The Truth Always Wins, Eventually
Introducing a new talking head... The truth always wins, eventually... A blueprint for this moment... Another warning worth hearing... 20 times larger than Silicon Valley Bank's collapse... Mailbag: 'An early blood pressure pill' was needed...
Here we go...
A new face and voice appeared in our view today in financial-talking-head land. It was a man named Austan Goolsbee, who is in his fifth month as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, one of the 12 regional banks of the U.S. system...
A former chairman of the president's council of economic advisers, he's new enough to this Fed gig to be dangerous and freewheeling in media interviews, based on what we heard today. And he's also a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee ("FOMC"), which sets monetary policy.
So when I (Corey McLaughlin) saw a few interesting comments he made in an interview with Yahoo Finance today, I wanted to highlight them here...
Goolsbee voted in the majority for a 25-basis-point hike at the Fed's policy meeting last week. As we did last Wednesday, Goolsbee told the website after the central bank's latest meeting that the run of hikes may be over...
This moment we're in highlights how data-dependent we need to be... We had yet to see tightening bite on the real side of the economy, so I felt it was appropriate to stick with the plan we had outlined the meeting before... [but] I'm certainly getting vibes, as you are, in the market and in the business contacts that the credit crunch, or at least a credit squeeze, is beginning.
He cited bank-lending surveys – the latest of which was published today – and anecdotal evidence the Fed has been hearing from businesses, both sources that we have mentioned here the last few weeks. So, he's preaching to the choir.
Then, Goolsbee referenced the debt-ceiling "debate," saying...
This whole – I don't even know what we would call it – the argument about the debt ceiling comes at the worst possible time, where we're trying to figure out what is a very strange business cycle coming out of the pandemic, weighing off against the tightening that is coming from these bank failures and uncertainty. And to add on to it, this uncertainty about whether the government is going to pay its bills, it makes it extremely difficult to figure out what will be the conditions for economic growth and the job market.
It kind of makes me uncomfortable that this guy's message sounds much like what we've been saying here in recent weeks and months. This isn't necessarily the confirmation we seek, nor our goal. But on balance, I suppose we like to hear it.
We like the truth, even if it may hurt...
Since our game here is investing, acknowledging the truth is essential. It can save or make you money in the long run, if acted upon correctly.
Ultimately or eventually, the truth always wins. And in the investing world, it can pay to know the facts and weigh the most likely outcomes as early as possible. You might remember we were talking almost two years ago about a recession being a likely outcome of 40-year-high inflation...
That was before stocks lost 20% in 2022 and bonds had their worst year since the pen-and-quill days as a result of Fed interest-rate hikes.
Most people weren't prepared for it. Hopefully you were. Now, only recently has Fed Chair Jerome Powell talked about the possibility of a recession at any significant length – and only a "mild" case at that. Goolsbee did the same today...
You have to say that recession is a possibility... That's got to be on everyone's mind. In a way, you do not land the plane nose down. We just want to make sure that these bank stresses – I don't know if it's a full-blown credit crunch, but it's certainly credit tightening... That will slow the economy, and we absolutely should take that into account when we're setting monetary policy. We have to figure out how much of the work of monetary policy is getting done already through the credit conditions.
A few takeaways...
In other words, don't be shocked if a recession is ahead... And don't be surprised if the central bank's rate-hike days are on pause until further notice, too, even with inflation well above its totally made-up 2% goal. Among other things, that could mean fuel for higher prices over the long run should inflation tailwinds persist or new ones emerge.
Here's one example... I think Congress will ultimately resolve the debt-ceiling "debate" the same way it has about 80 times since 1960 – with a higher credit limit for Uncle Sam. But I also wouldn't bet against our dear "leaders" in Washington, D.C. pushing things to the brink of default... and how such a story could cause jitters in the markets or some real consequences for everyday people.
This is where "chaos hedges" like gold prove their worth. Have you noticed that gold has been trading above $2,000 per ounce and trending higher over the past week? That includes today, as the major U.S. stock indexes and bond prices were flat or down slightly. Gold is up nearly 10% since the start of the year and is slightly outperforming the S&P 500 Index.
And get ready for the next credit crisis... Corporate bankruptcies will pile up, causing pain but also good opportunities for those with cash on hand to pick up the pieces. Investors who are prepared can buy shares and bonds of great companies at cheaper prices that could pay off when things get better down the road.
In the meantime, own shares of high-quality businesses that aren't in danger of defaulting – like our government is. That could mean a company with a proven record of rewarding shareholders in good times and bad... or a growing business that has demonstrated it's well on the path to long-term success.
This is essential in an environment where the major U.S. indexes have refused to make higher highs for the past three months... and are flat going back to June 2022.
For example, in the newest issue of our flagship Stansberry's Investment Advisory newsletter, Stansberry Research senior analyst Alan Gula recommended buying shares of a company with "fantastic long-term growth potential" that Wall Street analysts and investors are skeptical about today, but only because of short-sighted concerns.
Shares of this company – which remind Alan of a household name in retail today – have a "dirt-cheap valuation," he wrote. Based on Alan's analysis and growth expectations for this business, its stock could see 500% gains within the next five years.
Existing Investment Advisory subscribers and Alliance members can find the details here, as well as a review of existing positions in the model portfolio.
Another warning worth hearing out...
In our Masters Series essays over the weekend here and here, you heard from our friends Joel Litman and Rob Spivey of our corporate affiliate Altimetry. They mentioned they expect a major market event ahead that will send some stocks soaring while crushing others by up to 90%...
How do you tell the difference?
Well, Joel and Rob – Altimetry's founder and director of research, respectively – are going on camera to explain all the details and reveal how you can prepare for what's coming, just like Wall Street banks and hedge funds are doing right now.
As Joel shared with readers of his free newsletter earlier today... even amid the banking crisis we've seen in the first few months of 2023 and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon's proclamation that it's over, "things are actually about to get much worse."
But, Joel says, it's not the crisis you're probably expecting. While he says the banking crisis will definitely have more winners and losers to come...
What's coming next could dictate your wealth not just for the next year – but for the next decade. And you now have just weeks to prepare, which is why I'm going on camera this Wednesday, May 10, with a brand-new battle plan I'm not sharing anywhere else.
Without giving too much away, I can tell you Joel plans to talk about a market event that is 20 times larger than the Silicon Valley Bank collapse. He'll explain how his proprietary Altimeter technology can identify the biggest winners and losers stemming from it and give you the chance to double your money, every three months, following one simple strategy...
The event is at 8 p.m. Eastern time this Wednesday and is totally free. We just ask that you sign up in advance to reserve your spot. You can register for free here, and there's not much reason not to. Just for tuning in, you'll get a free buy recommendation and the ticker of one stock to avoid at all costs... plus special access to Joel's "Wall Street Truth Detector."
Fed Won't Stop Until It Sees 'Whites of Your Eyes'
E.B. Tucker, bestselling author of Why Gold? Why Now?, joins our editor-at-large Daniela Cambone. He points out that while people may take the Fed's eventual slowdown on raising interest rates as a positive sign, it indicates a looming recession that will result in people losing their jobs, businesses failing, and everybody spending their savings.
"People are not feeling pain yet," he warns... And Jerome Powell's Fed won't stop until it sees the "whites of your eyes."
Click here to watch this episode of The Daniela Cambone Show right now. For more free video content, subscribe to our Stansberry Research YouTube channel... and don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
New 52-week highs (as of 5/5/23): Alamos Gold (AGI), DraftKings (DKNG), Enstar (ESGR), iShares MSCI Mexico Fund (EWW), Comfort Systems USA (FIX), Franco-Nevada (FNV), General Mills (GIS), London Stock Exchange Group (LNSTY), Microsoft (MSFT), MYR Group (MYRG), Novartis (NVS), OMRON (OMRNY), O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY), Seabridge Gold (SA), Spotify Technology (SPOT), Torex Gold Resources (TORXF), Unilever (UL), Vericel (VCEL), Verisk Analytics (VRSK), and Zoetis (ZTS).
In today's mailbag, feedback on Dan Ferris' latest Friday Digest... thoughts on Sunday's Masters Series essay from Altimetry director of research Rob Spivey... and suggestions for names for a Federal Reserve-owned racehorse keep coming in... Do you have a comment or question? As always, e-mail us at feedback@stansberryresearch.com.
"Dan, What an enlightening/lightning trip through the FrankenFinancialization maelstrom of our time. Had to take an early blood pressure pill with my coffee. A worthy warning sir." – Paid-up subscriber Dave E.
"Dan, As always, eloquently hitting it out of the ballpark unapologetically with a hint of satire just for good measure.
"Your frank, in-your-face, punchy, no nonsense (I could list so many other adjectives and adjectival phrases to describe it) analysis and commentary is greatly appreciated." – Paid-up subscriber Rich A.
"Mr. Ferris, Ah, sir, broken record time. I so very much enjoy reading your insightful writings.
"The good part is that most of the time I find myself in agreement with what you have to say. The bad part is I wish I did not believe that you are likely way too close to the truth of the matter.
"We are headed for increasingly bad times is my fear. Keep on telling it like you see it and keeping us informed. Meanwhile, I will continue to maintain my boring portfolio of companies like BRK-B, etc., and avoid the speculative garbage like the plague." – Paid-up subscriber Chuck P.
"Dan, Just wanted to say that your Digest today was one of the best I've read in a very long time. Right on with the Volcker (I'm old enough to remember the 20% interest rates and 13% inflation back then) Powell quarterback analogy... and calling out the big banks' motives in waiting for the small banks to fail, then swoop in like a hawk after they die.
"I hadn't thought of the latter one but excellent in pointing that out. Yes, Fed chairs are morons, as are most of our clueless politicians, many who seem to just sit around, not cause waves, and collect their six-figure income and pension for life, which never has to face discussions about being cut. Great job!!" – Paid-up subscriber John S.
"If the economy in 1980 had been a 747 and the fed funds rate profile had been the vertical flight path of that 747, Volcker would have torn the wings off it. Even with all those gymnastics, it still took Volcker several years to reduce inflation. We may look back and say, 'What timidity!' of Mr. Powell in a few years, but at least the plane may land instead of crash, barring a crash caused by the Administration and Congress." – Paid-up subscriber Rod B.
"Bill Ackman revealed some truth this week: 'banking is a confidence game.' Of course the term 'con game' is simply an abbreviation of that. Now consider what central bankers are: far worse than con men because no one can refuse to play their game. Our society is their prisoner as they serve their ends and those of their political overlords." – Paid-up subscriber Robert B.
"Shoutout to Rob Spivey who disclosed new information about how to spot insider trading rather than just try to sell me a product touting info about insider trading. Not being a trader (HODL since before that became a term), not sure how much I'll use the info, but it was nice to learn something new instead of the same old same old, thanks." – Paid-up subscriber Jim S.
"[A name for a Fed-owned horse]... Who's Holding the Bag?" – Paid-up subscriber Frank C.
All the best,