Record Highs Despite Epic Lows

Posted by Jerry Bader on

So, what's the difference between today's record high Dow and 2007's record high Dow? That would be the economy, stupid:

 

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Then 14164.5; Now 14164.5
  • Regular Gas Price: Then $2.75; Now $3.73
  • GDP Growth: Then +2.5%; Now +1.6%
  • Americans Unemployed (in Labor Force): Then 6.7 million; Now 13.2 million
  • Americans On Food Stamps: Then 26.9 million; Now 47.69 million
  • Size of Fed’s Balance Sheet: Then $0.89 trillion; Now $3.01 trillion
  • US Debt as a Percentage of GDP: Then 38%; Now 74.2%
  • US Deficit (LTM): Then $97 billion; Now $975.6 billion
  • Total US Debt Outstanding: Then $9 trillion; Now $16.4 trillion
  • Labor Force Participation Rate: Then 65.8%; Now 63.6%
  • Consumer Confidence: Then 99.5; Now 69.6
  • S&P Rating of the US: Then AAA; Now AA+
  • Gold: Then $748; Now $1583

Make sure to read the whole article. Is the intent to scare you? No, but a little context might make you re-think whether the current market exuberance is rational.

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