Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me!

In 2007 Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told America that, despite soaring prices, the real estate market was fine and derivatives were nothing to worry about. In 2008 America was “surprised” when the Fed went into a crisis mode. Congress passed the controversial Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). It was supposed to be a one-time event, and the economy would recover shortly thereafter.

Quantitative Easing (QE) followed and interest rates hit historic lows. The banks were saved while the retirement plans of most Americans were destroyed. Interest rates are still low, the Fed holds $4.5 trillion in government debt, and the economy is sluggish.

Meanwhile current Fed Chairperson Janet Yellen tells us the economy is great. She recently reassured the world that not only is the banking system safe it’s also unlikely we will see another financial crisis in her lifetime.

Last week, Chuck Butler, editor of “The Daily Pfennig”, and I discussed the fact that Ms. Yellen is relying on bad economic data leading her to do the wrong thing. Baby boomers and retirees cannot afford another “Fed Surprise!”

Hard working Americans can’t allow themselves to be fooled a second time. The risks are frightening!

Our interview continues:

DENNIS: Ms. Yellen has given the economy a clean bill of health. She is relying on bad unemployment numbers and seems to ignore other economic data. What did you discover when you looked at retail sales and other economic indicators?

CHUCK: Retail Sales come back to consumption, which comes back to Personal Spending. All are tied together with a neat bow.

Personal Spending is dropping like a rock! In May, Personal Spending was a gain of only 0.1%. And Retail Sales for the same month were negative -0.3%. The Fed is ignoring these important pieces of economic data, calling them “transitory”… I say hogwash!

Another piece of data that is a key to a growing economy is Capital Expenditures (CAPEX). If businesses aren’t putting their profits back into the company’s equipment and infrastructure looking for growth, then the economy is going nowhere, period! CAPEX has been very low for a long time…

Instead, corporate America is buying back stock to improve Earnings Per Share (EPS) and increase their bonuses.

If corporate America saw growth on the horizon, CAPEX would also be growing and they could increase their bonuses by being more profitable. Ms. Yellen and the Fed are ignoring this economic reality.

DENNIS: The Fed told us the first TARP bailout would stimulate the economy and get us out of a recession. I titled part I of this interview, “Janet Yellen Says “All is well”. Be Very Afraid!” because I’m concerned.

Can you explain to our readers what the change in course means for both workers and retirees?

CHUCK: Sure. The recent Fed rate hikes have really only affected short-term rates. Interest rates and deposit rates are still very low, yet Yellen continues to tell us that inflation is right around the corner – and that the Fed will continue to hike rates. I doubt that she’ll get too far down the road with rate hikes before the next recession hits us.

The Forbes article you mentioned is one of many outlining the craziness of rate hikes in a weakening economy. John Crudele at the New York Post wrote, “Janet Yellen is driving me crazy.” He doesn’t mince words:

“A lot of us have suspected this for many years, but now it is official: The Federal Reserve doesn’t have a clue as to what it is doing.”

Think about this for a minute… What does a Central Bank normally do when inflation is rising? They hike rates, right? And what does a Central Bank normally do when inflation is falling? They cut rates right? Well… we seem to be going in reverse order…

Now the Fed tells us that they are going to begin to unwind their balance sheet that totals $4.5 Trillion in U.S. Treasuries and Mortgage Backed Bonds.

When the Fed told us that they were finished buying bonds they didn’t exactly tell us the truth. For every Treasury bond they held that matured, they went out and bought replacement bonds. So, their balance sheet didn’t really change because they were in the market buying bonds. Now they won’t be replacing maturing bonds. With the Fed out of the bond buying business, it’ll be just like an additional rate hike!

Bond yields will rise eventually along with interest rates. There goes the housing market, there goes the car buying market, and there goes our economy! That’s why I feel we could be headed for a recession, much of it caused by the decisions of the Fed.

DENNIS: Earlier this year I referenced a CNN article stating, “Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen gave the U.S. economy a nearly clean bill of health, two days before Donald Trump arrives at the White House.” This could turn out to be a perfect political ambush for the current administration. Even if it is a setup, there is nothing our readers can do about it.

Chuck, you are now one of us, a person who has retired from his full time job. What advice would you give to your peers who are looking after money that must last for the rest of their lives?

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CHUCK: Diversification! I tell people all the time that they need to have a diversified investment portfolio. Diversification doesn’t just mean owning stocks, bonds and mutual funds. It means you own different asset classes that have little or no correlation with the other asset classes you own, and they have different pricing mechanisms.

You want to own things that are liquid so that you can quickly change your weightings of the asset classes when times dictate that.

I’ve been a long-time follower of Harry Markowitz’s Modern Portfolio Theory, and that theory is all about diversification! In these times when debt is all around us, we really don’t have a clue about whether or not the current financial system will still be viable in a couple of years…

The Fed is complacent right now… The stock jockeys are complacent right now… And what did the great Hy Minsky teach us so many years ago?

“Just when it appears that everybody is complacent with the markets, we have a Minsky Moment, and chaos enters the markets.”

So… with your new diversified investment portfolio, I would look to increase the weightings of Gold & Silver. There’s just too many questions floating around the world today about everything under the sun, and should one of these questions cause an avalanche, I think you’ll be happy that you have a good portion of Gold & Silver.

A diversified investment portfolio that includes, currencies and metals along with stocks, bonds, etc. is the best way for investors to protect themselves right now.

I also agree with you about keeping stop losses current. In times of uncertainty, capital preservation is at the top of the list.

Dennis, I too am very concerned. The Fed surprised us in 2008 and many hard working Americans, who played by the rules and saved their money, were badly hurt by the Fed. America does not need or deserve another “Fed surprise!” Investors need to protect themselves.

DENNIS: Chuck, thank you so much for your time. I feel like we just put the back patio conversation on the front page. I know our readers will appreciate it.

CHUCK: My pleasure Dennis, any time.

Dennis again. First time through, shame on you. Second time through, shame on me!

Ben Bernanke was wrong and every retirement program in America was negatively affected. Now his student, Ms. Yellen, is proclaiming all is well. There is good cause for concern; however we are on to the game this time around.

The Fed’s “craziness” is likely to cause an already down economy to get worse. These are not normal times; caution and capital preservation are the top priority.

We can’t afford to be complacent and experience another “Minsky Moment!”

Some Good News!

I’m frequently asked if I can recommend a newsletter that offers a solid model portfolio for people investing retirement money. Most newsletters are specialized, not diversified, and few include stop losses. I’ve yet to find one that focuses on investing retirement money that I’m comfortable with.

When Chuck said he was becoming part of the Dow Theory Letters I immediately bought a subscription. I’m glad I did!

The late Richard Russell began writing the Dow Theory Letters in 1958 and was one of the most respected editors in the business. Chuck recently quoted Richard Russell in his weekly letter. I did a double take – they are spot on today! I can see why Chuck speaks so highly of him.

The Dow Theory Letter is unique. Each day I read a different author and am impressed with the quality of the research. They don’t offer a model portfolio; however their individual analysts offer some well-researched (different and unique) stock recommendations. Just remember to use stop losses.

One major difference is they offer a terrific guide for portfolio allocation. It is the first one I have seen that includes precious metals that I can comfortably endorse.

Please check them out.

Thanks to Chuck, they have offered Miller On The Money readers a special introductory discount. They offered a 10% discount off their 3-month trial, or 15% off a full year subscription.

Click HERE to order the 3-month trial. Click HERE to order a full year subscription. These are special links FOR OUR READERS ONLY and have the appropriate discounts factored in.

I’m honored to add them as one of our affiliates.

And Finally…

“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.” – Thomas Jefferson

For more information, check out my website.