David Rosenberg: Boomers Sleepwalking Into A Bear Market + Recession
Oct 10, 2024
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David Rosenberg, founder of Rosenberg Research and a renowned economist, shares his insights on the precarious state of the market. He warns that Baby Boomers, heavily invested in stocks, are unprepared for an impending bear market and potential recession. Rosenberg discusses the unexpected resilience of 2023, contrasting it with looming risks for 2025. He emphasizes the K-shaped recovery, where wealth disparities affect consumer spending and financial stability. His recommendations lean towards cautious, diversified investment strategies for navigating these turbulent times.
A significant concern is that Baby Boomers heavily investing 60% in stocks deviate from prudent portfolio strategies for their age group.
The disconnect in global economic conditions highlights the U.S. resilience despite recessions looming in Canada and Germany, indicating a muddled economic landscape.
Despite low unemployment and decreased inflation, declining household savings and reliance on credit raise questions about the sustainability of consumer spending.
Deep dives
Equity Exposure and Consumer Risks
A significant portion of the American population, particularly the baby boomer generation, is heavily invested in equities, with 60% of their asset mix allocated to stocks. This level of exposure is risky as it deviates from traditional investment practices, which suggest a more balanced portfolio, especially for older individuals. If these investments begin to decline, the impact on consumer spending could be substantial, potentially leading to a consumer recession. The normalization of the savings rate and reduced consumer confidence could further exacerbate this situation, resulting in a precarious economic environment.
Mixed Economic Signals
The global economy exhibits a complex landscape, with differing conditions across regions. While the U.S. shows signs of resilience, other areas like Canada and portions of Europe face contraction. For instance, Canada's real GDP per capita continues to erode, hidden by population growth, and Germany is reportedly sliding into recession. This disconnect among regions highlights the muddled state of the global economy, contrary to the prevailing notion of a robust economic recovery.
Inflation, Employment, and Consumer Behavior
Despite low unemployment rates, inflation has decreased significantly, presenting a paradox within the U.S. economy. The current dynamics suggest that rising labor supply and improved productivity are contributing to disinflation, even as consumer spending remains robust. However, the reliance on personal savings and credit for spending raises concerns about the economy's sustainability. As household savings dwindle, the ability of consumers to maintain their spending patterns becomes increasingly uncertain.
Interest Rates and Economic Impacts
The expectation for interest rate cuts remains strong, even without a defined recession. The lagged effects of previous Federal Reserve actions have yet to materially impact the economy. Analysts project a potential decline in bond yields, which could create favorable conditions for long-term bonds. However, the current low savings rates and extended timelines complicate predictions about when and how these factors will influence consumer behavior and spending.
Investment Strategies for Uncertain Times
Experts underscore the importance of diversification when navigating uncertain economic times, particularly when equity markets reach high valuations. Emerging markets, such as those in Hong Kong and the UK, are seen as alternative investment opportunities due to their lower price multiples. Investors are encouraged to consider inflation hedges like precious metals while also maintaining allocations in bonds to mitigate risk. The prevailing uncertainty surrounding fiscal policies and potential economic downturns necessitates a cautious approach in capital allocation.
2023 was the year of the recession that wasn't.
2024 is looking to be the year of the hard landing that wasn't.
How is 2025 shaping up to look like?
For guidance we turn to highly-respected economist & award-winning researcher David Rosenberg, founder & president of Rosenberg Research.
David is very concerned that investors, especially the 70 million Baby Boomers, are "all in" the markets.
Boomer portfolios are 60% allocated to stocks. David thinks it should be half(!) of that.
He predicts that when we enter a bear market next -- which he thinks is nearer than most expect -- a brutal consumer recession will ensue.
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#bearmarket #recession #deflation
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