True capitalism where growth can appear should be ex-extraordinary Federal Reserve stimulus which is not capitalism but a horrible blot on it.

The last thing we want is hot Asian money to come in and buy up our assets which have been mainly buying up hot properties. It helps #Trump's assets but at the cost of out of control housing inflation. I have the feeling #Softbank's deal will only make more Americans homeless although no one knows the details because he is not President and feels that he has no need to disclose deals he makes in the name of the American people. This sounds very Hillaryish and is why people didn't want her in office. The perception of corruption is another word for this secret deal making.

I can't say the Chinese are wrong not hoarding gold. Despite Trump's calls, the reason for the buying is that the Yuan is overvalued not under valued.

I think people make too much of Trump in this trade. If Hillary was elected we would see a similar if not greater rise in expected inflation and yields. Both promised massive deficits at the end of a very long and not very strong business cycle.

Agreed, I don't see much higher rates although that could be countered if Trump starts spending like a Democrat or like a Reagan Republican.

OPEC price supports may be bad for our economy if we start putting on the cream on top of an already fragile over stimulated monetary base by the Federal Reserve. Of course, that is another reason OPEC probably came to an agreement. The last thing they want is to get paid in deflated dollars that are converted to Treasury Bonds that pay absurdly low yields as inflation spikes.

Yes and sadly any fiscal stimulus may have to be countered by Fed tightening since it should have done so long before and not doing so may yield inflation and a stagnant economy which would be worse than it is now.

The down cycle always starts with raw materials and finished goods. It is fortunate that we don't have as much of that in our economy which is why we haven't had such a bad economy. Wishing for it is a bit dull minded given if we had it we would have a worse economy not better. Anyways, logic seems not to prevail.

We are still waiting to see if this portion of the down cycle ends and if it matures into a down cycle that drags down the service sector and the rest of the global economy which will hurt us badly. For now, its a waiting game as I don't see much changing with the economy for at least 6 months besides a slight pick up with rising inflationary pressures. This has nothing to do with the new administration but the old one. We will see what happens then.

The down cycle always starts with raw materials and finished goods. It is fortunate that we don't have as much of that in our economy which is why we haven't had such a bad economy. Wishing for it is a bit dull minded given if we had it we would have a worse economy not better. Anyways, logic seems not to prevail.

We are still waiting to see if this portion of the down cycle ends and if it matures into a down cycle that drags down the service sector and the rest of the global economy which will hurt us badly. For now, its a waiting game as I don't see much changing with the economy for at least 6 months besides a slight pick up with rising inflationary pressures. This has nothing to do with the new administration but the old one. We will see what happens then.

Yes the Fed will raise rates and rates will rise even if they don't. There is not much they can do about this.

Yes negative rates will be the death knell of any economy that undergoes it. Not permanently, but it will kill their economy. Anyone proposing them should not be allowed to be in a position to implement them.

Yes real estate will fall like bonds have and poorly performing stocks will not hold up either as the cycle ends. That said, it will be a while before a collapse. It depends on how and if Trump reverses the current state of things as to when the cycle ends and how bad it gets. In the meantime, enjoy 6 or more months of decent but not incredible days of our current economic cycle. Don't blame Trump entirely when the cycle ends, it will end no matter who took office.