What Indicators to Watch for Signs a U.S. Recession Is Coming?

What Indicators to Watch for Signs a U.S. Recession Is Coming? 1) In recent history, a recession occurs about 12 to 18 months after the spread between the 30-year and the 3-month treasury yields turns negative (red arrow). When an inverted yield curve occurs, short-term interest rates exceed long-term rates. It suggests that the long-term…

VIX & Yield Curve Cycle Since 2007

VIX & Yield Curve Cycle Since 2007 This chart also shows that we are in a late business cycle. The spread between the 30-year and the 3-month treasury yields is one of the most interesting spreads to watch. In recent history, a recession occurs about 12 to 18 months after the yield curve inverts. Image:…

Treasury Options and Yield Curve Cycle Since 2007

Treasury Options and Yield Curve Cycle Since 2007 This great chart shows that we are in a late business cycle. The spread between the 30-year and the 3-month treasury yields is one of the most interesting spreads to watch. In recent history, a recession occurs about 12 to 18 months after the yield curve inverts.…

Do Central Banks’ Negative Rates Work in Europe?

Do Central Banks’ Negative Rates Work in Europe? Not really. Actually, negative rates distort economies and leave little room to maneuver in the next recession. Secondly, extremely low interest rates are also bad for European banks, like Deutsche Bank, which in turn is bad for economic growth. It’s a feedback loop which could lead to…

Income Shares of the Top 1% in Various Countries

Income Shares of the Top 1% in Various Countries The richest 1% of Americans take 20% of national income, but the richest 1% of the Dutch people only 6%. Denmark and the Netherlands are the countries that are the most equal. Image: World Economic Forum

One of the Best Yield Curves to Predict a Recession is Coming

One of the Best Yield Curves to Predict a Recession is Coming The spread between the 30-year and the 3-month treasury yields is one of the best recession signal of all the yield spreads. In recent history, a recession occurs about 12 to 18 months after the yield curve inverts. When an inverted yield curve…

Who Has the Most To Lose in US-China Trade War?

Who Has the Most To Lose in US-China Trade War? The tariffs are no threat and China has more to lose economically in a trade war. Those numbers are estimates but in reality wrong ones and far too high, according to Ken Fisher. Image: Oxford Economics

Commercial and Industrial Loans Continue to Accelerate in the U.S.

Commercial and Industrial Loans Continue to Accelerate in the U.S. That’s a positive sign for the U.S. economy. Indeed, U.S. banks wouldn’t be lending if they were concerned about the economic situation. Past three recessions saw bank loans negative year over year.

Why the Fed Can’t Raise Interest Rates Above Inflation Rate, Today?

Why the Fed Can’t Raise Interest Rates Above Inflation Rate, Today? The Federal Reserve can’t raise the Fed funds rate above the inflation rate because the US productivity growth is too weak.Net Domestic Investment to GDP is in a long-term downtrend and reduces productivity.This makes it difficult to see the Fed funds rate exceed the…