Greetings,
Source: http://investmentwatchblog.com
CNN Poll: Majority Believes Economy Getting Much Worse
The number of Americans who are optimistic about the U.S. economy has dropped to the lowest level in a year in the wake of the government shutdown, a new poll has found.
According to a CNN/ORC International survey conducted October 18-20, pessimism about America’s future economic health is also growing. Fifty-nine percent of respondents predicted poor economic conditions a year from now, compared to 40 percent who said the economy would be in good shape next year at this time. That was the lowest level of optimism expressed by the public in two years.
http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/economy-getting-worse-cnn/2013/10/22/id/532360
Earnings Reality In One Chart
Only 38% of S&P 500 companies that have reported have beaten revenue expectations – compared to a historical average of around 46%. As Bloomberg notes, Q3 2013 will be the first time for 3 consecutive quarters of sub-50% meeting expectations since their records began. Earnings are not much better having seen a slide in performance relative to expectations for 4 quarters now. It seems the hockey-stick of H2 2013 earnings hope that we so vociferously pointed out as ridiculous early in the year is indeed far too high and combined with valuations (as we noted here) that are stretched (Price-to-Sales at 1.6x is around twice the norma since the 1990s) it suggests that any hint of a taper will remove the only leg left for stocks – that of hope-based multiple expansion.
Source: Bloomberg
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-23/earnings-reality-one-chart
Home Prices Miss; Rise At Slowest Pace In 11 Months
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-23/home-prices-miss-rise-slowest-pace-11-months
It’s The 2nd Worst Decade In Over 220 Years (And Getting Worse)
The 2nd worst decade of growth for the US ever… and getting worse
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-23/its-2nd-worst-decade-over-220-years-and-getting-worse
……………….more here