Money

Don’t be fooled by Wall St, the U.S. is still heading for recession

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2023

In financial circles, the adage “being early is being wrong” often holds true.

Over the past two years, as pessimistic economists and market analysts sounded recession alarms, it seemed they might have erred on the side of caution.

As early as April 2022, bearish forecasters began warning of a looming recession and an accompanying stock market downturn. For instance, in an October 2022 Reuters poll, 65% of surveyed economists predicted a recession within the following 12 months. The outlook appeared grim, and a downturn seemed imminent.

The good news

Fast-forward to the present, and the US economy continues to bask in the sun.

Unemployment remains below 4%, inflation is on the decline, consumer spending persists, and the S&P 500, after a robust start to the year, cooled off but still displayed significant gains. Additionally, economists surveyed by the Philadelphia Fed predict a 1.6% growth in GDP for the third quarter—hardly indicators of an impending recession.

Optimistic economists, embracing the opportunity to say “I told you so,” now believe that the economy is poised for a soft landing—a scenario where inflation decreases without the need for a recessionary shock to the system. Major financial institutions like Bank of America and JPMorgan have revised their forecasts, suggesting that a recession in 2023 is unlikely, if not altogether avoidable.

However, skeptics warn against prematurely declaring victory. Top Wall Street strategists and economists emphasize that there is substantial evidence pointing toward an impending recession, despite current economic stability.

Michael Kantrowitz, Chief Investment Strategist at Piper Sandler, cautioned, “To say today that we’re going to have a soft landing is so premature. History tells you that you really can’t make that assessment.”

The Role of Interest Rates

The focal point of economic pivoting lies in the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policies. Higher interest rates, affecting mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and other loans, can limit consumers’ purchasing power and hamper businesses’ borrowing capabilities. In theory, these elevated interest rates can lead to reduced demand and inflation control, as companies lower prices to attract cautious consumers. Conversely, lower interest rates can stimulate economic activity by making borrowing more affordable.

Money

U.S. and China approve TikTok sale to American investors

US and China approve TikTok’s sale to Oracle and Silver Lake amid regulatory scrutiny, with ByteDance retaining 20%.

Published

6 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US and China approve TikTok’s sale to Oracle and Silver Lake amid regulatory scrutiny, with ByteDance retaining 20%.

The United States and China have officially approved a deal for TikTok’s US operations to be sold to American investors, led by Oracle and Silver Lake.

This marks a major shift in the social media landscape as the platform navigates increasing regulatory scrutiny.

Under the new agreement, ByteDance will retain just under 20% of TikTok US, while Oracle and Silver Lake will each take 15% stakes. Other investors will also participate, forming a structure designed to satisfy both commercial and regulatory demands.

The new US-based entity will have a majority American board tasked with overseeing data protection and content moderation. Despite these safeguards, concerns remain about ByteDance’s influence and whether the deal fully complies with recent legislation.

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#TikTokSale #USChinaDeal #Oracle #SilverLake #ByteDance #TechNews #SocialMedia #DataProtection

Money

Markets tumble as Trump tariffs, Greenland rhetoric and Europe backlash collide

U.S. stocks plummet over 800 points amid renewed tariff threats and political tensions from Trump, sparking global trade concerns.

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. stocks plummet over 800 points amid renewed tariff threats and political tensions from Trump, sparking global trade concerns.

U.S. equities took a sharp hit as markets reacted to renewed tariff threats and heightened political rhetoric from President Donald Trump. The Dow plunged more than 800 points, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also sliding as investor nerves rattled risk assets.

The sell-off highlights growing concern around global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, with markets struggling to price in what comes next for U.S. economic leadership and policy direction.

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#USMarkets #WallStreet #TrumpTariffs #GlobalMarkets #USDebt #Europe #Davos #Ticker

Money

Gold hits record highs as investors flee risk

Gold surges amid global uncertainty, with February futures rising 1.71% to $4,674.20 per ounce, signaling safe-haven demand.

Published

3 days ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Gold surges amid global uncertainty, with February futures rising 1.71% to $4,674.20 per ounce, signaling safe-haven demand.

Gold is shining brighter than ever as investors flock to safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty. U.S. gold futures for February delivery jumped 1.71% to $4,674.20 per ounce, while spot gold rose 1.6% to $4,668.14.

The surge comes as geopolitical tensions continue to worry traders, prompting a rush into metals perceived as stable and secure. Analysts say gold is proving its status as the ultimate hedge during turbulent times.

Investors are closely watching markets as gold sets new benchmarks, signalling growing caution across the financial landscape.

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