Greece is a Sideshow. U.S. is the Main Event – Ep.89

  • It looks like there is going to be some kind of deal to avoid the “Grexit”
  • Greek’s exit would be great for Europe, but it would not be politically attractive for either side
  • As long as Greece stays in the Eurozone, the Greek government can continue to blame Germany or Brussels for their problems
  • So-called austerity will continue without any haircut to the debt
  • The same is true for cuts to government spending
  • The Greek government may increase taxes and/or adjust the retirement age for pension, but no government spending cuts are on the table
  • Tax increases will provide more incentive for tax evasion or avoidance by leaving the country
  • All talks are re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic – extend and pretend
  • The markets are higher – the euro down big
  • The market is anticipating more cheap money, which would be threatened by a Grexit
  • In an ideal world, if Greece were to leave the Eurozone and set themselves up as a bastion of free market capitalism, then they could come back strong
  • Given the electorate, this move is unlikely
  • Socialism only works in Greece as long as they have another country’s money
  • The sell-off in gold based on the Fed’s dovish statements last week
  • The Fed will only raise interest rates nominally in order to keep the market from balance sheet expansion stimulus into its calculations
  • Good news from housing numbers – a surge in the Northeast
  • Mortgage rates have been rising, although still low. Some buyers are worried about higher rates
  • Higher rates, however would price buyers out of the market
  • Monday Chicago Fed National Activity Index came in at -.17, continuing a downtrend consistent with a recession
  • May Durable Goods down 1.8% three times lower than expectations
  • X transportation met recently reduced expectations
  • Durable goods has missed for 5 out of the last 7 moths
  • Chicago PMI Manufacturing weaker than expected decrease to 53.4 – now at the lowest level since October 2013
  • Manufacturing and production data sis weak – housing numbers are getting a boost from interest rate expectations
  • Home ownership rate continues to fall
  • Rents are rising