A Deal
The other oil-producing elephant in the room is the United States, which has seen its shale-oil producers suffer as a result of the price dispute.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called the price war “crazy,” has been trying to accelerate talks between Russia and Saudi Arabia while members of Congress have been calling for sanctions and tariffs if they don’t find an agreement.
Trump has said he recently spoke with the leaders of both countries and that Moscow and Riyadh were “going to get together” but he gave no further details. He expressed optimism on April 1 that an agreement was near.
“I think that Russia and Saudi Arabia, at some point, are going to make a deal in the not-too-distant future because it’s very bad for Russia. It’s very bad for Saudi Arabia,” Trump said.
The U.S. president reiterated that hope on April 2, saying in a tweet that he expected Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut 10 million barrels a day, though it was unclear if he was referring just to the two countries or to OPEC+, the alliance of two dozen oil-producing states that Moscow and Riyadh lead. It was also unclear if U.S. companies would be involved in the output cut.
Just minutes after Trump’s tweet, Saudi Arabia called for an emergency meeting of OPEC+ members.
Macro Advisory co-founder Weafer said he expected Moscow and Riyadh to find a short-term solution to their dispute that would get them through the crisis period.
The Middle East Institute’s Mammadov suggested that Russia and Saudi Arabia could reach an agreement with other countries through the Group of 20 (G20) format, as it would offer both Putin and Prince Salman a way to claim victory. “It would eliminate the face-saving confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Russia because it’s not about the old OPEC+ deal” that they fought over, he said.
Trump will meet with U.S. oil executives on April 3 to discuss measures to support the domestic market, including possible tariffs on oil imports from Russia and Saudi Arabia as well as American production cuts.
Analysts have said that Riyadh and Moscow will want to see U.S. producers share the burden of stabilizing the market by cutting supply.
By RFE/RL


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--Face coverings recommended, but Trump says he won’t wear one…  ‘I don’t see it for myself, I just do

Face coverings recommended, but Trump says he won’t wear one…  ‘I don’t see it for myself, I just don’t’

Face coverings recommended , but Trump says he won ’ t wear one WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald @ @ @ @ @ Friday recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread @ @ @ @ @ The president immediately said he had no intention of following the advice himself , saying @ @ @ @ @ choosing not to do it.
” The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ especially in areas hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus , to use rudimentary @ @ @ @ @ and non-medical masks to cover their faces while outdoors .
The president exempted himself from @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , saying he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s a recommendation , they recommend it , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to wear one myself.
” Trump advises voluntary mask use against coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ one himself

Face coverings recommended, but Trump says he won’t wear one
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced new federal guidelines Friday recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The president immediately said he had no intention of following the advice himself, saying, “I’m choosing not to do it.”
The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people, especially in areas hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus, to use rudimentary coverings like T-shirts, bandannas and non-medical masks to cover their faces while outdoors.
The president exempted himself from his administration’s own guidelines, saying he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders.
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“It’s a recommendation, they recommend it,” Trump said. “I just don’t want to wear one myself.”
Trump advises voluntary mask use against coronavirus but won’t wear one himself
Germany, France Blame Americans for Playing Dirty Over Masks…


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--China’s deadly coronavirus-lie co-conspirator — the World Health Organization

The fog of war obscures much about the novel coronavirus pandemic .
But two facts seem absolutely certain .
First , China ’ s Communist authorities have lied , concealed and misled about the origins of the epidemic and the toll of the virus in China .
Second , the World Health Organization has acted as Beijing ’ s handmaid .
The result : The global toll of the tragedy will be much greater than it need have been .
We shouldn ’ t be surprised that the Beijing regime lies about the epidemic : It lies about , well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air pollution figures , the Communist Party doctors information to protect and promote itself .
Naturally , in the face of a grave national-health threat , the incentive for dissembling was tremendous .
So Beijing spun and suppressed information about the outbreak and impact of the coronavirus .
Independent Chinese journalists have detailed the Wuhan coverup : They report that a Chinese lab isolated and identified the strange new virus last December — but that the authorities ordered it to stop its work , get rid of its specimens and keep quiet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to acknowledge that a SARS-like contagion , spread by human contact , was exploding in Hubei province .
When the late Dr. Li Wenliang , the heroic whistleblower , tried to warn the public about the coronavirus , he was detained , charged with “ spreading false rumors ” and accused of “ seriously disrupting social order.
” All discussion about the virus is now censored .
As for China ’ s official figures on cases and deaths : These are obviously an undercount , possibly a preposterous one .
Regarding prevalence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even count infected patients if they tested positive but remained asymptomatic .

The fog of war obscures much about the novel coronavirus pandemic. But two facts seem absolutely certain. First, China’s Communist authorities have lied, concealed and misled about the origins of the epidemic and the toll of the virus in China. Second, the World Health Organization has acted as Beijing’s handmaid.
The result: The global toll of the tragedy will be much greater than it need have been.
We shouldn’t be surprised that the Beijing regime lies about the epidemic: It lies about, well, everything. From economic data to air pollution figures, the Communist Party doctors information to protect and promote itself.
Naturally, in the face of a grave national-health threat, the incentive for dissembling was tremendous. So Beijing spun and suppressed information about the outbreak and impact of the coronavirus.
Independent Chinese journalists have detailed the Wuhan coverup: They report that a Chinese lab isolated and identified the strange new virus last December — but that the authorities ordered it to stop its work, get rid of its specimens and keep quiet. It took almost another month for the government to acknowledge that a SARS-like contagion, spread by human contact, was exploding in Hubei province.
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When the late Dr. Li Wenliang, the heroic whistleblower, tried to warn the public about the coronavirus, he was detained, charged with “spreading false rumors” and accused of “seriously disrupting social order.” All discussion about the virus is now censored.
As for China’s official figures on cases and deaths: These are obviously an undercount, possibly a preposterous one. Regarding prevalence: China’s health numbers didn’t even count infected patients if they tested positive but remained asymptomatic.
nypost.com/2020/04/02/chinas-deadly-coronavirus-lie-co-conspirator-the-world-health-organization/
h/t LSR


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--US Box Office Sales Collapse To Just $5,179; Was $204 Million During Same Period Last Year

As millions of Americans spend quality time with their families to avoid the global pandemic , box office sales across @ @ @ @ @ – falling to just $ 5,179 from March 20 through March 26 as movie theaters @ @ @ @ @ .
During the same week in 2019 , ticket sales were over $ 204 million @ @ @ @ @ Marvel ” and “ Us .
”

As millions of Americans spend quality time with their families to avoid the global pandemic, box office sales across the US have predictably cratered – falling to just $5,179 from March 20 through March 26 as movie theaters across the country remain shuttered.
During the same week in 2019, ticket sales were over $204 million – thanks to “Captain Marvel” and “Us.”
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The Domestic Box office (movie theaters) brought in a whopping $5,179 for the week of Mar 20-26. Down 100% from $204,193,406 the same week a year ago… These numbers are just incredible. — Strider Elass (@StriderElass) March 31, 2020
www.zerohedge.com/economics/us-box-office-sales-collapse-just-5179-was-204-million-during-same-period-last-year


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--The Largest Oil Market Intervention In History?

As the world continues to grapple with the fallout from the coronavirus crisis , some of the largest oil producers in the world are coming together with the potential of a joint global oil output cut .
Oil prices surged by the most on record in percentage terms on Thursday , jumping by 25 percent .
Prices were up again on Friday during early trading .
The jolt came from a tweet from President Trump regarding a supposed 10-15 mb/d cut from Russia and Saudi Arabia .
Riyadh did indeed call for an emergency OPEC meeting , but the tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denies , Saudi takes measured tone .
Russia said that no conversations occurred and that it had not agreed to anything .
Saudi Arabia called for a meeting but said that action on its part would depend on other countries participating .
One OPEC official said the tweet was “ Trump talking before his brain engages , ” according to the FT .
Diplomacy picks up pace .
While the numbers in Trump ’ s tweet appeared unrealistic , there is some degree of interest from all sides to collective production cuts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. would offer anything – Reuters reported that the U.S. government would not ask domestic oil producers to cut output .
In addition , Russia has shown a reluctance to cut output , eyeing a decline in U.S. shale .
Indeed , oil prices at $ 25 , or $ 20 , or possibly even lower would impose production cuts even without any formal governmental arrangement .
Still , a new round of negotiations could take place , possibly with U.S. involvement.Related : U.S. Shale Ready To Fire Back In The Oil Price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
By early Friday , there seemed to be some momentum on negotiations .
Bloomberg reported that Russia was open to a global pact .
At the time of this writing , OPEC was rumored to be exploring a scenario in which Saudi cuts by 3 mb/d , Russia cuts by 1.5 mb/d , non-Saudi Gulf States cut by 1.5 mb/d , and the U.S. , Canada and Brazil cut by nearly 2 mb/d .
Alberta open to cuts .
“ If we see an effort at a global reduction in production , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our part , ” Alberta ’ s Premier Jason Kenney said .
Alberta has been suffering from sub- $ 5 oil .
Brent physical trades at $ 10 discount .
Physical Brent barrels are trading at a $ 10-per-barrel discount to Brent futures , a sign that the underlying physical market is deeply oversupplied even as traders demonstrate optimism about the potential for a production cut .
Whiting Petroleum goes bankrupt , dishes out executive pay .
Whiting Petroleum ( NYSE : WLL ) became the first major victim of the unfolding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy this week .
The board approved roughly $ 14.6 million in executive bonuses just days before the Chapter 11 filing .
Chevron cancels contract in Venezuela .
Chevron ’ s ( NYSE : CVX ) joint ventures with PDVSA cancelled service contracts in recent weeks , according to Reuters .
A drop in maintenance could lead to production declines .
China ’ s refiners increase processing .
China ’ s refineries have started to increase processing , with runs set to increase by 755,000 bpd in April , a 10 percent month-on-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schlumberger ( NYSE : SLB ) said that it would implement widespread salary and job cuts .
BP slashes spending 20 percent .
BP ( NYSE : BP ) said it would cut spending by 20 percent , including a 50 percent cut in U.S. shale spending .
“ This may be the most brutal environment for oil and gas businesses in decades , ” CEO Bernard Looney said in a statement .
Gas inventories rise .
Warmer-than-average temperatures along with demand destruction have led to a spike in natural gas inventories in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance we will see a collapse in prices in the U.S. , ” Francisco Blanch , head of global commodities and derivatives research at Bank of America , told Bloomberg .
“ We are going to be weak on the demand destruction related to the virus , but the real issue is that we had a very warm winter and we are coming out with extreme high inventories.
” Related : Oil Price Crash Opens A Window Of Opportunity For Renewables U.S. DOE to allow SPR storage .
After a plan to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Department of Energy is going to open up the SPR for leased storage .
There is roughly 77 million barrels of capacity available .
Mnuchin says oil industry won ’ t get direct loans .
In response to pressure from Sen. Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ) , Sec .
of Treasury Steven Mnuchin said that the oil industry would be eligible for loans from the new program created by the stimulus package , just like every other business , but that they wouldn ’ t receive direct loans from the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The White House is reportedly considering placing tariffs on imported oil as a way of throwing aid to U.S. oil producers .
The plan has met strenuous opposition from refiners and even the API , an oil lobby group that some say reflects the interests of the oil majors .
A group of oil executives are set to meet with President Trump on Friday .
Shale drillers hire Rick Perry .
A group of shale drillers have tapped former DOE Secretary Rick Perry to pressure the Trump administration on protectionist measures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European oil majors issue $ 12 billion bonds .
Royal Dutch Shell ( NYSE : RDS.A ) , Total ( NYSE : TOT ) and Equinor ( NYSE : EQNR ) are selling a combined $ 12 billion in bonds to cover costs and maintain dividends .

By Josh Owens
As the world continues to grapple with the fallout from the coronavirus crisis, some of the largest oil producers in the world are coming together with the potential of a joint global oil output cut.
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Oil prices surged by the most on record in percentage terms on Thursday, jumping by 25 percent. Prices were up again on Friday during early trading. The jolt came from a tweet from President Trump regarding a supposed 10-15 mb/d cut from Russia and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh did indeed call for an emergency OPEC meeting, but the tweet raised a ton of questions.
Russia denies, Saudi takes measured tone. Russia said that no conversations occurred and that it had not agreed to anything. Saudi Arabia called for a meeting but said that action on its part would depend on other countries participating. One OPEC official said the tweet was “Trump talking before his brain engages,” according to the FT.
Diplomacy picks up pace. While the numbers in Trump’s tweet appeared unrealistic, there is some degree of interest from all sides to collective production cuts. It’s not clear that the U.S. would offer anything – Reuters reported that the U.S. government would not ask domestic oil producers to cut output. In addition, Russia has shown a reluctance to cut output, eyeing a decline in U.S. shale. Indeed, oil prices at $25, or $20, or possibly even lower would impose production cuts even without any formal governmental arrangement. Still, a new round of negotiations could take place, possibly with U.S. involvement.Related: U.S. Shale Ready To Fire Back In The Oil Price War
A 10 mb/d cut after all? By early Friday, there seemed to be some momentum on negotiations. Bloomberg reported that Russia was open to a global pact. At the time of this writing, OPEC was rumored to be exploring a scenario in which Saudi cuts by 3 mb/d, Russia cuts by 1.5 mb/d, non-Saudi Gulf States cut by 1.5 mb/d, and the U.S., Canada and Brazil cut by nearly 2 mb/d.
Alberta open to cuts. “If we see an effort at a global reduction in production, we would be open to further measures on our part,” Alberta’s Premier Jason Kenney said. Alberta has been suffering from sub-$5 oil.
Brent physical trades at $10 discount. Physical Brent barrels are trading at a $10-per-barrel discount to Brent futures, a sign that the underlying physical market is deeply oversupplied even as traders demonstrate optimism about the potential for a production cut.
Whiting Petroleum goes bankrupt, dishes out executive pay. Whiting Petroleum (NYSE: WLL) became the first major victim of the unfolding collapse in oil prices, filing for bankruptcy this week. The board approved roughly $14.6 million in executive bonuses just days before the Chapter 11 filing.
Chevron cancels contract in Venezuela. Chevron’s (NYSE: CVX) joint ventures with PDVSA cancelled service contracts in recent weeks, according to Reuters. A drop in maintenance could lead to production declines.
China’s refiners increase processing. China’s refineries have started to increase processing, with runs set to increase by 755,000 bpd in April, a 10 percent month-on-month increase.
Schlumberger to cut workforce. Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) said that it would implement widespread salary and job cuts.
BP slashes spending 20 percent. BP (NYSE: BP) said it would cut spending by 20 percent, including a 50 percent cut in U.S. shale spending. “This may be the most brutal environment for oil and gas businesses in decades,” CEO Bernard Looney said in a statement.
Gas inventories rise. Warmer-than-average temperatures along with demand destruction have led to a spike in natural gas inventories in Europe. “There’s a chance we will see a collapse in prices in the U.S.,” Francisco Blanch, head of global commodities and derivatives research at Bank of America, told Bloomberg. “We are going to be weak on the demand destruction related to the virus, but the real issue is that we had a very warm winter and we are coming out with extreme high inventories.”Related: Oil Price Crash Opens A Window Of Opportunity For Renewables
U.S. DOE to allow SPR storage. After a plan to buy oil for the U.S. SPR fell through, the Department of Energy is going to open up the SPR for leased storage. There is roughly 77 million barrels of capacity available.
Extraction Oil cuts spending 42 percent. Extraction Oil & Gas, a Denver-based driller, cut spending by 42 percent.
Mnuchin says oil industry won’t get direct loans. In response to pressure from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sec. of Treasury Steven Mnuchin said that the oil industry would be eligible for loans from the new program created by the stimulus package, just like every other business, but that they wouldn’t receive direct loans from the government.
Trump considers import tariffs on oil. The White House is reportedly considering placing tariffs on imported oil as a way of throwing aid to U.S. oil producers. The plan has met strenuous opposition from refiners and even the API, an oil lobby group that some say reflects the interests of the oil majors. A group of oil executives are set to meet with President Trump on Friday.
Shale drillers hire Rick Perry. A group of shale drillers have tapped former DOE Secretary Rick Perry to pressure the Trump administration on protectionist measures, such as tariffs on imported oil.
European oil majors issue $12 billion bonds. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A), Total (NYSE: TOT) and Equinor (NYSE: EQNR) are selling a combined $12 billion in bonds to cover costs and maintain dividends.
By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--WALMART will begin LIMITING customers into their stores nationwide. 1 IN AND 1 OUT only.

Just announced .
Target will follow their lead .
Starting Saturday , we will limit the number of customers who can be in a store at once .
Stores will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time , roughly 20 percent of a store ’ s capacity .
To manage this restriction , the associates at a store will mark a queue at a single-entry door ( in most cases the Grocery entrance ) and direct arriving customers there , where they will be admitted one-by-one and counted .
Associates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of social distancing while they ’ re waiting to enter a store – especially before it opens in the morning .
Once a store reaches its capacity , customers will be admitted inside on a “ 1-out-1-in ” basis .
We ’ ll also institute one-way movement through our aisles next week in a number of our stores , using floor markers and direction from associates .
We expect this to help more customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop .
We ’ ll continue to put signage inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to maintain social distancing – especially in lines .
And once customers check out , they will be directed to exit through a different door than they entered , which should help lessen the instances of people closely passing each other .
We always want people to feel welcome at Walmart , and we know that in ordinary times a store is a gathering place for members of a community to connect and socialize .
We look forward to the time when that is again the case ; however , we now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging customers to do their shopping at a distance from others , then head home .
As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop , our leaders and operations teams will continue to listen to advice from medical experts , associates and customers , and consider how we can best serve people while helping slow the spread of the virus .
The health and safety of our associates and customers is what matters the most .

Just announced. Target will follow their lead.
Regulating Store Entry
Starting Saturday, we will limit the number of customers who can be in a store at once. Stores will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20 percent of a store’s capacity.
To manage this restriction, the associates at a store will mark a queue at a single-entry door (in most cases the Grocery entrance) and direct arriving customers there, where they will be admitted one-by-one and counted. Associates and signage will remind customers of the importance of social distancing while they’re waiting to enter a store – especially before it opens in the morning.
Once a store reaches its capacity, customers will be admitted inside on a “1-out-1-in” basis.
Shopping Inside the Store
We’ll also institute one-way movement through our aisles next week in a number of our stores, using floor markers and direction from associates. We expect this to help more customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop.
We’ll continue to put signage inside our stores to remind customers of the need to maintain social distancing – especially in lines. And once customers check out, they will be directed to exit through a different door than they entered, which should help lessen the instances of people closely passing each other.
We always want people to feel welcome at Walmart, and we know that in ordinary times a store is a gathering place for members of a community to connect and socialize. We look forward to the time when that is again the case; however, we now want to prioritize health and safety by encouraging customers to do their shopping at a distance from others, then head home.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop, our leaders and operations teams will continue to listen to advice from medical experts, associates and customers, and consider how we can best serve people while helping slow the spread of the virus. The health and safety of our associates and customers is what matters the most.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-04--Fox & Friends: Dr. Fauci warns there’s no “strong” evidence anti-malaria drug hydrchloroquine works

Fox & Friends: Dr. Fauci warns there’s no “strong” evidence anti-malaria drug hydrchloroquine works on coronavirus

Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , warned Friday that there isn ’ t any “ strong ” evidence that an anti-malaria drug has proven effective in the coronavirus fight .
“ We ’ ve got to be careful that we don ’ t make that majestic leap to assume that this is a knockout drug .
We still need to do the kinds of studies that definitely prove whether any intervention is truly safe and effective , ” Fauci , who is also a member of the White House coronavirus task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Fox & Friends.
” Fauci ’ s comments came in response to a question about a recent poll of more than 6,700 doctors in 30 countries , with 37 percent of physicians saying they “ felt ” that the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine was the most effective for treating COVID-19 as cases .
“ We don ’ t operate on how you feel , we operate on what evidence and data is , ” Fauci said , adding that it was “ not a very robust study ” or “ overwhelmingly strong ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have that information , it ’ s understandable why people will want to take at any slightest hint that it ’ s effective , and I have no problem with that , ” he added .
Hydroxychloroquine is primarily used to treat lupus and arthritis .
“ Obviously this is a good drug for the many diseases you mentioned .
What we don ’ t want to happen is individuals who truly need the drug with a proven indication don ’ t have it available , ” Fauci said .

Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned Friday that there isn’t any “strong” evidence that an anti-malaria drug has proven effective in the coronavirus fight.
“We’ve got to be careful that we don’t make that majestic leap to assume that this is a knockout drug. We still need to do the kinds of studies that definitely prove whether any intervention is truly safe and effective,” Fauci, who is also a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said during an interview on “Fox & Friends.”
Fauci’s comments came in response to a question about a recent poll of more than 6,700 doctors in 30 countries, with 37 percent of physicians saying they “felt” that the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine was the most effective for treating COVID-19 as cases.
“We don’t operate on how you feel, we operate on what evidence and data is,” Fauci said, adding that it was “not a very robust study” or “overwhelmingly strong”.
“But when you don’t have that information, it’s understandable why people will want to take at any slightest hint that it’s effective, and I have no problem with that,” he added.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Hydroxychloroquine is primarily used to treat lupus and arthritis.
“Obviously this is a good drug for the many diseases you mentioned. What we don’t want to happen is individuals who truly need the drug with a proven indication don’t have it available,” Fauci said.
President Trump previously touted hydroxychloroquine, combined with azithromycin, as “game changer”.
thehill.com/homenews/media/491008-fauci-warns-theres-no-strong-evidence-anti-malaria-drug-works-on-coronavirus


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--DOOM: Virgina Beach Trash Collection Suspended

VIRGINIA BEACH , Va. ( WAVY ) — A Virginia Beach Waste Collections employee tested positive for COVID-19 , which @ @ @ @ @ ’ s collections to address workplace safety concerns .
“ We know it was an @ @ @ @ @ we appreciate the consideration while we made sure our employees were safe , ” said @ @ @ @ @ .
The city says waste collection will resume on Tuesday , April 7 , on @ @ @ @ @ , Friday ’ s customers will get pickup on Tuesday , the Tuesday routes will @ @ @ @ @ the Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday , the Thursday routes on Friday and @ @ @ @ @ April 11 .
If you normally get recycling service next week , it will follow @ @ @ @

VB Waste Collections employee tests positive for COVID-19; Friday trash collections suspended
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia Beach Waste Collections employee tested positive for COVID-19, which prompted officials to suspend Friday’s collections to address workplace safety concerns.
“We know it was an inconvenience for our customers and we appreciate the consideration while we made sure our employees were safe,” said Public Works Director Mark Johnson.
The city says waste collection will resume on Tuesday, April 7, on a one-day delay. So, Friday’s customers will get pickup on Tuesday, the Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday, the Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday, the Thursday routes on Friday and Friday routes on Saturday, April 11.
If you normally get recycling service next week, it will follow the above schedule.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--A lot of you’re selling puts but you should really be buying more

A lot of you bought puts when SPY was near the bottom of the downtrend which was $ 218 .
Volatility was at it ’ s highest so they were expensive…and now you ’ re getting screwed so you ’ re like fuck this and selling for a loss because you ’ re getting IV crushed .
Basically , you ’ re the same as the bullish investor who bought shares of SPY when it was at a support level of $ 263 during the downtrend .
Then it dropped to $ 218 and now he ’ s like fuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain anymore so he sells .
Then the next week SPY goes back to $ 263 and he realizes that was a dumb move .
You want to buy puts when a stock is at a resistance level ( such as $ 263 for SPY ) and when volatility is low .
If you bought closer to $ 233 or $ 218 then you bought near the support level which is the opposite of what you want to do .
Puts are cheaper when SPY is on the uptrend at a resistance level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower…so your cost to profit ratio will be much greater because when VIX goes back up the puts get more expensive which is good for you .
Also , a lot of you are buying puts that expire in a week or two .
This is a bad idea .
If I ’ m holding puts that are 3 months out then my plan is to SELL them 30 days before they expire .
Why ?
Because theta is a bitch during the last 30 days , the daily loss amplifies greatly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a better time to load up on puts .
VIX while still elevated is dangling right at it ’ s support level and will likely not go any lower .
SPY has already retraced to $ 263 which was the top .
Now we ’ re on our next leg down which I believe we will go below $ 181 and closer to $ 167 with VIX going over $ 100 , all by the end of April .
This sideways chop has been killing everyone but this is not the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loading up more because when VIX goes above $ 70 again and you ’ re like “ oh shit it ’ s going down let me buy puts ” you will buy them for a much more expensive price .
I bought puts at the end of January on the opinion that the virus was going to crash the marker and I suffered in the red for almost 3 weeks before the market started to go down .
It was a painful 3 weeks but the wait was worth it .
VIX was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I bought .
Point is you make the most money by being in a position to profit BEFORE the stock moves greatly .
Not during it or near the end of it .
While TA is highly frowned upon here ( mostly because none of you know even wtf you ’ re looking at ) it is very helpful in giving you key areas to look for ( support and resistance ) to know when to buy and sell .
If you aren ’ t using TA then you ’ re essentially trading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are both support and resistance lines .
When a stock drops below it ’ s support line that same line then becomes the resistance and vice versa .
Reviewing the chart you can see that it ’ s a good tool to have to be able to predict when a stock may bounce or retrace while reviewing other indicators such as RSI and moving averages to back up your claim .
Remember to ignore your emotions and trust in your DD .
Disclaimer : This information is only for educational purposes .
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by JackThoma5
A lot of you bought puts when SPY was near the bottom of the downtrend which was $218. Volatility was at it’s highest so they were expensive…and now you’re getting screwed so you’re like fuck this and selling for a loss because you’re getting IV crushed.
Basically, you’re the same as the bullish investor who bought shares of SPY when it was at a support level of $263 during the downtrend. Then it dropped to $218 and now he’s like fuck this I can’t take this pain anymore so he sells. Then the next week SPY goes back to $263 and he realizes that was a dumb move.
You want to buy puts when a stock is at a resistance level (such as $263 for SPY) and when volatility is low. If you bought closer to $233 or $218 then you bought near the support level which is the opposite of what you want to do. Puts are cheaper when SPY is on the uptrend at a resistance level like $263 with volatility also being lower…so your cost to profit ratio will be much greater because when VIX goes back up the puts get more expensive which is good for you.
Also, a lot of you are buying puts that expire in a week or two. This is a bad idea. If I’m holding puts that are 3 months out then my plan is to SELL them 30 days before they expire. Why? Because theta is a bitch during the last 30 days, the daily loss amplifies greatly.
In the last month there has never been a better time to load up on puts. VIX while still elevated is dangling right at it’s support level and will likely not go any lower. SPY has already retraced to $263 which was the top. Now we’re on our next leg down which I believe we will go below $181 and closer to $167 with VIX going over $100, all by the end of April.
This sideways chop has been killing everyone but this is not the time to sell. You need to be loading up more because when VIX goes above $70 again and you’re like “oh shit it’s going down let me buy puts” you will buy them for a much more expensive price.
I bought puts at the end of January on the opinion that the virus was going to crash the marker and I suffered in the red for almost 3 weeks before the market started to go down. It was a painful 3 weeks but the wait was worth it. VIX was like $15-$20 then when I bought.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Point is you make the most money by being in a position to profit BEFORE the stock moves greatly. Not during it or near the end of it.
While TA is highly frowned upon here (mostly because none of you know even wtf you’re looking at) it is very helpful in giving you key areas to look for (support and resistance) to know when to buy and sell. If you aren’t using TA then you’re essentially trading in the blind.
Here’s a chart I made for SPY
The blue lines are both support and resistance lines. When a stock drops below it’s support line that same line then becomes the resistance and vice versa. Reviewing the chart you can see that it’s a good tool to have to be able to predict when a stock may bounce or retrace while reviewing other indicators such as RSI and moving averages to back up your claim.
Remember to ignore your emotions and trust in your DD.
SPY SPX TSLA June 19th 2020 Puts
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--Pandemic Drones to Identify Fever and Coughing

“ Pandemic drones ” outfitted with specialized sensor and computer vision system that can fly around cities and detect if @ @ @ @ @ , respiratory rates , as well as to identify if people are sneezing and coughing @ @ @ @ @ Dragonfly is spearheading the effort to build a drone network across public areas to detect @ @ @ @ @ network is called the “ global early warning system ” that would be able to @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic .
As shown below , the pandemic drone can easily detect breathing rate @ @ @ @ @ temperature , and if the person is sneezing and coughing – all signs that could @ @ @ @ @ .

“Pandemic drones” outfitted with specialized sensor and computer vision system that can fly around cities and detect if people have elevated body temperatures, respiratory rates, as well as to identify if people are sneezing and coughing
A US-based drone company called Dragonfly is spearheading the effort to build a drone network across public areas to detect infected people. The drone network is called the “global early warning system” that would be able to spot the first signs of a pandemic.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
As shown below, the pandemic drone can easily detect breathing rate, heart rate, body temperature, and if the person is sneezing and coughing – all signs that could point to a COIVD-19 carrier.
www.zerohedge.com/technology/pandemic-drones-can-now-detect-fever-and-coughing


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--AMAZING: You’ll Never Get What POTUS Was Busted Doing

EXCLUSIVE : The Trump campaign has been donating meals to hospitals across the country to feed doctors , nurses and @ @ @ @ @ lines of the coronavirus battle , Fox News has learned .
, President Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ calling up local restaurants and ordering large amounts of food to be delivered to more @ @ @ @ @ New York , New Jersey , Washington state and Michigan .
The campaign has been @ @ @ @ @ but Fox News learned about the effort — and sources confirmed it .
Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis While Nancy Pelosi is busy procuring her and her colleagues a nice raise @ @ @ @ @ three week vacation and there army of fake news agents bash Donald Trump , he @ @ @ @ @ support the worst affected areas in an epic way .
Just A Man That Cares @ @ @ @ @ Support The PEOPLE .

EXCLUSIVE: The Trump campaign has been donating meals to hospitals across the country to feed doctors, nurses and first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus battle, Fox News has learned.
Since last Thursday , President Trump’s reelection campaign has been calling up local restaurants and ordering large amounts of food to be delivered to more than a dozen hospitals in New York, New Jersey, Washington state and Michigan. The campaign has been placing these orders anonymously, but Fox News learned about the effort — and sources confirmed it.
www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/trump-campaign-secretly-donating-meals-to-hospital-staffs/
Trump campaign donating meals to hospitals during coronavirus crisis
www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-campaign-donates-meals-coronavirus
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
While Nancy Pelosi is busy procuring her and her colleagues a nice raise before they go on a three week vacation and there army of fake news agents bash Donald Trump, he has been vigilantly working to support the worst affected areas in an epic way.
No Red Tape.
No Public Appearances.
Just A Man That Cares Doing What He Can To Support The PEOPLE.
h/t CrsCrpr


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--Derailed Corporate Buyback “Gravy Train” May Sink Markets Further

It appears the “ sleight of hand ” that corporations use to inflate share prices and bloat balance sheets may be slowing down , for now .
The website Wolf Street highlighted the beginning of the end for this round of corporate share buybacks : HSBC also issued a dire estimate of $ 300 billion in lost inflows for the next two quarters , thanks to further buyback cuts .
Like a rendition of the late Billy Mays infomercial , however , there ’ s more… Bloomberg reports that , according to Chris Wood , global head of equity strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game has ended : Stephen Dover , head of equities at Franklin Templeton added that limits might even get placed on buybacks in the future : Already , any companies that get aid from the recently-passed coronavirus stimulus package will be prohibited from stock buybacks .
As for all other companies , we ’ ll have to wait and see if any limits get placed down the road .
For now , a more important question needs to be asked… The interesting “ sleight of hand ” that corporations use to repurchase shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thin air .
For example , in their 2018 Q2 results , Apple announced $ 100 billion in share buybacks , likely leveraging the new tax incentives available from the Administration at the time .
The tax incentives and share buybacks , along with media hype , increased Apple ’ s market cap by a whopping $ 118 billion .
All from some fancy bookkeeping .
But today , the “ sleight of hand ” comes when that cash disappears into thin air after benefiting the corporation that pulls it off .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this tactic comes when the corporation actually needs money , like right now .
Since the “ sleight of hand ” made the money disappear , companies are now stopping this “ cash furnace ” to the tune of hundreds of billions that used to go into the stock market .
That is one big , empty hole in the markets that used to be filled with corporate cash flow .
Wolf finished his coverage with the price for using “ market cap magic , ” and the potential impact for the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether these companies foresaw the current crisis or not , if these companies don ’ t make it , jobs and economic spending are at stake .
So it seems like a bad situation was made worse by at least some of these corporate share buybacks .
And , on top of that , they could be bailed out by the Government .
Thankfully , the current $ 2 trillion stimulus package has those rules to prevent buybacks , for now .
The future remains up for grabs ; let ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s Not Too Late to Consider Your Own “ Crash Insurance ” Similar questionable “ fundamentals ” that those dot-com companies used to inflate their share prices have us potentially headed right into an even worse recession than originally thought .
And now that much of the buyback “ gravy train ” has stopped , the markets are left without a massive crutch .
Consider this an opportunity to think about protecting your retirement with some “ crash insurance ” in the form of diversification and asset risk reallocation .

From Birch Gold Group
It appears the “sleight of hand” that corporations use to inflate share prices and bloat balance sheets may be slowing down, for now.
The website Wolf Street highlighted the beginning of the end for this round of corporate share buybacks:
So far into this crash, over 50 companies have suspended share buybacks, accounting for $190 billion in cash that is not flowing into the stock market, representing over a quarter of total share buybacks in 2019.
HSBC also issued a dire estimate of $300 billion in lost inflows for the next two quarters, thanks to further buyback cuts.
Like a rendition of the late Billy Mays infomercial, however, there’s more…
Bloomberg reports that, according to Chris Wood, global head of equity strategy at Jefferies, the corporate share buyback game has ended:
The problem for the U.S. equity asset class is that it began the downturn so overvalued at a record high valuation to sales… The other problem is that the leveraged share buyback game has ended, which also means an end to the phony earnings growth it produced.
Stephen Dover, head of equities at Franklin Templeton added that limits might even get placed on buybacks in the future:
Probably going forward there will be regulation, or there will be limits to how much companies can do buybacks and pay dividends, and that will affect how much the market appreciates… It could put the United States market on a more even playing field with overseas markets, where buybacks are less prevalent.”
Already, any companies that get aid from the recently-passed coronavirus stimulus package will be prohibited from stock buybacks. As for all other companies, we’ll have to wait and see if any limits get placed down the road. For now, a more important question needs to be asked…
Could Canceled Buybacks Make this Market Crash Worse?
The interesting “sleight of hand” that corporations use to repurchase shares seems to manufacture market cap out of thin air. For example, in their 2018 Q2 results, Apple announced $100 billion in share buybacks, likely leveraging the new tax incentives available from the Administration at the time.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The tax incentives and share buybacks, along with media hype, increased Apple’s market cap by a whopping $118 billion. All from some fancy bookkeeping.
But today, the “sleight of hand” comes when that cash disappears into thin air after benefiting the corporation that pulls it off. As Wolf Richter explains:
This is cash that became a fresh inflow into the stock market. Most of these shares were canceled after the companies had bought them back. From a company point of view, this money just disappeared.
The drawback to this tactic comes when the corporation actually needs money, like right now. Since the “sleight of hand” made the money disappear, companies are now stopping this “cash furnace” to the tune of hundreds of billions that used to go into the stock market.
That is one big, empty hole in the markets that used to be filled with corporate cash flow. Wolf finished his coverage with the price for using “market cap magic,” and the potential impact for the U.S. economy:
By incinerating $4.6 trillion in cash since 2012, and often borrowed cash… companies willfully burned up their equity capital and rendered themselves recklessly fragile and overleveraged, and predictably far less able to withstand the next crisis.
Leaving aside the speculation of whether these companies foresaw the current crisis or not, if these companies don’t make it, jobs and economic spending are at stake.
So it seems like a bad situation was made worse by at least some of these corporate share buybacks. And, on top of that, they could be bailed out by the Government.
Thankfully, the current $2 trillion stimulus package has those rules to prevent buybacks, for now. The future remains up for grabs; let’s just hope fundamentals play a bigger role.
It’s Not Too Late to Consider Your Own “Crash Insurance”
Similar questionable “fundamentals” that those dot-com companies used to inflate their share prices have us potentially headed right into an even worse recession than originally thought.
And now that much of the buyback “gravy train” has stopped, the markets are left without a massive crutch. Consider this an opportunity to think about protecting your retirement with some “crash insurance” in the form of diversification and asset risk reallocation.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--How We’ll Beat The Coronavirus: EVERYONE Should Wear A Mask

SHARE THIS SHORT VIDEO — we created this specifically to be easy to watch & easy to share , in order to get this important message out .
Do your part to beat the coronavirus by sharing this now !
The most effective step each of us can take right now to beat covid-19 is to start wearing a mask .
It ’ s cheap .
It ’ s easy .
And if we call do it , it will give us a HUGE advantage in the fight against this pandemic .
You don ’ t need a fancy mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wearing one does the following : 1 ) greatly reduces the particles a sick person can spread 2 ) prevents you from touching your mouth and nose , by far the most common way we can get infected 3 ) substantially increases your odds of having a mild case , should you get infected If we all wear masks : I protect you , and you protect me .
So let ’ s each start now .
It just makes so much sense .
We created this video because so many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educational clip for why masks are so important , so that you can get others onboard this movement .
OK , we ’ ve done our part .
Now help us out : SHARE THIS with those you care about !
Family members , friends , classmates , co-workers , neighbors , elected officials — anyone and everyone you think should hear this important message

by Chris Martenson of Peak Prosperity
SHARE THIS SHORT VIDEO — we created this specifically to be easy to watch & easy to share, in order to get this important message out. Do your part to beat the coronavirus by sharing this now!
The most effective step each of us can take right now to beat covid-19 is to start wearing a mask.
It’s cheap. It’s easy. And if we call do it, it will give us a HUGE advantage in the fight against this pandemic.
You don’t need a fancy mask. A simple DIY version will suffice.
Wearing one does the following:
1) greatly reduces the particles a sick person can spread
2) prevents you from touching your mouth and nose, by far the most common way we can get infected
3) substantially increases your odds of having a mild case, should you get infected
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
If we all wear masks: I protect you, and you protect me.
So let’s each start now. It just makes so much sense.
We created this video because so many of you asked us to create a short educational clip for why masks are so important, so that you can get others onboard this movement.
OK, we’ve done our part. Now help us out: SHARE THIS with those you care about!
Family members, friends, classmates, co-workers, neighbors, elected officials — anyone and everyone you think should hear this important message


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--Asia (China) Could Become The Next Financial Black Hole In The Global Economy

The World Bank many not have a deep enough piggy bank to back the extended risks of an Asian economic contraction… by Chris Vermeulen of The Technical Traders Thinking somewhat far off into the future , our researchers believe China/Asia could become the next Black Hole in the global economy .
China recently released its March PMI number which came in at 52.0 – showing moderate expansion in Chinese manufacturing .
The February Chinese PMI level was 35.7 .
We strongly believe China wants to show some strength in their perceived economic recovery and that these PMI numbers are somewhat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe the real economic toll taking place in China/Asia will continue to unfold over the next 3 to 6+ months as the historic expansion of wealth and the exported foreign investment from Wealthy Chinese continues to contract over this time .
In a very similar manner to what happened in the US when the Japanese economy contracted in the 1990s – as wealth creation processes collapse , these foreign investors suddenly start to liquidate assets trying to protect their “ home-country assets ” .
We ’ ve recently posted an article suggesting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself in a real measurable collapse and we believe the foreign investors , speculators and speculative renters ( Air BnB and others ) will suddenly find themselves in a very difficult situation .
You can find our Real Estate article here .
As the COVID-19 virus event continues to unfold , the data from global nations will quickly identify any outlier factors and data points related to China/Asia and how they are reporting their data .
Chinese economic data has raised suspicions for quite some time with global analysts .
It seems highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an almost complete shutdown in February and most of March to a moderate manufacturing growth level at the end of March 2020 .
Meanwhile , throughout the rest of the globe , economies , and manufacturing levels are contracting as the COVID-19 shutdown continues .
We believe the disparity between the global markets and the numbers China continues to proffer will quickly result in a complete lack of confidence in future data related to any Chinese economic activity or future expectations .
We also believe the global capital markets will make an immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falsified data originating from China by mitigating forward risks in investments and currency market exposure over the next 3 to 5+ years – possibly longer .
Before you continue , be sure to opt-in to our free market trend signals before closing this page , so you don ’ t miss our next special report !
What happens when global events like the COVID-19 virus event takes place is that capital immediately attempts to identify extreme risks and attempt to move to safer environments .
Currencies are no different .
Global markets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to risks related to the shifting markets and any false or otherwise “ outlier ” data being reported right now .
The bigger players can ’ t afford to take risks and will take active measures to protect their futures and investments .
Our opinion is that the Chinese PMI level of 52 for March 2020 is an outlier data point .
This virus event started in early January in China and almost all of February and March were when the globe suddenly became aware of the risks and infection spread .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up manufacturing over the past 2+ weeks to appear to be “ back to normal ” – it makes no sense to us that manufacturing in China actually “ expanded ” , based on historical levels , that quickly .
Watch how quickly global economies and currencies work to mitigate the risks related to perceived “ outlier data ” .
We believe most of Asia will continue into an economic contraction over the next 3+ months and we believe the FOREX market will relate the immediate risk concerns related to Asia/China/global market expectations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currencies to see how global investors perceive risks associated with true economic activity .
The World Bank many not have a deep enough piggy bank to back the extended risks of an Asian Economic contraction lasting 6+ months .
As a technical analysis and trader since 1997 , I have been through a few bull/bear market cycles .
I believe I have a good pulse on the market and timing key turning points for short-term swing traders .
I hope you found this informative , and if you would like to get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bell , along with my trade alerts visit my Active ETF Trading Newsletter .
If you are a long-term investor looking for signals when to own equities , bonds , or cash , be sure to look into my Long-Term Investing Signals .
Ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own during the next financial crisis .

The World Bank many not have a deep enough piggy bank to back the extended risks of an Asian economic contraction…
by Chris Vermeulen of The Technical Traders
Thinking somewhat far off into the future, our researchers believe China/Asia could become the next Black Hole in the global economy. China recently released its March PMI number which came in at 52.0 – showing moderate expansion in Chinese manufacturing. The February Chinese PMI level was 35.7. We strongly believe China wants to show some strength in their perceived economic recovery and that these PMI numbers are somewhat “manufactured for effect”.
We believe the real economic toll taking place in China/Asia will continue to unfold over the next 3 to 6+ months as the historic expansion of wealth and the exported foreign investment from Wealthy Chinese continues to contract over this time. In a very similar manner to what happened in the US when the Japanese economy contracted in the 1990s – as wealth creation processes collapse, these foreign investors suddenly start to liquidate assets trying to protect their “home-country assets”.
(Suggested Reading: www.barrons.com/articles/china-pmi-data-coronavirus-51585666441)
We’ve recently posted an article suggesting the US Real Estate market could suddenly find itself in a real measurable collapse and we believe the foreign investors, speculators and speculative renters (Air BnB and others) will suddenly find themselves in a very difficult situation. You can find our Real Estate article here.
As the COVID-19 virus event continues to unfold, the data from global nations will quickly identify any outlier factors and data points related to China/Asia and how they are reporting their data. Chinese economic data has raised suspicions for quite some time with global analysts. It seems highly unlikely that the Chinese economy rebounded from an almost complete shutdown in February and most of March to a moderate manufacturing growth level at the end of March 2020. Meanwhile, throughout the rest of the globe, economies, and manufacturing levels are contracting as the COVID-19 shutdown continues.
(Suggested Reading: www.yahoo.com/finance/news/asias-factory-activity-plunges-coronavirus-044302834.html)
We believe the disparity between the global markets and the numbers China continues to proffer will quickly result in a complete lack of confidence in future data related to any Chinese economic activity or future expectations. We also believe the global capital markets will make an immediate shift away from risks associated with any falsified data originating from China by mitigating forward risks in investments and currency market exposure over the next 3 to 5+ years – possibly longer.
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What happens when global events like the COVID-19 virus event takes place is that capital immediately attempts to identify extreme risks and attempt to move to safer environments. Currencies are no different. Global markets, investment, and manufacturing are increasingly exposed to risks related to the shifting markets and any false or otherwise “outlier” data being reported right now. The bigger players can’t afford to take risks and will take active measures to protect their futures and investments.
(Suggested Reading: www.cnbc.com/2020/03/31/asia-markets-china-official-pmi-coronavirus-global-economy-in-focus.html)
Our opinion is that the Chinese PMI level of 52 for March 2020 is an outlier data point. This virus event started in early January in China and almost all of February and March were when the globe suddenly became aware of the risks and infection spread. Even though China may have attempted to ramp up manufacturing over the past 2+ weeks to appear to be “back to normal” – it makes no sense to us that manufacturing in China actually “expanded”, based on historical levels, that quickly.
Watch how quickly global economies and currencies work to mitigate the risks related to perceived “outlier data”. We believe most of Asia will continue into an economic contraction over the next 3+ months and we believe the FOREX market will relate the immediate risk concerns related to Asia/China/global market expectations. In other words, watch the currencies to see how global investors perceive risks associated with true economic activity.
The World Bank many not have a deep enough piggy bank to back the extended risks of an Asian Economic contraction lasting 6+ months.
(Suggested Reading: www.marketwatch.com/story/world-bank-says-coronavirus-outbreak-may-take-heavy-toll-on-asias-economy-2020-03-30)
As a technical analysis and trader since 1997, I have been through a few bull/bear market cycles. I believe I have a good pulse on the market and timing key turning points for short-term swing traders.
I hope you found this informative, and if you would like to get a pre-market video every day before the opening bell, along with my trade alerts visit my Active ETF Trading Newsletter. If you are a long-term investor looking for signals when to own equities, bonds, or cash, be sure to look into my Long-Term Investing Signals.
Ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own during the next financial crisis.
Chris Vermeulen
Chief Market Strategist
Founder of Technical Traders Ltd.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--Simon Black: There’s A Major Sovereign Debt Crisis Looming

By the mid 1300s , the Republic of Florence in modern day Italy had experienced one of the greatest economic booms in human history .
In less than a century , Florence had grown from a tiny , irrelevant backwater to become one of Europe ’ s largest cities and preeminent financial center .
The expansion was truly impressive .
Florence ’ s population had grown 10x .
It had become a leading manufacturer in both weapons and textiles .
And the city ’ s innovations in the banking industry were revolutionizing business across Europe .
Florence ’ s phenomenal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States experienced in its early history .
Naturally , though , they managed to screw it up .
At the turn of the century in the year 1300 , the Republic of Florence ’ s public debt was quite manageable at just 50,000 gold florins .
That ’ s less than $ 100 per capita in today ’ s money .
By 1338 , after a series of costly wars and expensive public works projects , Florence ’ s debt had ballooned to 450,000 gold florins .
Four years later ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grown to 600,000 gold florins .
This was crippling to public finances given that the government of Florence was paying between 10 % and 15 % interest on its debt .
To make matters worse , some of Florence ’ s most prominent banks had made bad loans to foreign governments– most notably to King Edward III of England , who had suffered terrible defeat against France in what would become known as the Hundred Years War .
Edward would ultimately default on his Italian bank loans , sparking a terrible banking crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most powerful financial center in Europe was in trouble .
The government was near ruin , and the banks were collapsing .
And then came the plague .
In 1348 , the Black Death ravaged Florence , wiping out at least 25 % of its population .
The famed Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio was living in the city at the time , and he wrote about his first-hand experiences in the Decameron : Business and commerce ground to a halt .
Tax revenue dried up .
Florence ’ s government was unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wiped out .
As local politician Giovanni Villani described the situation , “ Our republic has lost all its power and our citizens have nearly all been impoverished.
” In the late 1340s , torrential rains destroyed local agricultural production , resulting in widespread famine .
City managers tried desperately to import food , but because Florence ’ s credit was so poor , few traders were willing to do business with them .
It was a historic and unprecedented fall from power ; Florence had gone from being one of the wealthiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food in less than a decade .
I can ’ t help but wonder which countries are going to be begging as a result of our modern crisis .
Just like Florence in the 1300s , there are dozens of countries who were already in severe financial hardship going into this pandemic .
Now their tax revenues are dwindling , and they ’ re forced to spend absurd amounts of money to stimulate their economies .
A few years back our holding company acquired a private business in Australia that , thankfully , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO of that company called me a few days ago to tell me about some of Australia ’ s stimulus efforts ; in addition to waiving payroll taxes , extending tax deadlines , and making direct loans to businesses , the Australian government is now directly subsidizing certain employee wages , up to $ 3,000 per month .
We ’ re seeing similar stimulus packages all over the world .
In the United States , of course , the government recently passed a $ 2 trillion stimulus plan… though I expect they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buys them about 4-6 weeks .
So if this pandemic drags on , they ’ re going to have to spend another $ 2 trillion , and another $ 2 trillion after that .
Remember that US government debt increased by $ 10 trillion in the first few years following the last financial crisis .
It certainly seems reasonable to expect a repeat performance .
Some places will be able to afford such prodigious spending .
Norway , for example , has ZERO net debt .
Norway ’ s government has such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every citizen , “ Stay home and do nothing for the next six months , ” and just write a check for everything .
They wouldn ’ t need to go into debt by a single penny .
Italy , on the other hand , is a basket case .
The Italian government has no savings , and its debt burden even before this crisis was more than 120 % of GDP .
Moreover , Italian banks were also teetering on the edge of disaster before the pandemic hit .
I suspect most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Making any forecast right now is remarkably difficult .
Every scenario is on the table , and absolutely anything can happen .
But it seems pretty clear that the most heavily indebted countries are in big trouble… and we may be looking at a major sovereign debt crisis over the next few months .
And to continue learning how to ensure you thrive no matter what happens next in the world , I encourage you to download our free Perfect Plan B Guide .
Because… If you live , work , bank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold your assets all in just one country , you are putting all of your eggs in one basket .

by Simon Black of Sovereign Man
By the mid 1300s, the Republic of Florence in modern day Italy had experienced one of the greatest economic booms in human history.
In less than a century, Florence had grown from a tiny, irrelevant backwater to become one of Europe’s largest cities and preeminent financial center.
The expansion was truly impressive. Florence’s population had grown 10x. It had become a leading manufacturer in both weapons and textiles.
(Many etymologists believe the word ‘pistol’ is derived from the name of a town near Florence called Pistoia, which was renowned for its quality arms.)
And the city’s innovations in the banking industry were revolutionizing business across Europe.
Florence’s phenomenal economic success is quite similar to what the United States experienced in its early history.
Naturally, though, they managed to screw it up.
At the turn of the century in the year 1300, the Republic of Florence’s public debt was quite manageable at just 50,000 gold florins. That’s less than $100 per capita in today’s money.
By 1338, after a series of costly wars and expensive public works projects, Florence’s debt had ballooned to 450,000 gold florins. Four years later (after yet another war) it had grown to 600,000 gold florins.
This was crippling to public finances given that the government of Florence was paying between 10% and 15% interest on its debt.
To make matters worse, some of Florence’s most prominent banks had made bad loans to foreign governments– most notably to King Edward III of England, who had suffered terrible defeat against France in what would become known as the Hundred Years War.
Edward would ultimately default on his Italian bank loans, sparking a terrible banking crisis in Florence.
News traveled quickly that the most powerful financial center in Europe was in trouble. The government was near ruin, and the banks were collapsing.
And then came the plague.
In 1348, the Black Death ravaged Florence, wiping out at least 25% of its population. The famed Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio was living in the city at the time, and he wrote about his first-hand experiences in the Decameron:
“[S]uch terror was struck into the hearts of men and women by this calamity, that brother abandoned brother, and the uncle his nephew, and the sister her brother, and very often the wife her husband. What is even worse and nearly incredible is that fathers and mothers refused to see and tend their children, as if they had not been theirs.”
Business and commerce ground to a halt. Tax revenue dried up. Florence’s government was unable to pay its debts. People were wiped out.
As local politician Giovanni Villani described the situation, “Our republic has lost all its power and our citizens have nearly all been impoverished.”
Amazingly enough, Florence’s misfortune didn’t stop there.
In the late 1340s, torrential rains destroyed local agricultural production, resulting in widespread famine.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
City managers tried desperately to import food, but because Florence’s credit was so poor, few traders were willing to do business with them.
It was a historic and unprecedented fall from power; Florence had gone from being one of the wealthiest cities in Europe to literally begging for food in less than a decade.
I can’t help but wonder which countries are going to be begging as a result of our modern crisis.
Just like Florence in the 1300s, there are dozens of countries who were already in severe financial hardship going into this pandemic.
Now their tax revenues are dwindling, and they’re forced to spend absurd amounts of money to stimulate their economies.
A few years back our holding company acquired a private business in Australia that, thankfully, is holding up extremely well.
The CEO of that company called me a few days ago to tell me about some of Australia’s stimulus efforts; in addition to waiving payroll taxes, extending tax deadlines, and making direct loans to businesses, the Australian government is now directly subsidizing certain employee wages, up to $3,000 per month.
We’re seeing similar stimulus packages all over the world.
In the United States, of course, the government recently passed a $2 trillion stimulus plan… though I expect they’ll quickly realize that $2 trillion buys them about 4-6 weeks.
So if this pandemic drags on, they’re going to have to spend another $2 trillion, and another $2 trillion after that.
Remember that US government debt increased by $10 trillion in the first few years following the last financial crisis. It certainly seems reasonable to expect a repeat performance.
Some places will be able to afford such prodigious spending.
Norway, for example, has ZERO net debt. Norway’s government has such a massive financial surplus that they could tell every citizen, “Stay home and do nothing for the next six months,” and just write a check for everything. They wouldn’t need to go into debt by a single penny.
Italy, on the other hand, is a basket case.
The Italian government has no savings, and its debt burden even before this crisis was more than 120% of GDP.
Moreover, Italian banks were also teetering on the edge of disaster before the pandemic hit. I suspect most of them are completely insolvent now.
Making any forecast right now is remarkably difficult. Every scenario is on the table, and absolutely anything can happen.
But it seems pretty clear that the most heavily indebted countries are in big trouble… and we may be looking at a major sovereign debt crisis over the next few months.
And to continue learning how to ensure you thrive no matter what happens next in the world, I encourage you to download our free Perfect Plan B Guide.
Because… If you live, work, bank, invest, own a business, and hold your assets all in just one country, you are putting all of your eggs in one basket.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--When Can the Government Lock You in Your House? Quarantines and the Constitution

As we all deal with the many changes in day to day life brought about by the coronavirus pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ what the government has the power to do to protect public health and safety—and when @ @ @ @ @ that power ?
In today ’ s episode , we discuss government police power and @ @ @ @ @ it is deployed .

As we all deal with the many changes in day to day life brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, have you ever wondered just what the government has the power to do to protect public health and safety—and when and how can it exercise that power? In today’s episode, we discuss government police power and the many circumstances in which it is deployed.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-03--FAUCI: ‘NOT EVEN HALF-TIME’

FAUCI: ‘NOT EVEN HALF-TIME’

Dr Anthony Fauci says the US is ‘ not even at half-time ’ in the fight against coronavirus in interview with Duke basketball head coach , who calls him ‘ America ’ s point guard ’ • Dr Anthony Fauci , of the National Institutes of Health , appeared on Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski ’ s radio show Basketball and Beyond with Coach K • Fauci was asked about how the US is responding to the outbreak and asked to provide a basketball analogy for context • The infectious disease expert said the US is ‘ not even at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the disease caused by the virus • Krzyzewski referred to Fauci , who is on the White House coronavirus task force , as ‘ America ’ s point guard ’ • In the US , there are more than 272,000 confirmed cased of the virus and more than 7,000 deaths A growing scene for those who venture out into the streets of Manhattan these days is boarded up storefronts .
From luxury retailers to small bars , establishments that have no idea when they are going to be allowed to reopen are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and windows .
The businesses have taken the unsightly measure in an effort to defend against the potential for civil unrest caused by the coronavirus and a lack of officers on the streets .
Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered bars and restaurants closed except for takeout service in mid-March .
Most stores were also ordered to shut down .
Now , from Lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side , outlets are boarded up .
At least a few have offered makeshift messages of hope .
Victims may be given ‘ passports ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19… Coronavirus patients ordered to wear GPS ankle monitors… GOOGLE Releases Location Data To Help Authorities Check Lockdowns… MA Gov Announces First-In-Nation ‘ Community Tracing Collaborative ’ … Delaware Police Authorized To Pull Over Out-Of-State Drivers… Social distancing going to get darker… Resistance to stay-at-home orders remains widespread… NYPD infection rate skyrockets past city ’ s average… Morgues almost full… Crematories running 24/7… Flush With Lid Down : Experts Warn Of Fecal-Oral Transmission… ANOTHER CNN anchor tests positive… Cats can infect each other , study finds… 80 % of residents in TX nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MAP…

Dr Anthony Fauci says the US is ‘not even at half-time’ in the fight against coronavirus in interview with Duke basketball head coach, who calls him ‘America’s point guard’
Dr Anthony Fauci, of the National Institutes of Health, appeared on Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s radio show Basketball and Beyond with Coach K
Fauci was asked about how the US is responding to the outbreak and asked to provide a basketball analogy for context
The infectious disease expert said the US is ‘not even at half-time’ in the fight against COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus
Krzyzewski referred to Fauci, who is on the White House coronavirus task force, as ‘America’s point guard’
In the US, there are more than 272,000 confirmed cased of the virus and more than 7,000 deaths
NYC stores prepare for civil unrest…
A growing scene for those who venture out into the streets of Manhattan these days is boarded up storefronts. From luxury retailers to small bars, establishments that have no idea when they are going to be allowed to reopen are putting up protection over their glass doors and windows.
The businesses have taken the unsightly measure in an effort to defend against the potential for civil unrest caused by the coronavirus and a lack of officers on the streets.
Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered bars and restaurants closed except for takeout service in mid-March. Most stores were also ordered to shut down.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Now, from Lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side, outlets are boarded up. At least a few have offered makeshift messages of hope.
‘Robocop’ enforces lockdown…
Victims may be given ‘passports’ so people know they’ve had Covid-19…
Creeping Authoritarianism Has Finally Prevailed…
Coronavirus patients ordered to wear GPS ankle monitors…
GOOGLE Releases Location Data To Help Authorities Check Lockdowns…
MA Gov Announces First-In-Nation ‘Community Tracing Collaborative’…
Delaware Police Authorized To Pull Over Out-Of-State Drivers…
Social distancing going to get darker…
Resistance to stay-at-home orders remains widespread…
NYPD infection rate skyrockets past city’s average…
Morgues almost full…
Crematories running 24/7…
Flush With Lid Down: Experts Warn Of Fecal-Oral Transmission…
ANOTHER CNN anchor tests positive…
Cats can infect each other, study finds…
80% of residents in TX nursing home infected…
Spreading among L.A. homeless…
SICK MAP…