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DATELINE:   Across the U.S.A.

FLASH:  Expansions and Recessions: An Historic Look  1900-2001

I recently discovered a chart that shows Expansions and Recessions from 1900 to 2001.  One of the most interesting facts is that over the last one hundred years, recessions have become shorter in nature.  For example, three of the first four recessions during the 20 Century lasted longer than 600 days.  During the last four recessions, only one has been longer than  250 days (the longest was 487).

During expansions, we have seen the opposite occur.  Over the last 100+ years, expansions have become longer in duration.  Prior to WWII, there were ten economic expansions.  Of those, only four (40%) lasted longer than 1,000 days.  Since WWII, however, there have been eleven expansions, of which nine (81%) crossed the 1,000 day threshold.

Expansion = increase in business prosperity
Recession = decrease in business prosperity

(by:  Bespoke Investment Group 9/17/2007)

DATELINE:  Across the U.S.A.

FLASH:   We Are Not in a Great Depression and no recession has lasted longer than 18-24 months… Have Faith … Turn off the News … get the COLD, HARD FACTS…Get The TRUTH

Click on   Historical Perspective   100 Years    under the Home Page

There is Good News about today’s market that you seldom hear … we have to remind ourselves that the media reports NEGATIVE news, not positive news.  Their key objective is to pull in an audience (and advertisers), not to make you feel good about your world.  They announce the unemployment rate rising despite the fact that millions of people are still working, making money, eating at restaurants and even buying/selling homes.  In fact, while 3% of homes in the U.S. are in foreclosure, 97% are in good standing.  Despite what the nightly news reports, financing is still readily available for qualified buyers. 

Are we really spinning out of control???
The U.S. Gross Domestic Product  is more than the GDP of the three next countries combined–Japan, China & Germany.  Housing affordability is the best its been in 20 years …  there is still time to take advantage of lower home prices and historically low interest rates.  With this built-in discount on prices and interest rates, smart investors can hold on to property to build equity and long-term wealth.

FLASH:  The Consumerism of the 2000’s … These numbers are astounding … so what happened??  We over spent and under saved and over borrowed and over paid…
NOW …  we should under spend and over save and under borrow and under pay.  THE GOVERNMENT STEPS IN AND WANTS US TO SPEND AND SAVE.  This is about the Economy … NOT our lives!

Click on   Historical Perspective   100 Years   under the Home Page

    Sources:    Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, USA Today, TIME Magazine &  Mortgage Bankers Assoc.)