In today's volatile and confusing stock markets everyone is searching for a guru who knows which way the market is going and when. Ask any economist and he will have an answer. Ask 2 economists and you will have 2 answers. Ask 3 economists - ad infinitum.
At the Federal Reserve Board we have Mr. Greenspan and all his economist Governors talking at each other about how to best micromanage the U.S. economy. Notice I said talking at and not talking with. Each one of them thinks he has the Holy Grail and knows exactly what to do. It has not occurred to any of them that doing nothing might be the best for everyone.
On April 27 there was an important economic statistic released. The Employment Cost Index gain was 1.4% which was more than expected by the investment community. This was considered to be negative for the stock market because the Fed is considered to be "anti-prosperity". This number shows more people are being paid more money. Mr. G. thinks this is inflationary. It is a theory he has dreamed up. Going back in history there is no actual correlation showing wage increases cause inflation. This is one of his own pet theories.
When you consider the fact that worker productivity has increased 4 times more than wages have risen it means more to the bottom line profits of corporations. The logic here is very simple. The companies are making more money even though they are paying higher wages and therefore do not have to raise prices on their merchandise. Maybe this is too simple for an economist. If I could make up a really complex formula I might be able to get his attention. Probably not.
This is just one statistic and I know Mr. G. and his money puppets look at hundreds of statistics, but please do not lay inflation on the justifiable wage increases of the workingman.
The base cause of inflation is too much money chasing too few goods. Today we have so much so much competition (goods) it is extremely difficult for almost any company to raise prices. Since profits are increasing 4 times faster than wages most companies will shave profits before they raise prices to their consumers because they do not want to lose their market share.
Large corporations usually have debt. In almost all cases this was money borrowed for plant and equipment. When interest rates rise there is nowhere to offset this cost as there is with wage productivity. This is a cost that ultimately must be passed along. As long as the company has room at the bottom line it can do so. Right now money is expensive, not tight. The Fed wants to slow the economy and it can do it this way because companies will cut back their borrowing for expansion. The economy will slow, but if they keep on doing it they stop everything and that means recession. Their thinking is backwards.
If you want advice on the stock market do not ask an economist.
Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.
Copyright 2005
http://www.mutualfundmagic.com; 1-888-345-7870
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareIf you go to Haiti or other places in the... Read More
I constantly hear the talking heads on CNBC-TV, the radio... Read More
A few years back ? it seems like an eternity... Read More
Any online investor / trader seeks an excellent off or... Read More
Dollar cost averaging is one of the most popular ideas... Read More
Professional stock options traders use the term lean to refer... Read More
If you are going to be a winner in the... Read More
A stock market index is a statistical measure of changes... Read More
Sometimes the best way of lowering exposure to risk is... Read More
When most analysts, financial planners, fund specialists and investors try... Read More
To begin, you might look at playing the stock market... Read More
If you've ever flipped on the television to CNN Financial... Read More
What are you thinking when it comes to your no... Read More
"If you don't know where you are going, any road... Read More
I have been trading for several decades and was an... Read More
As a novice trader, you'll often feel the need to... Read More
One of the main reasons many of us get into... Read More
Ever jumped out of an airplane? It's OK if you... Read More
There is a current movie entitled "Eternal Sunshine of the... Read More
First let's see what protectionism is. According to Mr. Webster... Read More
TOO OFTEN, INVESTORS SIMPLY CHOOSE TO follow the crowd. This... Read More
Have you been listening to the talking heads on CNBC-TV?... Read More
For the last few weeks we have seen the stock... Read More
The ABC's of Stock Trading SuccessStock trading success...why is it... Read More
Question: How does it get better when it gets worse?Last... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..The stock market has not been very kind to your... Read More
On the 40 year journey through the turmoil of a... Read More
The bear market that showed up at the end of... Read More
You remember (they show it on TV every year) the... Read More
Carefully thinking through your goal as a trader is of... Read More
One Saturday morning, while he was sitting at his computer... Read More
It's about time someone spoke the truth concerning outsourcing. The... Read More
If you have not back tested your trading system, you... Read More
I go to the Money Show every year to visit... Read More
The debate rages all over Eastern and Central Europe, in... Read More
As an investor you will want to check out any... Read More
Financial markets provide their participants with the most favorable conditions... Read More
You must take the time once a month to review... Read More
What does it take to be a stock trader? It... Read More
If you want one.And I don't recommend any broker with... Read More
The big bad bear is stirring again. So far he... Read More
(1) Stock Market is Tough Place to Make Any Money... Read More
One of the great truisms of Wall Street is "Don't... Read More
When we go to the circus we see a trapeze... Read More
People are constantly asking me why is the stock market... Read More
What a great statement!I just heard someone use it in... Read More
Peter is a professional trader, Paul is not. Peter has... Read More
A colleague of mine just returned from a scuba diving... Read More
TOO OFTEN, INVESTORS SIMPLY CHOOSE TO follow the crowd. This... Read More
It is wonderful to be alive in the information age.... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |