Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Our Next Panic Attack in the Making (Musical Tribute)

Commodities Back on the March

"Considering the magnitude of the reaction in the markets, it is clear how quickly the bulls are ready to sprint for the exits at the least sign of trouble and [it] makes one wonder about the durability and conviction of the recovery cycle in asset prices," said John Hardy, foreign exchange strategist at Saxo Bank.

Should you sell stocks and prepare for another market crash?

Question: I'm very worried that we may see another stock market correction. Since the market low of early March, my 401(k)'s value has risen 77%, which seems like an awfully large jump. So last week I moved the majority of my investments into bond and money-market funds, although I did leave 50% of my international holdings intact. Do you think I jumped too soon? --Rick G., Corona, Calif.

Answer: I don't think the question is whether you jumped too soon, but whether you should be jumping at all.


You know what they say. If one must panic, at least panic first.

9 comments:

EconomicDisconnect said...

Mark,
You should not be trying to incite a panic, especially while Goldman Sachs workers are arming themselves!

mab said...

especially while Goldman Sachs workers are arming themselves!

I'd say they have been ARMed for years.

Lock & explode.

EconomicDisconnect said...

mab said:
"I'd say they have been ARMed for years.

Lock & explode."

OMG, my stomach is hurting from laughing on that one. Classic.

Stagflationary Mark said...

GYSC & mab,

I am most definitely not trying to incite a panic. That would be reckless and irresponsible.

From May...

Guatemalan Twitter User Arrested for "Inciting Financial Panic," First Arrest of its Kind in Central American History

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/14/guatemala-twittering.html

"Today, Twitter user "Jeanfer" was arrested for suggesting in a tweet that people who had money deposited in Banrural should remove those funds, and by doing so, break the control that "corrupt people" have over the state-controlled financial institution."

Heavens no. I am suggesting nothing of the sort. If your 401k has gone up in value by 77% in just the last 8 months then by all means plan for an additional 100% during 2010. Stick with what works until the last possible second. That's what I say.

Well, my gauges must be wrong. I've got a wind blowing due east. Now what kind of a fog blows against the wind? - Stevie Wayne, The Fog (1980)

EconomicDisconnect said...

"Against the wind...I'm still running against the wind...Im older now seeking shelter against the wind"

Only a 100% gain in 2010? Surely Bernanke can do better as a reappointment present.

watchtower said...

Mab's "L. Ron Empty Cupboard" comeback for the Church of Kickthecantology still has me LMAO.

Stagflationary Mark said...

Just imagine where we'll be in the distant future!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpHhJKeTYxI

The pulp fiction origins of $cientology are not just batshit crazy, but danceable batshit crazy. Space is WILD!

Pardon the language. They aren't my words. I just couldn't come up with a better way to accurately describe it, lol.

mab said...

Stag, watchtower,

Mab's "L. Ron Empty Cupboard" comeback for the Church of Kickthecantology still has me LMAO.

I was going to use N. Ron M.T. Cupboard But I thought it was a few too many monkeys in the barrel. Both the "Enron" and "Empty" parts would have needed to be decoded and then related to the subjects of religion and sham economics. There's a fine line between fun and work.

BTW, I do think that economics has reached religious status. It's cult like. Not only do we have a faith based system, but we have elevated eCONomists to the level of high priests. Way too similar to Aztec priests, indian witch doctors, Voodoo practitioners or greek seers/oracles.

Also, there's a lot of hidden/double meanings in the posts and comments on this blog. Sarcasm, wrapped in puns, disguised as flat out goofs. Perhaps that's why it makes for such an interesting economics blog.

Only after re-reading various posts, have I realized how much I had been missing the first time through. That same thought is always present in my inflation/deflation outlook. In the end though, I don't think we can ever really resolve the inflation/deflation issue. It is ultimately dependent on human behaviour which is never completely knowable. Especially given our (ill)logical blind-faith, religious eCONomic system.

Stagflationary Mark said...

mab,

"BTW, I do think that economics has reached religious status. It's cult like. Not only do we have a faith based system, but we have elevated eCONomists to the level of high priests. Way too similar to Aztec priests, indian witch doctors, Voodoo practitioners or greek seers/oracles."

Daughter gets off the plane with a huge grin on her face and an economist on her arm.

Mother exclaims in horror, "I told you to find a rich doctor! A RICH doctor!"