Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.
Data released on May 7th shows that Sentix Investor Confidence in Europe is now at its lowest level since July 2009, as shown on the graph below. Economic pessimism is accelerating.
Since it's a "leading indicator of economic health – investors and analysts are highly informed by virtue of their job, and changes in their sentiment can be an early signal of future economic activity," this can only mean that economic conditions will worsen in Europe.
Remember the "Occupy" movement? Late last summer and early in the fall, all kinds of Occupy protests popped up all over the country. Goodness, it even came to my little town!
I think back on this, because I truly believe there is an inverse correlation between public rage and the financial markets. When things are soaring (like now), the sheeple are fine to let the ultra-rich run right over them. Or, at the very least, the hippies don't get the press converage that they would otherwise.
But when the seams are starting to tear, then the public allows themselves to get pissed off at the powers that be.
As most of you know, I don't trade Apple, but – – as the entire galaxy awaits their earnings results after the close – – it's amusing to note how crowded calls for Trillion Dollar Cupertino became at the exact peak of the stock's price.
I can only imagine the faces of the retail bag-holders if the stock continues to slip tonight.
The late Paul Harvey once said, In times like these it helps to recall there have always been times like these. I think those words may be more relevant today than the day he coined them.
All across the airwaves and print you'll be bombarded with clarion calls. You must tax. You mustn't tax. The rich are hurting you. The rich will save you. There are no job opportunities. There are now opportunities like never before. Each side yelling and screaming as if things like this have never been seen before. What most never realize is that their view of history begins and ends with the day they were born. Lip service will be given to history, but in the practical application of their own lives its treated as a segment from Mystery Science Theater 3000.
My purpose is not to give you the impression of right or wrong on anything taking place. That decision is up to you. All I'm pointing out is in what some see as 'This time it's different' Thinking with a clear head away from the trumpets can sometimes help in understanding and in lessening the pounding headaches.
We are currently in a malaise of problems stemming from what is now called the 'Great financial collapse of '08” or the 'Great Recession.' We're doomed forever is the call of many.
However we did have a great financial crash and depression in the 1920’s through 30’s. Some of the greatest advancements and tragedies happened after. Airplanes, autos, medicine. Along with World War. But we made it through and I'll contend better than before. However it doesn't start or stop there. For people before us when the 1920’s and 30’s were taking place ce many had seen Civil War, crippling poverty and more. I would imagine many thought the same thing as many of us do right now.
Imagine just how absurd you would sound telling someone at Valley Forge shortly after one of their extremities were just removed because of frostbite (and with no anesthesia) the difficulties we face today. Would you think they would have a little better perspective on things that us?
I personally had the privilege of growing up not only knowing, but living with my Great Grandparents, and Great Aunt. I was able to have first hand accounts of what is like to live and work during the Great Depression, World War 1, along with recounts of their parents (That would be my Great, Great!) trials and tribulations going back as far as picking out family among the war dead during the Spanish-American war.
I was fortunate to have that ability. I often think because I did I'm able to see things just a bit more clearly or to put things into perspective better.
I myself see great opportunities ahead. I am not Pollyanna in my view that it will be clear sailing from here. Rougher waters might lay ahead. But we are captains of our own ships. And you can not, and will not ever find new horizons, new worlds, or new treasures tied up at the docks. Would any weathered captain not set sail for open water because a new crew were hand wringing about what lay ahead because they just witnessed their first hurricane while on land?
If we are truly what many like to call themselves be it entrepreneurs or more. Then chart your course, and set your sail because one thing remains the same.
To quote William H. Shedd, 'A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what a ship was built for!'
Late last year, I paid a visit to Josh Brown ("The Reformed Broker") and had a pleasant chat. I went to his blog a week later and put up a comment, shown below, stating my belief that Facebook's IPO day would mark an important turning point in the market.
I forgot all about this, but totally by chance, a few days ago, I re-visited that comment and I saw that someone had put in a snide reply.
Errr, actually, Facebook only goes public one time, so I'm not sure how I could make such a declaration "a lot". It's a specific day, and I do believe that Facebook's IPO will be a seminal event. There's only one Facebook, and it has only one IPO. It's not like there are twenty other Facebook-equivalents waiting behind it, and because of the public's fascination with this offering, I do believe it'll mark a tipping point.
