US
Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) dropped by the most in 8 months.
Markit, who compiled the data, said this "will feed fears that the
recovery remains on a weak foundation of intense price competition."
As if that's not bad enough, the same report indicated that inflation is surging:
"...on
the inflation front, manufacturers experienced a further solid increase
in average cost burdens in April." What? You mean higher prices AREN'T
good news?
So Fed policies are failing to bring any real or
sustainable recovery, after FIVE YEARS of trying, but they ARE stoking
the fires of inflation. Historically, inflation is caused by an economy
close to full employment that is overheating, by creating greater demand
for products than the available supply. But now, the Fed is placing the
horse before the apple cart by creating INFLATION FIRST, and hoping
prosperity will follow! They are MORE likely to create STAGFLATION (high
inflation + recession), and quite possibly even a hyperinflationary
depression.
Meanwhile, Wall St shrugs off the bad news. Stocks
are flat so far today. Dr. John Hussman, after doing considerable
historical research, concludes that the current stock market is priced
at DOUBLE its historical true value! And he's being generous in saying that!
And he has the evidence to
prove it! In the last two recessions and stock market crashes, the stock
market declined by 47% and 57% respectively. Both times, the S&P
500 declined to around the 600 level. Today, central bankers have pushed
the S&P 500 to about 1875. If stocks decline in the next crash to
the same level, that would represent more than a 67% LOSS in the stock
market!