investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--CRAZY TIME! DC Mayor Threatens Public: 90 Days in Jail if You Leave Your Home During Coronavirus Out

CRAZY TIME! DC Mayor Threatens Public: 90 Days in Jail if You Leave Your Home During Coronavirus Outbreak; California Ruled That They Can Keep You Behind Bars For An Extended Period Of Time Without A Trial

In the latest crackdown on liberties , The Mayor of Washington , DC just threatened residents that they could face 90 days in jail and a $ 5,000 fine if they leave their homes during the coronavirus outbreak .
The stay-at-home order goes into effect on April 1 , 2020 at 12:01 am .
The latest unconstitutional order is similar to orders in neighboring Maryland and Virginia , but residents in D.C. were set shocked since only 401 of the nation ’ s 160,000 confirmed cases are in the area .
Monica Hopkins , executive director of the ACLU of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post “ we would be deeply concerned ” if anyone actually was arrested for violating the order .
“ What we would hope for is voluntary compliance with the stay at home order and discretion on the part of officers to break those sort of things up and send people home , ” Hopkins said .
Guard has already been in place to do this for weeks !
California just ruled that they can keep you behind bars for an extended period of time without a trial .
At a time when local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of inmates in county jails to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , the organization that runs the California courts has just taken a big step in the opposite direction .
The California Judicial Council , in a hurried Saturday meeting , decided to extend the deadlines for criminal hearings and trials , forcing people who have been arrested but not convicted of a crime to be locked up for as much as three additional months before they can have a judge hear their case .

In the latest crackdown on liberties, The Mayor of Washington, DC just threatened residents that they could face 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine if they leave their homes during the coronavirus outbreak.
“Our message remains the same: stay home,” Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat (I know, shocking, right?), said in a statement Monday. The stay-home order has exceptions for grocery shopping and workers who are deemed essential
The stay-at-home order goes into effect on April 1, 2020 at 12:01 am.
The latest unconstitutional order is similar to orders in neighboring Maryland and Virginia, but residents in D.C. were set shocked since only 401 of the nation’s 160,000 confirmed cases are in the area.
Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia, told The Post “we would be deeply concerned” if anyone actually was arrested for violating the order.
“What we would hope for is voluntary compliance with the stay at home order and discretion on the part of officers to break those sort of things up and send people home,” Hopkins said.
offgridsurvival.com/dc-mayor-threatens-public-90-days-in-jail-if-you-leave-your-home-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
Guard has already been in place to do this for weeks!
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
California just ruled that they can keep you behind bars for an extended period of time without a trial.
New rules approved in a hurried Saturday Judicial Council meeting mean longer waits behind bars for people who are not convicted of a crime.
At a time when local authorities are working hard to reduce the number of inmates in county jails to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the organization that runs the California courts has just taken a big step in the opposite direction. The California Judicial Council, in a hurried Saturday meeting, decided to extend the deadlines for criminal hearings and trials, forcing people who have been arrested but not convicted of a crime to be locked up for as much as three additional months before they can have a judge hear their case.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--This Is Israel’s Doomsday Bunker For Top Officials That Has Been Activated For COVID-19

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that 95 % of the bunker is underground , and the only entrance is through elevators .
@ @ @ @ @ cite that person as saying that the elevators give passengers “ Sci-Fi ” feel and @ @ @ @ @ visitors the feeling it is “ completely disconnected from the world .
The bunker was @ @ @ @ @ national crisis management center , and to serve as a place from which the Israeli @ @ @ @ @ in a state of emergency .

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that 95% of the bunker is underground, and the only entrance is through elevators. The report goes on to cite that person as saying that the elevators give passengers “Sci-Fi” feel and that the bunker itself gives visitors the feeling it is “completely disconnected from the world.
…
The bunker was built to house an Israeli national crisis management center, and to serve as a place from which the Israeli government can safely govern Israel in a state of emergency.


investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--Rockefeller Foundation 2010 document on Scenarios for Future Technology. Spread it like wildfire. LO

Rockefeller Foundation 2010 document on Scenarios for Future Technology. Spread it like wildfire. LOCKSTEP: Internet outage is next

this pastor was aarrested for telling their plan .
the rockefeller foundation you can believe it or don ’ t

this pastor was aarrested for telling their plan. the rockefeller foundation
next is internet outage
www.nommeraadio.ee/meedia/pdf/RRS/Rockefeller%20Foundation.pdf
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you can believe it or don’t
h/t Gepetto


investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--CANADA is ready to mobilize 24,000 TROOPS! ‘There’s no greater threat to Canada than covid’

Canada ’ s military sees no “ greater threat ” to Canadians than the coronavirus pandemic and is mobilizing up to 24,000 troops to do whatever is needed .
As the toll of COVID-19 climbs unabated across Canada , the forces is rallying under the new mantra of Gen. Jonathan Vance , Canada ’ s Chief of the Defence Staff : “ Stay fit to fight.
” On Monday , Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan outlined some of the Canadian Armed Forces ’ plans for the pandemic and the mobilization order for up to 24,000 regular and reserve armed forces members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This includes 10 “ immediate reaction units ” within the army to respond to local requests for assistance , such as providing humanitarian support , wellness checks and natural disaster response .
The navy is prepared to assist coastal communities .
Fifty patrols of the Canadian Rangers , Canada ’ s largely aboriginal reserve force , has been activated to full-time readiness for assistance primarily in the Arctic and northern regions .
“ When Canada needs their armed forces , they are always there , ” Sajjan said .
“ During these unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be there for Canadians when called upon .
“ We will provide local commanders the authority to be flexible in our assistance to ensure that local needs are met quickly.
” So far , the military has not received any “ formal request for assistance , ” Sajjan said Monday .
On Friday , the military said there had been “ no requests ” for assistance , suggesting some discussions of the need for military assistance may be underway .
The military says the pandemic ’ s threat to the nation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armed Forces does not see any greater threat to ourselves or Canadians than what has been described by health authorities , ” Department of National Defence spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier told National Post on Friday .

via nationalpost
Canada’s military sees no “greater threat” to Canadians than the coronavirus pandemic and is mobilizing up to 24,000 troops to do whatever is needed.
As the toll of COVID-19 climbs unabated across Canada, the forces is rallying under the new mantra of Gen. Jonathan Vance, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff: “Stay fit to fight.”
On Monday, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan outlined some of the Canadian Armed Forces’ plans for the pandemic and the mobilization order for up to 24,000 regular and reserve armed forces members to be ready for domestic needs.
This includes 10 “immediate reaction units” within the army to respond to local requests for assistance, such as providing humanitarian support, wellness checks and natural disaster response. The navy is prepared to assist coastal communities.
Fifty patrols of the Canadian Rangers, Canada’s largely aboriginal reserve force, has been activated to full-time readiness for assistance primarily in the Arctic and northern regions.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
“When Canada needs their armed forces, they are always there,” Sajjan said. “During these unprecedented times, those who wear the uniform will be there for Canadians when called upon.
“We will provide local commanders the authority to be flexible in our assistance to ensure that local needs are met quickly.”
So far, the military has not received any “formal request for assistance,” Sajjan said Monday. On Friday, the military said there had been “no requests” for assistance, suggesting some discussions of the need for military assistance may be underway.
The military says the pandemic’s threat to the nation is real and significant.
“The Canadian Armed Forces does not see any greater threat to ourselves or Canadians than what has been described by health authorities,” Department of National Defence spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier told National Post on Friday.


investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--Coronavirus death counts are being manipulated to support the media’s narrative and will be used as

Coronavirus death counts are being manipulated to support the media’s narrative and will be used as a political tool to hurt Trump

No doubt in my mind that the Leftists hacks at the CDC will manipulate the numbers here in the US @ @ @ @ @ from the virus look worse than it actually is/was .
The number one killer in @ @ @ @ @ 1,002 people a day .
Did you know that if you die from heart disease @ @ @ @ @ determine you to be an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19 in your post-Mortem , they legally @ @ @ @ @ # Coronavirus death toll ?
Here are the death counts for the two biggest causes @ @ @ @ @ on average 3489 people die each day from one of these two causes .
How @ @ @ @ @ now going to be blamed on the coronavirus ?
Weird how the “ mistakes ” @ @ @ @ @ predetermined narrative .

No doubt in my mind that the Leftists hacks at the CDC will manipulate the numbers here in the US to make our death toll from the virus look worse than it actually is/was.
————————————————————-———————————————————–
The number one killer in America is Heart disease. 1,002 people a day.
Did you know that if you die from heart disease right now, and they determine you to be an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19 in your post-Mortem, they legally add your death to the #Coronavirus death toll?
The number one killer in America is Heart disease. 1,002 people a day. Did you know that if you die from heart disease right now, and they determine you to be an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19 in your post-Mortem, they legally add your death to the #Coronavirus death toll? — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 29, 2020
Here are the death counts for the two biggest causes in 2017. That means on average 3489 people die each day from one of these two causes.
Heart disease: 647,457
Cancer: 599,108
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm
How many of these deaths are now going to be blamed on the coronavirus?
#JOURNALISM:
Weird how the “mistakes” always seem to advance the predetermined narrative.
h/t LSR


investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--Technically Speaking: 5-Questions Bulls Need To Answer Now.

“ From a purely technical basis , the extreme downside extension , and potential selling exhaustion , has set the markets up for a fairly strong reflexive bounce .
This is where fun with math comes in .
As shown in the chart below , after a 35 % decline in the markets from the previous highs , a rally to the 38.2 % Fibonacci retracement would encompass a 20 % advance .
Such an advance will ‘ lure ’ investors back into the market , thinking the ‘ bear market ’ is over.
” Not surprisingly , as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the headlines from the mainstream media aligned with our expectations : So , is the bear market over ?
Are the bulls now back in charge ?
Honestly , no one knows for certain .
However , there are 5-questions that “ Market Bulls ” need to answer if the current rally is to be sustained .
These questions are not entirely technical , but since “ technical analysis ” is simply the visualization of market psychology , how you answer the questions will ultimately be reflected by the price dynamics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the economy .
Individuals can not consume goods and services if they do not have a job from which they can derive income .
From that consumption comes corporate profits and earnings .
Therefore , for individuals to consume at a rate to provide for sustainable , organic ( non-Fed supported ) , economic growth they must work at a level that provides a sustainable living wage above the poverty level .
This means full-time employment that provides benefits , and a livable wage .
The chart below shows the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have also overlaid jobless claims ( inverted scale ) , which shows that when claims fall to current levels , it has generally marked the end of the employment cycle and preceded the onset of a recession .
This erosion in jobless claims has only just begun .
As jobless claims and continuing claims rise , it will lead to a sharp deceleration in economic confidence .
Confidence is the primary factor of consumptive behaviors , which is why the Federal Reserve acted so quickly to inject liquidity into the financial markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may prop up financial markets in the short-term , it does little to affect the most significant factor weighing on consumers – their job .
Question : Given that employment is just starting to decline , does such support the assumption of a continued bull market ?
Following through from employment , once individuals receive their paycheck , they then consume goods and services in order to live .
This is a crucial economic concept to understand , which is the order in which the economy functions .
Consumers must “ produce ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before they can “ consume.
” This is also the primary problem of Stephanie Kelton ’ s “ Modern Monetary Theory , ” which disincentivizes the productive capacity of the population .
Given that Personal Consumption Expenditures ( PCE ) is a measure of that consumption , and comprises roughly 70 % of the GDP calculation , its relative strength has great bearing on the outcome of economic growth .
More importantly , PCE is the direct contributor to the sales of corporations , which generates their gross revenue .
So goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lower the revenue that flows into company coffers , the more inclined businesses are to cut costs , including employment and stock buybacks , to maintain profit margins .
The chart below is a comparison of the annualized change in PCE to corporate fixed investment and employment .
I have made some estimates for the first quarter based on recent data points .
Question : Does the current weakness in PCE and Fixed Investment support the expectations for a continued bull market from current price levels ?
While global Central Banks have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complacency through years of monetary support , it has led to willful blindness of underlying risk .
As we discussed in “ Investor ’ s Dilemma : ” That “ stimuli ” over the last decade has been Central Bank interventions .
During that period , the complete lack of “ fear ” in markets , combined with a “ chase for yield , ” drove “ risk ” assets to record levels along with leverage .
The chart below shows the relationship between margin debt ( leverage ) , stocks , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inverted for better relevance . )
While asset prices declined sharply in March , it has done little to significantly revert either junk bond yields or margin debt to levels normally consistent with the beginning of a new “ bull market.
” With oil prices falling below $ 20/bbl , a tremendous amount of debt tied to the energy space , and the impact the energy sector has on the broader economy , it is likely too soon to suggest the markets have fully “ priced in ” the damage being done .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if more bankruptcies and forced deleveraging occurs ?
As noted above , if the “ bull market ” is back , then stocks should be pricing in stronger earnings going forward .
However , given the potential shakeout in employment , which will lower consumption , stronger earnings , and corporate profits , are not likely in the near term .
The risk to earnings is even higher than many suspect , given that over the last several years , companies have manufactured profitability through a variety of accounting gimmicks , but primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That cycle has now come to an end , but before it did it created a massive deviation of the stock market from corporate profitability .
It isn ’ t just the deviation of asset prices from corporate profitability , which is skewed , but also reported earnings per share .
The impending recession , and consumption freeze , is going to start the mean-reversion process in both corporate profits , and earnings .
I have projected the potential reversion in the chart below .
The reversion in GAAP earnings is pretty calculable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run on a fairly consistent trend .
Using that historical context , we can project a recession will reduce earnings to roughly $ 100/share .
( Goldman Sachs currently estimates $ 110 . )
The resulting decline asset prices to revert valuations to a level of 18x ( still high ) trailing earnings would suggest a level of 1800 for the S & P 500 index .
( Yesterday ’ s close of 2626 is still way to elevated . )
The decline in economic growth epitomizes the problem that corporations face today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chart below shows corporate profits as a percentage of GDP relative to the annual change in GDP .
The last time that corporate profits diverged from GDP , it was unable to sustain that divergence for long .
As the economy declines , so will corporate profits and earnings .
Question : How long can asset prices remain divorced from falling corporate profits and weaker economic growth ?
Given all of the issues discussed above , which must ultimately be reflected in market prices , the technical picture of the market also suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely fade sooner than later .
As noted above ” Importantly , despite the sizable rally , participation has remained extraordinarily weak .
If the market was seeing strong buying , as suggested by the media , then we should see sizable upticks in the percent measures of advancing issues , issues at new highs , and a rising number of stocks above their 200-dma .
However , on a longer-term basis , since this is the end of the month , and quarter , we can look at our quarterly buy/sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” signal for the first time since 2015 .
While such a signal does not demand a major reversion , it does suggest there is likely more risk to the markets currently than many expect .

by Lance Roberts
In last Tuesday’s Technically Speaking post, I stated:
“From a purely technical basis, the extreme downside extension, and potential selling exhaustion, has set the markets up for a fairly strong reflexive bounce. This is where fun with math comes in. As shown in the chart below, after a 35% decline in the markets from the previous highs, a rally to the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement would encompass a 20% advance. Such an advance will ‘lure’ investors back into the market, thinking the ‘bear market’ is over.”
Chart Updated Through Monday
Not surprisingly, as we noted in this weekend’s newsletter, the headlines from the mainstream media aligned with our expectations:
So, is the bear market over?
Are the bulls now back in charge?
Honestly, no one knows for certain. However, there are 5-questions that “Market Bulls” need to answer if the current rally is to be sustained.
These questions are not entirely technical, but since “technical analysis” is simply the visualization of market psychology, how you answer the questions will ultimately be reflected by the price dynamics of the market.
Let’s get to work.
Employment
Employment is the lifeblood of the economy. Individuals cannot consume goods and services if they do not have a job from which they can derive income. From that consumption comes corporate profits and earnings.
Therefore, for individuals to consume at a rate to provide for sustainable, organic (non-Fed supported), economic growth they must work at a level that provides a sustainable living wage above the poverty level. This means full-time employment that provides benefits, and a livable wage. The chart below shows the number of full-time employees relative to the population. I have also overlaid jobless claims (inverted scale), which shows that when claims fall to current levels, it has generally marked the end of the employment cycle and preceded the onset of a recession.
This erosion in jobless claims has only just begun. As jobless claims and continuing claims rise, it will lead to a sharp deceleration in economic confidence. Confidence is the primary factor of consumptive behaviors, which is why the Federal Reserve acted so quickly to inject liquidity into the financial markets. While the Fed’s actions may prop up financial markets in the short-term, it does little to affect the most significant factor weighing on consumers – their job.
Question: Given that employment is just starting to decline, does such support the assumption of a continued bull market?
Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)
Following through from employment, once individuals receive their paycheck, they then consume goods and services in order to live.
This is a crucial economic concept to understand, which is the order in which the economy functions. Consumers must “produce” first, so they receive a paycheck, before they can “consume.” This is also the primary problem of Stephanie Kelton’s “Modern Monetary Theory,” which disincentivizes the productive capacity of the population.
Given that Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) is a measure of that consumption, and comprises roughly 70% of the GDP calculation, its relative strength has great bearing on the outcome of economic growth.
More importantly, PCE is the direct contributor to the sales of corporations, which generates their gross revenue. So goes personal consumption – so goes revenue. The lower the revenue that flows into company coffers, the more inclined businesses are to cut costs, including employment and stock buybacks, to maintain profit margins.
The chart below is a comparison of the annualized change in PCE to corporate fixed investment and employment. I have made some estimates for the first quarter based on recent data points.
Question: Does the current weakness in PCE and Fixed Investment support the expectations for a continued bull market from current price levels?
Junk Bonds & Margin Debt
While global Central Banks have lulled investors into an expanded sense of complacency through years of monetary support, it has led to willful blindness of underlying risk. As we discussed in “Investor’s Dilemma:”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
“Classical conditioning (also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning) refers to a learning procedure in which a potent stimulus (e.g. food) is paired with a previously neutral stimulus (e.g. a bell). What Pavlov discovered is that when the neutral stimulus was introduced, the dogs would begin to salivate in anticipation of the potent stimulus, even though it was not currently present. This learning process results from the psychological “pairing” of the stimuli.”
That “stimuli” over the last decade has been Central Bank interventions. During that period, the complete lack of “fear” in markets, combined with a “chase for yield,” drove “risk” assets to record levels along with leverage. The chart below shows the relationship between margin debt (leverage), stocks, and junk bond yields (which have been inverted for better relevance.)
While asset prices declined sharply in March, it has done little to significantly revert either junk bond yields or margin debt to levels normally consistent with the beginning of a new “bull market.”
With oil prices falling below $20/bbl, a tremendous amount of debt tied to the energy space, and the impact the energy sector has on the broader economy, it is likely too soon to suggest the markets have fully “priced in” the damage being done.
Question: What happens to asset prices if more bankruptcies and forced deleveraging occurs?
Corporate Profits/Earnings
As noted above, if the “bull market” is back, then stocks should be pricing in stronger earnings going forward. However, given the potential shakeout in employment, which will lower consumption, stronger earnings, and corporate profits, are not likely in the near term.
The risk to earnings is even higher than many suspect, given that over the last several years, companies have manufactured profitability through a variety of accounting gimmicks, but primarily through share buybacks from increased leverage. That cycle has now come to an end, but before it did it created a massive deviation of the stock market from corporate profitability.
“If the economy is slowing down, revenue and corporate profit growth will decline also. However, it is this point which the ‘bulls’ should be paying attention to. Many are dismissing currently high valuations under the guise of ‘low interest rates,’ however, the one thing you should not dismiss, and cannot make an excuse for, is the massive deviation between the market and corporate profits after tax. The only other time in history the difference was this great was in 1999.”
It isn’t just the deviation of asset prices from corporate profitability, which is skewed, but also reported earnings per share.
The impending recession, and consumption freeze, is going to start the mean-reversion process in both corporate profits, and earnings. I have projected the potential reversion in the chart below. The reversion in GAAP earnings is pretty calculable as swings from peaks to troughs have run on a fairly consistent trend.
Using that historical context, we can project a recession will reduce earnings to roughly $100/share. (Goldman Sachs currently estimates $110.) The resulting decline asset prices to revert valuations to a level of 18x (still high) trailing earnings would suggest a level of 1800 for the S&P 500 index. (Yesterday’s close of 2626 is still way to elevated.)
The decline in economic growth epitomizes the problem that corporations face today in trying to maintain profitability. The chart below shows corporate profits as a percentage of GDP relative to the annual change in GDP. The last time that corporate profits diverged from GDP, it was unable to sustain that divergence for long. As the economy declines, so will corporate profits and earnings.
Question: How long can asset prices remain divorced from falling corporate profits and weaker economic growth?
Technical Pressure
Given all of the issues discussed above, which must ultimately be reflected in market prices, the technical picture of the market also suggests the recent “bear market” rally will likely fade sooner than later. As noted above”
“Such an advance will ‘lure’ investors back into the market, thinking the ‘bear market’ is over.”
Importantly, despite the sizable rally, participation has remained extraordinarily weak. If the market was seeing strong buying, as suggested by the media, then we should see sizable upticks in the percent measures of advancing issues, issues at new highs, and a rising number of stocks above their 200-dma.
However, on a longer-term basis, since this is the end of the month, and quarter, we can look at our quarterly buy/sell indication which has triggered a “sell” signal for the first time since 2015. While such a signal does not demand a major reversion, it does suggest there is likely more risk to the markets currently than many expect.
Question: Does the technical backdrop currently support the resumption of a bull market? There are reasons to be optimistic on the markets in the very short-term. However, we are continuing to extend the amount of time the economy will be “shut down,” which will exacerbate the decline in the unemployment and personal consumption data. The feedback loop from that data into corporate profits and earnings is going to make valuations more problematic even with low interest rates currently. While Central Banks have rushed into a “burning building with a fire hose” of liquidity, there is the risk that after a decade of excess debt, leverage, and misallocation of assets, the “fire” may be too hot for them to put out. Assuming that the “bear market” is over already may be a bit premature, and chasing what seems like a “raging bull market” is likely going to disappoint you. Bear markets have a way of “suckering” investors back into the market to inflict the most pain possible. This is why “bear markets” never end with optimism, but in despair.


investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--Federal Reserve announces temporary FIMA Repo Facility

The Federal Reserve on Tuesday announced the establishment of a temporary repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities ( FIMA Repo Facility ) to help support the smooth functioning of financial markets , including the U.S. Treasury market , and thus maintain the supply of credit to U.S. households and businesses .
The FIMA Repo Facility will allow FIMA account holders , which consist of central banks and other international monetary authorities with accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York , to enter into repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve .
In these transactions , FIMA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securities held with the Federal Reserve for U.S. dollars , which can then be made available to institutions in their jurisdictions .
This facility should help support the smooth functioning of the U.S. Treasury market by providing an alternative temporary source of U.S. dollars other than sales of securities in the open market .
It should also serve , along with the U.S. dollar liquidity swap lines the Federal Reserve has established with other central banks , to help ease strains in global U.S. dollar funding markets .
The Federal Reserve provides U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of Federal Reserve objectives and in recognition of the U.S. dollar ’ s predominant role as an international currency .
The FIMA Repo Facility , which adds to the range of services the Federal Reserve provides , will be available beginning April 6 and will continue for at least 6 months .

Link to press release
Content:
The Federal Reserve on Tuesday announced the establishment of a temporary repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities (FIMA Repo Facility) to help support the smooth functioning of financial markets, including the U.S. Treasury market, and thus maintain the supply of credit to U.S. households and businesses. The FIMA Repo Facility will allow FIMA account holders, which consist of central banks and other international monetary authorities with accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, to enter into repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve. In these transactions, FIMA account holders temporarily exchange their U.S. Treasury securities held with the Federal Reserve for U.S. dollars, which can then be made available to institutions in their jurisdictions. This facility should help support the smooth functioning of the U.S. Treasury market by providing an alternative temporary source of U.S. dollars other than sales of securities in the open market. It should also serve, along with the U.S. dollar liquidity swap lines the Federal Reserve has established with other central banks, to help ease strains in global U.S. dollar funding markets.
The Federal Reserve provides U.S. dollar-denominated banking services to FIMA account holders in support of Federal Reserve objectives and in recognition of the U.S. dollar’s predominant role as an international currency. The FIMA Repo Facility, which adds to the range of services the Federal Reserve provides, will be available beginning April 6 and will continue for at least 6 months.


investmentwatchblog--2020-03-31--49 Percent Of U.S. Companies Expect Layoffs “In The Next Three Months” As Unemployment Heads To Grea

49 Percent Of U.S. Companies Expect Layoffs “In The Next Three Months” As Unemployment Heads To Great Depression Levels

If the U.S. economy remains in shutdown mode for the next several months , we are going to witness layoffs like we have never seen before in U.S. history .
Of course what we have already witnessed is difficult to believe .
Last week more than 3.2 million Americans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits , and that was more than four times higher than the previous all-time record .
This week another massive surge is expected , and we will continue to see lots more layoffs for as long as this pandemic persists .
It is going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a whole , because we haven ’ t seen anything like this since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
Yes , shutting down most of the nation is saving lives , but it is also absolutely crippling our economy .
According to a survey that was conducted from March 20th to March 26th by Challenger , Gray & Christmas , almost half of all U.S. companies say that it is likely that they will be conducting layoffs at some point “ in the next three months ” … If that actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do to our unemployment rate ?
I know that this may sound really crazy , but at this point the St. Louis Fed is projecting that we will soon see a 32 percent unemployment rate… Could things really get that bad so quickly ?
If we do see a number that high , it would surpass even the highest unemployment rates that we witnessed during the Great Depression of the 1930s .
The only way to avoid this sort of a nightmare scenario would be to put America back to work as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply not going to happen .
President Trump just extended the federal coronavirus guidelines until at least April 30th , and that means that it is exceedingly unlikely that any state will end their lockdowns before then .
And actually more states continue to join the “ shelter-in-place ” party .
For example , check out what just happened in Arizona… It would be wonderful if the pandemic had subsided so much by April 30th that most Americans would be able to get back to work , but many states are already anticipating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than that .
Officials in New York City are warning that the city may stay closed down for the next two months , and in Virginia the current “ shelter-in-place ” order doesn ’ t expire until June 10th… In the end , officials will be watching the raw numbers in order to determine when it is finally safe to resume normal activity .
Right now , the number of confirmed cases and the number of deaths is still increasing , but at least the rate at which they are rising is starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the “ shelter-in-place ” orders are having a positive effect .
But if everyone is allowed to resume normal activity a couple of months from now , we could see a “ second wave ” erupt as the number of cases starts to explode once again .
The only way to truly defeat this virus would be to conduct a complete and total nationwide lockdown for at least 28 days at the same time that the rest of the world is also conducting simultaneous lockdowns , and there is no way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like we will be dealing with this virus for a long , long time to come .
As Americans brace for the economic collapse that is now unfolding all around us , they are hoarding cash “ at the fastest pace since Y2K ” , and retailers are boarding up their stores all over the country… If I was in their shoes , I would probably be doing the same thing .
As unemployment soars and people get sick and tired of being confined to their own homes , it is probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see civil unrest , rioting , looting , and an unprecedented spike in the crime rate .
Of course there are still a lot of people out there that are hoping for a “ V shaped recovery ” once this pandemic begins to fade , but I wouldn ’ t count on that happening .
Scientists are warning that there could be multiple “ waves ” during this pandemic , and fear of this coronavirus is going to persist for a very long time to come .
And now that all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts such as Egon von Greyerz are convinced that “ there will be no recovery at all ” … Personally , I do believe that there will be ups and downs throughout this process , but overall we are facing a “ great unraveling ” that will be more painful than most Americans would dare to imagine .
This coronavirus is not going to be the only challenge that we will have to face .
We have entered a time when there will be one crisis after another , and there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Sadly , so many Americans today have come to take such great pride in our debt-fueled “ national prosperity ” , and now that prosperity is going to be smashed into a thousand pieces .
Our day of reckoning has finally arrived , and it is going to be really , really painful for the American people .

by Michael Snyder
If the U.S. economy remains in shutdown mode for the next several months, we are going to witness layoffs like we have never seen before in U.S. history. Of course what we have already witnessed is difficult to believe. Last week more than 3.2 million Americans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits, and that was more than four times higher than the previous all-time record. This week another massive surge is expected, and we will continue to see lots more layoffs for as long as this pandemic persists. It is going to be a very challenging time for the country as a whole, because we haven’t seen anything like this since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Yes, shutting down most of the nation is saving lives, but it is also absolutely crippling our economy. According to a survey that was conducted from March 20th to March 26th by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, almost half of all U.S. companies say that it is likely that they will be conducting layoffs at some point “in the next three months”…
Forty-nine percent of companies told Challenger, Gray & Christmas they are very or somewhat likely to conduct layoffs in the next three months, while 11% reported they have conducted permanent layoffs; another 7% have conducted temporary layoffs.
If that actually happens, can you imagine what that will do to our unemployment rate?
I know that this may sound really crazy, but at this point the St. Louis Fed is projecting that we will soon see a 32 percent unemployment rate…
Millions of Americans already have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis and the worst of the damage is yet to come, according to a Federal Reserve estimate. Economists at the Fed’s St. Louis district project total employment reductions of 47 million, which would translate to a 32.1% unemployment rate, according to a recent analysis of how bad things could get.
Could things really get that bad so quickly?
If we do see a number that high, it would surpass even the highest unemployment rates that we witnessed during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The only way to avoid this sort of a nightmare scenario would be to put America back to work as quickly as possible, but that is simply not going to happen. President Trump just extended the federal coronavirus guidelines until at least April 30th, and that means that it is exceedingly unlikely that any state will end their lockdowns before then.
And actually more states continue to join the “shelter-in-place” party. For example, check out what just happened in Arizona…
Gov. Doug Ducey is ordering all Arizona residents to remain in their homes for the next month except for essential needs to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 1,000 people in the state. The “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” executive order is set to take effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. and remain in place at least until April 30.
It would be wonderful if the pandemic had subsided so much by April 30th that most Americans would be able to get back to work, but many states are already anticipating that this crisis will run much longer than that.
Officials in New York City are warning that the city may stay closed down for the next two months, and in Virginia the current “shelter-in-place” order doesn’t expire until June 10th…
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued a statewide stay-at-home order that’s effective immediately and will remain in place until June 10, unless the governor amends or rescinds it.
In the end, officials will be watching the raw numbers in order to determine when it is finally safe to resume normal activity.
Right now, the number of confirmed cases and the number of deaths is still increasing, but at least the rate at which they are rising is starting to slow down.
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Hopefully that means that the “shelter-in-place” orders are having a positive effect.
But if everyone is allowed to resume normal activity a couple of months from now, we could see a “second wave” erupt as the number of cases starts to explode once again.
The only way to truly defeat this virus would be to conduct a complete and total nationwide lockdown for at least 28 days at the same time that the rest of the world is also conducting simultaneous lockdowns, and there is no way that is going to happen.
So it looks like we will be dealing with this virus for a long, long time to come.
As Americans brace for the economic collapse that is now unfolding all around us, they are hoarding cash “at the fastest pace since Y2K”, and retailers are boarding up their stores all over the country…
High-end stores across the country have been boarding up their stores in anticipation of civil unrest due to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic. In Beverly Hills, the Pottery Barn and West Elm stores near Rodeo Drive were spotted with boards across the windows according to TMZ. Meanwhile, stores in New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Paris, Vancouver and elsewhere were similarly boarded up.
The “Magnificent Mile” in Chicago today. It looks like Chile in November. All fancy stores boarded up. Are they afraid of #Covid19 or of something else? @DMatamala pic.twitter.com/Ag2SU2iJ2a — Zingales (@zingales) March 29, 2020
If I was in their shoes, I would probably be doing the same thing. As unemployment soars and people get sick and tired of being confined to their own homes, it is probably only a matter of time before we see civil unrest, rioting, looting, and an unprecedented spike in the crime rate.
Of course there are still a lot of people out there that are hoping for a “V shaped recovery” once this pandemic begins to fade, but I wouldn’t count on that happening.
Scientists are warning that there could be multiple “waves” during this pandemic, and fear of this coronavirus is going to persist for a very long time to come. And now that all of the economic bubbles are starting to burst, experts such as Egon von Greyerz are convinced that “there will be no recovery at all”…
No one should believe for one moment that once CV is gone we will experience a V shaped recovery. There will be no V, there will be no U and nor will we see a hockey stick recovery. What few people understand, including the so called experts, is that there will be no recovery at all. An extremely rapid decline of the world economy has just started and will be devastating in the next 6-12 months, whether CV ends soon or not.
Personally, I do believe that there will be ups and downs throughout this process, but overall we are facing a “great unraveling” that will be more painful than most Americans would dare to imagine.
This coronavirus is not going to be the only challenge that we will have to face. We have entered a time when there will be one crisis after another, and there will be no way to reinflate the bubbles this time.
Sadly, so many Americans today have come to take such great pride in our debt-fueled “national prosperity”, and now that prosperity is going to be smashed into a thousand pieces.
Our day of reckoning has finally arrived, and it is going to be really, really painful for the American people.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-01--“The leveraged share buyback game has ended, which also means an end to the phony earnings growth.”

HSBC and Goldman Sachs have now both come out with estimates about the extent of the collapse of share buybacks .
So far into this crash , over 50 companies have suspended share buybacks , accounting for $ 190 billion in cash that is into the stock market , representing over a quarter of total share buybacks in 2019 .
HSBC estimates that over the next two quarters , share buybacks in the US could be cut by $ 300 billion , meaning $ 300 billion in “ lost inflows ” into the stock market .
And more cuts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts , reported by Bloomberg , added : “ Reduced cash flows and select restrictions mandated as part of the Phase 3 fiscal legislation suggest more suspensions are likely.
” And slashing share buybacks would have an impact on stocks , the Goldman analysts said : “ Higher volatility and lower equity valuations are among the likely consequences of reduced buybacks.
” Share buybacks – until 1982 a form of illegal market manipulation under SEC rules – have had a massive impact on the stock market on the way up .
Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 Index bought back $ 729 billion of their own shares , according to S & P Dow Jones Indices .
In 2018 , they bought back $ 806 billion of their own shares .
Over the two years combined , that amounts to over $ 1.5 trillion .
Since 2012 , share buybacks amounted to $ 4.6 trillion .
This is cash that became a fresh inflow into the stock market .
Most of these shares were canceled after the companies had bought them back .
From a company point of view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge inflow – this relentless bid by companies to buy their own shares at the highest possible price to drive up share prices further – and the ceaseless hype surrounding it , helped inflate share prices into one of the greatest stock market bubbles ever , including a ludicrous 30 % gain of the S & P 500 in 2019 when the economy was already struggling and when actual earnings growth had stalled .
So starting in late February , when the market began its epic crash and the liquidity crunch hit companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lockdowns , the first reaction was to switch into survival mode and preserve cash .
Share buybacks incinerate cash .
And they ’ re the first on the cutting block , ahead of dividends .
In addition , there are now rules in the $ 2 trillion stimulus-and-investor-bailout package that prevent companies from buying back their own shares until a year after they paid off their bailout loans .
President Trump himself spoke out several times against share buybacks recently , airing his frustration that the proceeds from the corporate tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as had been widely predicted , plowed into share buybacks rather than invested in the US to drive the economy forward .
So at least over the near term , the rug got pulled out from under the share buyback scheme .
In terms of the impact of vanishing share buybacks , Chris Wood , global head of equity strategy at Jefferies , said in a note , also reported by Bloomberg , that he saw two problems : • One , US stocks “ began the downturn so overvalued at a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And two , “ the leveraged share buyback game has ended , which also means an end to the phony earnings growth it produced.
” As companies are laying off millions of people in order to stem the cash outflow , and as their shareholders and creditors are getting bailed out to the tune of trillions of dollars created by the Fed or borrowed by the US government , share buybacks are mostly off the table for now .
Part of the great science of financial engineering , share buybacks have three goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( via dilution ) of stock compensation packages for executives ; • Create “ phony ” growth in earnings per share .
Share buybacks reduce the share count ( the denominator of earnings-per-share ) , thereby increasing earnings per share when actual earnings go nowhere .
But share buybacks come with massive costs that don ’ t hit home until there ’ s a crisis : By incinerating $ 4.6 trillion in cash since 2012 , and often borrowed cash – the “ leveraged share buybacks ” – companies willfully burned up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and overleveraged , and predictably far less able to withstand the next crisis , though they knew perfectly well that there is always a next crisis .

HSBC and Goldman Sachs have now both come out with estimates about the extent of the collapse of share buybacks. So far into this crash, over 50 companies have suspended share buybacks, accounting for $190 billion in cash that is not flowing into the stock market, representing over a quarter of total share buybacks in 2019.
HSBC estimates that over the next two quarters, share buybacks in the US could be cut by $300 billion, meaning $300 billion in “lost inflows” into the stock market.
And more cuts are coming. A note by Goldman Sachs analysts, reported by Bloomberg, added: “Reduced cash flows and select restrictions mandated as part of the Phase 3 fiscal legislation suggest more suspensions are likely.”
And slashing share buybacks would have an impact on stocks, the Goldman analysts said: “Higher volatility and lower equity valuations are among the likely consequences of reduced buybacks.”
Share buybacks – until 1982 a form of illegal market manipulation under SEC rules – have had a massive impact on the stock market on the way up. Last year, companies in the S&P 500 Index bought back $729 billion of their own shares, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. In 2018, they bought back $806 billion of their own shares. Over the two years combined, that amounts to over $1.5 trillion. Since 2012, share buybacks amounted to $4.6 trillion.
This is cash that became a fresh inflow into the stock market. Most of these shares were canceled after the companies had bought them back. From a company point of view, this money just disappeared.
This huge inflow – this relentless bid by companies to buy their own shares at the highest possible price to drive up share prices further – and the ceaseless hype surrounding it, helped inflate share prices into one of the greatest stock market bubbles ever, including a ludicrous 30% gain of the S&P 500 in 2019 when the economy was already struggling and when actual earnings growth had stalled.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
So starting in late February, when the market began its epic crash and the liquidity crunch hit companies because their revenues plunged or vanished due to the lockdowns, the first reaction was to switch into survival mode and preserve cash. Share buybacks incinerate cash. And they’re the first on the cutting block, ahead of dividends.
In addition, there are now rules in the $2 trillion stimulus-and-investor-bailout package that prevent companies from buying back their own shares until a year after they paid off their bailout loans. President Trump himself spoke out several times against share buybacks recently, airing his frustration that the proceeds from the corporate tax cuts of 2017 were in fact, as had been widely predicted, plowed into share buybacks rather than invested in the US to drive the economy forward.
So at least over the near term, the rug got pulled out from under the share buyback scheme.
In terms of the impact of vanishing share buybacks, Chris Wood, global head of equity strategy at Jefferies, said in a note, also reported by Bloomberg, that he saw two problems:
One, US stocks “began the downturn so overvalued at a record high valuation to sales”;
And two, “the leveraged share buyback game has ended, which also means an end to the phony earnings growth it produced.”
As companies are laying off millions of people in order to stem the cash outflow, and as their shareholders and creditors are getting bailed out to the tune of trillions of dollars created by the Fed or borrowed by the US government, share buybacks are mostly off the table for now.
Part of the great science of financial engineering, share buybacks have three goals:
Drive up share prices;
Conceal from shareholders the costs (via dilution) of stock compensation packages for executives;
Create “phony” growth in earnings per share. Share buybacks reduce the share count (the denominator of earnings-per-share), thereby increasing earnings per share when actual earnings go nowhere.
But share buybacks come with massive costs that don’t hit home until there’s a crisis: By incinerating $4.6 trillion in cash since 2012, and often borrowed cash – the “leveraged share buybacks” – companies willfully burned up their equity capital and rendered themselves recklessly fragile and overleveraged, and predictably far less able to withstand the next crisis, though they knew perfectly well that there is always a next crisis.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-01--Oil Stocks Haven’t Hit The Bottom Just Yet

It ’ s hard to overstate the nature of what has happened in the oil markets since the beginning of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) outbreak in early January .
At that time , supply and demand looked reasonably balanced .
OPEC and its partners ( primarily Russia ) were taking action to make sure that balance was maintained .
I felt confident enough in the fundamentals to predict that oil prices wouldn ’ t fall below $ 50/bbl this year .
But since then we have experienced the fastest and most dramatic change in oil market conditions that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And when a market sell-off turns into panic , the market moves can become irrational .
As John Maynard Keynes once said , “ The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent.
” Thus , it ’ s prudent to apply a great deal of caution in the current environment .
Oil is the most important commodity in the world .
It ’ s still how our supply chains and critical services are moving around .
But oil production has expanded so much in recent years , we suddenly found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have stopped moving about .
Oil prices — and the energy sector — were crushed in response ( with a strong nudge from Russia and Saudi Arabia ) .
Energy stocks look extremely cheap — and they are .
But it doesn ’ t mean they won ’ t get cheaper .
The challenge is that the fundamentals are changing so rapidly that we don ’ t even have a good handle on what those fundamentals currently are .
When this sell-off began , I said that it could be 10 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — we just didn ’ t know because we are dealing with a moving target .
What seems undeniable is that we still have a period of bad news in front of us before conditions begin to improve .
The collapse of oil demand , the overall decline in the stock market , – and most importantly – the price war that Russia and Saudi Arabia have started have crushed the energy sector .
Investors aren ’ t discriminating between good and bad companies ( recognizing that at $ 20 oil , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gas companies ) .
The entire sector is on sale .
With oil prices all the way down into the $ 20s , Russia may eventually decide that the pain is too great and come back to the table .
But in the interim , many shale oil producers will probably be forced out of business .
What should investors do now ?
It may be instructive to review what happened in 2015 as oil prices collapsed .
The hardest hit were shale oil producers , especially those with a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of bankruptcies .
So , I would only invest new money into the energy sector with the utmost caution .
ConocoPhillips , which I have previously recommended , isn ’ t primarily a shale oil producer .
The company has retooled to break even at $ 40 oil ( although we are a long way from there now ) .
ConocoPhillips can sustain low prices longer than other producers .
COP will be one of the last pure oil companies standing , but its share price has taken a gut punch from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , especially master limited partnerships ( MLPs ) , were in a bubble in 2014 .
Their values collapsed along with oil prices , but the underlying fundamentals got stronger for those that weren ’ t highly leveraged .
MLPs like Enterprise Products Partners even increased their distributions throughout the oil price collapse .
It will take a long bear market before the strongest MLPs have to think about cutting distributions .
But some of the highly leveraged MLPs are already announcing distribution cuts .
Refiners fared well the last time oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the price differential between crude oil and finished products .
They often make their biggest profits when oil prices are falling .
That ’ s what we saw in 2015 , when Valero returned 43 percent as other energy companies were plummeting .
Conditions are different today with gasoline demand collapsing , but refiners should be in a better overall position than oil producers .
The large integrated companies have sufficiently deep pockets to survive the challenging times ahead .
Many of the oil supermajors have gone decades without cutting dividends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bottom line , however , is that we just don ’ t know how bad this is going to get .
The oil markets are certainly not alone in rapidly shedding market capitalization .
The recent drop in the S & P 500 was the fastest since the 1987 market crash .
That should have the full attention of investors .
If you have cash on the sidelines , I would be extremely cautious in chasing these energy stocks down .
We can ’ t yet see the light at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more akin to gambling , it ’ s best to only invest money you can truly afford to lose .

By Robert Rapier
It’s hard to overstate the nature of what has happened in the oil markets since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in early January. At that time, supply and demand looked reasonably balanced. OPEC and its partners (primarily Russia) were taking action to make sure that balance was maintained. I felt confident enough in the fundamentals to predict that oil prices wouldn’t fall below $50/bbl this year. But since then we have experienced the fastest and most dramatic change in oil market conditions that I have ever seen in my career. And when a market sell-off turns into panic, the market moves can become irrational.
As John Maynard Keynes once said, “The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent.” Thus, it’s prudent to apply a great deal of caution in the current environment.
Sure, Energy Stocks Are Cheap
Oil is the most important commodity in the world. It’s still how our supply chains and critical services are moving around. But oil production has expanded so much in recent years, we suddenly found supply way in front of demand as people have stopped moving about. Oil prices — and the energy sector — were crushed in response (with a strong nudge from Russia and Saudi Arabia).
Energy stocks look extremely cheap — and they are. But it doesn’t mean they won’t get cheaper.
The challenge is that the fundamentals are changing so rapidly that we don’t even have a good handle on what those fundamentals currently are. When this sell-off began, I said that it could be 10 percent, 25 percent, or 50 percent — we just didn’t know because we are dealing with a moving target.
What seems undeniable is that we still have a period of bad news in front of us before conditions begin to improve.
Advice for Investors
The collapse of oil demand, the overall decline in the stock market, – and most importantly – the price war that Russia and Saudi Arabia have started have crushed the energy sector. Investors aren’t discriminating between good and bad companies (recognizing that at $20 oil, you would be hard-pressed to find good oil and gas companies). The entire sector is on sale.
With oil prices all the way down into the $20s, Russia may eventually decide that the pain is too great and come back to the table. But in the interim, many shale oil producers will probably be forced out of business.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
What should investors do now? It may be instructive to review what happened in 2015 as oil prices collapsed. The hardest hit were shale oil producers, especially those with a lot of debt. There will likely be another wave of bankruptcies.
So, I would only invest new money into the energy sector with the utmost caution.
ConocoPhillips, which I have previously recommended, isn’t primarily a shale oil producer. The company has retooled to break even at $40 oil (although we are a long way from there now). ConocoPhillips can sustain low prices longer than other producers. COP will be one of the last pure oil companies standing, but its share price has taken a gut punch from the collapse in oil prices.
Pipeline companies, especially master limited partnerships (MLPs), were in a bubble in 2014. Their values collapsed along with oil prices, but the underlying fundamentals got stronger for those that weren’t highly leveraged.
MLPs like Enterprise Products Partners even increased their distributions throughout the oil price collapse. It will take a long bear market before the strongest MLPs have to think about cutting distributions. But some of the highly leveraged MLPs are already announcing distribution cuts.
Refiners fared well the last time oil prices collapsed. They make their money on the price differential between crude oil and finished products. They often make their biggest profits when oil prices are falling. That’s what we saw in 2015, when Valero returned 43 percent as other energy companies were plummeting. Conditions are different today with gasoline demand collapsing, but refiners should be in a better overall position than oil producers.
The large integrated companies have sufficiently deep pockets to survive the challenging times ahead. Many of the oil supermajors have gone decades without cutting dividends, despite enduring several challenging oil markets.
The bottom line, however, is that we just don’t know how bad this is going to get. The oil markets are certainly not alone in rapidly shedding market capitalization. The recent drop in the S&P 500 was the fastest since the 1987 market crash. That should have the full attention of investors.
If you have cash on the sidelines, I would be extremely cautious in chasing these energy stocks down. We can’t yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. When investing becomes more akin to gambling, it’s best to only invest money you can truly afford to lose.
By Robert Rapier


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-01--Stadiums all over the world turned into hospitals

Sports venues all over the world are being converted into emergency medical facilities amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic .
RT @ @ @ @ @ joins Rick Sanchez with the details .

Sports venues all over the world are being converted into emergency medical facilities amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. RT America’s Steve Christakos joins Rick Sanchez with the details.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-04-01--VIRGINIA: Hospitals Furloughing Workers?!

RICHMOND , Va. ( WRIC ) — Bon Secours Mercy Health said Tuesday that they plan to furlough or redeploy @ @ @ @ @ who are not aiding with the COVID-19 response The health care system , one of @ @ @ @ @ , expects the temporary furloughs to last 30 to 90 days .
John Starcher , @ @ @ @ @ Bon Secours Mercy Health , said in a message to associates that a hiring freeze @ @ @ @ @ increases have been frozen .
Employees impacted will still get paid for working through Friday @ @ @ @ @ confirmed Tuesday .
WTF !
?
!
?
WalMart is hiring and giving employees bonuses @ @ @ @ @ a $ 2 an hour raise for hazrd pay from Dollar Tree , Food Lion @ @ @ @ @ hour and HOSPITALS ARE LAYING OFF WORKERS !
!

Bon Secours to furlough associates ‘not directly working’ on COVID-19 response
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Bon Secours Mercy Health said Tuesday that they plan to furlough or redeploy members of its work force who are not aiding with the COVID-19 response
The health care system, one of the largest in the country, expects the temporary furloughs to last 30 to 90 days .
John Starcher, the president and CEO of Bon Secours Mercy Health, said in a message to associates that a hiring freeze has been implemented and wage increases have been frozen . Employees impacted will still get paid for working through Friday, the health care system confirmed Tuesday.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
www.wric.com/news/local-news/bon-secours-to-furlough-workers-not-directly-working-on-covid-19/
WTF!?!? WalMart is hiring and giving employees bonuses, my son-in-law is getting a $2 an hour raise for hazrd pay from Dollar Tree, Food Lion is giving $1 an hour and HOSPITALS ARE LAYING OFF WORKERS!!
h/t CrsCrpr


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-01--Ron Paul: While Trump Fights Coronavirus, Pompeo’s On The Warpath

Keep your eye on Pompeo !
President Trump is understandably distracted by the coronavirus outbreak in the US but in the “ never let a good crisis go to waste ” mode , the neocons in his Administration – led by Pompeo – are launching their war plots without the normal scrutiny .
Venezuela , Iran , Syria , Russia – the long knives are coming out .
Trump has been able to put the kibbosh on Pompeo ’ s plans before , but a distracted Trump is in danger of losing control of his foreign policy .
Launching a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current crisis would surely spell disaster for the president… Dr. Ron Paul is a physician and former twelve-term congressman from Texas who ran for president in 2008 .
He is the author of eight books , including the New York Times bestsellers The Revolution : A Manifesto and End The Fed .
An unwavering defender of the US Constitution , Paul has been an advocate of sound money , personal liberty , free markets , and international peace throughout his political career and beyond .
He is chairman of the FREE Foundation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distinguished counselor to the Ludwig von Mises Institute .
Dr. Paul recently started the Ron Paul Channel , an online broadcast alternative to the mainstream media .
Ron ’ s most recent novel is Swords into Plowshares .

Ron Paul Liberty Report, Released on 3/31/20
Keep your eye on Pompeo! President Trump is understandably distracted by the coronavirus outbreak in the US but in the “never let a good crisis go to waste” mode, the neocons in his Administration – led by Pompeo – are launching their war plots without the normal scrutiny. Venezuela, Iran, Syria, Russia – the long knives are coming out. Trump has been able to put the kibbosh on Pompeo’s plans before, but a distracted Trump is in danger of losing control of his foreign policy. Launching a foolish war in the midst of the current crisis would surely spell disaster for the president…
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Dr. Ron Paul is a physician and former twelve-term congressman from Texas who ran for president in 2008. He is the author of eight books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Revolution: A Manifesto and End The Fed. An unwavering defender of the US Constitution, Paul has been an advocate of sound money, personal liberty, free markets, and international peace throughout his political career and beyond. He is chairman of the FREE Foundation, founder of the Campaign for Liberty, and distinguished counselor to the Ludwig von Mises Institute. Dr. Paul recently started the Ron Paul Channel, an online broadcast alternative to the mainstream media. Ron’s most recent novel is Swords into Plowshares.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-01--Massive Liquidity Getting Ready to Hit the Markets (Ep. #2)

For more than 20 years , Master Trader Nick Santiago has been beating the markets .
He ’ s made some incredible calls along the way and now he ’ s looking to spread the word .
There ’ s no reason that the average trader should be coming up short .
So now we ’ ve started a daily show to bring you up to date on the latest market developments .
Nick will be sharing trades and concepts and discussing current trends .
Today we discuss : 1 .
The Federal Reserve announced the establishment of a temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monetary authorities ( FIMA Repo Facility ) .
They are now the central bankers to the world .
There has been a real issue for foriegn countries to get U.S .
Dollars .
This FIMA Repo Facility will make it much easier for them .
In these transactions , FIMA account holders temporarily exchange their U.S. Treasury securities held with the Federal Reserve for U.S. dollars , which can then be made available to institutions in their jurisdictions .
Basically , this will ease the strains in the global U.S. dollar funding markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 600 billion relief package for mortgage markets , the travel industry , and states .
They are flooding this market with liquidity right now and planning on more .
Down the road this will be really bad , but for now it ’ s very bullish for stocks and markets .
3 .
All of this liquidity news is very bullish for gold and gold mining stocks .
For more info , go to www.InTheMoneyStocks.com .
Click Here to Listen to the Audio

from Daily Market Wisdom with Nick Santiago
For more than 20 years, Master Trader Nick Santiago has been beating the markets. He’s made some incredible calls along the way and now he’s looking to spread the word. There’s no reason that the average trader should be coming up short. So now we’ve started a daily show to bring you up to date on the latest market developments. Nick will be sharing trades and concepts and discussing current trends. Today we discuss:
1. The Federal Reserve announced the establishment of a temporary repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities (FIMA Repo Facility). They are now the central bankers to the world. There has been a real issue for foriegn countries to get U.S. Dollars. This FIMA Repo Facility will make it much easier for them. In these transactions, FIMA account holders temporarily exchange their U.S. Treasury securities held with the Federal Reserve for U.S. dollars, which can then be made available to institutions in their jurisdictions. Basically, this will ease the strains in the global U.S. dollar funding markets.
2. D.C. is reportedly preparing a $600 billion relief package for mortgage markets, the travel industry, and states. They are flooding this market with liquidity right now and planning on more. Down the road this will be really bad, but for now it’s very bullish for stocks and markets.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
3. All of this liquidity news is very bullish for gold and gold mining stocks.
For more info, go to www.InTheMoneyStocks.com.
Click Here to Listen to the Audio