Financial Sense Newshour: Experts

Jim welcomes back Brian Pretti CFA, Managing Editor at ContraryInvestor.com. Brian sees a likely political compromise on the “Fiscal Cliff” tax increases and spending cuts due to start in January. They will cut a deal, or at the least, postpone any decision until later in the year. Brian also discusses the sorry state of the economy in California, and how recent significant tax increases won’t help matters. Brian and Jim also discuss the state of the markets post-election.

Jim is pleased to welcome Dave Lauer, a market structure and high-frequency trading consultant to IEX Group. Dave recently testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs as to the dangers of high-frequency trading and also suggested potential solutions. Dave’s key points to combat the growing threats to market stability are to level the data-access playing field, reinstate the uptick rule, eliminate the maker-taker business model, and implement a market-wide surveillance system.

Jim welcomes back energy expert Joe Dancy to discuss how record food prices will likely disrupt energy markets next year, as well as potentially set the stage for more turmoil in the Middle East. Joe also discusses the myth of energy independence in the US and why the energy stocks are the cheapest they’ve been in a decade.

Jim welcomes Gregory Weldon, President & CEO of Weldon Financial. Greg and Jim cover a number of topics, including the global bond market as a massive bubble, and how central banks are funding the majority of government spending. Greg also believes QE3 is not effective so far, and expects the Fed to announce additional Treasury purchases in the next few Fed meetings. Greg also sees Japan as the next "black hole" in the global debt crisis, as Japanese citizens have finally exhausted their savings and can no longer buy government debt.