Despite surging stocks since 2012, consumer sentiment has not broken out in similar fashion: a warning sign of a big move down in the markets and economy.
Many Americans spend every dime they make, and usually way beyond what they make. It’s not because they have confidence in the economy. They don’t! The gap in consumer confidence between these folks and those with higher incomes is at an all-time record!
by Wolf Richter • • Comments Off on Economic Growth in America’s “Two-Tiered Society”
It’s been glorious: global M&A in Q2 soared 47% to $1 trillion, highest since 2007, just before the financial crisis. But in California, 30% of the people making less than $40k were in worse financial shape than last year, despite all the bubbles around them.
by Wolf Richter • • Comments Off on Investment Bank: The End Of US Economic Growth
“We fear that, once the effects of monetary stimulus disappear in the US, the weakness of the economy due to income inequalities may suddenly be revealed.”
by Contributor • • Comments Off on The Art of Deception in Advertising
By Alex Hillsberg and David Adelman: The tricks that ads use to fools us would be hilarious, if it weren’t so serious. These photos of ads and reality will make you laugh, squirm, and gnash your teeth all at the same time.
by Wolf Richter • • Comments Off on QE, Bailouts, And Families Struggling to Buy Food
It was a very basic question: Have there been times when you did not have enough money to buy the food you or your family needed? In wealthy countries, the percentages should be small, and given all the money-printing, it should be zero, you’d think.
by Wolf Richter • • Comments Off on Coffee – The Craziest Chart Of The Year Already
I’m a coffee lover, and this is getting personal: our latte, espresso, or just plain good coffee is going to bite fiercely into our already mauled pocket book. In one crazy chart.
by Wolf Richter • • Comments Off on California Housing Bubble: Now Even Teachers Can No Longer Afford To Buy A Home
Teachers are a symbol of the middle class. In California, they earn on average $69,300 annually, fifth highest in the country. Not exactly a pittance. But it is a ludicrous pittance if they’re trying to buy a home.
