Bonds, Stocks, and Commodities
The U.S. economy had a quick and massive "Creative-Destruction" process from 2000-02 that made Information-Age firms more efficient and freed-up resources for emerging industries. The U.S. had slow growth from 2001-03, after the mild 2001 recession. However, real growth was around 4% for three years, in the mid 2000s, and has slowed recently, since the Fed is attempting to achieve a soft-landing, e.g. roughly 2 1/2% real growth. U.S. actual output generally slightly exceeded potential output in the mid and late '90s and U.S. actual output has generally been slightly below potential output in the early and mid '00s. Consequently, the U.S. had a slight economic boom/bust cycle. The Fed targets the general price level. Asset prices are only residuals. The U.S. has gained the most in the foreign economic boom and will lose the least in the foreign economic bust, because of monetary, fiscal, and globalization policies. The U.S. is in position to increase output through exports. So, actual output may rise to and slightly exceed potential output over the next few years.
Many people underestimate the benefits of globalization, particularly in the U.S., which has less restrictive policies than its major trading partners. Basically, U.S. consumers benefit directly from cheaper imports, Older U.S. producers benefit from greater foreign competition, which raises productivity or keeps prices low. Newer U.S. producers benefit from the freed-up resources of older U.S. producers. So, more new high value products can be created and produced. It's a virtuous cycle that benefits U.S. consumers and producers. Globalization tends to increase the economic pie, e.g. through the Law of Comparative Advantage. However, the U.S. benefits more, in part, because of relatively less restrictive globalization policies.
Also, I may add, export-led economies have been financing much, if not all, of the U.S. war in Iraq and those economies will end up paying for much of the war.
A precipitous fall in the U.S. dollar will make U.S. exports cheaper and U.S. imports more expensive. Consequently, the U.S. will have inflationary growth, while export-led economies will have slower growth or recessions. The U.S. will tighten the money supply, while export-led economies will ease their money supplies. Nonetheless, U.S. trade deficits will become much smaller. U.S. bond prices should fall. So, export-led economies will lose in the U.S. bond market. If those economies shift into U.S. stocks or physical assets, they'll pay premiums. The adjustment is inevitable, whether it takes place slowly or suddenly.
Arthur Albert Eckart is the founder and owner of PeakTrader. Arthur has worked for commercial banks, e.g. Wells Fargo, Banc One, and First Commerce Technologies, during the 1980s and 1990s. He has also worked for Janus Funds from 1999-00. Arthur Eckart has a BA & MA in Economics from the University of Colorado. He has worked on options portfolio optimization since 1998.
Mr Eckart has developed a comprehensive trading methodology using economics, portfolio optimization, and technical analysis to maximize return and minimize risk at the same time and over time. This methodology has resulted in excellent returns with low risk over the past four years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arthur_Eckart
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