Figuring what’s happening inthe world is not easy. Here are the key bullet points from Caterpillar comprehensive economic outlook, courtesy Business Insider:
- In the first half of 2013, industrial production in over half the countries in the world remained below pre-recession peaks and unemployment remained high. These factors have slowed inflation, and we do not expect inflation to be a problem for the world economy in the second half of 2013.
- We expect weak growth, high unemployment and low inflation will encourage most central banks to continue pro-growth policies. Eighteen central banks cut interest rates this year, reducing average short-term rates to levels lower than 2009. We expect average interest rates to remain near record lows in the second half of the year.
- Near-zero interest rates are causing some central banks to inject funds (quantitative easing) into financial systems to promote lending and economic growth. Japan recently adopted more aggressive policies, which appear to be effective in improving economic growth. We expect these results will encourage other countries to take similar actions.
Harry Newton who gets endearing emails from his friend Pete Rawlings, “I guess here’s a reason to own an Apple i-phone. The other night Gillian dropped her iPhone from the dock into the Lake. So my grand-daughter called Gillian’s iPhone and it lite up under the water so my son was able to locate it, dive down and retrieve it. She put it in a bag with some rice and last night she texted Linda (Pete’s wife) using the iPhone, saying they had arrived safely back in Nashville (where they live). The dried iPhone works perfectly. .. I found it amazing that it lite up under the water when my granddaughter called it.” Happier story than my miserable Apple short.
I replaced all seven MR-16 halogen light bulbs in my office — the ones above my desk. That cut the heat enormously. Of course, this morning, it’s 65 in New York City. And my windows are open. No need for AC. Go figure.
Harry, you occasionally write an entertaining blog and link to some worthwhile stuff. But, why oh why, would anyone take investment advice from you, after your call to short Apple a few hours before it exploded to the upside? You’ve been wrong so many times, yet you keep getting back on the horse and I applaud you on your persistence.
Actually, sometimes you win one. Sometimes you lose one. What I lost on Apple I personally made many times over on just one recommendation — BRKA.
Cliff, you’re a fun critic to have around. I wish you would weigh in with some recommendations — instead of just carping about how stupid I am and how brilliant you are.
“Cliff”, why don’t you read Peter’s comment below and learn how this is done?
Why would MeadWestvaco advertise on this Website?
They don’t advertise on my website. Google follows you around and advertises on my site what you’ve recently been searching for or sites you’ve been visiting. I’m seeing ads for Paul Frederick, the shirt retailers, because I recently visited them looking for a replacement shirt. Google is getting good and very intrusive.
Using Google Chrome INCOGNITO and frequently clearing your browser history will pretty much eliminate this intrusion.
Harry, add Weather Prognosticator to your resume. You act, and the weather responds!
Harry, I meant to say this yesterday when you joked a bit about your picking: Finding reasons to not do things is fine, it makes sense and should not be second-guessed. We debated BA. You like it, I think the upside looks weak. If it runs to $120 I am happy for you and not unhappy with my strategic choice because it appears to have had a powerful run from 75-107. I question debating whether we miss calls but we should always discuss what we like (FCX, BHP and RIO in July) because we learn by touting our ideas.