Slope Of Hope with Tim Knight

We Have Entered the Twilight Zone

Lackluster Data Releases

Data released today shows:

• a drop in Britain's Construction PMI
• a rise in U.S. Job Cuts
• a drop in U.S. Unemployment Claims (which are still at higher average levels than from 2000 to 2009)
• a sharp drop in U.S. Nonfarm Productivity
• a sharp rise in Unit Labour Costs

as shown on the graphs below.

So, basically, we have a situation of fewer people being less productive at higher company costs in the U.S. and a continuing drop in Britain's business conditions. These figures do not bode well for a healthy business environment for either country that would support sustainable growth, without increasingly higher inflation in the short, medium, and long term, in my opinion.

Skanky Trade Continues

I've mentioned purveyor-of-skanky-wear retailer Abercrombie & Fitch many times in the past, and my post of October 11 highlighted it when it was above $70. It continues to tumble (much like it did during those charmed years of 2007-2008). It's down a double-digit percentage today.

Gold Stocks (NFTRH172 Excerpt)

Gold Stocks

This is a snippet from NFTRH172 focusing on the writer's methods of viewing markets from a visual and psychological perspective.  I just want readers to continually think about herds and about what it takes to be able to get contrary these herds at the appropriate times.  NFTRH172 then proceeds on to actual intensive analysis of the precious metals sector and the macro market backdrop.

In Honor of the Day