Tag: Truth

Ep. 524 – GameStop = Game Over?

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 524 - GameStop = Game Over?
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With the continued market frenzy and pandemonium occurring again today in the likes of GameStop, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, AMC Entertainment, and BlackBerry, it is time to step back and gain a better understanding as to what is really going on. The media and social media narrative is that a bunch of “little guys” on message boards are banding together to take down the “big guys” (a couple hedge funds). While the narrative plays very well and there is no doubt that there are separate rules between the smalls and the bigs, this does not mean that two wrongs make a right. The Kapital News discusses on a near daily basis the amount of market rigging and manipulation that takes place and talk about all of the fines and deferred prosecution agreements that are given to the major banks whom engaged in such fraud. Of course if anyone else engaged in such behavior, they would be locked up and they would throw away the key. So, this makes the narrative compelling and allows people to justify the current actions that are underway with respect to these stocks. An eye for an eye is not the solution. In fact, this is likely going to cause more short and long-term damage to the markets and society at large.

What is failing to be understood by many on these message boards, is that going after a hedge fund, does not mean that they are only going to do financial damage to the managers alone. What they fail to grasp, is the fact that these funds on many occasions are managing money for the little guy through pension funds, university endowments, hospital chains, non-profits, and charities et cetera. There is going to be collateral damage and the group mostly likely to the suffer the greatest losses is ironically going to be the little guys.

The Kapital News is gravely concerned with these actions on both sides of the trade as well as with the brokerage houses that halted trading on these stocks today with respect to the buy side. This seems more likely that this is a pump and dump scheme, which is illegal, as opposed to some sort of organic uprising of new day-traders against hedge funds. Unfortunately, most of these little guys, do not understand financial statements and fundamental analysis. So how is one to believe that all of a sudden they go after a company that is heavily shorted by a couple of hedge funds, and prove somewhat successful in hurting the hedge funds’ position – at least momentarily? Furthermore, what does not pass the smell test is the fact that we have some strange bedfellows in Congress right now with the likes of AOC, Ted Cruz, Elizabeth Warren, and Maxine Waters joining forces to investigate what is going on in this matter.

So let us understand something, for years there has been open and blatant market manipulation, tweets from the former President, massive amounts of money printing from the Federal Reserve and spending from the Congress juicing asset prices, deferred prosecution agreements being handed out like candy to the largest financial firms on the planet, and now all of a sudden these politicians are concerned with market manipulation? This does not pass the smell test. Something is afoot. The Kapital News suspects that there will be a concerted effort in Congress to clamp down further on the markets. This will likely pertain to financial institutions as well as to the individual investor. So be careful what you wish for, because this is not just a story about David v Goliath. Oh no, there is much more underway and it is not going to be for the best. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Fraud #Markets #Debt #Liberty #EndTheFed #USA #Revolution #Justice #Inflation #Gold #Silver #bananarepublic #FireCongress

Ep. 523 – The Fed Is Trapped!

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 523 - The Fed Is Trapped!
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The Federal Reserve concluded their first FOMC meeting of the year and they kept the Fed Funds Rate unchanged at 0-25 basis points. This was in line with market expectations. However, the markets were more centrally focused on forward guidance coming from the Fed. During his afternoon press conference, Fed Chairman, Jay Powell, gave another horrendous performance. It is typical for him to dodge some of the tougher questions, but today he even did a run around with respect to the softball inquiries.

Furthermore, as far as The Kapital News is concerned, Mr. Powell admitted today that the Fed is trapped and out of ammunition. He was citing how asset prices have been rising recently due to the optimism surrounding the vaccine rollout and future rounds of fiscal spending. This is ridiculous. While these news headlines on these topics may help contribute to the rise in asset prices, the main culprit is the printing press and global liquidity. It was only recently in previous conferences that Mr. Powell readily admitted that asset prices were rising due to monetary policies. In fact, when quantitative easing, QE, was first unleashed onto the scene, it was open knowledge that its purpose was to juice asset prices in order to generate a wealth effect.

Therefore, one can conclude that the reason for the change in tune, is for the purpose of damage control. If stocks no longer keep climbing, then it must be because the vaccine does not work and/or the Congress cannot get its act together. Setting up a convenient excuse that it is not the Fed’s fault, but something else. While it is true that the printing press can print US dollars, it cannot print jobs, solvency, and sustainable business plans. If printing money was the cure, then the likes of Venezuela, Argentina, Zimbabwe, Turkey, and Iran would be the kings of the hill. But they are not. And the reason, is because printing money does not create wealth as it is not true production. This is a morphine high, and once it wears off, the pain is going to be excruciating. A prime example of this as of late pertains to the meteoric rise in the share price of GameStop and AMC Theaters. This type of behavior does not happen in a well functioning market. These are not the first two stocks that this has happened to and they are likely not the last either. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Debt #Liberty #USA #Inflation #Markets #Gold #Silver #Recession #Depression #Revolution #bananarepublic #EndTheFed #FireCongress

Ep. 521 – The Great Reset

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 521 - The Great Reset
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Something tells us that we will be seeing “The Great Reset,” more and more over the coming months as 2021 is now underway. It is something that has been discussed since last year during the pandemic and is becoming more mainstream by the day. The theme of this year’s World Economic Forum summit, in Davos, Switzerland, is The Great Reset and it reads like another utopia. While it is big on bullet points and general ideas, it is short on details. However, the devil is in the details and The Kapital News is concerned that the same people who led us into this economic, political, and social quagmire, are not the ones fit to get us out of it and to rebuild from it. Even within the article(s) we cover during today’s discussion, there are contradictions as to what the “right” policies should look like. These contradictions and hypocrisies will become the common theme amongst these “ideas” and the people advocating on their behalf. So in short, it is nothing new.

Another key phrase that is likely to gain some traction is “stakeholder capitalism.” While this too may sound good on paper, it is really nothing more than an attempt to centrally plan and control governments, economies, societies, and the environment. The author and authors of The Great Reset fail to understand, as so many do, that if what they say and write is really what they want, then they should know there is already a system that can achieve such growth, innovation, opportunity, and collaboration, and it is called free-market capitalism! Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Liberty #Markets #USA #Revolution #Inflation #Recession #Depression #Gold #Silver #Jobs #EndTheFed #bananarepublic #FireCongress

Ep. 519 – Jobs Bite The Dust, Again

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 519 - Jobs Bite The Dust, Again
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Another week and another 900,000 Americans filed an initial jobless claim for the week ending 16 January. This puts that prior two initial claims reports at 900k and above. For context, during the depths of the GFC, claims peaked around 660k. We have not seen a number in the 600k range, since last year when the pandemic led restrictions were put into place. This is a major structural problem with respect to the jobs markets and will take years to work itself out. There will be behavioral and spending changes once the economy is “re-opened.” In turn, this will affect the economy and old correlations may break down and new correlations and patterns established.

It is difficult to believe that with so much uncertainty that remains, that the markets are accurately capturing all of this as reflected in current prices. With respect to US equity markets, we are witnessing one valuation method after the next that is in the 95th to 99th percentile. These are ranges not scene since 1929 and the “Roaring 20’s,” the dot-com era, and in the lead up to the GFC. Some metrics are even at all-time highs. And another tidbit of information that came across the wires today is that insiders, such as CEOs, are selling their company shares at an all-time high rate, meanwhile, retail investors have never been so bullish. Something tells us that this is not going to end well. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Jobs #Liberty #Revolution #Inflation #Gold #Silver #Recession #Depression #EndTheFed #bananarepublic #USA

Ep. 518 – Joe Biden’s Inauguration

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 518 - Joe Biden's Inauguration
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Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States of America as he was sworn into office this afternoon by Chief Justice, John Roberts. Kamala Harris was also sworn in as the Vice President, becoming the first woman, black and Asian American to become the VP. So whatever your political leanings and thoughts are of VP Harris, this was nonetheless an historic day on those fronts.

President Biden struck the right cord, tone, and balance in his speech today. This is typically the case for any incoming President as this is the first message to the nation as the new Commander-in-Chief. It is an all hands on deck effort to craft and deliver an inspirational and memorable address to the country. While words may motivate, it is action that ultimately counts. This is where reality meets optimism. This country has been and is torn apart for a number of reasons that The Kapital News discusses on a daily basis. So it is difficult to believe that the same cast and crew of yesteryear who are partially responsible for such decay, decline, and calamity, are now somehow going to be the people to rectify and structurally reform our economic and political systems.

We know well the math behind our fiscal situation and we know the trends and trajectory. And what we have already heard from the new Biden administration, is more of the same policies that are all but guaranteed to make matters even worse. This is true, especially with respect to the middle class and lower wage earners. We will soon witness and be in the midst of the largest transfer of wealth in human history – surpassing the one we experienced following the GFC and the one we are going through now. While we do not wish the new administration any ill-will, we do however, wish that they would change course and restore our constitution and free-market capitalism. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Biden #Trump #USA #Liberty #USA #Revolution #Leadership #FireCongress #Economy #Inflation #Gold #Silver #EndTheFed #bananarepublic

Ep. 517 – Farewell President Trump

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 517 - Farewell President Trump
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President Trump gave his farewell address to the nation this afternoon, via a videotaped speech. It was more or less a Trump campaign speech, with a much better tone and delivery. He highlighted what he believed to be the achievements of his administration, thanking his staff, and wishing well the incoming administration. As The Kapital News has stated for months, had President Trump carried himself as he did today, and maintained such composure over the last four years, he very well would be the one being sworn into office tomorrow, and not Joe Biden.

In today’s discussion, we note how the Trump administration did not embark upon a policy pathway much different than any other Republican president. He and his team attempted and/or did the following: tax cuts, regulation cuts, trade deals, build up of the military, international agreements, various social reforms, saber rattling with various countries, and undoing what Democrats had previously implemented. Now while people will disagree with certain policies, this is more about politics than anything else. There was not anything major and structurally reformed. There was no draining of the swamp. It was a continuation of the status quo. A military-industrial complex that received more money than ever before; an out of control Federal Reserve, trillion dollar deficits, and several trillion added to the national debt; a national security state that is still alive and well; no structural reforms to Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security; continuation of the two-tiered justice system; and no major investment to the nation’s infrastructure. And yes, the President’s rhetoric, style, and behavior were often unorthodox and proved to be counterproductive, and served to further divide the country. But it must be understood and understood well that people tolerated these actions because of their distrust and frustrations with the status quo. And that says something as to where we are as a people and as a nation…

The incoming Biden-Harris administration are not going to fix or solve any of these structural issues and failures. In fact, they are all but guaranteed to make them worse. The same people who were a part of previous governments and administrations are now prominent members of this team. A classic case of, “meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” The Kapital News highly suggests that the people leave the two-party system and change your voter registration to Libertarian, Independent, unaffiliated, et cetera. The point is to send a message that the people no longer support the status quo – and this is a peaceful step in that direction. Farewell President Trump and Godspeed to you and yours. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Trump #Biden #USA #Vote #Liberty #Revolution #EndTheFed #bananarepublic #Inflation #Gold #Silver #Economy #Peace #Recession #Depression #Protests #FireCongress

Ep. 516 – Make Peace, Not War

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 516 - Make Peace, Not War
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There is dry kindling all around the globe, and it will only take the smallest of sparks to ignite an inferno. Several governments have already collapsed and others are on the brink; with some of them being major economies and world players. The global economic chain can maintain its structural integrity when a few of the weaker links breakdown, think Venezuela and Lebanon. However, should larger links in the chain join their ranks, such as Italy, then the ripple effects will be tremendous and will likely put the whole system into a tailspin. Momentum and inertia are powerful forces that may start off small and slow, but can quickly gain speed and power, which can have the effect of catching many people off guard; which can turn into a problem in and of itself.

Governments the world over have overstayed their welcomes and this has been evident for some time and most recently seen over the last two years in mass protests. These will continue, assuming they are “allowed” to. Should governments get carried away and use force to put down peaceful protests, then the only option that many will resort to will be violence. This can happen. It can happen quickly and it can easily spiral out of control. Look at the United States of America for example – this week is the inauguration in what is supposed to be a peaceful transfer of power. This is a hallmark of our republic. But no, not in 2021. On 20 January, we are going to witness nearly 30,000 national guardsmen and federal agents patrolling Washington, DC. In addition, there are nine foot high barbed-wire fences, checkpoints, and other restrictions. We also have an outgoing President who will not be attending the inauguration, which is tradition. This is a tragic scene and will forever be a stain on the country’s history.

Despite all of this and so much more, this does not mean that war is inevitable. Let us pray that it does not happen. However, from a realistic standpoint, rooted in human behavior, psychology, and history, would lead one to put the odds in the favor of conflict as opposed to peace, at least initially. The solutions exist and we have the blueprints. It is called the US constitution and free-market capitalism. It is called equal justice under the law. And it is called humanity and civility. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Liberty #Revolution #FireCongress #Debt #Jobs #Inflation #Gold #Silver #Vote #USA #EndTheFed #bananarepublic #Recession #Depression #Peace

Ep. 514 – 1,000,000 File Claims

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 514 - 1,000,000 File Claims
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Initial jobless claims filed for the week ending 9 January came in at 965,000! This is another in a long line of devastating and heart-breaking figures. Such a number has not been seen since last August. Now while the major stock averages closed slightly lower today, they nonetheless traded higher during the day session, following this news release. This is just further evidence as to how Wall Street has grown numb to and decoupled from Main Street. Perhaps it is the promise of another $2T that we do not have that is being promised by the incoming Biden team. This will increase the $600 checks to $1,400, thus making the total $2,000. Extensions will also be given to unemployment benefits as well as increases to those benefits. Currently these extensions were scheduled to last until the end of the first quarter, but now, if the new bill passes, will extend the extension to September. Eviction moratoriums are also a part of the deal and will receive further extensions as well. When will this all end? This is hundreds of billion of dollars in back rent and mortgage payments. How is this all going to be paid back?

And also in the bill is the increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour. They really have to be trying to be this stupid and irresponsible. We are in the midst of the largest economic and job loss crises perhaps ever seen, where the hardest hit industries are those with low wages and they want to increase the minimum wage? If these employers cannot afford to keep their employees on payroll at lower wages, then what makes one think that they will be able to afford the $15 minimum? This is only going to serve the purpose of prolonging the structural unemployment and underemployment situation. All of this spending in totality is doing nothing more than robbing us and future generations of future growth and prosperity. There is no free-lunch and printing presses do not print jobs or productivity. The remainder of today’s discussion briefly mentions the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet and M1 and M2 money stock. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay wit The Kapital News. #Economy #Jobs #FireCongress #Debt #Inflation #Gold #Silver #Liberty #Revolution #EndTheFed #BananaRepublic #USA

Ep. 513 – Impeached Again + Savings Stolen

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 513 - Impeached Again + Savings Stolen
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The House of Representatives voted today to impeach President Donald J. Trump for the second time. The vote was 232-197. This makes President Trump the first and only President to have been impeached twice, and this occurred within one term in office. This speaks volumes with respect to the President’s actions and behaviors and to the animus that exists within the Democratic party towards the President. This is a reflection of the country. We the people vote these characters into office, so we cannot be surprised that our government is as divided as the people of this country. Next steps in the process is for there to be a trial in the Senate and then a vote to acquit or convict. With the upcoming inauguration only one week away, there is really no plausible way that the Senate can manage a full trial within this timeframe. Therefore, it is very likely that the trial will take place after Trump is out of office. This will be another first, as there has never been an impeachment trial of a President after he has left office. This, plus the fact that the President has been impeached, is likely to increase the volume, frustration, and anger of many Trump’s supporters, and perhaps others who are tired of all the politics. All 50 states and Washington, DC are on high alert against the possibility of violent riots. The US Capitol is currently surrounded by fences. This is such a tragic sight to see and is more akin to a third world banana republic as opposed to the nation that is supposed to be the beacon of democracy and self-governance.

News came across the wires this evening that the incoming Biden administration is looking to send to Congress a $2T spending bill. Take the $900 billion bill that was just passed, in conjunction with the $1.4 trillion spending bill, and we are already looking at $4.3T in spending! This is just getting started. This first bill is likely focused on more “stimulus” checks and other Covid-19 relief. Other bills will come that address environmental and healthcare concerns, amongst others. This is ridiculous and it is robbery. The government does not have the money and so more deficits, debt, borrowing, and printing must ensue. This is all serves to destroy savings and one’s purchasing power. As highlighted by usdebtclock.org, average savings per family currently stands around $28,500. Fast-forward four years from now and this figures falls to $1,500! And this is the average, meaning that this figure is highly skewed by those in the upper income brackets that actually hold most of the savings. Many Americans actually have a negative savings rate, meaning that they are in debt on a net-net basis. This scenario is 100 percent predictable, yet this is what is likely to unfold. It does not have to, but then again, we have the same people in Congress. So how can anyone truly be surprised by these outcomes? Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Debt #Savings #Jobs #Bailouts #USA #Vote #Impeachment #Liberty #Revolution #EndTheFed #BananaRepublic #Inflation #Gold #Silver

Ep. 511 – High Alert for Inauguration Day

The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 511 - High Alert for Inauguration Day
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It might as well be official in that the United States of America has become a first world banana republic. While it is common to have a large security presence on the day a new President is sworn into office, it is quite another to have thousands of National Guardsman being called to Washington, DC, and the FBI warning all 50 states, that there may very likely be protests, and perhaps armed protests, in their respective capitals. And while all of this is going on, we have a Congress that is setting up another impeachment trial of President Trump, and if that does not work, then they will put greater pressure on Vice President, Mike Pence, and the cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. This is, was, and has been all foreseeable. When a country, a government, an economy, and a society are declining – these types of events occur. There is legitimate anger, frustration, depression, despair, and concern that exists with millions of Americans. This stems from terrible policymaking on all fronts – much of which is unconstitutional to begin with and is rife with fraud and nepotism. The only logical conclusion that one can draw from such actions is the subsequent decay and decline of the country itself.

As we reported last week, the structural issues as it relates to unemployment and underemployment continue in the wrong direction. With this, the real economy will continue to drag. However, Wall Street may or may not care. Since April of last year, it has been the latter, as the real economy set against the stock market has never been so disconnected. This too, a direct result of asinine policies, thus driving a bigger wedge between the haves and the have-nots. This is a vicious cycle that will only work itself out when market forces take hold. They will. The question is when. And it must be understood that there is no easy way out of this quagmire and that further pain and hardship is all but guaranteed. However, we must restore our Republic. We must restore our free-markets. We must restore our system of justice and the rule of law. And we must restore the American spirit. If we do this, then our foundation can be rebuilt and our future brighter than our past. If we do not, then our experiment of self-government will go the way of the Greeks, Romans, Persians, Dutch, and the British. Nothing lasts forever, but that does not mean that it has to end now. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Jobs #Vote #Protests #Revolution #FireCongress #Liberty #EndTheFed #BananaRepublic #Debt #Inflation #Gold #Silver #USA #Bailouts