Empire State Manufacturing: Biggest Losing Streak Outside of a Recession

This is the fourth straight month in a row that it`s been down and all of the components were very weak. This is the biggest losing streak for this index outside of a recession. So, maybe we are in a recession and that is why we are getting readings that are consistent with a recession or the recovery is so weak that its like a recession.

The Federal Reserve Will Find An Excuse Not To Raise Rates

With the Dollar rallying, commodity prices falling, the Federal Reserve has another reason to say, Well, you know, inflation is too low, we do not have meet our inflation goal and it can easily get away without raising interest rates in December.

China Is Accumulating Gold Quietly and Secretly

I think China is deliberately underreporting their gold holdings. I think they are accumulating more and more gold (SPDR Gold Trust ETF (GLD)), quietly and maybe secretly because I do think that ultimately that is their intention, to have a gold backed Yuan becoming the predominant currency in the world.

Fed: The Only Reason They May Raise Interest Rates

If they are really dependent on the economic data, its all been bad. The data has been consistently bad. If they are really data dependent they should not be raising interest rates.

The only reason they may raise interest rates is because they feel they have to because they are worried that the market might begin to get suspicious of the game they are playing if they do not move.

Dip In Gold Is A Buying Opportunity

The price of gold (SPDR Gold Trust ETF (GLD)) has fallen back below 1100 dollars. In fact the price of gold has declined almost one hundred dollars in the last 30 days. We are back down in the vicinity of the August low. I think this is an opportunity for those who thought that the rally was getting away from you.

The Case Against A December Rate Hike

Is the Federal Reserve really going to raise rates in December? If they do hike rates and the economy falls apart, they are going to say, "You see, they hiked rates, they did it, they ruined the economy! The Fed did a mistake by raising interest rates."

They do not want to risk that. If they never raised rates and the economy turns down, they will think they were smart.