investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Gov. Cuomo Says You Should Worry NY Heading Toward A Second Full Shutdown

Dec 15 , 2020 Gov .
Cuomo says he will order a second full shutdown if the numbers show a @ @ @ @ @ will reach 90 % within three weeks .
“ The increase in hospitalizations could overwhelm @ @ @ @ @ by January .
That ’ s the trajectory we ’ re looking at…we could very @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Dec 15, 2020
Gov. Cuomo says he will order a second full shutdown if the numbers show a region’s hospital capacity will reach 90% within three weeks. “The increase in hospitalizations could overwhelm some regions if nothing changes by January. That’s the trajectory we’re looking at…we could very well be headed to shutdown.”
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westchester.news12.com/gov-cuomo-we-could-very-well-be-headed-to-shutdown


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Ghislaine Maxwell seeks $28.5 million bail package.

Lawyers for the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein are urging a judge to free her to await trial under a @ @ @ @ @ that would include armed guards to ensure she remains safe and doesn ’ t flee @ @ @ @ @ .
The bail arguments on behalf of Ghislaine Maxwell , first filed under seal last @ @ @ @ @ late Monday with redactions in Manhattan federal court that were approved by Judge Alison J.
@ @ @ @ @ guess i am not surprised in fact , i would be surprised if she is @ @ @ @ @ type this .

Lawyers for the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein are urging a judge to free her to await trial under a $28.5 million bail package that would include armed guards to ensure she remains safe and doesn’t flee a New York City residence.
The bail arguments on behalf of Ghislaine Maxwell, first filed under seal last Tuesday, were publicly released late Monday with redactions in Manhattan federal court that were approved by Judge Alison J. Nathan.
www.cbsnews.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-proposes-28-5-million-bail-package/
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Welp, i guess i am not surprised in fact, i would be surprised if she is still in jail as i type this.
h/t Mist Walker


Homelessness Documentary

Probably one of the best videos I have watched that describes the issues where on the west coast with the @ @ @ @ @ of homelessness .
I posted this video on FB for the city I live in @ @ @ @ @ got called propaganda by many people !
I couldn ’ t believe it , but @ @ @ @ @ rats that live in the dark is what this post did for me… This is @ @ @ @ @ propaganda calling… The heart of our f*cked up state

Probably one of the best videos I have watched that describes the issues where on the west coast with the liberal cities and the problem of homelessness.
Worth the time.
I posted this video on FB for the city I live in east of Seattle and it got called propaganda by many people! I couldn’t believe it, but it is calling out the rats that live in the dark is what this post did for me…
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This is the one that started the propaganda calling…
The heart of our f*cked up state
h/t MyPillow


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--The Incoming Cyber Attacks Will Be Unprecedented

The WEF ’ s proclaimed Cyberpandemic has begun : defense , power , water , finance , and our supply @ @ @ @ @ massive disruptions after FireEye & SolarWind have unleashed weapons of mass digital destruction AND unlocked @ @ @ @ @ , militaries , and nearly the entire Fortune 500 .
Christian breaks it down , @ @ @ @ @ stands to benefits from this Cyberpandemic ?
” in this Ice Age Farmer broadcast .
@ @ @ @ @

The WEF’s proclaimed Cyberpandemic has begun: defense, power, water, finance, and our supply chain are all vulnerable to massive disruptions after FireEye & SolarWind have unleashed weapons of mass digital destruction AND unlocked the back doors of governments, militaries, and nearly the entire Fortune 500. Christian breaks it down, and asks: “Who stands to benefits from this Cyberpandemic?” in this Ice Age Farmer broadcast. FULL SHOW NOTES: www.iceagefarmer.com/2020/12/…
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investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Pfizer’s CEO hasn’t gotten his Covid vaccine yet, saying he doesn’t want to cut in line

• Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said he hasn ’ t received his company ’ s Covid-19 vaccine shot yet , telling CNBC that he and other executives will not “ cut the line.
” • The vaccine , which Pfizer developed in partnership with Germany-based BioNTech , is the first to be authorized for emergency use in the U.S. to prevent Covid-19 .
• Bourla ’ s comments come as the first deliveries of doses are set to arrive at more than 100 of the country ’ s 636 pre-determined distribution sites .
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot yet , saying Monday he and other executives will not “ cut the line ” as U.S. officials kick off a massive effort to distribute the vaccine across the country .
The vaccine , which Pfizer developed in partnership with Germany-based BioNTech , is the first approved for emergency use in the U.S. to prevent Covid-19 .
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the vaccine for use in people 16 and older , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday officially recommended its use .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such , the CDC has recommended states prioritize health-care workers and long-term care residents for initial distribution .

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said he hasn’t received his company’s Covid-19 vaccine shot yet, telling CNBC that he and other executives will not “cut the line.”
The vaccine, which Pfizer developed in partnership with Germany-based BioNTech, is the first to be authorized for emergency use in the U.S. to prevent Covid-19.
Bourla’s comments come as the first deliveries of doses are set to arrive at more than 100 of the country’s 636 pre-determined distribution sites.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla hasn’t received his company’s Covid-19 vaccine shot yet, saying Monday he and other executives will not “cut the line” as U.S. officials kick off a massive effort to distribute the vaccine across the country.
The vaccine, which Pfizer developed in partnership with Germany-based BioNTech, is the first approved for emergency use in the U.S. to prevent Covid-19. The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the vaccine for use in people 16 and older, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday officially recommended its use.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
However, there are limited doses available and as such, the CDC has recommended states prioritize health-care workers and long-term care residents for initial distribution.
www.cnbc.com/2020/12/14/pfizers-ceo-hasnt-gotten-his-covid-vaccine-yet-saying-he-doesnt-want-to-cut-in-line.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Say: It’s not politics, it’s science.  Then show several political appointees to lecture the point w

Say: It’s not politics, it’s science.  Then show several political appointees to lecture the point with zero data to back up the assertion.

Say : It 's not politics , it 's science .
Then show several political appointees to lecture the point @ @ @ @ @ up the assertion .
t.co/DPPu3KIGpx

Say: It's not politics, it's science. Then show several political appointees to lecture the point with zero data to back up the assertion. t.co/DPPu3KIGpx
— John Tuld – Wealth Inequality Detector (@BradHuston) December 15, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Michael Pento: A traditional buy-and-hold portfolio is now “extremely dangerous”

When the market cap of equities reaches 183 % of GDP and government bonds yield near 0 % , or even less overseas , the notion that one can just buy and hold a balanced portfolio is extremely dangerous .
The minefield is not packed with IEDs ; it is actually replete with tactical nukes .
One of those land mines would be the failure to keep the government open and pass more stimulus .
I have no special insight here , except D.C. is famous for brinkmanship but always opts to spend more money in the end .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a peaceful transfer of power come January 20th .
Also , the failure of vaccines to prove to be safe , effective and long lasting would blow the whole recovery mantra sky high .
But by far the most dangerous mine to watch out for would be the failure of the Fed to cap long term interest rates .
The Fed could make a move towards this action when it meets on December 16th .
Let ’ s assume that the vaccines work and the rate of inflation and growth begins to accelerate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year—bade effects make that easier .
At the same time , the Fed could then start reducing its purchases of corporate , municipal , and Treasury bonds .
Hence , there would be a very good chance that rates would become absolutely unglued , sending bond prices cratering and yields soaring .
To get a better understanding of how greatly distorted and far into the twilight zone yields have gone , you have to understand that the average yield on the ten-year note from the 1960 ’ s until 2000 , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; was north of 7 % .
That yield is now well below 1 % .
And , this is despite an avalanche of additional debt that has brought the ratio of debt to GDP from below 40 % in the 1960 ’ s , to 128 % today .
What we have now created is a Treasury that is issuing debt at all-time record-low yields yet at the same time is also bankrupt .
To make matters worse , we have for the first time in history a Fed that is targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all fixed income .
Indeed , the worlds ’ central bankers are all aggressively seeking higher inflation in the context of $ 18 trillion worth of negative-yielding sovereign debt .
In order to accomplish this nefarious inflation task , the Fed is creating new money at the never-before-seen rate of $ 120 billion each and every month and has sent MZM money supply soaring by over 20 % y/y .
M2 is up an eyepopping 25 % .
Hence , nominal long-term treasuries have an incredible amount of room to soar .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ either due to inflation or insolvency , or probably both .
But even in the immediate future , rates could rise 225 bps just based on the view that economic growth will normalize in 2021 .
Don ’ t forget ; the benchmark Treasury yield was over 3.25 % as late as the fall of 2018 .
It ’ s not just government debt that ’ s in a bubble .
Now , junk bond yields are at a record low 4.6 % !
And , real corporate bond yields have just turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you lose money .
This is why the Fed is all in and completely trapped .
It owns the entire treasury , corporate , municipal , and junk bond markets through the process of direct purchases .
If it ever were to stop , bond prices would plunge , and yields would skyrocket ; taking down the real estate and stock markets along for the ride .
The notion that rates can gradually rise innocuously as the economy heals is pure Wall Street propaganda .
It wasn ’ t the case in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s balance sheet , which sent the Russell 2000 plunging by 30 % in a matter of weeks .
And it certainly isn ’ t the case now that junk bond yields are trading at a record low spread to Treasuries .
These bonds that are issued by zombie corporations that will crater in price once Treasury yields begin to normalize .
In fact , the coming scenario could look a lot like what happened in 1987 .
On Monday , October 18 , 1987 , the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many theories as to why the crash occurred , but the simple truth is that the panic stemmed from a sharp rise in interest rates and inflation .
Rising interest rates 33 years ago were a direct result of surging inflation .
The year 1987 started out with very benign inflation .
Consumer Price Inflation in January of that year showed that prices were up just 1.4 % from the year-ago period .
However , CPI inflation surged to an annual increase of 4.4 % by October .
Rapidly rising inflation put fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigilantes , who remembered vividly how the former Fed Chairman , Paul Volcker , had to raise the Fed Funds Rate to nearly 20 % in order to vanquish inflation just six years prior .
The worry was that the new Chairman , Alan Greenspan , would soon be forced to follow in his predecessor ’ s footsteps and start aggressively raising the Funds Rate .
That fear helped send the Ten-Year Note yield surging from just above 7 % , in January 1987 , to over 10.2 % , the week before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soared by 22 % in the 12 months prior to the crash of ’ 87 .
In similar fashion , the current market is setting record highs this year despite a global pandemic .
Of course , the market is significantly overvalued today as compared to 1987 .
The Total market cap of equities to GDP was an incredible 120 percentage points lower on Black Monday than it is currently .
Therefore , since interest rates are dramatically lower and debt is significantly higher today than during 1987 , it seems logical to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and indeed the economy itself , are in far more unsustainable conditions .
To be honest , nobody is exactly sure how 2021 will turn out .
But the interest rate reality check is real , and we are headed firmly in that direction .
Here at PPS , we always seek to not only protect but profit from all cyclical and secular bear markets .
The deep state of Wall St. is either ignorant or unaware of the minefield .
But you should be keenly aware .
Michael Pento is the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produces the weekly podcast called , “ The Mid-week Reality Check ” and Author of the book “ The Coming Bond Market Collapse .
”

From Michael Pento, of Pento Portfolio Strategies:
When the market cap of equities reaches 183% of GDP and government bonds yield near 0%, or even less overseas, the notion that one can just buy and hold a balanced portfolio is extremely dangerous. The minefield is not packed with IEDs; it is actually replete with tactical nukes.
One of those land mines would be the failure to keep the government open and pass more stimulus. I have no special insight here, except D.C. is famous for brinkmanship but always opts to spend more money in the end. Another problem would be the failure to have a peaceful transfer of power come January 20th. Also, the failure of vaccines to prove to be safe, effective and long lasting would blow the whole recovery mantra sky high.
But by far the most dangerous mine to watch out for would be the failure of the Fed to cap long term interest rates. The Fed could make a move towards this action when it meets on December 16th. Let’s assume that the vaccines work and the rate of inflation and growth begins to accelerate significantly come the 2nd quarter of next year—bade effects make that easier. At the same time, the Fed could then start reducing its purchases of corporate, municipal, and Treasury bonds. Hence, there would be a very good chance that rates would become absolutely unglued, sending bond prices cratering and yields soaring.
To get a better understanding of how greatly distorted and far into the twilight zone yields have gone, you have to understand that the average yield on the ten-year note from the 1960’s until 2000, which is before the Fed started to embrace ZIRP; was north of 7%. That yield is now well below 1%. And, this is despite an avalanche of additional debt that has brought the ratio of debt to GDP from below 40% in the 1960’s, to 128% today. What we have now created is a Treasury that is issuing debt at all-time record-low yields yet at the same time is also bankrupt. To make matters worse, we have for the first time in history a Fed that is targeting higher inflation, which is the bane of all fixed income. Indeed, the worlds’ central bankers are all aggressively seeking higher inflation in the context of $18 trillion worth of negative-yielding sovereign debt.
In order to accomplish this nefarious inflation task, the Fed is creating new money at the never-before-seen rate of $120 billion each and every month and has sent MZM money supply soaring by over 20% y/y. M2 is up an eyepopping 25%. Hence, nominal long-term treasuries have an incredible amount of room to soar. That’s guaranteed to eventually happen either due to inflation or insolvency, or probably both.
But even in the immediate future, rates could rise 225 bps just based on the view that economic growth will normalize in 2021. Don’t forget; the benchmark Treasury yield was over 3.25% as late as the fall of 2018. It’s not just government debt that’s in a bubble. Now, junk bond yields are at a record low 4.6%! And, real corporate bond yields have just turned negative—meaning, after inflation is factored in you lose money. This is why the Fed is all in and completely trapped. It owns the entire treasury, corporate, municipal, and junk bond markets through the process of direct purchases. If it ever were to stop, bond prices would plunge, and yields would skyrocket; taking down the real estate and stock markets along for the ride.
The notion that rates can gradually rise innocuously as the economy heals is pure Wall Street propaganda. It wasn’t the case in 2018 during the unwinding of the Fed’s balance sheet, which sent the Russell 2000 plunging by 30% in a matter of weeks. And it certainly isn’t the case now that junk bond yields are trading at a record low spread to Treasuries. These bonds that are issued by zombie corporations that will crater in price once Treasury yields begin to normalize.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
In fact, the coming scenario could look a lot like what happened in 1987.
On Monday, October 18, 1987, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 22% in one day. There are many theories as to why the crash occurred, but the simple truth is that the panic stemmed from a sharp rise in interest rates and inflation.
Rising interest rates 33 years ago were a direct result of surging inflation. The year 1987 started out with very benign inflation. Consumer Price Inflation in January of that year showed that prices were up just 1.4% from the year-ago period. However, CPI inflation surged to an annual increase of 4.4% by October. Rapidly rising inflation put fear back in the minds of the bond vigilantes, who remembered vividly how the former Fed Chairman, Paul Volcker, had to raise the Fed Funds Rate to nearly 20% in order to vanquish inflation just six years prior. The worry was that the new Chairman, Alan Greenspan, would soon be forced to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps and start aggressively raising the Funds Rate. That fear helped send the Ten-Year Note yield surging from just above 7%, in January 1987, to over 10.2%, the week before Black Monday.
The stock market had soared by 22% in the 12 months prior to the crash of ’87. In similar fashion, the current market is setting record highs this year despite a global pandemic. Of course, the market is significantly overvalued today as compared to 1987. The Total market cap of equities to GDP was an incredible 120 percentage points lower on Black Monday than it is currently.
Therefore, since interest rates are dramatically lower and debt is significantly higher today than during 1987, it seems logical to conclude that the earnings of corporations, and indeed the economy itself, are in far more unsustainable conditions.
To be honest, nobody is exactly sure how 2021 will turn out. But the interest rate reality check is real, and we are headed firmly in that direction. Here at PPS, we always seek to not only protect but profit from all cyclical and secular bear markets. The deep state of Wall St. is either ignorant or unaware of the minefield. But you should be keenly aware.
Michael Pento is the President and Founder of Pento Portfolio Strategies, produces the weekly podcast called, “The Mid-week Reality Check” and Author of the book “The Coming Bond Market Collapse.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Vaccine doom: Bolsonaro wants people to sign ‘term of responsibility’ before take the shot

Looks like the vaccine is really a bomb .
He ’ s an idiot most of the time but he @ @ @ @ @ most of us .
In a conversation with supporters in front of the Palácio da @ @ @ @ @ ) , President Jair Bolsonaro stated that he will sign a provisional measure that will @ @ @ @ @ a term of responsibility for those who decide to take a vaccine against the Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ the newspaper O Globo .
“ There are people who want to take it , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s your responsibility .
If there is a problem there , I hope it @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro .
According to the president , Pfizer makes it clear in the contract that @ @ @ @ @ for side effects .
“ It is not mandatory , you will have to sign @ @ @ @ @ take it .
Because Pfizer , for example , is very clear in the contract @ @ @ @ @ responsible for side effects , ” said the president .

Looks like the vaccine is really a bomb. He’s an idiot most of the time but he probably have more info than most of us.
translate.google.com/translate?sl=pt&tl=en&u=https://istoe.com.br/bolsonaro-quer-que-vacinados-assinem-termo-de-responsabilidade/
In a conversation with supporters in front of the Palácio da Alvorada on Monday (14), President Jair Bolsonaro stated that he will sign a provisional measure that will establish the need to sign a term of responsibility for those who decide to take a vaccine against the Covid-19 . The information is from the newspaper O Globo.
“There are people who want to take it, so take it, it’s your responsibility. If there is a problem there, I hope it doesn’t… ”said Bolsonaro.
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According to the president, Pfizer makes it clear in the contract that the company is not responsible for side effects.
“It is not mandatory, you will have to sign a term of responsibility to take it. Because Pfizer, for example, is very clear in the contract: “we are not responsible for side effects,” said the president.
h/t J. Connor


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Sidney Powell On DNI Ratcliffe’s Pending Report: “It’s Going To Blow The Mind Of Every Citizen Of Th

Sidney Powell On DNI Ratcliffe’s Pending Report: “It’s Going To Blow The Mind Of Every Citizen Of The Country”

While appearing for an extensive interview with the Epoch Times on Sunday , attorney Sidney Powell discussed irregularities she has @ @ @ @ @ her investigation into alleged election-related fraud , and expressed confidence that the time is soon @ @ @ @ @ bombshell claims will be confirmed .
“ We have counterfeit ballots , we have dead @ @ @ @ @ , if not , by the hundreds of thousands , there was something someone called @ @ @ @ @ there was just more manner and means of fraud than any law-abiding American citizen could @ @ @ @ @ told Jan Jekielek of the Epoch Times .
“ It ’ s stunning — it @ @ @ @ @ and they are so in our face with it .
And then to deny it @ @ @ @ @

While appearing for an extensive interview with the Epoch Times on Sunday, attorney Sidney Powell discussed irregularities she has uncovered over the course of her investigation into alleged election-related fraud, and expressed confidence that the time is soon approaching where most of her bombshell claims will be confirmed.
“We have counterfeit ballots, we have dead people voting by the thousands, if not, by the hundreds of thousands, there was something someone called ‘phantom voters,’ there was just more manner and means of fraud than any law-abiding American citizen could possibly imagine,” Powell told Jan Jekielek of the Epoch Times. “It’s stunning — it’s absolutely stunning, and they are so in our face with it. And then to deny it is purely Machiavellian.”
www.thefreedomtimes.com/2020/12/14/sidney-powell-on-dni-ratcliffes-pending-report-its-going-to-blow-the-mind-of-every-citizen-of-the-country/
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www.thefreedomtimes.com/2020/12/14/sidney-powell-on-dni-ratcliffes-pending-report-its-going-to-blow-the-mind-of-every-citizen-of-the-country/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=6c440fefbb2faa3b90e032d17cafa3ce8e303019-1608052362-0-AeluCrzGSs1KHNgCRbRmoKuTkof8osu9EBdbhWGoq0lp8b2KefpmsW6ro-D7vEJMi2BIeH9ljUJz3flxe4W2h9q6C_0zyQ7e3PEswV6fIA10jxkkCijgoPyM5DhlluUY83D5Dk8tSe8SUd1DitDExT8THppfhhD9WsDnS-q01vf4Lyv2l89Pwxu5ZjUVQxuYAqtxfMfA-NUHIOTMKKDI3Ni6q2GExta6kzhV70lB2CfDGp8dyq2olVBx2Lbpu0G3IuGHDZPeKeo74DBR2DezJfiCRflcl3pvBYdujFezbzTEF4BY6ayp7_PeZUAyDE6btAtLQ9_CKtnsp_okT-ho5KyX7YNo3F4ZXRIB_4ER1EPn514hz0QPSBEHI52dCKG_ELPg03dfN_Hs7piRZpUi6GoFS3blhfvsbJN2JDUaXF2fDTThINzcM6lhGCGWu_pS7CveyM6IkeXirAYT7doTKc8
www.thefreedomtimes.com/2020/12/14/sidney-powell-on-dni-ratcliffes-pending-report-its-going-to-blow-the-mind-of-every-citizen-of-the-country/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=6c440fefbb2faa3b90e032d17cafa3ce8e303019-1608052362-0-AeluCrzGSs1KHNgCRbRmoKuTkof8osu9EBdbhWGoq0lp8b2KefpmsW6ro-D7vEJMi2BIeH9ljUJz3flxe4W2h9q6C_0zyQ7e3PEswV6fIA10jxkkCijgoPyM5DhlluUY83D5Dk8tSe8SUd1DitDExT8THppfhhD9WsDnS-q01vf4Lyv2l89Pwxu5ZjUVQxuYAqtxfMfA-NUHIOTMKKDI3Ni6q2GExta6kzhV70lB2CfDGp8dyq2olVBx2Lbpu0G3IuGHDZPeKeo74DBR2DezJfiCRflcl3pvBYdujFezbzTEF4BY6ayp7_PeZUAyDE6btAtLQ9_CKtnsp_okT-ho5KyX7YNo3F4ZXRIB_4ER1EPn514hz0QPSBEHI52dCKG_ELPg03dfN_Hs7piRZpUi6GoFS3blhfvsbJN2JDUaXF2fDTThINzcM6lhGCGWu_pS7CveyM6IkeXirAYT7doTKc8


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Ontario Health Official Hot Mic : I Just Say Whatever THEY Write Down For Me.

The US official inflation rose in November ...
US Dollar Breaking Through Line

Dr. Yaffe: "I just say whatever they write down for me."
Dr. Williams: "Yeah, same." pic.twitter.com/cdsw4n1Ax0
— CrasHTalk (@CrasTalk) December 15, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Fauci Says Masks Should be Worn by the Vaccinated

`` We as a nation need to continue to wear the mask , to keep the physical distance , to @ @ @ @ @ not through with this just because we 're starting a vaccine program . ''
– @ @ @ @ @ against Covid-19 while the vaccine is being distributed pic.twitter.com/pSsLJoybYh

"We as a nation need to continue to wear the mask, to keep the physical distance, to avoid crowds. We're not through with this just because we're starting a vaccine program."
– Dr. Anthony Fauci on protecting against Covid-19 while the vaccine is being distributed pic.twitter.com/pSsLJoybYh
— CNN (@CNN) December 11, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Waterfall Floods Road In Australia After Heavy Rain

An intense low-pressure trough off the coast of southeast Australia has brought torrential rains , floods , damaging winds , and dangerous waves to southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales over the weekend , with authorities describing the impacts as similar to that of a Category 1 cyclone .
While the threat has eased on Monday , December 14 , severe thunderstorm and flood warnings remain in force .
In Queensland , up to 738 mm ( 29 inches ) of rain fell in Upper Springbrook a 72-hour period to Monday , including 323 mm ( 13 inches ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 to 13 , triggering coastal flooding… “ Many of the impacts from this weather event will be similar to a category-one cyclone event , ” Queensland emergency services minister Mark Ryan told ABC… Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach added that the storms represented a “ significant change in the weather pattern ” in the state… “ Only last week we were dealing with bushfire situations and now the big wet has arrived… and so we need to be prepared not only for the weather we are dealing with now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the coming month.
” ..

With heavy rain continuing to fall in Northern NSW, motorists travelling on Waterfall Way, Dorrigo, have been left to find an alternate route as Newell Falls overflows onto the road. There are flood evacuation warnings further North: t.co/vxvOuy5PXv #9News pic.twitter.com/9yEhVg1INF — 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) December 15, 2020
Severe storm brings massive rains to Queensland and NSW, Australia
An intense low-pressure trough off the coast of southeast Australia has brought torrential rains, floods, damaging winds, and dangerous waves to southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales over the weekend, with authorities describing the impacts as similar to that of a Category 1 cyclone. While the threat has eased on Monday, December 14, severe thunderstorm and flood warnings remain in force.
In Queensland, up to 738 mm (29 inches) of rain fell in Upper Springbrook a 72-hour period to Monday, including 323 mm (13 inches) in six hours overnight, from December 12 to 13, triggering coastal flooding…
“Many of the impacts from this weather event will be similar to a category-one cyclone event,” Queensland emergency services minister Mark Ryan told ABC…
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach added that the storms represented a “significant change in the weather pattern” in the state…
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“Only last week we were dealing with bushfire situations and now the big wet has arrived… and so we need to be prepared not only for the weather we are dealing with now but we’re likely to see over the coming month.”..
……
watchers.news/2020/12/14/severe-storm-brings-massive-rains-to-queensland-and-nsw-australia/
A king tide, combined with heavy rain and strong winds, is causing a mass rain event up the east coast. Waves are breaching shoreline barriers at Cleveland and Wynnum, on Brisbane's Bayside, with water running over roads and into front yards. #9News pic.twitter.com/6Rl3X1BIF5 — 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) December 14, 2020
h/t Blue Spirit


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Firearm crackdown already starting

Firearm crackdown already starting

They ’ re coming after 80 % receivers .
They ’ ve raided manufacturers and visited retailers and want lists of customers .
They ’ ve already raided some customers too .
After making hundreds of thousands of people felons overnight with the brace bans they ’ re going after 80 % receivers .
They didn ’ t even wait on Trump to get out of office .
The story identifies at least one purchaser that had their firearm confiscated but there are people in youtube comment sections claiming the same happened to them .
These people do not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms but they don ’ t care .
The Firearms Blog reported that the ATF did turn up at a reader ’ s house and demanded his Polymer80 “ Buy , Build , Shoot ” kit .
The reader did turn over the equipment to the ATF and received a receipt from the agents .
AmmoLand News reached out to several high-profile attorneys specializing in firearms to ask if the owner of a “ Build , Buy , Shoot ” kit could face any type of criminal charges .
The lawyers all told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be doubtful that an owner would or could face any charges .
They believe that the ATF is most likely using the threat of charges as a fear tactic to force compliance .
They suggested that users remain silent and not speak to the agents if they show up at their residence and demand their property .

They’re coming after 80% receivers.
They’ve raided manufacturers and visited retailers and want lists of customers.
They’ve already raided some customers too.
After making hundreds of thousands of people felons overnight with the brace bans they’re going after 80% receivers.
They didn’t even wait on Trump to get out of office.
www.ammoland.com/2020/12/rogue-atf-agents-are-cracking-down-on-legal-guns-in-anticipation-of-biden-admin/
The story identifies at least one purchaser that had their firearm confiscated but there are people in youtube comment sections claiming the same happened to them.
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These people do not have felonies and are legally allowed to own firearms but they don’t care.
The Firearms Blog reported that the ATF did turn up at a reader’s house and demanded his Polymer80 “Buy, Build, Shoot” kit. The reader did turn over the equipment to the ATF and received a receipt from the agents. AmmoLand News reached out to several high-profile attorneys specializing in firearms to ask if the owner of a “Build, Buy, Shoot” kit could face any type of criminal charges. The lawyers all told AmmoLand News off the record that it would be doubtful that an owner would or could face any charges. They believe that the ATF is most likely using the threat of charges as a fear tactic to force compliance. They suggested that users remain silent and not speak to the agents if they show up at their residence and demand their property.
www.ammoland.com/2020/12/polymer80-refuses-californias-subpoena-to-turn-over-customer-information/
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--New coronavirus strain spreading in UK has key mutations, scientists say

LONDON ( Reuters ) – British scientists are trying to establish whether the rapid spread in southern England of a @ @ @ @ @ that causes COVID-19 is linked to key mutations they have detected in the strain , @ @ @ @ @ The mutations include changes to the important “ spike ” protein that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ , a group of scientists tracking the genetics of the virus said , but it @ @ @ @ @ these are making it more infectious .

LONDON (Reuters) – British scientists are trying to establish whether the rapid spread in southern England of a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is linked to key mutations they have detected in the strain, they said on Tuesday.
The mutations include changes to the important “spike” protein that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus uses to infect human cells, a group of scientists tracking the genetics of the virus said, but it is not yet clear whether these are making it more infectious.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Demand from China could help Tesla exceed its 500,000 delivery target, says a Wall Street tech analy

Demand from China could help Tesla exceed its 500,000 delivery target, says a Wall Street tech analyst who sees the stock soaring as much as 56%

That ’ s according to Dan Ives , a Wedbush Securities senior tech analyst , who said in a note @ @ @ @ @ demand from China could help Tesla reach or possibly exceed it ’ s once implausible @ @ @ @ @ the end of 2020 .
Ives sees Tesla surging 56 % from current levels to @ @ @ @ @ his bull case scenario .
“ We believe the company is tracking to another strong @ @ @ @ @ which could be the tipping point to get Musk & Co. to hit/exceed its 500k @ @ @ @ @ achievement not even on the map for the Street going back to the late spring/summer @ @ @ @ @ .

markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/tesla-china-demand-exceed-500000-delivery-target-wedbush-ives-2020-12-1029891680
That’s according to Dan Ives, a Wedbush Securities senior tech analyst, who said in a note to clients on Sunday that demand from China could help Tesla reach or possibly exceed it’s once implausible goal of 500,000 deliveries by the end of 2020. Ives sees Tesla surging 56% from current levels to $1,000 a share in his bull case scenario.
“We believe the company is tracking to another strong month of December in China which could be the tipping point to get Musk & Co. to hit/exceed its 500k annual delivery target, an achievement not even on the map for the Street going back to the late spring/summer timeframe,” Ives said.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Major cable networks along with CBS, NBC and ABC were all silent on sexual harassment allegations ag

Major cable networks along with CBS, NBC and ABC were all silent on sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo.

Several major cable networks failed to report on sexual harassment allegations against Gov .
Andrew Cuomo in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ to a media watchdog group .
CBS , NBC and ABC were all silent on @ @ @ @ @ day Cuomo ’ s former aide Lindsey Boylan tweeted out the claims against her ex-boss @ @ @ @ @ Research Center .
The group said the same networks ’ Monday morning news shows also @ @ @ @ @ allegations , which Cuomo has denied .

Several major cable networks failed to report on sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the wake of the Sunday accusations, according to a media watchdog group.
CBS, NBC and ABC were all silent on Sunday night — the same day Cuomo’s former aide Lindsey Boylan tweeted out the claims against her ex-boss, according to the Media Research Center.
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The group said the same networks’ Monday morning news shows also failed to report on the allegations, which Cuomo has denied.
nypost.com/2020/12/15/major-cable-networks-quiet-on-sexual-harassment-allegations-against-cuomo/


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Sydney Powell: “Our judicial system is so broken and many people behind bars are innocent.”

Code Monkey : Giant buildings full of people in India and Philippines are hired by big tech to censor American @ @ @ @ @ what citizens can say online .

“Our judicial system is so broken and many people behind bars are innocent.” ~Sidney Powell 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8H6tT1Fgd3
— Emmy Award Winner-Bridget Mercado🇺🇸🙏🏻 (@mamabridgee) December 15, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--WELL-DESERVED, IF SO: With his star dimmed, California’s Newsom could face recall.

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — California Gov .
Gavin Newsom has had a rough year .
The next one @ @ @ @ @ a recall effort appears to be gaining momentum , fueled partly by outrage over the @ @ @ @ @ at an opulent restaurant while telling state residents to spurn social gatherings and stay home @ @ @ @ @ uncommon in California for residents to seek recalls but they rarely get on the ballot @ @ @ @ @ .
Several launched against Newsom faded but another attempt is drawing greater attention as his @ @ @ @ @ a critical stretch in his governorship .
Newsom received high praise for his aggressive approach @ @ @ @ @ , when he issued the nation ’ s first statewide stay-at-home order .
Now there @ @ @ @ @ subsequent health orders that have shuttered schools and businesses and a massive unemployment benefits fraud @ @ @ @ @ shaming continues for his ill-advised dinner at the French Laundry in Napa Valley , an @ @ @ @ @ truffle and caviar dinner for $ 1,200 per person .

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has had a rough year. The next one might be even tougher as a recall effort appears to be gaining momentum, fueled partly by outrage over the first-term Democrat dining with friends at an opulent restaurant while telling state residents to spurn social gatherings and stay home.
It’s not uncommon in California for residents to seek recalls but they rarely get on the ballot — and even fewer succeed. Several launched against Newsom faded but another attempt is drawing greater attention as his fortunes change while he enters a critical stretch in his governorship.
Newsom received high praise for his aggressive approach to the coronavirus last spring, when he issued the nation’s first statewide stay-at-home order. Now there is growing public angst over subsequent health orders that have shuttered schools and businesses and a massive unemployment benefits fraud scandal, while a public shaming continues for his ill-advised dinner at the French Laundry in Napa Valley, an establishment that features a white truffle and caviar dinner for $1,200 per person.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Charted: How COVID-19 Has Changed Employment in the U.S. Industry

The U.S. Congress and the President continue to negotiate the shape and size of another round of economic stimulus .
With deaths from COVID-19 approaching 300,000 as some parts of the U.S. reestablish lockdowns , the unemployment numbers are again trending in the wrong direction .
But the coronavirus has already brought massive damage to key industries , as our visualization makes clear .
• The coronavirus pandemic decimated the leisure and hospitality industry , shedding almost 50 % of all jobs in the two months between February and April 2020 .
The industry has seen a very slow recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry , which includes oil drilling , has seen the second most damage in terms of lost employment , dropping over 10 % of all jobs with the historic collapse in oil prices .
• Every industry in our visual has seen a net decrease in employment , however some industries like financial activities and utilities have only been slightly impacted .
• The overall recovery of U.S. employment to pre-pandemic levels appears to be taking a Nike “ swoosh ” shaped trajectory , foreshadowing a long and slow grind back to pre-pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our visualization from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , which tracks employment numbers by industry on a monthly basis .
We started with January 2020 as the basis for our graph , when the economy was humming along and unemployment was at record lows .
We then plotted the month-by-month percentage change from that point until November , the latest month with available data .
We also assigned a color to each line representing a given industry , creating an intuitive snapshot of the dramatic change happening in the economy right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leisure and hospitality industry is witnessing the greatest damage due the coronavirus pandemic .
Employment tanked from the start of the year , contracting by almost 50 % in less than two months from February to April .
The industry has since started to regain some lost ground , but overall it is still down by about 20 % .
The combination of forced closures and the lack of tourism is creating a perfect storm for the leisure and hospitality industry .
But that ’ s not the only industry suffering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also down over 10 % in total employment since the start of the year , making it the second hardest hit industry in terms of jobs lost during the pandemic .
What explains this ?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes oil drilling and petroleum extraction under this category of employment , and oil suffered a historic collapse in tandem with the travel industry .
If a lot fewer people are traveling , much less commuting to an office , then the world suddenly needs a lot less oil .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insight about the state of U.S. employment in our visualization .
When the coronavirus first surged across the Northeast and forced widespread lockdowns across the country , economists immediately started to debate the shape of the U.S. recovery .
Would demand for goods and employment come roaring back , creating a “ V ” shaped recovery ?
Or would there be a prolonged period of economic contraction , to be followed by a rapid rise , creating a “ U ” shaped recovery ?
Our visualization makes it clear that at least in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently experiencing a Nike “ swoosh ” shaped recovery .
The depth of the initial fall varied by industry , but the eventual climb back to pre-pandemic employment numbers is a slow grind .
Do you think the U.S. government should pass another round of economic stimulus to help the “ swoosh ” shaped recovery in employment ?
Let us know in the comments .

by howmuch
The U.S. Congress and the President continue to negotiate the shape and size of another round of economic stimulus. With deaths from COVID-19 approaching 300,000 as some parts of the U.S. reestablish lockdowns, the unemployment numbers are again trending in the wrong direction. But the coronavirus has already brought massive damage to key industries, as our visualization makes clear.
The coronavirus pandemic decimated the leisure and hospitality industry, shedding almost 50% of all jobs in the two months between February and April 2020. The industry has seen a very slow recovery since.
The mining and logging industry, which includes oil drilling, has seen the second most damage in terms of lost employment, dropping over 10% of all jobs with the historic collapse in oil prices.
Every industry in our visual has seen a net decrease in employment, however some industries like financial activities and utilities have only been slightly impacted.
The overall recovery of U.S. employment to pre-pandemic levels appears to be taking a Nike “swoosh” shaped trajectory, foreshadowing a long and slow grind back to pre-pandemic employment.
We found the data for our visualization from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks employment numbers by industry on a monthly basis. We started with January 2020 as the basis for our graph, when the economy was humming along and unemployment was at record lows. We then plotted the month-by-month percentage change from that point until November, the latest month with available data. We also assigned a color to each line representing a given industry, creating an intuitive snapshot of the dramatic change happening in the economy right now.
Our visualization makes it clear how the leisure and hospitality industry is witnessing the greatest damage due the coronavirus pandemic. Employment tanked from the start of the year, contracting by almost 50% in less than two months from February to April. The industry has since started to regain some lost ground, but overall it is still down by about 20%. The combination of forced closures and the lack of tourism is creating a perfect storm for the leisure and hospitality industry.
But that’s not the only industry suffering a severe economic contraction. Mining and logging is also down over 10% in total employment since the start of the year, making it the second hardest hit industry in terms of jobs lost during the pandemic. What explains this? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes oil drilling and petroleum extraction under this category of employment, and oil suffered a historic collapse in tandem with the travel industry. If a lot fewer people are traveling, much less commuting to an office, then the world suddenly needs a lot less oil.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
There is also a larger and more significant insight about the state of U.S. employment in our visualization. When the coronavirus first surged across the Northeast and forced widespread lockdowns across the country, economists immediately started to debate the shape of the U.S. recovery. Would demand for goods and employment come roaring back, creating a “V” shaped recovery? Or would there be a prolonged period of economic contraction, to be followed by a rapid rise, creating a “U” shaped recovery? Our visualization makes it clear that at least in terms of employment numbers, the U.S. is currently experiencing a Nike “swoosh” shaped recovery. The depth of the initial fall varied by industry, but the eventual climb back to pre-pandemic employment numbers is a slow grind.
Do you think the U.S. government should pass another round of economic stimulus to help the “swoosh” shaped recovery in employment? Let us know in the comments.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Will President Biden continue standing up for freedom of navigation the way President Trump has?

COLD WAR II : South China Sea : US warned Beijing of ‘ major military breakthrough ’ in bid to @ @ @ @ @ ’ re shooting for early 2021 to be able to run a fleet battle problem @ @ @ @ @ [ technology ] .
“ It will be on the sea , above the sea @ @ @ @ @ we get to demonstrate how we can align to the [ U.S. Indo-Pacific Command ] @ @ @ @ @ drive lethality.
” The decision has been hailed as a “ major breakthrough ” for @ @ @ @ @ Eurasiantimes.com.Training operations routinely occur in the waters , by all nations who lay claim to @ @ @ @ @ Navy regularly runs fleet battle problems , which allow the military to test how it @ @ @ @ @ conflict erupt .
It reportedly also wants around $ 2bn ( £1.5bn ) to produce @ @ @ @ @ the next five years , a request Congress is currently raising objections about .

COLD WAR II: South China Sea: US warned Beijing of ‘major military breakthrough’ in bid to secure area.
“We’re shooting for early 2021 to be able to run a fleet battle problem that is centred on unmanned [technology].
“It will be on the sea, above the sea and under the sea as we get to demonstrate how we can align to the [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command] directives to use experimentation to drive lethality.”
The decision has been hailed as a “major breakthrough” for the US, according to Eurasiantimes.com.Training operations routinely occur in the waters, by all nations who lay claim to the region.
The US Navy regularly runs fleet battle problems, which allow the military to test how it would deploy its forces should conflict erupt.
It reportedly also wants around $2bn (£1.5bn) to produce 10 unmanned surface vessels during the next five years, a request Congress is currently raising objections about.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--“WEIRD HOW THE MSM ALL OF A SUDDEN CARES ENOUGH TO REPORT ON HUNTER’S PROBLEMS.”

Weird how all of this Hunter Biden news is coming out in the mainstream media after the election .
NBC News first reported ( granted on a Friday night ) that an email brings up “ fresh questions ” about Hunter ’ s tax problems like not reporting $ 400,000 income from Burisma .
Hunter Biden ’ s former business partner sent him an email in 2017 saying he did not disclose on his tax returns $ 400,000 in income from the Ukrainian natural gas company where he sat on the board , according to a copy of the email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Eric Schwerin , then president of Rosemont Seneca Partners , says Hunter Biden would need to “ amend ” his 2014 returns to reflect the “ unreported ” income , according to the copy of the email .
“ In 2014 you joined the Burisma board and we still need to amend your 2014 returns to reflect the unreported Burisma income , ” says the email dated Jan. 16 , 2017 .
Hunter revealed last week that the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Delaware has been investigating his tax affairs…since 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laptop , which had all the information in The New York Post ‘ s bombshells , is part of a 2019 FBI money laundering probe .
NBC News said it could not verify the email or authenticate it .
Fox News reported Monday morning that its reporters looked at the same email , dated January 16 , 2017 .
The network also said it “ could not verify its authenticity.
” Both networks reached out to Scherwin and Hunter ’ s attorney George Mesires .
Neither has responded to NBC or Fox .

Report: Hunter Biden Did Not Disclose $400,000 Burisma Income.
Weird how all of this Hunter Biden news is coming out in the mainstream media after the election.
NBC News first reported (granted on a Friday night) that an email brings up “fresh questions” about Hunter’s tax problems like not reporting $400,000 income from Burisma.
From NBC News:
Hunter Biden’s former business partner sent him an email in 2017 saying he did not disclose on his tax returns $400,000 in income from the Ukrainian natural gas company where he sat on the board, according to a copy of the email obtained by NBC News. The message from Eric Schwerin, then president of Rosemont Seneca Partners, says Hunter Biden would need to “amend” his 2014 returns to reflect the “unreported” income, according to the copy of the email. “In 2014 you joined the Burisma board and we still need to amend your 2014 returns to reflect the unreported Burisma income,” says the email dated Jan. 16, 2017.
Hunter revealed last week that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware has been investigating his tax affairs…since 2018!
Don’t forget that his laptop, which had all the information in The New York Post‘s bombshells, is part of a 2019 FBI money laundering probe.
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NBC News said it could not verify the email or authenticate it.
Fox News reported Monday morning that its reporters looked at the same email, dated January 16, 2017. The network also said it “could not verify its authenticity.”
Both networks reached out to Scherwin and Hunter’s attorney George Mesires. Neither has responded to NBC or Fox.
…
…
h/t Ed


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--This Friday (December 18th) Will Be One Of The Most Important Days Of This Country’s History…

As many of you may already know , Trump signed an executive order back on September 12 , 2018 that allows sanctions in the event of foreign interference in the election .
There ’ s been a lot of chatter recently of the possibility of Trump invoking the insurrection act to take control if in the event that the court failed to enforce accountability and uphold the Constitution .
What ’ s the written deadline for this particular EO ?
Answer : December 18 , 2020 .
Are you aware of the historical significance of that date ?
Ask yourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Trump was officially impeached .
Now ask yourselves what happened on December 18th the year before that ?
Answer : Trump delivered his important national security address December 18 , 1271 : Marked the official start of the Yuan dynasty of Mongolia and China .
December 18 , 1777 : US celebrates its first Thanksgiving .
December 18 , 1865 : Thirteenth Amendment prohibited slavery throughout the US .
December 18 1939 : The first major air battle of the WW2 took place .
December 18 , 1944 : US B-29 ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , China .
And yet so many of you actually think that Trump will go quietly into the night ?
I wouldn ’ t count on it .
Have your supplies stocked by December 18th .
Things are going to get bumpy .
REALLY bumpy .

As many of you may already know, Trump signed an executive order back on September 12, 2018 that allows sanctions in the event of foreign interference in the election. There’s been a lot of chatter recently of the possibility of Trump invoking the insurrection act to take control if in the event that the court failed to enforce accountability and uphold the Constitution. What’s the written deadline for this particular EO? Answer: December 18, 2020.
Source:
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-imposing-certain-sanctions-event-foreign-interference-united-states-election/
Are you aware of the historical significance of that date? Ask yourselves what happened last December 18th?
Answer: Trump was officially impeached.
Source:
Now ask yourselves what happened on December 18th the year before that?
Answer: Trump delivered his important national security address
Source:
www.c-span.org/video/?438631-1/president-trump-delivers-national-security-strategy-address
But wait, there’s more…
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December 18, 1271: Marked the official start of the Yuan dynasty of Mongolia and China.
December 18, 1777: US celebrates its first Thanksgiving.
December 18, 1865: Thirteenth Amendment prohibited slavery throughout the US.
December 18 1939: The first major air battle of the WW2 took place.
December 18, 1944: US B-29’s bombed the shit out of Hankow, China.
And more….
And yet so many of you actually think that Trump will go quietly into the night? I wouldn’t count on it. Have your supplies stocked by December 18th. Things are going to get bumpy. REALLY bumpy.
Needs to be confirmed but the Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe is alleged to be making an announcement this Friday which “It’s Going To Blow The Mind Of Every Citizen, there might not be a Joe Biden administration.” I know Trump met up with him this week. — David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) December 15, 2020
h/t Dr. Van Gogh


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--U.S. Dollar About To Reach The Point Of No Return?

For the majority of the past 9-years , the US Dollar has created a series of higher lows and higher @ @ @ @ @ rising channel .
The weakness over the past 9-months , has King $ slipping below @ @ @ @ @ at ( 1 ) .
The 88-89 level has come into play as support and @ @ @ @ @ .
Until proven differently this level first comes into play as support .
If the @ @ @ @ @ support , King $ could lose another 5 % quickly !
What the US $ @ @ @ @ @ , will send a very important to Gold , Silver , Commodities and interest rates @

by Chris Kimble
For the majority of the past 9-years, the US Dollar has created a series of higher lows and higher highs, creating a long-term rising channel.
The weakness over the past 9-months, has King$ slipping below a potential cluster of support at (1).
The 88-89 level has come into play as support and resistance numerous times since 2008.
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Until proven differently this level first comes into play as support.
If the level fails to hold as support, King$ could lose another 5% quickly!
What the US$ does at the 88-89 level, will send a very important to Gold, Silver, Commodities and interest rates!


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--Wikileaks just dumped all of their files online!! Everything from Hillary Clinton’s emails, McCain,

Wikileaks just dumped all of their files online!! Everything from Hillary Clinton’s emails, McCain, Vegas shooting done by an FBI sniper, Steve Jobs HIV letter,Afghanistan, Syria.

WHO pandemic .
Happy Digging !
Here you go , please read and pass it on…..
Declassified : Clinton created @ @ @ @ @ her email scandal Former CIA Director John Brennan briefed former President Obama on Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ to tie the Trump campaign to Russia as a means of distracting the public from @ @ @ @ @ before the 2016 election , according to newly declassified documents .
Director of National Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ Brennan ’ s handwritten notes along with a CIA memo showing that officials referred the @ @ @ @ @ for potential investigation .
“ Today , at the direction of President Trump , I @ @ @ @ @ ongoing Congressional oversight and investigative activities , ” Ratcliffe said in a statement .
Brennan @ @ @ @ @ were taken after he briefed Obama on the intelligence , cite “ a proposal from @ @ @ @ @ advisers to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian @ @ @ @ @ was “ alleged approved by Hillary Clinton .
”

WHO pandemic. Happy Digging! Here you go, please read and pass it on…..
get going folks there’s a lot link
Declassified: Clinton created Russia Hoax to distract from her email scandal
Former CIA Director John Brennan briefed former President Obama on Hillary Clinton’s “plan” to tie the Trump campaign to Russia as a means of distracting the public from her private email server scandal before the 2016 election, according to newly declassified documents.
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe on Tuesday declassified Brennan’s handwritten notes along with a CIA memo showing that officials referred the alleged scheme to the FBI for potential investigation.
“Today, at the direction of President Trump, I declassified additional documents relevant to ongoing Congressional oversight and investigative activities,” Ratcliffe said in a statement.
Brennan’s notes, which were taken after he briefed Obama on the intelligence, cite “a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisers to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service,” which was “alleged approved by Hillary Clinton.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--93% of World in Recession as Nearly Half of Small Businesses May Close! Economic Contraction

The financial system has seen an influx of money .
More debt has been piling in .
Mortgages are growing @ @ @ @ @ .
Equities are seeing gains especially with tech stocks .
ETF ’ s .

The financial system has seen an influx of money. More debt has been piling in. Mortgages are growing. Stocks are rising higher. Equities are seeing gains especially with tech stocks. ETF’s.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-12-15--US Kicks Off Unprecedented Vaccine Campaign

In the shadow of the world ’ s largest COVID-19 death toll , the United States has begun the largest @ @ @ @ @ .
We break down the scope of the effort and what issues and concerns lie @ @ @ @ @ .

In the shadow of the world’s largest COVID-19 death toll, the United States has begun the largest vaccine campaign in its history. We break down the scope of the effort and what issues and concerns lie ahead in the unprecedented effort.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-16--UPDATE: Major snow and ice storm for mid-Atlantic and Northeast…  12 INCHES NYC?  More than ALL of l

UPDATE: Major snow and ice storm for mid-Atlantic and Northeast…  12 INCHES NYC?  More than ALL of last winter

UPDATE : Major snow and ice storm for mid-Atlantic and Northeast… A major nor ’ easter is expected to take shape at midweek and unload the biggest snowstorm in years across a good portion of the Northeast .
Snowfall totals are expected to be measured in feet in some areas across the interior as winds ramp up and create near-blizzard conditions for parts of the region late Wednesday into Thursday morning .
But , one factor will keep the storm from becoming a full-on “ snowmaggedon , ” and that will be it ’ s forward speed .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will keep overall snow totals down .
Even still , at the storm ’ s peak , snow is expected to come down at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour .
More than ALL of last winter Winter 2019-20 produced paltry snowfall amounts in many Northeast cities .
In some cases , even a small amount of snow from Gail could top last season ’ s totals .
New York City ’ s Central Park only picked up 4.8 inches of snow all of last winter , 21 inches fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 inches more than their least snowy season on record , 1972-73 .
Only three other seasons since 1869 were less snowy than 2019-20 in New York .

UPDATE: Major snow and ice storm for mid-Atlantic and Northeast…
A major nor’easter is expected to take shape at midweek and unload the biggest snowstorm in years across a good portion of the Northeast. Snowfall totals are expected to be measured in feet in some areas across the interior as winds ramp up and create near-blizzard conditions for parts of the region late Wednesday into Thursday morning.
But, one factor will keep the storm from becoming a full-on “snowmaggedon,” and that will be it’s forward speed. It’ll be a fast-moving storm, which will keep overall snow totals down. Even still, at the storm’s peak, snow is expected to come down at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour.
12 INCHES NYC?
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URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service New York NY 347 AM EST Wed Dec 16 2020 NJZ006-NYZ072>075-176>178-162100- /O.CON.KOKX.WS.W.0001.201216T1900Z-201217T1800Z/ Hudson-New York (Manhattan)-Bronx-Richmond (Staten Island)- Kings (Brooklyn)-Northern Queens-Northern Nassau-Southern Queens- 347 AM EST Wed Dec 16 2020 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM EST THURSDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 10 to 13 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York. * WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to 1 PM EST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Snowfall amounts could be a bit lower than forecast along south coastal portions of the region if sleet mixes in Wednesday Night. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Check local Department of Transportation information services for the latest road conditions. && $$
More than ALL of last winter
inter Storm Gail could bring some Northeast cities more snow in a day or two than they saw all of last winter.
Winter 2019-20 produced paltry snowfall amounts in many Northeast cities. In some cases, even a small amount of snow from Gail could top last season’s totals.
New York City’s Central Park only picked up 4.8 inches of snow all of last winter, 21 inches fewer than an average snow season and only 2 inches more than their least snowy season on record, 1972-73. Only three other seasons since 1869 were less snowy than 2019-20 in New York.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-16--WATCH Tucker Carlson OBLITERATE “Dr.” Jill Biden

Collin Rugg from Trending Politics reports , During a segment on his primetime show , Fox News host Tucker Carlson @ @ @ @ @ Biden into another dimension when he ripped her for going by “ Dr .
Jill @ @ @

Collin Rugg from Trending Politics reports, During a segment on his primetime show, Fox News host Tucker Carlson trolled former Second Lady Jill Biden into another dimension when he ripped her for going by “Dr. Jill Biden.”
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Read More/Source/Credit/FairUse:
trendingpolitics.com/same-sen…


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-16--The UK has an unemployment rate of 9% and no real wage growth

Today reminds me of the article I wrote on the second of April where I was worried about the spectre of mass unemployment .
It turns out that I was right on two counts .
We have plunged into a type of economic depression but as I warned then we have had a fair bit of trouble with the way it is measured .
Sadly the International Labor Organisation has continued with a standard that has turned out to be about as useful as a chocolate teapot.Let me explain with reference to the latest UK figures from this morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline in GDP or economic activity in the pandemic period these would be really good numbers but they are sadly too good to be true for the reason below .
That is the impact of the furlough scheme in the main and if we quantify that we see that around 1.5 million people are in a type of hidden unemployment so putting them back in leaves us with 3.2 million unemployed or a near doubling of the numbers .
On that road the unemployment rate looks to be a bit over 9 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s numbers because in the television series Yes Prime Minister Jim Hacker tells us that nobody believes the unemployment numbers .
He was referring to a forerunner ( this was 1983 ) of what we now call the claimant count which seems to be performing better than the official unemployment numbers .
Oh and this exchange in another episode may raise a wry smile .
Fortunately there is another measure which is giving us a lot better guide to the state of play in the UK labour market .
Let us start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can see there has been quite an improvement and we may have some form of a V-Shaped recovery eventually .
In terms of theoretical economics this is called labour hoarding where we have responded by having fewer hours worked rather than people being made explicitly unemployed and losing their job .
If we were to look back a decade or more this was in fact considered a good outcome as it was considered that the German system which used this was better than ours in the UK which used it less .
Returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of half V we are still in a situation where id we compare the peak of 1,052,196 weekly hours to the most recent number of 960,020 we see a fall which is still of the order of 8.8 % .
Another way of looking at this is that we have gone back to the summer of 2013 or are slightly better than what we were pre credit crunch so in 2008 .
These provide some help in terms of direction of travel .
The number of people reporting redundancy in the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to October 2020 by a record 251,000 on the year , and a record 217,000 on the quarter , to a record high of 370,000 However there is a catch in that the total numbers reported will have been reduced by the furlough scheme ( a good thing overall ) .
But in terms of these numbers there will have been a boost from the expected end of the furlough scheme which was then extended .
I think before we even look at these numbers we need to put up a proceed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starship Enterprise we would be on yellow alert .
That does not seem very likely and in fact things get even less likely as we switch to real wages .
Sadly some will take this at face value and think that we have got right back ti where we started from and put Maxine Nightingale on Spotify .
The catch is something that has been a problem before in the credit crunch era and I have noted in the US data .
Okay so how much ?
Let us start with compositional changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries account for 0.2 % .
So we have a total of 2.2 % but there may be double counting here .
But as a principle we have just removed the real wage growth which is a good thing as the idea that we actually have real wage growth is pretty ridiculous .
It is even before we get to the issue of the woeful imputed rent driven inflation number that has been accepted by our statisticians under pressure from HM Treasury .
We find that the labour market figures have quite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points below are generic ones although the specific numbers refer to the UK .
If we start with the quality or price numbers we see that such analysis wipes out any real wage growth and perhaps all wage growth .
That seems much more realistic as it fits better with what the Bank of England Agents reported .
Switching back to the quantity numbers we see that a reported unemployment rate of 4.9 % becomes more like 9 % once we allow for the furlough scheme .
So it is hours worked which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the graph above.Also have you noticed how Zero Hours Contracts have shifted off the agenda ?
Hours worked have got much better but sadly due to the new restrictions are likely to get worse again in November and December .
The latter is rather confused for Londoners like me as we have just been restricted more but next week the Christmas loosening starts .

by Shaun Richards
Today reminds me of the article I wrote on the second of April where I was worried about the spectre of mass unemployment. It turns out that I was right on two counts. We have plunged into a type of economic depression but as I warned then we have had a fair bit of trouble with the way it is measured.
However the numbers will need some interpreting because it looks as though those who are “furloughed” will continue to be counted as in employment. Personally I think it would be better if a new category was created.
Sadly the International Labor Organisation has continued with a standard that has turned out to be about as useful as a chocolate teapot.Let me explain with reference to the latest UK figures from this morning.
The UK unemployment rate, in the three months to October 2020, was estimated at 4.9%, 1.2 percentage points higher than a year earlier and 0.7 percentage points higher than the previous quarter……….Estimates for August to October 2020 show an estimated 1.69 million people were unemployed, up 411,000 on the same period the previous year and up 241,000 on the quarter.
In the circumstances of a 7.9% decline in GDP or economic activity in the pandemic period these would be really good numbers but they are sadly too good to be true for the reason below.
Prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic there was on average 2 to 2.5 million people temporarily away from work. Experimental estimates based on returns for individual weeks show that the number of people temporarily away from work rose to around 7.9 million people in April 2020 but has fallen to around 3.7 million people in October 2020.
That is the impact of the furlough scheme in the main and if we quantify that we see that around 1.5 million people are in a type of hidden unemployment so putting them back in leaves us with 3.2 million unemployed or a near doubling of the numbers. On that road the unemployment rate looks to be a bit over 9%.
There is an irony in today’s numbers because in the television series Yes Prime Minister Jim Hacker tells us that nobody believes the unemployment numbers. He was referring to a forerunner ( this was 1983) of what we now call the claimant count which seems to be performing better than the official unemployment numbers.
The Claimant Count increased slightly in November 2020 to 2.7 million. This represents a monthly increase of 2.5% and an increase of 114.8%, or 1.4 million, since March 2020.
Oh and this exchange in another episode may raise a wry smile.
Hacker: The school leaving age was raised to 16 so that they could learn more, and they’re learning less! Sir Humphrey: We didn’t raise it to enable them to learn more! We raised it to keep teenagers off the job market and hold down the unemployment figures.
Hours Worked
Fortunately there is another measure which is giving us a lot better guide to the state of play in the UK labour market. Let us start with the good part.
Between May to July 2020 and August to October 2020, total actual weekly hours worked in the UK saw a record increase of 104.9 million, or 12.3%, to 960.0 million hours. Average actual weekly hours worked saw a record increase of 3.3 hours on the quarter to 29.5 hours.
As you can see there has been quite an improvement and we may have some form of a V-Shaped recovery eventually.
In terms of theoretical economics this is called labour hoarding where we have responded by having fewer hours worked rather than people being made explicitly unemployed and losing their job. If we were to look back a decade or more this was in fact considered a good outcome as it was considered that the German system which used this was better than ours in the UK which used it less.
Returning to the numbers in spite of the sort of half V we are still in a situation where id we compare the peak of 1,052,196 weekly hours to the most recent number of 960,020 we see a fall which is still of the order of 8.8%. Another way of looking at this is that we have gone back to the summer of 2013 or are slightly better than what we were pre credit crunch so in 2008.
Redundancies
These provide some help in terms of direction of travel.
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The number of people reporting redundancy in the three months prior to interview increased in August to October 2020 by a record 251,000 on the year, and a record 217,000 on the quarter, to a record high of 370,000
However there is a catch in that the total numbers reported will have been reduced by the furlough scheme ( a good thing overall). But in terms of these numbers there will have been a boost from the expected end of the furlough scheme which was then extended.
Wages
I think before we even look at these numbers we need to put up a proceed with caution sign or if we were the Starship Enterprise we would be on yellow alert.
Growth in average total pay (including bonuses) among employees for the three months August to October 2020 increased to 2.7%, and growth in regular pay (excluding bonuses) also increased, to 2.8%.
That does not seem very likely and in fact things get even less likely as we switch to real wages.
Growth in both total pay and regular pay was higher than inflation; in real terms, average pay was 1.9% (total pay) and 2.1% (regular pay) higher than a year ago.
Sadly some will take this at face value and think that we have got right back ti where we started from and put Maxine Nightingale on Spotify.
The rate of total and regular pay growth had stood at 2.9% in December 2019 to February 2020 immediately prior to any impact from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was seen; it then slowed sharply in April to June 2020 to negative 1.3% for total pay and negative 0.1% for regular pay before some increase between July and October.
The catch is something that has been a problem before in the credit crunch era and I have noted in the US data.
A notable proportion of the growth in average pay is because of a fall in the number and proportion of lower-paid employee jobs; other factors such as a fall in employees entering the labour market have also inflated average pay growth.
Okay so how much? Let us start with compositional changes
It therefore appears that the net impact of recent job losses, when measured in terms of type of job, is to increase the estimate of average pay by approximately 1%.
Then there is this.
This considers tenure of employees who fill the stock of jobs and suggests that a fall in new entrants to the labour market (who are lower paid than average) has contributed to an increase in average pay, with magnitude of approximately 1%.
Shifts within industries account for 0.2%. So we have a total of 2.2% but there may be double counting here. But as a principle we have just removed the real wage growth which is a good thing as the idea that we actually have real wage growth is pretty ridiculous. It is even before we get to the issue of the woeful imputed rent driven inflation number that has been accepted by our statisticians under pressure from HM Treasury.
Comment
We find that the labour market figures have quite a few traps for the unwary. The points below are generic ones although the specific numbers refer to the UK. If we start with the quality or price numbers we see that such analysis wipes out any real wage growth and perhaps all wage growth. That seems much more realistic as it fits better with what the Bank of England Agents reported.
Given the uncertain outlook, many companies reported freezing pay, and a large proportion of contacts said they planned to delay or cancel pay settlements this year. Companies in a number of sectors reported introducing temporary pay cuts, though these were mainly at management level.
Switching back to the quantity numbers we see that a reported unemployment rate of 4.9% becomes more like 9% once we allow for the furlough scheme. So it is hours worked which give us a true guide highlighted by the graph above.Also have you noticed how Zero Hours Contracts have shifted off the agenda? Hours worked have got much better but sadly due to the new restrictions are likely to get worse again in November and December. The latter is rather confused for Londoners like me as we have just been restricted more but next week the Christmas loosening starts.
In vaccines we trust…..


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-16--Is It Time For A Correction In Oil Markets?

Crude oil prices rose to the highest since early spring after the FDA yesterday gave the green light to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine , with government officials saying several hundred vaccination sites across the country would be supplied with vaccines by tomorrow .
But traders—who have been buying oil and fuels futures with renewed eagerness over the past few weeks—are now preparing for a market correction .
Traders from hedge funds slowed down their purchases of crude oil and derivatives contracts , Reuters ’ John Kemp said in his weekly column , noting that this is the fifth week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a voracious appetite .
This appetite will be difficult to sustain , though , even after vaccinations start in the United States , for two main reasons : how long it will take to vaccinate the population and oil ’ s fundamentals .
The regulatory approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the United States was a major step in a bullish direction for oil , but it was the first of many .
Challenges remain concerning both availability and logistics .
CNN reported yesterday that while the first medical workers were vaccinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most Americans to be vaccinated .
The federal government bought 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine earlier this year , which means 50 million people will be vaccinated since it ’ s a two-dose vaccine .
Pfizer has now said it would be unable to supply additional quantities until the middle of next year .
In short , it will be a while before things begin to return to normal .
Europe is also in an uncertain position with vaccinations .
Governments are wary of making the Covid-19 vaccination obligatory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 vaccines that may compromise efforts to achieve herd immunity through inoculation .
Then there is the question of oil supply and demand that could take the wheels off this latest price rally .
OPEC is preparing to start pumping half a million barrels daily more from January .
The U.S. is already pumping more , and so is Libya , the latter of which produced 1.25 million bpd earlier this month .
At the same time , OPEC yesterday lowered its oil demand forecast for this year .
The cartel now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million bpd since the start of the year , averaging 89.99 million bpd .
The demand projection for 2021 was also revised down .
OPEC now expects 2021 oil demand to average 95.89 million bpd , which would be a solid improvement on 2020 but still 410,000 bpd lower than earlier projections .
Then there ’ s Iran , which last week said it expected to be exporting 2.3 million bpd of oil next year , confident it could reach a deal with the Biden administration regarding sanctions that are currently stifling its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly certain : while Biden has signaled he is ready to negotiate , Iran has in its turn signaled it would not be the first one to make concessions .
Also , the U.S. energy industry is not looking forward to another price slump and might exert some pressure on the president-elect .
At the same time , the Asian recovery from the pandemic is certainly bullish for oil , as is Europe ’ s exit from the second round of lockdowns .
According to a recent Bloomberg report , fuel inventories have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , and Japan reporting a rebound in gasoline demand .
For many analysts , the rebound is only a matter of time , and this time appears to be next year , putting upward pressure on prices despite the challenges .
“ Oil is the cheapest of all reflation assets , ” according to Energy Aspects ’ Amrita Sen , who spoke to Bloomberg .
“ With vaccines slowly rolling out , we expect investors to start returning to the oil sector and for prices to continue firming.
” “ Price momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weeks and while some fresh or unexpected bullish headlines may be required to advance the complex into new high territory , we will also note a market that appears to have developed immunity to bearish headlines that would normally be slapping the complex down , ” another analyst , Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch Associates , told Reuters .
The clouds over oil , in other words , are beginning to clear .
It might take a while for them to clear completely , but demand is on the mend , and ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor right now .

By Irina Slav
Crude oil prices rose to the highest since early spring after the FDA yesterday gave the green light to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, with government officials saying several hundred vaccination sites across the country would be supplied with vaccines by tomorrow. But traders—who have been buying oil and fuels futures with renewed eagerness over the past few weeks—are now preparing for a market correction. Traders from hedge funds slowed down their purchases of crude oil and derivatives contracts, Reuters’ John Kemp said in his weekly column, noting that this is the fifth week in a row when traders have been buying with a voracious appetite.
This appetite will be difficult to sustain, though, even after vaccinations start in the United States, for two main reasons: how long it will take to vaccinate the population and oil’s fundamentals.
The regulatory approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the United States was a major step in a bullish direction for oil, but it was the first of many. Challenges remain concerning both availability and logistics. CNN reported yesterday that while the first medical workers were vaccinated on Monday, it would take months for most Americans to be vaccinated.
The federal government bought 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine earlier this year, which means 50 million people will be vaccinated since it’s a two-dose vaccine. Pfizer has now said it would be unable to supply additional quantities until the middle of next year.
In short, it will be a while before things begin to return to normal.
Europe is also in an uncertain position with vaccinations. Governments are wary of making the Covid-19 vaccination obligatory, but there is growing public mistrust in the Covid-19 vaccines that may compromise efforts to achieve herd immunity through inoculation.
Then there is the question of oil supply and demand that could take the wheels off this latest price rally. OPEC is preparing to start pumping half a million barrels daily more from January. The U.S. is already pumping more, and so is Libya, the latter of which produced 1.25 million bpd earlier this month.
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At the same time, OPEC yesterday lowered its oil demand forecast for this year. The cartel now expects demand to have fallen by 9.7 million bpd since the start of the year, averaging 89.99 million bpd. The demand projection for 2021 was also revised down. OPEC now expects 2021 oil demand to average 95.89 million bpd, which would be a solid improvement on 2020 but still 410,000 bpd lower than earlier projections.
Then there’s Iran, which last week said it expected to be exporting 2.3 million bpd of oil next year, confident it could reach a deal with the Biden administration regarding sanctions that are currently stifling its oil exports. A deal is not exactly certain: while Biden has signaled he is ready to negotiate, Iran has in its turn signaled it would not be the first one to make concessions. Also, the U.S. energy industry is not looking forward to another price slump and might exert some pressure on the president-elect.
At the same time, the Asian recovery from the pandemic is certainly bullish for oil, as is Europe’s exit from the second round of lockdowns. According to a recent Bloomberg report, fuel inventories have been draining steadily, with India, China, and Japan reporting a rebound in gasoline demand. For many analysts, the rebound is only a matter of time, and this time appears to be next year, putting upward pressure on prices despite the challenges.
“Oil is the cheapest of all reflation assets,” according to Energy Aspects’ Amrita Sen, who spoke to Bloomberg. “With vaccines slowly rolling out, we expect investors to start returning to the oil sector and for prices to continue firming.”
“Price momentum has slowed appreciably during the past couple of weeks and while some fresh or unexpected bullish headlines may be required to advance the complex into new high territory, we will also note a market that appears to have developed immunity to bearish headlines that would normally be slapping the complex down,” another analyst, Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch Associates, told Reuters.
The clouds over oil, in other words, are beginning to clear. It might take a while for them to clear completely, but demand is on the mend, and ultimately, this is the single most important factor right now.
By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-16--Animation: Mapping the Recovery from the Global Recession of 2020

With 2020 nearly behind us , many are eagerly looking ahead to what 2021 will bring .
COVID-19 vaccinations have begun , and hope is on the horizon for a stronger economy going forward .
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) projects that after a 4.2 % drop this year , the global economy will reach pre-pandemic levels in 2021 .
This animation , which uses data from the OECD , shows which countries will recover the fastest from the global recession in 2020 .
The projections assume that renewed virus outbreaks remain contained , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of 2021 helps to support confidence .
Information used in the projections , such as monetary and fiscal policies , is as of November 27 , 2020 .
Here is how the economic forecasts break down for both OECD and non-OECD countries , sorted by projected real GDP growth in 2021 : China started recovering earlier than most countries , and is projected to be the only country with positive GDP growth in 2020 .
Strong growth will continue in 2021 , when China will account for over one-third of global economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world ’ s tightest lockdowns and will see a large GDP drop in 2020 .
The decline has exacerbated inequality , as school closures disrupt meal programmes and prompt dropouts by disadvantaged children .
While the economy is forecast to grow from 2021-2022 , it may take almost two years for GDP to fully recover .
Out of the countries measured in OECD ’ s forecast , Argentina will see the biggest GDP decline in 2021 .
Rising unemployment and inflationary pressures have contributed to the decline .
New Zealand ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OECD average , despite a larger drop in mobility , from the last quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020 .
A recovery will partially depend on travel restrictions , as tourism accounted for 20 % of the country ’ s total employment in 2019 .
Considerable uncertainty about near-term GDP projections remain— $ 7 trillion of uncertainty , to be exact .
A downside scenario would be caused by delayed vaccinations or new outbreaks , and would lead to a $ 4 trillion GDP loss by 2022 compared to current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by fast vaccine rollout and boosted consumer and business confidence , could add $ 3 trillion to the global economy .
However , it is likely that the pandemic has caused permanent losses no matter the scenario .
As we wait for vaccines to be widely available , the OECD recommends that governments implement clear COVID-19 containment measures .
While debt-to-GDP ratios have risen substantially due to stimulus packages , the organization also recommends that governments maintain strong fiscal support .
In particular , policies should be directed towards the most vulnerable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and children .
This may foster a more even recovery from the global recession of 2020 .

by visualcapitalist
With 2020 nearly behind us, many are eagerly looking ahead to what 2021 will bring. COVID-19 vaccinations have begun, and hope is on the horizon for a stronger economy going forward.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) projects that after a 4.2% drop this year, the global economy will reach pre-pandemic levels in 2021. This animation, which uses data from the OECD, shows which countries will recover the fastest from the global recession in 2020.
Economic Forecast by Country
The projections assume that renewed virus outbreaks remain contained, and that a widely available vaccine near the end of 2021 helps to support confidence. Information used in the projections, such as monetary and fiscal policies, is as of November 27, 2020.
Here is how the economic forecasts break down for both OECD and non-OECD countries, sorted by projected real GDP growth in 2021:
China started recovering earlier than most countries, and is projected to be the only country with positive GDP growth in 2020. Strong growth will continue in 2021, when China will account for over one-third of global economic growth.
Meanwhile, India experienced one of the world’s tightest lockdowns and will see a large GDP drop in 2020. The decline has exacerbated inequality, as school closures disrupt meal programmes and prompt dropouts by disadvantaged children. While the economy is forecast to grow from 2021-2022, it may take almost two years for GDP to fully recover.
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Out of the countries measured in OECD’s forecast, Argentina will see the biggest GDP decline in 2021. Rising unemployment and inflationary pressures have contributed to the decline.
New Zealand’s GDP loss was similar to the OECD average, despite a larger drop in mobility, from the last quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020. A recovery will partially depend on travel restrictions, as tourism accounted for 20% of the country’s total employment in 2019.
A Fragile Recovery
Considerable uncertainty about near-term GDP projections remain—$7 trillion of uncertainty, to be exact.
A downside scenario would be caused by delayed vaccinations or new outbreaks, and would lead to a $4 trillion GDP loss by 2022 compared to current projections. An upside scenario, spurred by fast vaccine rollout and boosted consumer and business confidence, could add $3 trillion to the global economy.
However, it is likely that the pandemic has caused permanent losses no matter the scenario.
As we wait for vaccines to be widely available, the OECD recommends that governments implement clear COVID-19 containment measures. While debt-to-GDP ratios have risen substantially due to stimulus packages, the organization also recommends that governments maintain strong fiscal support.
In particular, policies should be directed towards the most vulnerable, such as low-skilled workers, small businesses, and children. This may foster a more even recovery from the global recession of 2020.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-16--Fannie, Freddie Slump After Mnuchin Rules Out Freeing Companies (What Will Biden Do?)

The question about Fannie Mae ’ s and Freddie Mac ’ s futures is solved : nothing .
They are remaining in conservatorship under Mark Calabria and FHFA .
( Bloomberg ) -By Joe Light- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plunged Tuesday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he ’ s all but ruled out letting them exit U.S. control before he steps down , leaving it to the Biden administration to decide the fates of the mortgage giants .
In a Wall Street Journal interview , Mnuchin said he ’ s not going to pursue any actions that put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to home loans .
His decision prevents a major policy change in the last days of the Trump administration that risked disrupting the $ 10 trillion mortgage market .
Because of the stakes involved , freeing Fannie and Freddie before President-elect Joseph Biden ’ s Jan. 20 inauguration has long been considered a long shot .
But it ’ s an approach that Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria , the companies ’ regulator , has been pushing for behind the scenes .
The agreements that provide the companies with government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the Treasury Department ’ s sign-off .
Fannie fell 15 % to $ 2.33 at 9:37 am in New York trading , while Freddie also slipped 15 % to $ 2.29 .
Fannie has slumped 25 % this year and Freddie has declined 24 % .
Mnuchin ’ s decision means he will fall short of a goal he pledged to accomplish relatively quickly just days after President Donald Trump ’ s2016 election win .
But fully privatizing Fannie and Freddie proved more complicated than the Treasury secretary might have assumed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , like pushing Trump ’ s tax cut through Congress and responding to the Covid-19 fueled economic downturn .
Speaking to reporters last week , Mnuchin described Fannie and Freddie as “ the one area I feel like we didn ’ t make enough progress.
” Bankrate ’ s 30Y rate is higher than the US Government 10Y yield .
But what will Biden do ?
Probably nothing .

by confoundedinterest17
The question about Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s futures is solved: nothing. They are remaining in conservatorship under Mark Calabria and FHFA.
(Bloomberg) -By Joe Light- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plunged Tuesday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he’s all but ruled out letting them exit U.S. control before he steps down, leaving it to the Biden administration to decide the fates of the mortgage giants.
In a Wall Street Journal interview, Mnuchin said he’s not going to pursue any actions that put taxpayers at risk or limit consumers’ access to home loans. His decision prevents a major policy change in the last days of the Trump administration that risked disrupting the $10 trillion mortgage market.
Because of the stakes involved, freeing Fannie and Freddie before President-elect Joseph Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration has long been considered a long shot. But it’s an approach that Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria, the companies’ regulator, has been pushing for behind the scenes. The agreements that provide the companies with government support prevent them from leaving federal control without the Treasury Department’s sign-off.
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Fannie fell 15% to $2.33 at 9:37 am in New York trading, while Freddie also slipped 15% to $2.29. Fannie has slumped 25% this year and Freddie has declined 24%.
Mnuchin’s decision means he will fall short of a goal he pledged to accomplish relatively quickly just days after President Donald Trump’s2016 election win. But fully privatizing Fannie and Freddie proved more complicated than the Treasury secretary might have assumed. It also got sidetracked by more pressing issues, like pushing Trump’s tax cut through Congress and responding to the Covid-19 fueled economic downturn.
Speaking to reporters last week, Mnuchin described Fannie and Freddie as “the one area I feel like we didn’t make enough progress.”
Bankrate’s 30Y rate is higher than the US Government 10Y yield.
But what will Biden do? Probably nothing.