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Subject: Irving Fisher
Smooth sailing unlikely

Inefficient market portends bumpy recovery

Inefficient markets have consequences that may be prickly for incautious investors.

Markets can be inefficient for different reasons and persist for long periods. The transition between one type of inefficient market to the next is usually a period of strife and uncertainty which may last five to fifteen years. Looking back at how the economy emerged from previous transitions, I note that in each new period, equity prices started at reasonable levels. This was true at the beginning of the Roaring Twenties, the Post WW II Period, and the Reagan Era. It is as if markets, recognizing prior inefficiencies ‘reset’ and start over. However, for the current market to ‘reset’, it will be necessary for equity prices to fall considerably, which will have dire consequences.

Featured articles on inside pages

Stock buybacks

Stock buybacks dry up

Since 1982, US equities have been driven upwards by stock buybacks. Federal Reserve statistics show corresponding sales of stocks as executives exercised options to take advantage of manipulated prices. More ...

Securities Analysis

Does ‘SEC Total Return’ protect investors?

Millions of investors put money for retirement into mutual funds selected on the basis of "SEC total returns" and the name of the fund. This article explains how the SEC allows funds to use this misleading statistic to the detriment of investors and to the benefit of fund managers. More ...

US Politics

The decline of mainstream media

In September 2009, President Obama dominated television in his attempt to sell his government-run health plan, despite massive public opposition. Mainstream media has falling revenues and market share as people turn to unbiased sources. More ...

US equities

Stocks surge on spurious earnings

In Q1 2009, stock buybacks came back, driving up equity prices and sparking a rally by dominating a thin market. These equity repurchases were financed from depreciation reserves and bond issues. More ...

US Bonds

The collapse of the dollar and US bonds?

The extreme spending of the Obama government, combined with irresponsible bank lending policies promoted by Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, portend rising interest rates, the collapse of the bond market, and the end of dollar supremacy. More ...

World Economy

Signs of US losing its groove?

Thirty years ago, US income from abroad was more than double the amount of income that the US paid to the rest of the world. This year, or the next, this foreign income surplus may disappear forever. Is the US 'losing its groove'? More ...

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2010-08-13 13:08