January 21, 200917 yr Outside frontline politics, few people can move financial markets simply by opening their mouths. One such is Jim Rogers, an American investment guru who yesterday pushed Britain deeper into gloom and austerity with apocalyptic words about the pound and the country's economy. Hours after the Prime Minister pledged hundreds of billions of pounds to sustain Britain's banks, Mr Rogers added vinegar to the already souring international sentiment about the rescue plan, its impact on the public purse and its capacity to cure the sickening economy. “I would urge you to sell any sterling you might have,” Mr Rogers advised his army of investment followers. “It's finished. I hate to say it, but I would not put any money in the UK.” The reaction was instant - though it is impossible to say how much was attributable to Mr Rogers. The pound slumped, by almost 4 per cent at one point, falling to a seven-year low against the dollar and an all-time low against the Japanese yen. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article5555898.ece The dollar and Sterling are dead.
January 21, 200917 yr Author http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rogers After watching the slide in bank shares on Friday, one cabinet minister did not altogether joke when he said: "The banks are fucked, we're fucked, the country's fucked." http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jan/19/economy-banking
January 22, 200917 yr Politicians don't understand economics. Even most economists don't understand economics, as evidenced this week by Paul Volcker's mind-numbingly stupid realization that we "might" see massive inflation in the near future. Mostly I blame John Maynard Keynes for this. He was the guy who started the trend of treating the subject of economics like it was a mystical religion, where mass hysteria moves markets rather than cold logic.
January 22, 200917 yr He's actually a really cool guy. It's just that sometimes he gets annoyed by people who aren't as intelligent as he is. He doesn't have anything against Britain, just the politicians... he's got equally mean things to say about our government.
January 23, 200917 yr remmber when i said the currencys would be next they would mess with "They" "mess with" :/
January 23, 200917 yr remmber when i said the currencys would be next they would mess with Well the currency is always the first thing they mess with! They keep interest rates too low for too long by selling bonds. It makes the economy seem strong for a while (and they can take credit for it) but eventually the bubble pops.
January 24, 200917 yr Author Well the currency is always the first thing they mess with! They keep interest rates too low for too long by selling bonds. It makes the economy seem strong for a while (and they can take credit for it) but eventually the bubble pops. Also China and Japan buying the Bonds holds up the dollar and artificially holds down the Chinese Yuan. Now China said no more American Bond is now going to or has started selling their own bonds. The dollar is done. Btw Jay, do you think a Chinese Bond is a good buy? I see a good future for the Yuan.
January 24, 200917 yr Nick, don't trade the China/America dichotomy. There's too much mutual risk there, and I think China are starting to come to their senses and realize they made a mistake buying so much American debt. You should look at stocks in countries where there isn't a lot of national debt or surplus. Once you've narrowed it down that way, you can start to look for businesses that own rights to commodities mining operations (like those in Chile) or lots of real estate.
January 29, 200917 yr Britian should join the Euro and start driving on the normal side of the road. When it comes to currencies, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. So Britain keeping the Pound is probably not such a bad thing! But I agree about driving on the right side of the road. Just as I think American should adopt the metric system.
January 29, 200917 yr Amen to that! Yes, the Metric system, I'd be delighted. (my neighbors would have a fit, however..). Perhaps instead of reacting, more of a proactive approach is called for. Ending the cozy relationship between Wall Street, the Banks, and the US Government would do us all a world of good. No more campaign cash for bad practices, that's just got to end, or we will be in trouble time after time after time. (The lobbyists are there to advise, not direct legislation, and this is the real problem in the mix). Q: I'm not aware of the situation elsewhere - does the United Kingdom face similar problems? How are the two kept at arms length?
January 29, 200917 yr Author Ending the cozy relationship between Wall Street, the Banks, and the US Government would do us all a world of good. That would solve a lot of things. Remember the Austrian economist warned us about what is going on now, why aren't we listening to the people who predicted this? Were repeating the same mistakes made throughout history. And Jay, I have a video you might like; [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91OIBnrjzLU]YouTube - Monetary Lessons from America's Past[/ame]
January 29, 200917 yr Hey thanks Nick, I watched it. "Murray Rothbard FTW" hahah :D I'm glad this downturn is being so well-documented and observed by Austrians. The fact these books are being published now will allow people in the future to see the predictive abilities and logical consistency of Austrian thought in direct comparison to people like Paul Krugman and Volcker. This is going to be a recession for the history books, and if we get the word out it will be very instructive for future generations who are faced with similar scenarios.
January 29, 200917 yr When it comes to currencies, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. So Britain keeping the Pound is probably not such a bad thing! But I agree about driving on the right side of the road. Just as I think American should adopt the metric system. I much prefer driving in the US to the UK, I've not driven in Europe yet but I'm sure I will feel the same, I think all countries should drive on the same side of the road, the UK driving on the left is just awkward and annoying.On currency I personally feel I would rather we had the Euro, I'm not proud of the Britian or the Pound though. We mostly have the metric system but some things we don't, for instance we still use MPH, and if someone says how tall are you, I know in Feet and Inches not cm, but for most other things I would use metric.
January 29, 200917 yr I don't think it would be good for Britain to join the Euro now that the Pounds so low.
January 30, 200917 yr http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rogers http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jan/19/economy-banking Oh, what an ignoramus I am! He was Soros's partner :rolleyes: EDIT: Rogers's daughter is named Hilton, and he's living in Sinagapore. Whoa! Anywho, he does have a point that it's better than China mostly due to pollution. My dad says Shanghai is insanely polluted, and he gets sick everytime he goes there.
January 30, 200917 yr Britian should join the Euro and start driving on the normal side of the road. :laugh3: Also, I know Asia is where is at, but give Latin America a chance. Well, to some countries such as Chile (good example of how to manage an economy), Brasil, Mexico (it depends on the investment), and Peru (the author of the article doesn't mention it, yet their economy is growing at a decent rate and they have trade agreements with US and EU). I've been told good things about Colombia, but not so sure... http://www.contrarianprofits.com/articles/these-latin-american-countries-will-thrive-in-2009/10052
January 30, 200917 yr lol @ that website - "You're either a contrarian or a victim!" There are plenty of traders who thoughtlessly follow trends and end up making millions because of it. Bernard Baruch is famous for saying that the secret to making money is to "Buy too late and sell too soon". I like Chile but I'd have to research those other countries... the tendency is to move toward socialism.
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