Partial 2010 Recap
I just said I’d recap next week, but in the meantime I like this chart. It’s just fun, and well, it’s my blog
Be Scared When No One Else is
Don’t be that person.
I continue to use the VIX as just one of many indicators to upcoming trends and sentiment in the market.
Bank Assets as a Percentage of GDP
How do other countries fair as a percentage of their GDP?
Luxembourg 2,461
Ireland 872
Switzerland 723
Greece 141
US 82
Want the full list? CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE
What is your Interest Rate Sensitivity?
What is your interest rate sensitivity? If you reply “what does that mean”, then you definitely need to listen to my video below.
I talk about a quick and dirty way to estimate how a Rising Interest Rate will negatively effect your particular bonds and/or bond funds.
Predictions Coming True
We’re now seeing the worst falls in Municipals since Lehman’s collapse back in September 2008. Ouch! I also say that the worst is before us, not behind.
To do: Watch your municipal holdings and know what your exposure is!
Ireland has a bailout (thank you EU and IMF) and now the yields for Portugal, Spain, and Italy are going through the roof.
This does NOT bode well for the rest of the PIIGS, Europe, and the Euro.
To do: What’s your exposure to what I think is the next big collapse?
CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE: MUNIS SEE WORST FALLS SINCE LEHMAN COLLAPSE
What’s Wrong with Muni Bonds? Everything
I think the problems are starting to hit and 2011 will be a big year of reckoning.
Look at the chart to the right. Ugly.
Why is this happening?
There’s the looming end of the Build America Bonds program, questions about how state and local governments will manage their debts, and the impact of huge pension and health care obligations that seem unsustainable.
CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE: WHAT’S WRONG WITH MUNI BONDS? EVERYTHING .