Jim Rogers: Global Economic Shocks Coming in 2013 - 2014

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Jim Rogers: Global Economic Shocks Coming in 2013 - 2014 The G8 meeting in Camp David was focused on saving Europe from its economic nightmares. World leaders discussed Greece and its severe debt crisis, trying to figure out how to save the eurozone. The Great Recession struck the world nearly four years ago, but the aftershock is still being felt. And it's unclear when the economy will finally start to recover, and where its new center will emerge. So are there any signs of light at the end of the tunnel? RT talks to one of the insiders of the world financial elite, co-founder of the Quantum Fund, Jim Rogers.

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Marc Faber: Global Recession 100% Certainty

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More Gloom & Doom Coming? Marc Faber, publisher of the Gloom Doom & Boom Report, says a global recession is 100% certain. He expects a global recession, including the USA, by the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 as a result of a "gigantic systemic failure".

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Peter Schiff: USA Sovereign Debt Ponzi Scheme

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Listener Questions 5/11/12 Preview Santhosh from Dublin, OH: Recently I read an article saying that the US faces a big risk in 2013 as there is a spike in the amount of treasuries that are maturing. Is that true? I also read that the US rolls over debt every year in the trillions. How is this possible without someone buying the new debt? Isn't rollover the same as defaulting?

Listener Questions 5/17/12 Preview Joe from American Military, Germany: What do you think about Saudi Arabia only taking US dollars for their oil and do you think this will play out in the future of the dollar's value?

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Marc Faber: Looming Global Economic Catastrophe?

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Marc Faber: Looming Global Economic Catastrophe? The biggest bear of all, Dr. Doom (Marc Faber), discusses the future of the euro and whether a global catastrophe is on the way, with CNBC's Brian Sullivan and the Money In Motion traders.

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Global Consumer Confidence Improves, Degree of Pessimism Persists

Nielsen Global Online Consumer Confidence Survey


Conditions Are Improved, But Still Fragile Global online consumer confidence increased +5 to 94 and in 38 of 56 markets measured. The economy, job security, and work/life balance were the top 3 global concerns. The survey was conducted between February 10 and February 27, 2012. Consumer confidence levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism. Therefore, the current reading indicates a degree of pessimism.

Key Findings
● Consumer Confidence around the world increases five points to 94
● Consistent good news outweighed the bad
● Economy and job security remained top concerns
● More than half of global respondents (57%) said they are in a recession
● Overall consumer confidence increased across the regions
● Confidence increased in 16 of 27 European markets

Global Online Consumer Confidence The current reading of 94 (+5) is above the chart average (90.3).




Global Online Consumer Confidence by Region Asia Pacific continues highest at 103 (+4), followed by Latin America at 98 (nc) and the Middle East/Africa at 97 (+2). North America improved dramatically to 92 (+8). Europe continues trailing at 72 (+1).

 

Confidence by Country India continues as the most optimistic country at 123 (+1), followed by Saudi Arabia 119 (+6), Indonesia 118 (+1), Philippines 118 (+1), Brazil 110 (-2), and China 110 (+2). Hungary continues as the most pessimistic country at 32 (+2), followed by Greece 37 (-4), Portugal 39 (+3), Croatia 45 (+2), Italy 45 (-4), and South Korea 49 (+3).

U.S. Consumer Confidence Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased +9 to 92 and is mid-tier worldwide. Previous readings were 83 in Q4 2011, 77 in Q3 2011, 78 in Q2 2011, and 83 in Q1 2011.

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USA Consumer Sentiment: Only 25% of Households Expect Finances to Improve Soon

USA Consumer Sentiment: Thomson Reuters / University of Michigan

Americans are neither very optimistic nor very negative these days, but the Index of Consumer Sentiment inched up to a 14-month peak in April. Consumer sentiment has rebounded from the depths of the Great Recession but continues at historically low levels. High gasoline and food prices stifle and remind consumers everyday their disposable income is slipping away, but at least we all have the latest Android or iPhone! We can text and surf away unto oblivion.

Some of the good is technology is changing life for the better, American entrepreneurship bubbles up through the government disincentives, the economy is muddling along with at least some growth, the spring weather is nice, consumer sentiment has increased 8 consecutive months to a 14-month high, and maybe nothing really bad will happen for at least awhile.

Some of the bad is technology is changing our life for the worse, just 1 in 4 households anticipate an improved financial situation during the year ahead, 1 in 7 citizens are on food stamps, 50% of 2012 college graduates are unemployed or underemployed, full employment is far from being restored, the government encroachment in and control of our lives continues unabated, and the national debt rises ever higher.

Surely the EU sovereign debt crisis and the mess those silly Europeans created is not a preview of things to come here in the Land of the Free? Good Lord, us Americans are not that goofy to run up a bunch of debt we can't pay and be forced into fiscal austerity hell, are we?