Quote from MKTrader:
Yes, it retraced about 50% from its first major down leg. Look up $NIKK on stockcharts.com and select a period between the fall of 1989 and early 1991 on a weekly chart.
The Dow did a similar retracement after the first big move down after the 1929-1930 crash.
I'm not saying it will play out exactly like either of those scenarios but it's possible. As for for prolonged deflation, or deflation-followed-by-hyperinflation, etc., those are certainly possible. Right now, nothing gives me any hope that we won't have that sort of train wreck. Hopefully things will change, but that's what it looks like now.
Super low interest rates + QE + propped up zombie banks. That all sounds very familiar. We just don't have the savings or general thriftiness of the Japanese going into this, though...
Print off a few of your recent posts and take a look at them in 1-2 years. Then ask yourself what you missed. You are failing to look beyond US borders and the earnings reports are strong mainly due to international business.
Look at the Canadian banks. What aspect of the US economy has affected them and limited them to ONLY billion dollar earnings reports ? Their US operations are in general mediocre lately but the OVERALL earnings are strong. So what are those banks doing ? They are looking to buy up US operations at distressed prices, so that when the US economy recovers they make money off it.
Yes, there are idiotic US companies like Citibank. But look beyond them to stronger companies. Look at the new m&a activity which suggests many US firms do not agree that the future is bleak.
Who do I believe more ? Intel, TD Bank, BHP Billiton, ... . OR the permabear Elitetraders who insist the sky is falling over and over again. Well, I remember the posts when S&P 500 hit 1041 and it was obvious techically the market was going up, that the permabears here were even more adamant of an impending crash. Boy, what BAD TIMING !!!
Ok, I admit there is some chance the US markets could fall, but hedge your bets and invest in other countries or strong multinationals you'll be fine.