Financial Sense Newshour for Storm Watch

Jim welcomes back Martin Armstrong of Armstrong Economics. Martin and Jim cover many important topics, including Washington’s need for more revenue, the future of the European Union, the current outlook for gold, the Cyprus banking situation, the pension system in the US, and how Congress is working hard to exempt itself from Obamacare. Martin also touches on economic trouble brewing in Europe, Japan and Argentina. As to the banking system, Martin advises to avoid large banks involved in proprietary trading and stay with the regional banks.

Jim welcomes Simon Mikhailovich, Co-Founder of Eidesis Capital LLC in New York City. Jim and Simon cover a number of topics, including gold, why people should own it, and the difference between paper and physical gold. Simon also discusses the safety of your bank accounts in the future as governments look at the “Cyprus Model”, including the US. Simon talks about the coming “wealth taxes” in Europe, as governments desperately search for revenue amidst weakening economies. Simon  calls gold “the most under-owned asset class in the world” and believes the real bull market in gold has not yet begun.

In this week’s first Big Picture topic “Wash, Rinse and Repeat – that was then, this is now” Jim looks at a repeat of the Petro Business Cycle pattern for the fourth year in a row. The familiar economic scenario features a strong start to the year, then the LEI’s roll over and the economy starts to slow, which is followed by more Federal Reserve stimulus, which leads to a strong finish to the year. Wash, rinse and repeat. The next topic, “Has the glitter faded? Why gold prices can go higher” is in response to the weak precious metals market. Jim continues his thesis that you don’t need a Doomsday scenario to see rising gold prices in the future. This topic also leads into Jim’s in-depth conversation with John Kaiser on gold in the next segment of the program. Jim also answers some of your Q-calls in this segment.

Jim welcomes Puru Saxena, Editor and Founder of Money Matters and Puru Saxena Limited in Hong Kong. Puru believes that the Chinese real estate bubble is on the verge of a major bust, which will not bode well for China, or Asia. He believes the thirteen year bear market in stocks is over, and a multiple year bull market in equities has begun, especially in the US. Puru sees the dollar as the most liquid and secure currency in the world and does not foresee a dollar crisis. Due to supply and demand factors, he does not favor commodities, as prices will be under pressure in the near to medium term.

In this week’s edition of the Big Picture, Erik Townsend and Ryan Puplava sit in for Jim and discuss three different topics. The first, “The Significance of Cyprus- US Dollar on the cusp of a surprise?” deals with the events in Cyprus in the context of helping to stregthen the US dollar. Combining this banking fiasco with central banking printing around the globe, the US dollar looks primed to stregthen, which most do not expect. They discuss the implications for stocks, gold and commodities if this were to happen. In the next Big Picture topic, “Triple Top or New Secular Bull Market?”, Erik and Ryan discuss the issue, and make distinctions between economic recovery and stock market strength. In the last topic, “Still Waiting for Armageddon?” Erik and Ryan look at those still waiting for a disaster in their “bunker”, and stress that no matter when, or if, the calamity arrives, investors need to have a financial plan in place and not be paralyzed by fear. They also discuss the possibility that there could be a bond market melt-down, but that stocks might benefit.

In this week’s first Big Picture topic, Jim discusses the implications from the book “Dying of Money: Lessons of the Great German and American Inflations” by Gens O. Parsson. Jim looks at the lessons from prior inflationary episodes in Germany and America, and sees similarities to today, only now it’s on a global basis. Jim also answers your Q-Calls in this segment.

In this segment, Jim’s first topic is “Are we in a Recession?” Jim discusses a recent ECRI report that says yes, but Jim and The PFS Group say no, at least not yet. Jim notes that 60% of the leading economic indicators are still positive. Jim’s next topic is “What if they held a Bull Market and nobody came?” Jim notes that this past week set a record for the lowest participation rate from individual investors. Jim looks at valuations and notes that the P/E ratios on stocks have come down substantially since 2000, although many blue chip stocks have not moved substantially in price. Jim also answers your Q-Calls in this segment.

Jim welcomes back Bud Conrad, Chief Economist at Casey Research. Bud lays out his case that federal government policies have distorted the economy, impoverished the middle class and greatly expanded the size of the federal bureaucracy. Bud also discusses how much longer the government can continue these policies, and what is the most likely endgame for a country with way too much debt.

In the first Big Picture topic this week, “End of Days- Crisis by Management” Jim looks at the current dysfunctional government in Washington, and wonders how long this can continue. In the next topic, “The LEI’s and I”, Jim looks at what the leading economic indicators are telling us in the first quarter of the year. There are pockets of strength, but mostly a mixed picture at this point.