investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--What the Pandemic Revealed: a Morally Bankrupt Culture

What was “ normal ” for the past two decades was to turn a blind eye to the moral and financial bankruptcy of the American culture , the rot at the heart of its social , political and economic orders .
The pandemic has shredded the putrid facade and revealed the rot , much to the dismay of the multitude of minions tasked with sanitizing the rot behind narratives promoting the normalization of predation , fraud and exploitation .
What ’ s been absolutely verboten is to call legalized pillage and predation what they really are : evil .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the usual means : denial , legal justifications , making excuses for the predators and the system that defends predation , and by erasing the memory of a time when moral bankruptcy , predation and institutionalized fraud were not yet normalized .
People have always been self-absorbed and greedy , so goes the excuse ; or , greed is good because that ’ s the magic of the invisible hand at work .
By stripping fraud and predation of moral consequence , we ’ ve covered the putrid rot with a thoroughly modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes and winner takes all .
Monopoly , quasi-monopoly and cartels ( i.e .
Warren Buffett ’ s entire portfolio ) are presented as the natural order of things rather than an evil construct of predation and exploitation that benefits the few at the expense of the many .
Nothing outrages the apologists and the lackeys enriching themselves in the dens of thieves more than accusations of evil , or indeed , anything smacking of moral standards or judgments .
Anything goes not just for individual choices , but for capital ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s simply not PC to question the morality of capital ’ s predations .
As for winner takes all , this legalized looting is presented as a form of economic Darwinism that is nothing but the healthy manifestation of a free market .
This is the Devil ’ s handiwork , of course , presenting legalized looting that only benefits the few as the inevitable result of open markets .
The greater the outrage of the technocrats and monopolists at being called what they are–evil–the greater the confirmation that the accusation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploiters must strip away any moral assessment of their actions , as even the smallest shred of moral or karmic justice threatens their empires .
And so economics has been reduced to bloodless quantifications of profits , costs and sales and obfuscatory mathematics designed to drain the risk of moral consequences from the parasitic pillage .
The greatest monopolist of early modern capitalism , John D. Rockefeller , struggled his entire life to reconcile his Christian values with the evils of his monopoly .
He never fully succeeded , of course , ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he ’ d done by stabilizing erratic markets and selling predictably priced oil products to the public ( at prices fixed by his monopoly ) .
In effect , Rockefeller was praising the model of a public utility : an entity that is regulated to serve the public with essential products and services at a fair and stable price .
This is why I ’ ve proposed turning Facebook , Google , Twitter , Microsoft , Amazon , et al .
into public utilities via regulations that make it illegal to 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) sell the data .
Each quasi-monopoly should be broken into competing pieces that can not buy other pieces or pieces of other quasi-monopolies , or buy back their own shares .
Monopolies and cartels are evil because they are exploitive by their very nature .
This is why the political system imposed anti-trust legislation in the early 20th century .
And this is why technocrat apologists spew endless sophistries aimed at persuading us that these Big Tech monopolies aren ’ t actually monopolies and therefore anti-trust doesn ’ t apply to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth : Big Tech monopolies are in fact monopolies , and therefore they are evil .
Public utilities are ultimately accountable to voters and taxpayers .
Predatory private monopolies are only accountable to their predatory , parasitic owners , a truth that their immense armies of technocrat apologists , lackeys and apparatchiks attempt to obscure .
Monopolies , quasi-monopolies and cartels are inherently exploitive and thus evil , and so everyone profiting from these evils is also evil .
Yes , “ shareholder value ” derived from monopolies , quasi-monopolies and cartels is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The karmic consequences– let ’ s call them moral dividends–are being readied for delivery .
Professing ignorance or sainthood won ’ t stop or even delay the delivery .
The Devil is chuckling at your deliciously ironic ( now long departed ) slogan , “ don ’ t be evil.
” Dear shareholders and monopolists : the banquet of consequences is being served .
Don ’ t choke on the cold serving of karma .

by Charles Hugh-Smith
What was “normal” for the past two decades was to turn a blind eye to the moral and financial bankruptcy of the American culture, the rot at the heart of its social, political and economic orders. The pandemic has shredded the putrid facade and revealed the rot, much to the dismay of the multitude of minions tasked with sanitizing the rot behind narratives promoting the normalization of predation, fraud and exploitation.
What’s been absolutely verboten is to call legalized pillage and predation what they really are: evil. We’ve normalized exploitation and predation by the usual means: denial, legal justifications, making excuses for the predators and the system that defends predation, and by erasing the memory of a time when moral bankruptcy, predation and institutionalized fraud were not yet normalized.
People have always been self-absorbed and greedy, so goes the excuse; or, greed is good because that’s the magic of the invisible hand at work.
By stripping fraud and predation of moral consequence, we’ve covered the putrid rot with a thoroughly modern amorality which we can summarize as anything goes and winner takes all. Monopoly, quasi-monopoly and cartels (i.e. Warren Buffett’s entire portfolio) are presented as the natural order of things rather than an evil construct of predation and exploitation that benefits the few at the expense of the many.
Nothing outrages the apologists and the lackeys enriching themselves in the dens of thieves more than accusations of evil, or indeed, anything smacking of moral standards or judgments. Anything goes not just for individual choices, but for capital’s choices as well, and so it’s simply not PC to question the morality of capital’s predations.
As for winner takes all, this legalized looting is presented as a form of economic Darwinism that is nothing but the healthy manifestation of a free market. This is the Devil’s handiwork, of course, presenting legalized looting that only benefits the few as the inevitable result of open markets.
The greater the outrage of the technocrats and monopolists at being called what they are–evil–the greater the confirmation that the accusation is spot-on. The predators, looters and exploiters must strip away any moral assessment of their actions, as even the smallest shred of moral or karmic justice threatens their empires. And so economics has been reduced to bloodless quantifications of profits, costs and sales and obfuscatory mathematics designed to drain the risk of moral consequences from the parasitic pillage.
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The greatest monopolist of early modern capitalism, John D. Rockefeller, struggled his entire life to reconcile his Christian values with the evils of his monopoly. He never fully succeeded, of course, ultimately using self-serving justifications of the “good” he’d done by stabilizing erratic markets and selling predictably priced oil products to the public (at prices fixed by his monopoly).
In effect, Rockefeller was praising the model of a public utility: an entity that is regulated to serve the public with essential products and services at a fair and stable price.
This is why I’ve proposed turning Facebook, Google, Twitter, Microsoft, Amazon, et al. into public utilities via regulations that make it illegal to 1) collect users’ data and 2) sell the data. Each quasi-monopoly should be broken into competing pieces that cannot buy other pieces or pieces of other quasi-monopolies, or buy back their own shares.
Monopolies and cartels are evil because they are exploitive by their very nature. This is why the political system imposed anti-trust legislation in the early 20th century. And this is why technocrat apologists spew endless sophistries aimed at persuading us that these Big Tech monopolies aren’t actually monopolies and therefore anti-trust doesn’t apply to them. Their frantic efforts only confirm the truth: Big Tech monopolies are in fact monopolies, and therefore they are evil.
Public utilities are ultimately accountable to voters and taxpayers. Predatory private monopolies are only accountable to their predatory, parasitic owners, a truth that their immense armies of technocrat apologists, lackeys and apparatchiks attempt to obscure.
Monopolies, quasi-monopolies and cartels are inherently exploitive and thus evil, and so everyone profiting from these evils is also evil. Yes, “shareholder value” derived from monopolies, quasi-monopolies and cartels is evil. No denial, no excuses. The karmic consequences– let’s call them moral dividends–are being readied for delivery. Professing ignorance or sainthood won’t stop or even delay the delivery. The Devil is chuckling at your deliciously ironic (now long departed) slogan, “don’t be evil.”
Dear shareholders and monopolists: the banquet of consequences is being served. Don’t choke on the cold serving of karma.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--Rain Coming, Targets Locked, Declas Of Obama Officials Who Unmasked Flynn, Pain

The [ DS ] /MSM are struggling to keep this event alive , the Senate held hearings , it was @ @ @ @ @ fear .
People are starting to wake up .
Grennel declassifies Obama officials who unmasked @ @ @ @ @ now locked , let it rain .

The [DS]/MSM are struggling to keep this event alive, the Senate held hearings, it was a disaster for those pushing fear. People are starting to wake up. Grennel declassifies Obama officials who unmasked Gen Flynn, targets are now locked, let it rain.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--(Debt Jubilee) There’s No Amount That Can Save The System – (Detroit’s #1 YouTube Show)

House Democrats released their latest bill Tuesday designed to blunt the destruction of the economy and health-care system .
Party @ @ @ @ @ the more-than-1,800-page package on Friday .
Based upon the contraction of the global economy there @ @ @ @ @ that can be created to save the system .
During this livestream I share how @ @ @ @ @ the need for a debt jubilee .

House Democrats released their latest bill Tuesday designed to blunt the destruction of the economy and health-care system. Party leaders expect to vote on the more-than-1,800-page package on Friday. Based upon the contraction of the global economy there is no amount of currency that can be created to save the system. During this livestream I share how economist are now talking about the need for a debt jubilee.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--Trump Just Projected The Next Phase, All Trade Deals Will Be On His Terms

Countries around the world are now opening up their economies .
The US is now opening , more and more @ @ @ @ @ The event has exposed the supply chain problems in China , Apple is now moving @ @ @ @ @ India .
Trump is not looking to continue trade talks with China , he holds @ @ @ @ @ just projected the next phase , negative interest rates .

Countries around the world are now opening up their economies. The US is now opening, more and more businesses are coming online. The event has exposed the supply chain problems in China, Apple is now moving out of China and into India. Trump is not looking to continue trade talks with China, he holds all the cards. Trump just projected the next phase, negative interest rates.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--A Words About the Current Chaos in Prices and Inflation

Some prices collapsed , others skyrocketed , and the Consumer Price Index went haywire .
Here ’ s what I ’ m seeing beyond the near term — and it ’ s not “ deflation.
” Amid soaring prices of meat , beverages , fruit , veggies , and other food at home , and surging costs of personal goods , medical care services , and household furnishings , and amid a collapse in prices of gasoline , car rentals , public transportation , car insurance , lodging away from home , and other things – amid these diametrically opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went , as expected , haywire today .
And we ’ re going to look at some of those gyrations beyond it .
First , here ’ s what got buffeted around : The overall Consumer Price Index fell 0.8 % in April from March , the steepest one-month drop since December 2008 , when the economy was going through peak-Financial-Crisis 1 .
This brought the increase over the past 12 months down to 0.3 % , the lowest since October 2015 during the oil bust at the time .
The “ core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food components and the extremely volatile energy components – dropped 0.5 % from March to April but was still up 1.4 % from a year ago .
What if we take out the most chaotic and largely temporary price movements at both ends to get to what the undying loss of the purchasing power of the dollar might be ?
Because that ’ s what consumer price inflation is .
There is a consumer price index that is not buffeted around by the month-to-month collapse of some prices and surge in other prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Median CPI , ” which is based on the data from the CPI , removes the extremes at both ends since these extremes are often temporary and distort long-term inflation trends .
The Median CPI from March and .
The chart shows the 12-month Median CPI ( red line ) as an indication of underlying inflation – vs the 12-month “ core ” CPI ( CPI without the food and energy ) : The Median CPI tracks the mid-point ( median ) of the 45 major components of the CPI .
Each component @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ relative importance ” ( % ) .
For example , in April , the “ relative importance ” of Motor Fuel was 3.0 % of the total CPI .
Housing costs , which combined weigh about one-third of CPI , are split up : “ Rent of Primary Residence ” ( to track inflation of rents ) and “ Owners ’ Equivalent of Rent of Residence ” ( to approximate inflation of homeownership ) .
But “ Owners ’ Equivalent ” is split into the four regions of the US .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Owners ’ Equivalent of Rent for all four regions combined weighs 24.5 % .
So total housing costs – rent and Owners Equivalent – weigh 32.5 % of the index .
The table below shows the price movements of the major 45 CPI components in April , ranked from the biggest price decliners at the top to the biggest price gainers at the bottom , but converted to an meaning April ’ price change extrapolated to an entire year ( if you don ’ t see all four columns on your smartphone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : So will the dollar gain purchasing power ?
Hardly .
In my entire lifetime , there were only a few quarters when the dollar gained purchasing power ( deflation ) – and only a little .
The rest of the decades , it relentlessly lost purchasing power ( inflation ) , and during some of these years the loss of purchasing power was in the double digits .
There is no reason to think that this pattern will change going forward .
So I ’ m never worried about deflation – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be brief .
But right now , prices and the data that attempt to reflect them are going haywire .
Since late February , the supply chains have been thrown into turmoil as buying patterns changed , including a massive shift of consumption from businesses and institutions to consumers at home .
There were episodes of panic-buying and empty shelves .
In other parts of the supply chain – such as those for hotels and restaurants – similar items were piling up with no place to go .
Ecommerce boomed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales at stores that sold groceries boomed .
But much of the rest of brick-and-mortar retail was shut down .
New vehicle sales in April plunged by about 44 % .
Used vehicle sales plunged similarly .
All this has an impact on prices – and if you ’ ve been to the supermarket , you ’ ve seen the impact there , as stuff is getting pricier .
But filling up your car got a lot cheaper .
The government is borrowing trillions of dollars – mostly monetized by the Fed ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these funds to various entities including consumers via unemployment benefits and stimulus checks , to companies , and to investors in form of investor bailouts .
Much of this money is going to get spent , even if it isn ’ t along normal spending patterns .
In this chaotic environment , the price measurements can produce chaotic results .
The Median CPI eliminates the chaotic outliers on both sides of the CPI and shows that underlying inflation is ticking down some but isn ’ t plunging .
And you can already see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grocery store .
A lot of people are out of work , but many of them receive unemployment benefits , and just about all of them have already or will receive the stimulus payments .
This money is getting spent .
There is now a huge amount of fiscal monetary stimulus being thrown into the economy at the same time .
The monetary stimulus has already led to a massive bout of asset price inflation in the financial markets since March 23 .
And the fiscal stimulus – the ca .
$ 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus package might still emerge – which will get spent in the economy will put upward pressure on consumer prices .
And there is a good chance that beyond the very near term it will lead to more consumer price inflation – meaning , a steeper loss of purchasing power of the dollar than we have seen in recent years .

Some prices collapsed, others skyrocketed, and the Consumer Price Index went haywire. Here’s what I’m seeing beyond the near term — and it’s not “deflation.”
Amid soaring prices of meat, beverages, fruit, veggies, and other food at home, and surging costs of personal goods, medical care services, and household furnishings, and amid a collapse in prices of gasoline, car rentals, public transportation, car insurance, lodging away from home, and other things – amid these diametrically opposed price movements, the Consumer Price Index went, as expected, haywire today. And we’re going to look at some of those gyrations beyond it.
First, here’s what got buffeted around:
The overall Consumer Price Index fell 0.8% in April from March, the steepest one-month drop since December 2008, when the economy was going through peak-Financial-Crisis 1. This brought the increase over the past 12 months down to 0.3%, the lowest since October 2015 during the oil bust at the time.
The “core” CPI – CPI without the volatile food components and the extremely volatile energy components – dropped 0.5% from March to April but was still up 1.4% from a year ago.
But wait…
What if we take out the most chaotic and largely temporary price movements at both ends to get to what the undying loss of the purchasing power of the dollar might be? Because that’s what consumer price inflation is.
There is a consumer price index that is not buffeted around by the month-to-month collapse of some prices and surge in other prices; The Cleveland Fed’s “Median CPI,” which is based on the data from the CPI, removes the extremes at both ends since these extremes are often temporary and distort long-term inflation trends.
The Median CPI rose 0.1% in April from March and rose 2.7% for the 12-month period . The chart shows the 12-month Median CPI (red line) as an indication of underlying inflation – vs the 12-month “core” CPI (CPI without the food and energy):
The Median CPI tracks the mid-point (median) of the 45 major components of the CPI. Each component has a weight in the index – the “relative importance” (%). For example, in April, the “relative importance” of Motor Fuel was 3.0% of the total CPI.
Housing costs, which combined weigh about one-third of CPI, are split up: “Rent of Primary Residence” (to track inflation of rents) and “Owners’ Equivalent of Rent of Residence” (to approximate inflation of homeownership). But “Owners’ Equivalent” is split into the four regions of the US. Rent weights 8% in the Index. Owners’ Equivalent of Rent for all four regions combined weighs 24.5%. So total housing costs – rent and Owners Equivalent – weigh 32.5% of the index.
The table below shows the price movements of the major 45 CPI components in April, ranked from the biggest price decliners at the top to the biggest price gainers at the bottom, but converted to an annualized rate, meaning April’ price change extrapolated to an entire year (if you don’t see all four columns on your smartphone, hold your device in landscape position):
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Component 1-Month Annualized % Change Relative Importance % Cumulative Relative Importance % Motor Fuel -93.5 3.0 3.0 Car and Truck Rental -88.6 0.1 3.2 Fuel Oil and Other Fuels -72.5 0.1 3.3 Public Transportation -69.3 1.2 4.5 Motor Vehicle Insurance -59.4 1.7 6.2 Lodging Away From Home -58.6 0.9 7.1 Women’s and Girls’ Apparel -48.9 1.2 8.3 Men’s and Boys’ Apparel -43.0 0.7 9.0 Footwear -38.3 0.7 9.6 Infants’ and Toddlers’ Apparel -36.3 0.1 9.7 Watches and Jewelry -35.9 0.2 9.9 Motor Vehicle Fees -12.1 0.6 10.5 Motor Vehicle Parts and Equipment -6.2 0.4 10.9 Tobacco and Smoking Products -4.9 0.6 11.5 Used Cars and Trucks -4.6 2.5 14.0 Misc Personal Services -3.7 1.0 15.0 Recreation -2.6 5.9 20.9 Personal Care Products -1.6 0.7 21.6 Medical Care Commodities -1.1 1.7 23.3 New Vehicles -0.5 3.8 27.0 Personal Care Services 0.0 0.7 27.7 Communication 0.8 3.8 31.5 Midwest: Owners’ Equivalent Rent of Residences 0.8 4.3 35.8 Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair 1.0 1.1 36.9 Water/Sewer/Trash Collection Services 1.0 1.1 38.0 Energy Services 1.2 3.1 41.1 South: Owners’ Equivalent Rent of Residences 1.3 8.3 49.4 Food Away From Home 1.8 6.3 55.7 West: Owners’ Equivalent Rent of Residences 1.8 6.8 62.5 Rent of Primary Residence 2.4 8.0 70.5 Education 2.8 3.1 73.6 Alcoholic Beverages 3.2 1.0 74.6 Tenants’ and Household Insurance 3.3 0.4 75.0 Northeast: Owners’ Equivalent Rent of Residences 4.5 5.1 80.1 Household Furnishings and Operation 5.8 4.6 84.7 Medical Care Services 6.3 7.4 92.1 Miscellaneous Personal Goods 11.3 0.2 92.3 Fresh Fruits and Vegetables 15.4 1.1 93.3 Dairy and Related Products 19.4 0.8 94.1 Other Food At Home 25.2 2.0 96.1 Processed Fruits and Vegetables 36.9 0.3 96.4 Cereals and Bakery Products 40.7 1.0 97.4 Nonalcoholic Beverages and Beverage Matls 41.1 0.9 98.3 Meats, Poultry, Fish and Eggs 66.6 1.7 100.0
So will the dollar gain purchasing power? Hardly.
In my entire lifetime, there were only a few quarters when the dollar gained purchasing power (deflation) – and only a little. The rest of the decades, it relentlessly lost purchasing power (inflation), and during some of these years the loss of purchasing power was in the double digits. There is no reason to think that this pattern will change going forward. So I’m never worried about deflation – if there is any, it’ll be brief.
But right now, prices and the data that attempt to reflect them are going haywire. Since late February, the supply chains have been thrown into turmoil as buying patterns changed, including a massive shift of consumption from businesses and institutions to consumers at home. There were episodes of panic-buying and empty shelves. In other parts of the supply chain – such as those for hotels and restaurants – similar items were piling up with no place to go.
Ecommerce boomed to the point of exceeding fulfillment capacity, and sales at stores that sold groceries boomed. But much of the rest of brick-and-mortar retail was shut down. New vehicle sales in April plunged by about 44%. Used vehicle sales plunged similarly.
All this has an impact on prices – and if you’ve been to the supermarket, you’ve seen the impact there, as stuff is getting pricier. But filling up your car got a lot cheaper.
The government is borrowing trillions of dollars – mostly monetized by the Fed’s money-printing machinery – and is distributing these funds to various entities including consumers via unemployment benefits and stimulus checks, to companies, and to investors in form of investor bailouts. Much of this money is going to get spent, even if it isn’t along normal spending patterns.
In this chaotic environment, the price measurements can produce chaotic results. The Median CPI eliminates the chaotic outliers on both sides of the CPI and shows that underlying inflation is ticking down some but isn’t plunging.
And you can already see the impact of fiscal stimulus at the grocery store. A lot of people are out of work, but many of them receive unemployment benefits, and just about all of them have already or will receive the stimulus payments. This money is getting spent.
There is now a huge amount of fiscal and monetary stimulus being thrown into the economy at the same time. The monetary stimulus has already led to a massive bout of asset price inflation in the financial markets since March 23. And the fiscal stimulus – the ca. $3 trillion already under way and whatever future stimulus package might still emerge – which will get spent in the economy will put upward pressure on consumer prices. And there is a good chance that beyond the very near term it will lead to more consumer price inflation – meaning, a steeper loss of purchasing power of the dollar than we have seen in recent years.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--Airbnb Gets Disrupted. Hosts, “Super-Hosts” Try to Survive. Apartments in Prime Locations Suddenly F

Airbnb Gets Disrupted. Hosts, “Super-Hosts” Try to Survive. Apartments in Prime Locations Suddenly Flood Rental Market

Big driver behind soaring rents — the “ Airbnb effect ” that removed countless properties from global cities ’ long-term rental markets — reverses .
With many of the world ’ s most popular tourist destinations locked down , and many flights canceled , making international tourism all but impossible , the world ’ s biggest disruptor of global tourism , Airbnb , faces a starkly different market reality .
As of mid-April , new bookings on the company ’ s portal had plunged 85 % year over year while cancellation rates were around 90 % , according to AirDNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airbnb has warned that its 2020 revenue could come in 50 % lower than its 2019 total .
This is a company that wasn ’ t even able to turn a profit when the Good Times were raging .
To try to keep investors on board , management has unleashed a brutal restructuring of the group ’ s global operations .
Last week , it laid off 1,900 workers , around 25 % of its global workforce .
The San Francisco-based company also rescinded a contract it has with a call center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a further 1,000 subcontracted jobs .
One of Airbnb ’ s biggest rivals , Amsterdam-based Booking.com , is in similar straits .
In March , its American parent company , Booking Holdings , posted a first quarter loss of $ 699 million , down from $ 765 million a year ago , as bookings plummeted 43 % .
Also for March it reported a decline of over 100 % in room nights , a feat that was made possible by the fact it received more cancellations than new bookings during the month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , our newly booked room nights , which exclude the impact of cancellations , were down over 60 % year-over-year in March and down over 85 % in April , ” said chief executive Glenn Fogel at last week ’ s earnings presentation .
“ This gives you a clear indication of how much our business is currently impacted by this crisis.
” Things are set to get even worse .
In April , Booking warned investors the virus crisis would impact the second quarter of 2020 “ much more significantly ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer full second-quarter guidance .
The company recently applied for Dutch government support to help pay its 5,500 workers in the Netherlands , which did not go down well with Dutch taxpayers .
Like so many other large listed companies , Booking spent $ 4.5 billion buying back its own stock in 2019 , significantly reducing its capital and impairing its ability to weather future storms such as the current one .
Now , to tide it over , the company has borrowed $ 4 billion of emergency funds .
For companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such vast sums of money with such apparent ease , this crisis is likely to be painful but not fatal .
But the same can not be said of many of their professional hosts and so-called “ super-hosts ” , some of whom took out huge amounts of debt to buy up prime-located properties in order to rent them out , at huge profit , to big-spending overseas tourists .
Now , they ’ re struggling to pay back those debts as their incomes plummet .
Airbnb listings in Paris have “ collapsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ian Brossat , the Paris deputy mayor in charge of housing .
In the first three weeks of April , Airbnb hosts registered a measly 40 stays with authorities , compared to an average of 1,210 a month last year .
In Spain there are around 220,000 owners of tourist lodgings , 95 % of whom are private individuals .
They ’ ve already racked up losses of €448 million due to the coronavirus crisis .
Those losses are expected to reach at least €2.9 billion by the end of 2020 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associations of Tourist Housing and Apartments ( Fevitur ) .
The worst of the pain will be felt in Catalonia — where annual turnover for owners of tourist lodgings is expected to fall by 85 % — followed by Andalusia and the Valencian Community .
A similar trend is unfolding across many of Europe ’ s most popular tourist destinations , from Amsterdam to London , to Rome .
With no end in sight to the travel restrictions crippling global tourism , Airbnb hosts are scrabbling around for a plan B .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to lend a helping hand with tax breaks and other forms of financial support .
Some hosts are hoping beyond hope that domestic tourists will pick up some of the slack once national travel restrictions are eased .
Others are abandoning the tourist rental business altogether .
Real estate agencies in London are noticing that growing numbers of landlords who used to advertise on short-let platforms are now offering long-term leases as a result of the Coronavirus crisis .
A similar phenomenon is happening in Spain where big cities such as Madrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the number of new upmarket , centrally located flats being advertised on real estate agency websites .
In many cases , the property owners are only after a short-term fix , in the hope that international tourism will pick up early next year .
Rather than offering long-term leases of five to seven years , they are offering short leases of up to a year .
In Barcelona , where 90 % of the city ’ s tourism is international , “ many hosts have entered into this type of leasing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of 2021 , ” says Enrique Alcántara , president of the Barcelona Tourist Apartments Association ( Apartur ) .
However , short leases like these are only legal for people who move temporarily to the city for work , says Janet Sanz , Barcelona ’ s deputy mayor .
As no one is currently allowed to move between Barcelona , which is still in the first phase ( phase zero ) of lockdown , and other Spanish provinces , let alone reach the city from other countries , most of these rentals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sanz , anyone caught bending the rules will be prosecuted .
In some cities , as the glut of rental properties grows , there are already signs that demand for rented property , whether short- or long-term , is slumping .
Many expat workers moved back to their native lands before the lockdown began , abandoning their flats and their rents in the process .
Others who missed that chance are just waiting to board the next plane out .
There are also the millions of homegrown workers who have lost their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Having entered lockdown slightly later than most other European capitals , London saw an 11 % year-on-year rise in the number of homes available to rent in March , as well as a 2.2 % fall in prices , according to research from Hamptons International .
In other cities , where lockdowns have prevented landlords from even showing their properties for the last two months , it is too early to tell just how big the impact will be .
But the fact that growing numbers of holiday property owners are flooding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties , at a time that millions of workers have lost their jobs while millions more have upped sticks and headed home , does not bode well for long-lease landlords .
Nor does the fact that one of the biggest drivers of soaring rents of the past ten years — the so-called “ Airbnb effect , ” which has removed millions of properties from global cities ’ long-term rental markets — is losing its power .
City mayors and city councils will try to take advantage of its waning power to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market .
For tenants who ’ ve had to endure years of soaring rents as wages have generally stagnated , it ’ s good news at long last , assuming they ’ ve still got jobs with which to pay the rent .
By Nick Corbishley , for WOLF STREET .

Big driver behind soaring rents — the “Airbnb effect” that removed countless properties from global cities’ long-term rental markets — reverses.
With many of the world’s most popular tourist destinations locked down, and many flights canceled, making international tourism all but impossible, the world’s biggest disruptor of global tourism, Airbnb, faces a starkly different market reality. As of mid-April, new bookings on the company’s portal had plunged 85% year over year while cancellation rates were around 90%, according to AirDNA, an online rental analytics firm.
Airbnb has warned that its 2020 revenue could come in 50% lower than its 2019 total. This is a company that wasn’t even able to turn a profit when the Good Times were raging.
To try to keep investors on board, management has unleashed a brutal restructuring of the group’s global operations. Last week, it laid off 1,900 workers, around 25% of its global workforce. The San Francisco-based company also rescinded a contract it has with a call center in Barcelona, resulting in the immediate loss of a further 1,000 subcontracted jobs.
One of Airbnb’s biggest rivals, Amsterdam-based Booking.com, is in similar straits. In March, its American parent company, Booking Holdings, posted a first quarter loss of $699 million, down from $765 million a year ago, as bookings plummeted 43%. Also for March it reported a decline of over 100% in room nights, a feat that was made possible by the fact it received more cancellations than new bookings during the month.
“Looking at things a different way, our newly booked room nights, which exclude the impact of cancellations, were down over 60% year-over-year in March and down over 85% in April,” said chief executive Glenn Fogel at last week’s earnings presentation. “This gives you a clear indication of how much our business is currently impacted by this crisis.”
Things are set to get even worse. In April, Booking warned investors the virus crisis would impact the second quarter of 2020 “much more significantly” than the first, though it declined to offer full second-quarter guidance.
The company recently applied for Dutch government support to help pay its 5,500 workers in the Netherlands, which did not go down well with Dutch taxpayers. Like so many other large listed companies, Booking spent $4.5 billion buying back its own stock in 2019, significantly reducing its capital and impairing its ability to weather future storms such as the current one. Now, to tide it over, the company has borrowed $4 billion of emergency funds.
For companies like Airbnb and Booking that can raise such vast sums of money with such apparent ease, this crisis is likely to be painful but not fatal.
But the same cannot be said of many of their professional hosts and so-called “super-hosts”, some of whom took out huge amounts of debt to buy up prime-located properties in order to rent them out, at huge profit, to big-spending overseas tourists. Now, they’re struggling to pay back those debts as their incomes plummet.
Airbnb listings in Paris have “collapsed” since Covid arrived. according to Ian Brossat, the Paris deputy mayor in charge of housing. In the first three weeks of April, Airbnb hosts registered a measly 40 stays with authorities, compared to an average of 1,210 a month last year.
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In Spain there are around 220,000 owners of tourist lodgings, 95% of whom are private individuals. They’ve already racked up losses of €448 million due to the coronavirus crisis. Those losses are expected to reach at least €2.9 billion by the end of 2020, according to calculations by the Spanish Federation of Associations of Tourist Housing and Apartments (Fevitur). The worst of the pain will be felt in Catalonia — where annual turnover for owners of tourist lodgings is expected to fall by 85% — followed by Andalusia and the Valencian Community.
A similar trend is unfolding across many of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, from Amsterdam to London, to Rome.
With no end in sight to the travel restrictions crippling global tourism, Airbnb hosts are scrabbling around for a plan B. In Canada, the company even asked the government to lend a helping hand with tax breaks and other forms of financial support. Some hosts are hoping beyond hope that domestic tourists will pick up some of the slack once national travel restrictions are eased. Others are abandoning the tourist rental business altogether.
Real estate agencies in London are noticing that growing numbers of landlords who used to advertise on short-let platforms are now offering long-term leases as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. A similar phenomenon is happening in Spain where big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona have seen a sudden surge in the number of new upmarket, centrally located flats being advertised on real estate agency websites.
In many cases, the property owners are only after a short-term fix, in the hope that international tourism will pick up early next year. Rather than offering long-term leases of five to seven years, they are offering short leases of up to a year. In Barcelona, where 90% of the city’s tourism is international, “many hosts have entered into this type of leasing to be able to hang on until the beginning of 2021,” says Enrique Alcántara, president of the Barcelona Tourist Apartments Association (Apartur).
However, short leases like these are only legal for people who move temporarily to the city for work, says Janet Sanz, Barcelona’s deputy mayor. As no one is currently allowed to move between Barcelona, which is still in the first phase (phase zero) of lockdown, and other Spanish provinces, let alone reach the city from other countries, most of these rentals are likely to be illegal. According to Sanz, anyone caught bending the rules will be prosecuted.
In some cities, as the glut of rental properties grows, there are already signs that demand for rented property, whether short- or long-term, is slumping. Many expat workers moved back to their native lands before the lockdown began, abandoning their flats and their rents in the process. Others who missed that chance are just waiting to board the next plane out. There are also the millions of homegrown workers who have lost their jobs and have stopped paying rents altogether.
Having entered lockdown slightly later than most other European capitals, London saw an 11% year-on-year rise in the number of homes available to rent in March, as well as a 2.2% fall in prices, according to research from Hamptons International. In other cities, where lockdowns have prevented landlords from even showing their properties for the last two months, it is too early to tell just how big the impact will be.
But the fact that growing numbers of holiday property owners are flooding the long-term rental market with their own properties, at a time that millions of workers have lost their jobs while millions more have upped sticks and headed home, does not bode well for long-lease landlords. Nor does the fact that one of the biggest drivers of soaring rents of the past ten years — the so-called “Airbnb effect,” which has removed millions of properties from global cities’ long-term rental markets — is losing its power.
City mayors and city councils will try to take advantage of its waning power to ensure that vacation rentals return to the traditional rental market. For tenants who’ve had to endure years of soaring rents as wages have generally stagnated, it’s good news at long last, assuming they’ve still got jobs with which to pay the rent. By Nick Corbishley, for WOLF STREET.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--A Taste Of What Is Coming – Food Prices Just Increased By The Most That We Have Seen Since 1974

Get ready to pay much more for groceries .
I have been warning that the flood of new money that the Federal Reserve and Congress have been pumping into the system would have very serious consequences , and I have also been warning that food prices would be shooting higher .
When things start getting really crazy , demand for food and other basic essentials goes way up , and meanwhile this pandemic has significantly disrupted production of certain products .
So even though most of the economy is currently still in a deflationary phase , food prices are beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Labor Department says that we just witnessed the largest one month increase since February 1974… The Labor Department reported Tuesday that prices U.S. consumers paid for groceries jumped 2.6 % in April , the largest one-month pop since February 1974 .
The spike in supermarket prices was broad based and impacted items from broccoli and ham to oatmeal and tuna .
The price of the meats , poultry , fish and eggs category rose 4.3 % , fruits and vegetables climbed 1.5 % , cereals and bakery products advanced 2.9 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly , this is just the beginning .
Prior to this pandemic , Americans spent about 10 percent of their incomes on food .
As this new economic depression deepens , expect that number to eventually more than double .
We live at a time when global food supplies are becoming increasing stressed for a variety of reasons .
In wealthy countries this is going to force food prices aggressively higher , and in poor countries this is going to mean that a lot of people simply will not have enough to eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crazy prices for certain items here in the United States .
King Arthur Flour is very popular these days , and because supplies have become so tight a single bag is now selling for more than 26 dollars on eBay… If you planned on stocking up on flour , hopefully you did it ahead of time .
Many out there are suggesting that the best thing that we can do during an economic environment such as this is to keep showering the American people with more government checks .
In fact , Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill that would borrow and spend an additional three trillion dollars that we don ’ t currently have… Without a doubt , millions upon millions of Americans are deeply hurting right now .
Just about everyone has been thrilled to receive the first round of “ stimulus checks ” , and certainly very few people would complain if another round was sent out .
But if sending everyone a thousand dollars is good , wouldn ’ t sending everyone a million dollars be even better ?
Needless to say , throwing giant piles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good idea , because it destroys the value of our currency .
Venezuela tried that , and at this point almost everyone in the country is a millionaire… But even though there are so many “ millionaires ” running around , almost everyone in Venezuela is living in deep poverty because the money has become virtually worthless .
Do we really want to become just like Venezuela ?
Because that is the path that we are currently on .
Every time a new dollar is created , every existing dollar that you currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time a new dollar is created , the value of your paycheck goes down if your employer doesn ’ t give you a raise to match the increase in the money supply .
But the mainstream media continues to be enamored by the Federal Reserve ’ s ability to “ solve our problems ” by creating trillions of dollars out of thin air .
Just consider the following quote from a recent USA Today article… You can probably imagine how I responded when I first read that .
They make it sound like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in reality what the Federal Reserve is doing is slowly but surely turning us into the Weimar Republic .
Unfortunately , the mainstream media will continue to cheer the Fed on as they steadily kill the U.S. dollar , but none of us will be cheering when a loaf of bread costs 5 dollars and a gallon of milk costs 10 dollars .
A torrent of newly created money is not going to fix our economy .
What we really need is for the American people to be allowed to go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are indicating that some restrictions may not be lifted until August or later .
And even if all of the restrictions were lifted immediately , fear of COVID-19 is going to keep many Americans from resuming normal activities for the foreseeable future… What all of this means is that we are going to be dealing with an economic depression for a long time to come , and every new crisis that erupts during this period of time is just going to intensify our problems .
For a long time , I warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t have to do that anymore because the economic collapse is here .
Now the value of our currency is being absolutely destroyed by our authorities as they respond to this economic collapse , and that is going to have very serious implications for our future .

by Michael Snyder
Get ready to pay much more for groceries. I have been warning that the flood of new money that the Federal Reserve and Congress have been pumping into the system would have very serious consequences, and I have also been warning that food prices would be shooting higher. When things start getting really crazy, demand for food and other basic essentials goes way up, and meanwhile this pandemic has significantly disrupted production of certain products. So even though most of the economy is currently still in a deflationary phase, food prices are beginning to spike. In fact, the U.S. Labor Department says that we just witnessed the largest one month increase since February 1974…
The Labor Department reported Tuesday that prices U.S. consumers paid for groceries jumped 2.6% in April, the largest one-month pop since February 1974. The spike in supermarket prices was broad based and impacted items from broccoli and ham to oatmeal and tuna. The price of the meats, poultry, fish and eggs category rose 4.3%, fruits and vegetables climbed 1.5%, cereals and bakery products advanced 2.9%, and dairy goods gained 1.5%.
Sadly, this is just the beginning.
Prior to this pandemic, Americans spent about 10 percent of their incomes on food.
As this new economic depression deepens, expect that number to eventually more than double.
We live at a time when global food supplies are becoming increasing stressed for a variety of reasons. In wealthy countries this is going to force food prices aggressively higher, and in poor countries this is going to mean that a lot of people simply will not have enough to eat.
Already, we are seeing some crazy prices for certain items here in the United States. King Arthur Flour is very popular these days, and because supplies have become so tight a single bag is now selling for more than 26 dollars on eBay…
Five-pound bags of King Arthur Flour have been so hard to score that they were selling this week on eBay for $26.49, five times the store price.
If you planned on stocking up on flour, hopefully you did it ahead of time.
Many out there are suggesting that the best thing that we can do during an economic environment such as this is to keep showering the American people with more government checks.
In fact, Democrats in Congress have just introduced a new bill that would borrow and spend an additional three trillion dollars that we don’t currently have…
State and local governments would share nearly $1 trillion in federal aid to cover their coronavirus-related costs and families would get another round of direct payments under a stimulus bill House Democrats unveiled Tuesday. The more than $3 trillion Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act, also would expand unemployment assistance, boost food stamps, increase emergency grants to small businesses trying to weather the COVID-19 pandemic that has slammed the economy and upended daily life in the U.S.
Without a doubt, millions upon millions of Americans are deeply hurting right now. Just about everyone has been thrilled to receive the first round of “stimulus checks”, and certainly very few people would complain if another round was sent out.
But if sending everyone a thousand dollars is good, wouldn’t sending everyone a million dollars be even better?
Needless to say, throwing giant piles of money around recklessly is not a good idea, because it destroys the value of our currency.
Venezuela tried that, and at this point almost everyone in the country is a millionaire…
What if I told you that in the socialist paradise of Venezuela, everyone’s a millionaire? The Bolivarian Revolution has raised the minimum wage over 50 times throughout the past 20 years. As of May 2020, it’s been set at 400,000 bolivars, plus a 400,000 socialist food ticket bonus, bringing it to an astounding total of 800,000 bolivars per month.
But even though there are so many “millionaires” running around, almost everyone in Venezuela is living in deep poverty because the money has become virtually worthless.
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Do we really want to become just like Venezuela?
Because that is the path that we are currently on.
Every time a new dollar is created, every existing dollar that you currently hold declines in value.
And every time a new dollar is created, the value of your paycheck goes down if your employer doesn’t give you a raise to match the increase in the money supply.
But the mainstream media continues to be enamored by the Federal Reserve’s ability to “solve our problems” by creating trillions of dollars out of thin air. Just consider the following quote from a recent USA Today article…
It works like magic. With a few strokes on a computer, the Federal Reserve can create dollars out of nothing, virtually “printing” money and injecting it into the commercial banking system, much like an electronic deposit. By the end of the year, the Fed is projected to have purchased $3.5 trillion in government securities with these newly created dollars, one of many tools it is using to help prop up the ailing economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Oxford Economics.
“It works like magic”?
You can probably imagine how I responded when I first read that.
They make it sound like some sort of Disney production, but in reality what the Federal Reserve is doing is slowly but surely turning us into the Weimar Republic.
Unfortunately, the mainstream media will continue to cheer the Fed on as they steadily kill the U.S. dollar, but none of us will be cheering when a loaf of bread costs 5 dollars and a gallon of milk costs 10 dollars.
A torrent of newly created money is not going to fix our economy. What we really need is for the American people to be allowed to go back to work, but quite a few states are indicating that some restrictions may not be lifted until August or later.
And even if all of the restrictions were lifted immediately, fear of COVID-19 is going to keep many Americans from resuming normal activities for the foreseeable future…
Most Americans say they would be uncomfortable returning to their regular routines today, even as they are increasingly leaving their homes to visit others, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS. The 58% who say they are not comfortable returning to their routines today is similar to the 60% who said last month that they would be uncomfortable doing so if guidelines on social distancing expired on April 30. On the other side, 41% say they would be comfortable resuming their regular routines now.
What all of this means is that we are going to be dealing with an economic depression for a long time to come, and every new crisis that erupts during this period of time is just going to intensify our problems.
For a long time, I warned that an economic collapse was coming, but I don’t have to do that anymore because the economic collapse is here.
Now the value of our currency is being absolutely destroyed by our authorities as they respond to this economic collapse, and that is going to have very serious implications for our future.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-13--$138 Million Government Contract Will Fund Production Of 500 Million Pre-Filled COVID-19 Vaccine “In

$138 Million Government Contract Will Fund Production Of 500 Million Pre-Filled COVID-19 Vaccine “Injection Devices”

Just when you thought that things couldn ’ t get any stranger , two U.S. government agencies have taken things to an entirely new level .
The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have just put out a press release that is absolutely jaw dropping , but so far hardly anyone is talking about it .
According to the press release , a 138 million dollar contract has been awarded to ApiJect Systems America for two projects known as “ Project Jumpstart ” and “ RAPID USA ” .
Apparently the goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ injection devices ” ready to go once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available .
The following comes directly from the official website of the Department of Defense… “ Today the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , announce a $ 138 million contract with ApiJect Systems America for “ Project Jumpstart ” and “ RAPID USA , ” which together will dramatically expand U.S. production capability for domestically manufactured , medical-grade injection devices starting by October 2020 .
Spearheaded by the DOD ’ s Joint Acquisition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordination with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response , the contract will support “ Jumpstart ” to create a U.S.-based , high-speed supply chain for prefilled syringes beginning later this year by using well-established Blow-Fill-Seal ( BFS ) aseptic plastics manufacturing technology , suitable for combatting COVID-19 when a safe and proven vaccine becomes available .
Today , there are about 328 million people living in the United States .
But the press release states that the plan is to produce “ over 500 million prefilled syringes ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ injection devices ” to vaccinate every man , woman and child in the entire country one and a half times .
Right now , researchers all over the globe are racing toward the development of a vaccine , but as I have discussed previously , that is not going to be an easy task .
And on Tuesday Dr. Anthony Fauci openly admitted to a U.S. Senate committee that there is no guarantee that a vaccine “ is actually going to be effective ” … In addition , because there are multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , one vaccine may not be able to cover them all .
So this could create a need for “ multiple vaccines ” , and this is something that NIH Director Francis Collins has openly acknowledged… So when the time finally comes , there may be more than one vaccine that authorities are pushing everyone to take .
But for now , there is no vaccine , and some health officials are pushing for social distancing restrictions to remain in place for months to come .
For example , Fox News is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles County is warning that the local “ stay-at-home order ” may have to be extended until August… And apparently L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is on the same page .
In fact , he has once again stated that there will be no return to normal until a cure or a vaccine comes along… “ I think quite simply she ’ s saying we ’ re not going to fully reopen Los Angeles — or anywhere in America — without any protections or health orders in the next three months , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think we know it ’ s going to be even longer than three months .
… We ’ re not moving past Covid-19 , we ’ re learning to live with it .
We ’ re not going to go back to pre-Covid life any time soon ” or move forward without a medicine or vaccine .
I feel so badly for those living in the Los Angeles area , because it certainly looks like the next three months are going to be really rough .
Of course there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timelines .
Just check out what is being reported regarding the outlook for New York City… We are only in mid-May right now .
Could you imagine being forced to stay home for the next three months ?
Sadly , that is what millions of Americans will be facing .
And on Tuesday Dr. Fauci actually suggested that many schools will need to remain closed as the next school year begins… Our entire society is melting down because of this virus , and if we can ’ t handle this crisis , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse things start happening to us ?
Sometimes I wish that we could roll back the clock and go back to 2019 .
Life seemed so much simpler back then , and things are only going to get crazier in the weeks and months to come…

by Michael Snyder
Just when you thought that things couldn’t get any stranger, two U.S. government agencies have taken things to an entirely new level. The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have just put out a press release that is absolutely jaw dropping, but so far hardly anyone is talking about it. According to the press release, a 138 million dollar contract has been awarded to ApiJect Systems America for two projects known as “Project Jumpstart” and “RAPID USA”. Apparently the goal of these projects is to have vast numbers of “injection devices” ready to go once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. The following comes directly from the official website of the Department of Defense…
“Today the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announce a $138 million contract with ApiJect Systems America for “Project Jumpstart” and “RAPID USA,” which together will dramatically expand U.S. production capability for domestically manufactured, medical-grade injection devices starting by October 2020. Spearheaded by the DOD’s Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF), in coordination with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the contract will support “Jumpstart” to create a U.S.-based, high-speed supply chain for prefilled syringes beginning later this year by using well-established Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) aseptic plastics manufacturing technology, suitable for combatting COVID-19 when a safe and proven vaccine becomes available.
Today, there are about 328 million people living in the United States. But the press release states that the plan is to produce “over 500 million prefilled syringes” in 2021…
The contract also enables ApiJect Systems America to accelerate the launch of RAPID USA manufactured in new and permanent U.S.-based BFS facilities with the ultimate production goal of over 500 million prefilled syringes (doses) in 2021. This effort will be executed initially in Connecticut, South Carolina and Illinois, with potential expansion to other U.S.-based locations. RAPID will provide increased lifesaving capability against future national health emergencies that require population-scale vaccine administration on an urgent basis.
So that would be enough “injection devices” to vaccinate every man, woman and child in the entire country one and a half times.
Wow.
Right now, researchers all over the globe are racing toward the development of a vaccine, but as I have discussed previously, that is not going to be an easy task.
And on Tuesday Dr. Anthony Fauci openly admitted to a U.S. Senate committee that there is no guarantee that a vaccine “is actually going to be effective”…
As drugmakers across the world race to develop a coronavirus vaccine, White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said, “There’s no guarantee that the vaccine is actually going to be effective.” Fauci delivered the somber warning Tuesday to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions during a hearing about the road to reopening businesses across the nation.
In addition, because there are multiple strains of COVID-19 already running around out there, one vaccine may not be able to cover them all. So this could create a need for “multiple vaccines”, and this is something that NIH Director Francis Collins has openly acknowledged…
Several vaccines will likely be needed to combat the coronavirus and immunize groups of people in America and abroad, U.S. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said in an interview.
So when the time finally comes, there may be more than one vaccine that authorities are pushing everyone to take.
But for now, there is no vaccine, and some health officials are pushing for social distancing restrictions to remain in place for months to come.
For example, Fox News is reporting that the top health official of Los Angeles County is warning that the local “stay-at-home order” may have to be extended until August…
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Los Angeles County will likely continue its stay-at-home order through the summer, officials said Tuesday, as the coronavirus wreaks havoc on the economy and patience continues to wear thin for some calling for the state to reopen and for normal life to resume. County Public Health Director Barabara Ferrer said the order will be extended “with all certainty” at the Board of Supervisors meeting, possibly until July or August, the Los Angeles Times reported.
And apparently L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is on the same page. In fact, he has once again stated that there will be no return to normal until a cure or a vaccine comes along…
“I think quite simply she’s saying we’re not going to fully reopen Los Angeles — or anywhere in America — without any protections or health orders in the next three months,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I think we know it’s going to be even longer than three months. … We’re not moving past Covid-19, we’re learning to live with it. We’re not going to go back to pre-Covid life any time soon” or move forward without a medicine or vaccine.
I feel so badly for those living in the Los Angeles area, because it certainly looks like the next three months are going to be really rough.
Of course there are other large cities that are facing similar timelines. Just check out what is being reported regarding the outlook for New York City…
New York City may not fully reopen until August after Gov. Cuomo advised that each phase of the four phase restart plan could take up to two weeks to implement. Parts of the state of New York will be ready to reopen on May 15, this Friday, after meeting Governor Cuomo’s strict set of seven requirements.
We are only in mid-May right now.
Could you imagine being forced to stay home for the next three months?
Sadly, that is what millions of Americans will be facing.
And on Tuesday Dr. Fauci actually suggested that many schools will need to remain closed as the next school year begins…
Anthony Fauci, MD, revealed Tuesday morning that a return to school in the fall “would be a bit of a bridge too far,” during a Senate Committee hearing. News of likely continued homeschooling for the next school year will probably be met with groans and frustration by harried parents struggling to balance working from home and also managing remote learning and having their children home 100 percent of the time.
Our entire society is melting down because of this virus, and if we can’t handle this crisis, what are we going to do when much worse things start happening to us?
Sometimes I wish that we could roll back the clock and go back to 2019.
Life seemed so much simpler back then, and things are only going to get crazier in the weeks and months to come…


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--Fed can’t Fool Mother Nature!

Fed can’t Fool Mother Nature!

The S & P 500 ’ s rally from its March 2020 low to within 13.2 % of its 2020 @ @ @ @ @ by the US Federal Reserve ’ s monetary stimulus .
The Fed has and continues @ @ @ @ @ the economy with liquidity and to artificially prop up the markets .
The rally will @ @ @ @ @ based on my calculations below the S & P 500 will have declined by 85.3 @ @ @ @ @ final bottom in Q4 2022 .
There is no amount of monetary or fiscal stimulus @ @ @ @ @ escape the secular bear which replaced the 2009-2020 secular bull market on February 20 , @ @ @ @ @ has been secular since its origin in 1802 .
Every secular bull has been followed @ @ @ @ @ vice versa .
The minimum declines from all of the secular bull peaks to the @ @ @ @ @ 60 % .
Secular bulls and bears are the nature of the stock market .
@ @ @ @ @ one without the other .

The S&P 500’s rally from its March 2020 low to within 13.2% of its 2020 high has been primarily fueled by the US Federal Reserve’s monetary stimulus. The Fed has and continues to spend trillions to provide the economy with liquidity and to artificially prop up the markets. The rally will prove to be futile and based on my calculations below the S&P 500 will have declined by 85.3% when it reaches its final bottom in Q4 2022. There is no amount of monetary or fiscal stimulus that will enable investors to escape the secular bear which replaced the 2009-2020 secular bull market on February 20, 2020.
The stock market has been secular since its origin in 1802. Every secular bull has been followed by a secular bear and vice versa. The minimum declines from all of the secular bull peaks to the secular bear troughs have been 60%. Secular bulls and bears are the nature of the stock market. You can’t have one without the other.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--Coastal Real Estate to Decline 50-60 Percent with John Grace

John Grace returns… We have been taught that real estate prices are driven by location , inventory , and interest rates .
I will argue all three are important to keep an eye on , but we have not been taught that the most significant driver is the buying AND selling patterns of American consumers Based On Age .
The primary reason residential real estate prices are at nose bleed levels is thanks to 76 million people born between 1946-1964 ( legal , illegal , legitimate and illegitimate ) that showed up in these United States of America .
Prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand .
In fact , there is no other country in history where so many people came into being during the same twenty year period .
It ’ s also the first and perhaps the last time such an event will occur in U.S. history .
Thanks to the U.S. Census Bureau we can see the buying and selling patterns .
Please recognize that the patterns have held irrespective of high or low interest rates .
In the early 1980s when Boomers were entering the work force interest rates were 16 % but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid young people with their high demand for buying homes .
The age most Americans buy their first home was 31 .
It is now 37 .
Click Here to Listen to the Audio

from Financial Survival Network
John Grace returns… We have been taught that real estate prices are driven by location, inventory, and interest rates. I will argue all three are important to keep an eye on, but we have not been taught that the most significant driver is the buying AND selling patterns of American consumers Based On Age.
The primary reason residential real estate prices are at nose bleed levels is thanks to 76 million people born between 1946-1964 (legal, illegal, legitimate and illegitimate) that showed up in these United States of America. Prices rose as a direct result of unprecedented demand. In fact, there is no other country in history where so many people came into being during the same twenty year period. It’s also the first and perhaps the last time such an event will occur in U.S. history.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Thanks to the U.S. Census Bureau we can see the buying and selling patterns. Please recognize that the patterns have held irrespective of high or low interest rates. In the early 1980s when Boomers were entering the work force interest rates were 16% but that had no effect on educated well paid young people with their high demand for buying homes. The age most Americans buy their first home was 31. It is now 37.
Click Here to Listen to the Audio


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--Ignore Your Emotions, Focus on the Levels and Stay Disciplined!

Make sure you remember your levels !
Stocks sold off hard yesterday afternoon .
However , they held support at 2,870 on the S & P 500 .
If you hadn ’ t identified that support line on your chart and simply reacted to the sudden heavy selling you probably thought “ the top was in.
” If you want to make money from the markets , forget about calling tops or bottoms .
There ’ s no point .
The REAL money is made from riding a trend after it ’ s been developed .
Until stocks break support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is UP and dips are to be bought .
Indeed , I noted recently that stocks have performed two prior periods of consolidation/ small corrections during this rally .
They were March 31st-April 6th , and April 20th-April 27th ( blue boxes in the chart below ) .
We now have had three of them counting the one begun April 30th .
Each one of these consolidations coincided with a particular retracement level of significance ( the 38.2 % , 50 % and now 61.8 % retracement ) .
Each one was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 61.8 % is the most significant .
Typically , when the market retraces more than 61.8 % of a drop , it ’ s indicated that the move is the start of a new bull market , NOT a bear market bounce .
So it ’ s not too surprising that stocks are struggling with this level more than the previous ones .
If they can break above here , it is likely a sign that we are in a new bull market that will take us to new all time highs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ignore the financial media .
They operate based on emotions and will lose you money .

Make sure you remember your levels!
Stocks sold off hard yesterday afternoon. However, they held support at 2,870 on the S&P 500. If you hadn’t identified that support line on your chart and simply reacted to the sudden heavy selling you probably thought “the top was in.”
It wasn’t.
If you want to make money from the markets, forget about calling tops or bottoms. There’s no point. The REAL money is made from riding a trend after it’s been developed.
Until stocks break support in a meaningful way, the trend is UP and dips are to be bought.
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Indeed, I noted recently that stocks have performed two prior periods of consolidation/ small corrections during this rally. They were March 31st-April 6th, and April 20th-April 27th (blue boxes in the chart below). We now have had three of them counting the one begun April 30th.
Each one of these consolidations coincided with a particular retracement level of significance (the 38.2%, 50% and now 61.8% retracement). Each one was a buying opportunity.
The current retracement level of 61.8% is the most significant. Typically, when the market retraces more than 61.8% of a drop, it’s indicated that the move is the start of a new bull market, NOT a bear market bounce.
So it’s not too surprising that stocks are struggling with this level more than the previous ones. If they can break above here, it is likely a sign that we are in a new bull market that will take us to new all time highs.
Again, remember your levels, and ignore the financial media. They operate based on emotions and will lose you money.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--HUGE WIN! – US Supreme Court Rules with President Trump – Reinstates Law Making It a Felony to Encou

HUGE WIN! – US Supreme Court Rules with President Trump – Reinstates Law Making It a Felony to Encourage or Help People Come or Stay in US Illegally

US Supreme Court Rules with President Trump – Reinstates Law Making It a Felony to Encourage or Help People Come @ @ @ @ @ @ JoeHoft t.co/cUYsPpNavY via @ gatewaypundit

US Supreme Court Rules with President Trump – Reinstates Law Making It a Felony to Encourage or Help People Come or Stay in US Illegally @JoeHoft t.co/cUYsPpNavY via @gatewaypundit
— Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) May 13, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--We Are Now In The Process Of Dismantling The Rothschild Banking System, Target Locked

Gold is ready to take off and sound money will be returning… Todays interview is with Jim Willie .
Jim @ @ @ @ @ the stats and how this is blown out of proportion .
Jim then segues ways @ @ @ @ @ the [ CB ] is now being loaded up with toxic assets to bring the @ @ @ @ @ Gold is ready to take off and sound money will be returning

Gold is ready to take off and sound money will be returning…
Jim Willie interviewed on X22 Report Spotlight
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Todays interview is with Jim Willie. Jim talks about event, explains the stats and how this is blown out of proportion. Jim then segues ways into the economy and that the [CB] is now being loaded up with toxic assets to bring the Rothschild banking system down. Gold is ready to take off and sound money will be returning


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--HSBC Lost $200 Million In One Day “On Paper” As Coronavirus Dislocated Gold Market

At least “ in theory ” , anyway .
HSBC Holdings Plc suffered mark-to-market losses of about $ 200 million in a single day in March after gold prices in London and New York diverged dramatically , the bank said in a filing .
The losses by HSBC , one of the world ’ s biggest bullion trading banks , are theoretical , reflecting the value of positions it held .
They do not necessarily mean it lost money .
HSBC said in the filing that the issue was mainly due to an “ unprecedented widening of the gold exchange-for-physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refining and transportation , which affected HSBC ’ s gold leasing and financing business and other gold hedging activity ” .
The exchange-for-physical , or EFP , is the difference between the price of U.S. gold futures and spot gold in the London market .
Usually , the two trade within a few dollars of one another , but coronavirus containment measures in March closed several precious metals refineries and grounded many planes , creating fears that it would be impossible to move gold to New York to meet contract obligations .
Harvey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say about the market disconnect and the London/New York spot versus futures spread .
Read Harvey ’ s latest update on Silver Doctors right here .

(Silver Doctors Editors) HSBC lost a lot of money.
In one day.
At least “in theory”, anyway.
From Reuters:
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HSBC Holdings Plc suffered mark-to-market losses of about $200 million in a single day in March after gold prices in London and New York diverged dramatically, the bank said in a filing.
The losses by HSBC, one of the world’s biggest bullion trading banks, are theoretical, reflecting the value of positions it held. They do not necessarily mean it lost money.
HSBC said in the filing that the issue was mainly due to an “unprecedented widening of the gold exchange-for-physical basis, reflecting Covid-19-related challenges in gold refining and transportation, which affected HSBC’s gold leasing and financing business and other gold hedging activity”.
It declined to comment further.
The exchange-for-physical, or EFP, is the difference between the price of U.S. gold futures and spot gold in the London market.
Usually, the two trade within a few dollars of one another, but coronavirus containment measures in March closed several precious metals refineries and grounded many planes, creating fears that it would be impossible to move gold to New York to meet contract obligations.
Harvey Organ had a few interesting things to say about the market disconnect and the London/New York spot versus futures spread.
Read Harvey’s latest update on Silver Doctors right here.
Developing…


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--RUSH: I guarantee you the Democrats cannot permit this to go on, and they won’t, and I think it’s go

RUSH: I guarantee you the Democrats cannot permit this to go on, and they won’t, and I think it’s gonna be the Cuomo brothers.

RUSH : CNN is beside themselves .
Donald Trump has tied his highest approval rating yet in the CNN poll , tied with his record high .
Here ’ s John King this morning on CNN announcing it .
KING : Brand new CNN poll numbers .
They show Joe Biden with a national lead in the race for president .
But there are warning signs for the Democrats when you dig deeper into the numbers .
It is a five-point national lead for Biden , 51 % support from registered voters .
President Trump receives 46 % .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by state .
And look at the horse race in the 15 states that CNN designates as presidential battlegrounds .
Take a peek .
The president leads in those battleground states 52 % to 45 % for the former vice president .
KING : Be careful not to invest too much in any one poll , especially in the middle of a pandemic , but Biden ’ s numbers are down among women , down among independents .
And in both of those subgroups , the drop is primarily among younger voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disclaimer there ?
Be careful not to invest too much in any one poll , especially in the middle of a pandemic .
Why would the middle of a pandemic matter a hill of beans ?
So , you know , CNN and everybody ’ s had these polls showing Biden doing really well in the battleground states in the states where Trump got enough Democrat votes to win , and now all of that ’ s turned South .
In addition to that , Biden looks totally at home in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave .
Those of you out there who have had a family member who has acquired dementia-related problems , you know they get scared to death of leaving home .
I guarantee you , I guarantee you the Democrats can not permit this to go on , and they won ’ t , and I think it ’ s gon na be the Cuomo brothers .
I think Andrew Cuomo is gon na hijack , or try to , the Democrat convention .
You mark my words .

via rushlimbaugh
RUSH: CNN is beside themselves. Donald Trump has tied his highest approval rating yet in the CNN poll, tied with his record high. Here’s John King this morning on CNN announcing it.
KING: Brand new CNN poll numbers. They show Joe Biden with a national lead in the race for president. But there are warning signs for the Democrats when you dig deeper into the numbers. It is a five-point national lead for Biden, 51% support from registered voters. President Trump receives 46%. But remember 2016. We pick presidents state by state. And look at the horse race in the 15 states that CNN designates as presidential battlegrounds. Take a peek. The president leads in those battleground states 52% to 45% for the former vice president.
RUSH: That’s big.
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KING: Be careful not to invest too much in any one poll, especially in the middle of a pandemic, but Biden’s numbers are down among women, down among independents. And in both of those subgroups, the drop is primarily among younger voters.
RUSH: Right. So you catch the disclaimer there? Be careful not to invest too much in any one poll, especially in the middle of a pandemic. Why would the middle of a pandemic matter a hill of beans?
So, you know, CNN and everybody’s had these polls showing Biden doing really well in the battleground states in the states where Trump got enough Democrat votes to win, and now all of that’s turned South. In addition to that, Biden looks totally at home in the basement. He has no desire to leave. Those of you out there who have had a family member who has acquired dementia-related problems, you know they get scared to death of leaving home.
I guarantee you, I guarantee you the Democrats cannot permit this to go on, and they won’t, and I think it’s gonna be the Cuomo brothers. I think Andrew Cuomo is gonna hijack, or try to, the Democrat convention. You mark my words.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--Notice Regarding SEC Inquiries

Notice Regarding SEC Inquiries

Has anyone heard of the SEC ’ s requesting information from registrants who have disclosed the receipt of PPP funds in their filings ?
Specifically , we ’ ve heard that ENF has been requesting information that would demonstrate the registrant ’ s qualifications to receive PPP funds , including impact of COVID on the business and its ability to continue as a going concern .
I ’ d greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has heard of similar SEC requests .
This is what the lawyers are circulating .
It ’ s a “ voluntary ” inquiry ( not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office .
New guidance from SEC in its SBA this morning regarding the “ economic uncertainty ” certification for PPP loans : • Question : How will SBA review borrowers ’ required good-faith certification concerning the necessity of their loan request ?
Answer : When submitting a PPP application , all borrowers must certify in good faith that “ [ c ] urrent economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Applicant.
” SBA , in consultation with the Department of the Treasury , has determined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SBA ’ s review of PPP loans with respect to this issue : Any borrower that , together with its affiliates , received PPP loans with an original principal amount of less than $ 2 million will be deemed to have made the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request in good faith .
SBA has determined that this safe harbor is appropriate because borrowers with loans below this threshold are generally less likely to have had access to adequate sources of liquidity in the current economic environment than borrowers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also promote economic certainty as PPP borrowers with more limited resources endeavor to retain and rehire employees .
In addition , given the large volume of PPP loans , this approach will enable SBA to conserve its finite audit resources and focus its reviews on larger loans , where the compliance effort may yield higher returns .
Importantly , borrowers with loans greater than $ 2 million that do not satisfy this safe harbor may still have an adequate basis for making the required good-faith certification , based on their individual circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certification and SBA guidance .
SBA has previously stated that all PPP loans in excess of $ 2 million , and other PPP loans as appropriate , will be subject to review by SBA for compliance with program requirements set forth in the PPP Interim Final Rules and in the Borrower Application Form .
If SBA determines in the course of its review that a borrower lacked an adequate basis for the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request , SBA will seek repayment of the outstanding PPP loan balance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not eligible for loan forgiveness .
If the borrower repays the loan after receiving notification from SBA , SBA will not pursue administrative enforcement or referrals to other agencies based on its determination with respect to the certification concerning necessity of the loan request .
SBA ’ s determination concerning the certification regarding the necessity of the loan request will not affect SBA ’ s loan guarantee .

by Martin Armstrong
Has anyone heard of the SEC’s requesting information from registrants who have disclosed the receipt of PPP funds in their filings? Specifically, we’ve heard that ENF has been requesting information that would demonstrate the registrant’s qualifications to receive PPP funds, including impact of COVID on the business and its ability to continue as a going concern. I’d greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has heard of similar SEC requests.
This is what the lawyers are circulating.
It’s a “voluntary” inquiry (not a subpoena) out of the Home Office.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
New guidance from SEC in its SBA this morning regarding the “economic uncertainty” certification for PPP loans:
Question: How will SBA review borrowers’ required good-faith certification concerning the necessity of their loan request?
Answer: When submitting a PPP application, all borrowers must certify in good faith that “[c]urrent economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Applicant.” SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, has determined that the following safe harbor will apply to SBA’s review of PPP loans with respect to this issue: Any borrower that, together with its affiliates, received PPP loans with an original principal amount of less than $2 million will be deemed to have made the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request in good faith. SBA has determined that this safe harbor is appropriate because borrowers with loans below this threshold are generally less likely to have had access to adequate sources of liquidity in the current economic environment than borrowers that obtained larger loans. This safe harbor will also promote economic certainty as PPP borrowers with more limited resources endeavor to retain and rehire employees. In addition, given the large volume of PPP loans, this approach will enable SBA to conserve its finite audit resources and focus its reviews on larger loans, where the compliance effort may yield higher returns.
Importantly, borrowers with loans greater than $2 million that do not satisfy this safe harbor may still have an adequate basis for making the required good-faith certification, based on their individual circumstances in light of the language of the certification and SBA guidance. SBA has previously stated that all PPP loans in excess of $2 million, and other PPP loans as appropriate, will be subject to review by SBA for compliance with program requirements set forth in the PPP Interim Final Rules and in the Borrower Application Form. If SBA determines in the course of its review that a borrower lacked an adequate basis for the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request, SBA will seek repayment of the outstanding PPP loan balance and will inform the lender that the borrower is not eligible for loan forgiveness. If the borrower repays the loan after receiving notification from SBA, SBA will not pursue administrative enforcement or referrals to other agencies based on its determination with respect to the certification concerning necessity of the loan request. SBA’s determination concerning the certification regarding the necessity of the loan request will not affect SBA’s loan guarantee.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--How Coronavirus Is Forcing Americans Into Early Retirement

It goes without saying , the economy has been severely damaged as a result of various “ stay-at-home ” orders in response to COVID-19 ( coronavirus ) .
One of the emerging ripple effects is that more Americans close to retirement are now considering whether or not to retire early .
In fact , due to prolonged business shutdowns , some may feel as though the decision is being made for them .
According to Forbes , even before COVID-19 , “ More than half of workers will be forced out of the workforce earlier than expected and for reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of current economic circumstances , “ Will I be forced into early retirement ?
” may be a good question to ponder .
The Forbes article also noted that , with more than 22 million people filing for unemployment in just the last few weeks , we may see a large portion of those folks leave the workforce for good .
Once someone gets to retirement age , the desire to work longer to maintain income and lifestyle seems to dwindle a bit , according to the Forbes piece : But even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work longer , they may not enjoy a forced retirement if they aren ’ t prepared for it .
A study from Allianz found , “ Six in 10 non-retirees said running out of money before they die is one of their biggest worries.
” This is an even bigger worry in the aftermath of coronavirus .
Most Americans are Still Unprepared to “ Make the Leap ” “ When retirement starts ” is a big concern for most people , according to the Allianz report .
In fact , it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during retirement , leaving them unprepared for what happens next : Lack of clarity about when retirement may start and how time will be spent could have a significant effect on retirement income and whether or not retirees ’ money will last as long as they do .
This is a concern shared by both pre- and near-retirees as more than half ( 55 % ) of non-retirees said they are worried they won ’ t have enough saved for retirement .
In other words , more than half of people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the leap , even if a situation arose where they would be forced into making that decision .
More disturbing , two-thirds of the study respondents were not saving enough for retirement , while almost 9 out of 10 didn ’ t have a financial plan : Finally , since the coronavirus has taken hold , equity investments have become an increasingly risky choice .
Kelly O ’ Donnell from Edelman Financial offered a suggestion in a piece on CNBC , focusing on the long-term and diversification : Certainly , times have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially if an accelerated retirement is in your future .
No matter what you decide , once this virus and the resulting government response passes , you will be closer to retirement age .
So here is something to think about… Financial advisors often suggest reducing risk by reducing your allocation to equities as you near retirement .
So even if you don ’ t think you ’ re too close to retirement right now , you might want to play it safe and start planning as if you will be forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That can include taking a moment to consider diversifying at least some of your savings out of equities and into assets such as precious metals .

From Birch Gold Group
It goes without saying, the economy has been severely damaged as a result of various “stay-at-home” orders in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
One of the emerging ripple effects is that more Americans close to retirement are now considering whether or not to retire early.
In fact, due to prolonged business shutdowns, some may feel as though the decision is being made for them.
According to Forbes, even before COVID-19, “More than half of workers will be forced out of the workforce earlier than expected and for reasons out of their control.”
In light of current economic circumstances, “Will I be forced into early retirement?” may be a good question to ponder.
The Forbes article also noted that, with more than 22 million people filing for unemployment in just the last few weeks, we may see a large portion of those folks leave the workforce for good.
Once someone gets to retirement age, the desire to work longer to maintain income and lifestyle seems to dwindle a bit, according to the Forbes piece:
Only 23% of retirees said they would rather work longer when asked to choose between retiring at age 55, with money just for basic expenses, or working to 75 and having an extravagant lifestyle.
But even if a retirement saver doesn’t want to work longer, they may not enjoy a forced retirement if they aren’t prepared for it.
A study from Allianz found, “Six in 10 non-retirees said running out of money before they die is one of their biggest worries.” This is an even bigger worry in the aftermath of coronavirus.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Most Americans are Still Unprepared to “Make the Leap”
“When retirement starts” is a big concern for most people, according to the Allianz report. In fact, it may impact a retirement saver’s income during retirement, leaving them unprepared for what happens next:
Lack of clarity about when retirement may start and how time will be spent could have a significant effect on retirement income and whether or not retirees’ money will last as long as they do. This is a concern shared by both pre- and near-retirees as more than half (55%) of non-retirees said they are worried they won’t have enough saved for retirement.
In other words, more than half of people who are approaching retirement are not actually prepared to make the leap, even if a situation arose where they would be forced into making that decision.
More disturbing, two-thirds of the study respondents were not saving enough for retirement, while almost 9 out of 10 didn’t have a financial plan:
“When asked about the top financial choices they are making or planning to make, less than a third (32%) said saving enough in a retirement account, 12% said setting long-term financial goals and only 6% said making a formal financial plan[…]”
Finally, since the coronavirus has taken hold, equity investments have become an increasingly risky choice. Kelly O’Donnell from Edelman Financial offered a suggestion in a piece on CNBC, focusing on the long-term and diversification:
What investors need to do is make sure their actual allocations match their long-term goals, she said. “A long-term diversified portfolio has proven to be a great form of retirement savings for most Americans.”
Certainly, times have changed and there is much to consider, especially if an accelerated retirement is in your future.
Consider Planning “As If”
No matter what you decide, once this virus and the resulting government response passes, you will be closer to retirement age. So here is something to think about…
Financial advisors often suggest reducing risk by reducing your allocation to equities as you near retirement.
So even if you don’t think you’re too close to retirement right now, you might want to play it safe and start planning as if you will be forced into it sooner than you had imagined.
That can include taking a moment to consider diversifying at least some of your savings out of equities and into assets such as precious metals.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--DNI Grenell Releases Names of Flynn Unmaskers – BIDEN ON LIST! DC IN PANIC

This list PROVES that Flynn was unmasked prior to his late 2016/early 2017 calls with Russian Amb Kislyak and further compounds the likelihood that Obama ’ s DOJ had a FISA on Flynn going back to 2015 !
HO LEE FUK !
A list of Obama administration officials who participated in the ‘ unmasking ’ of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has been released by Sens .
Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley .
The names include former FBI Director James Comey , former CIA Director John Brennan , former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper , and former Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell visited the Justice Department with the list of unmaskers , which the DOJ effectively said was up to him to release , according to a Fox News report .
After Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice was outed as the ringleader of an unmasking campaign , the Wall Street Journal reported that she wasn ’ t the only administration official to participate in Flynn ’ s unmasking .
The new disclosure comes after the FBI was revealed to have attempted to ensnare Flynn in a perjury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own DC field office suggesting that the case be closed .

39 Names – Biden on List
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/biden-and-other-obama-officials-received-unmasking-information-on-michael-flynn-declassified-records-show
This list PROVES that Flynn was unmasked prior to his late 2016/early 2017 calls with Russian Amb Kislyak
and further compounds the likelihood that Obama’s DOJ had a FISA on Flynn going back to 2015! HO LEE FUK!
www.scribd.com/document/461271751/ODNI-Response-2
ODNI Response 2 by Washington Examiner on Scribd
SAMANTHA POWER
JAMES CLAPPER
KELLY DEGNAN
JOHN PHILLIPS
JOHN BRENNAN
PATRICK CONLON
JACOB LEW
ARTHUR “DANNY” McGlynn
Mike Neufeld
Sarah Raskin
Nathan Sheets
Adam Szubin
Robert Bell
VADM Christensen
JAMES COMEY
Redacted
Redacted
Paul Geehreng
Redacted
James Hursh
Redacted
Litzenberger
Amb. Douglas Lute
Redacted
Scott Parrish
Elizabeth Sherwood Randall
Redacted
Tamir Waser
Redacted
Redacted
Redacted
John Tefft
Redacted
Amb. Bass
Dennis McDonough
Michael Dempset
Stephanie O’Sullivan
Redacted
JOSEPH R BIDEN.
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Unmasking The Unmaskers: Biden, Brennan, Clapper, & Powers Named In DNI Just-Released List
A list of Obama administration officials who participated in the ‘unmasking’ of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has been released by Sens. Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley. The names include former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Last week, Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell visited the Justice Department with the list of unmaskers, which the DOJ effectively said was up to him to release, according to a Fox News report.
After Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice was outed as the ringleader of an unmasking campaign, the Wall Street Journal reported that she wasn’t the only administration official to participate in Flynn’s unmasking.
The new disclosure comes after the FBI was revealed to have attempted to ensnare Flynn in a perjury trap, despite the agency’s own DC field office suggesting that the case be closed.
www.zerohedge.com/political/unmasking-unmaskers-biden-brennan-clapper-powers-named-dni-grenell-list
JOE DIGENOVA LIVE
h/t ProfessorWhistleTitz


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-14--“COVID-19 had been artificially made by experts” – Dr.Phd Luc Montagnier (Nobel Prize in Medicine)

Dr.PhD Luc Montagnier ( Nobel Prize in Medicine ) for his discovery of HIV .
He appeared on a French @ @ @ @ @ origin of COVID-19 , saying the virus had been artificially made by experts .

Dr.PhD Luc Montagnier (Nobel Prize in Medicine) for his discovery of HIV.
He appeared on a French TV station commenting on the origin of COVID-19, saying the virus had been artificially made by experts.
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AC