Crash of 2015

I've mentioned this last year, (don't know how many of you here have 401k's), but the market is predicted to crash hard in March. It's suppose to make the 1929 & 2008 stock market crash look like a walk in the park.

Anyone else following this and the experts who are predicting it?

Warren Buffett Predicting Upcoming Stock Market Crash
By John Whitefoot ?? Thursday, January 1, 2015

Stock Market Lurching Toward Crash as Economic Outlook Weakens
Despite the stock market's record run and Washington??s assurances that the economy is getting better, some of America??s wealthiest billionaires aren't convinced. In fact, their recent actions suggest some sort of market crash is on its way. Do they know something you don't? Not really. The data is out there for everyone to see. Unfortunately, Wall Street is too busy ignoring the warning signs.

The stock market is supposed to be a reflection of the economy, but right now, it isn't. That's because most Americans aren't even aware we??re in the midst of a recovery.

Not unlike the stock market, the U.S. economy looks good on paper. The U.S. unemployment rate is under six percent, interest rates are low, and the economy is picking up steam.(4)

Dig a little deeper, though, and you??ll discover that the underemployment rate is still at an unacceptable 12% , wages are stagnant, personal debt levels are high, and 15% of Americans are on food stamps. Plus, most Americans (76% ) are still living paycheck to paycheck.(5)

For the world??s biggest economy, these are not the makings of an economic recovery. Nor are they the foundation for sustainable economic growth, especially when you consider the fact that the U.S. gets more than 70% of its gross domestic product (GDP) from consumer spending. This might explain why some of the country??s wealthiest investors are dumping certain U.S. stocks.

It's quite possible that Warren Buffett, John Paulson, and George Soros also think U.S. stocks are in a bubble. And why not? Stocks have a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.67. Over the last 10 years, that average has been 15. Stocks are currently priced 71% higher than their 10-year average.

If the economy and strong corporate earnings and revenues haven't been driving the stock market higher, then what is? The stock market has been doing well because it's the only avenue investors can turn to.

There always have been, and there always will be significant ups and downs in the stock markets. That is why you have to take a long term view. That is where the money is going to be made, not under your mattress.

The markets are well due for a "correction." A full blown crash is very unlikely. Such things as the very low cost of oil will soften that correction, besides. Yes we do continue to have some underlying problems, but they are being overblown for various political reasons. Lots and lots of people just can't stand to see Obama succeed, and so they go way far out of their way to find the bad. Despite what the Right Wing may say, the world will not come crashing down around our ears in March.

I find the comment about corporate lawyers quite interesting. Corporations are currently being allowed to make the rules. If you want to make money you have to play by those rules. If you really can't stomach the hypocrisy, fine, just be prepared to pay the financial costs associated.

^^^corporate layer

Being in Texas, I'm very in tune with what is going on in the oil field. The cheaper gas and drop of the price of oil will have a very significant impact on our economy in the long term. People right now are excited about gas being cheap, but they aren't realizing that oil companys are slowing down production and oil field workers are losing their jobs. Which leads to those companies who service the oil field, will begin losing their jobs. People who service those companies will see a slow down as well. (Hotels, products used in the field, restaurants and other businesses in oil towns, rental property close to oil towns, companys that do quality/safety assessments, and so on).

Anyway, the prediction right now is there will be a shortage of oil by this time next year. Which could lead to even more expensive prices for gas than we saw previously.

And grocery prices that went up during the higher gas price (because of the increase in the shipping costs)...well, they're still up and food prices are predicted to continue to increase (now supposedly due to a drought). So, basically, food costs are increasing.

So, yes, I can see the trend to a future crash.

Here's one article for reference and there are many more just like it.
http://brainz.org/news/oil-shortage-predicted-2015-us-researchers/2343/

And I just heard that US Steel just laid off around 700 people.

That's pretty telling, too.

Lol!!

We do know the next president will get the blame for anything negative that comes out of all of this.

Posted by e11e
The oil crisis will all be taken care of when Jeb Bush gets in office, don't worry.

*sarcasm*

The industry can't wait that long...

(and I know you were joking).

only a few states are affected by the drop in oil prices( like texas & north dakota) but the majority of us are benfitting from this

places like Russia & Venezuela are the countries thats hurting the most from this..

When there's enough vodka for everyone!

Posted by DAMEN VI
only a few states are affected by the drop in oil prices( like texas & north dakota) but the majority of us are benfitting from this

places like Russia & Venezuela are the countries thats hurting the most from this..

You're kidding yourself. It will affect you. If not now, then in the future.

It's just not fuel. There are many products made by oil that you use on a daily basis. When the supply of crude oil is diminished, don't think these products are going to be produced as easily. An oil shortage affects not only the production of these products, but will affect the industries that make them, including the workers who produce them. And these factories are all over the country. This is just not a Texas or North Dakota problem, it's your problem, too.

And this is just the short list.
Solvents
Diesel fuel
Motor Oil
Bearing Grease

Ink
Floor Wax
Ballpoint Pens
Football Cleats

Upholstery
Sweaters
Boats
Insecticides

Bicycle Tires
Sports Car Bodies
Nail Polish
Fishing lures

Dresses
Tires
Golf Bags
Perfumes

Cassettes
Dishwasher parts
Tool Boxes
Shoe Polish

Motorcycle Helmet
Caulking
Petroleum Jelly
Transparent Tape

CD Player
Faucet Washers
Antiseptics
Clothesline

Curtains
Food Preservatives
Basketballs
Soap

Vitamin Capsules
Antihistamines
Purses
Shoes

Dashboards
Cortisone
Deodorant
Footballs

Putty
Dyes
Panty Hose
Refrigerant

Percolators
Life Jackets
Rubbing Alcohol
Linings

Skis
TV Cabinets
Shag Rugs
Electrician's Tape

Tool Racks
Car Battery Cases
Epoxy
Paint

Mops
Slacks
Insect Repellent
Oil Filters

Umbrellas
Yarn
Fertilizers
Hair Coloring

Roofing
Toilet Seats
Fishing Rods
Lipstick

Denture Adhesive
Linoleum
Ice Cube Trays
Synthetic Rubber

Speakers
Plastic Wood
Electric Blankets
Glycerin

Tennis Rackets
Rubber Cement
Fishing Boots
Dice

Nylon Rope
Candles
Trash Bags
House Paint

Water Pipes
Hand Lotion
Roller Skates
Surf Boards

Shampoo
Wheels
Paint Rollers
Shower Curtains

Guitar Strings
Luggage
Aspirin
Safety Glasses

Antifreeze
Football Helmets
Awnings
Eyeglasses

Clothes
Toothbrushes
Ice Chests
Footballs

Combs
CD's & DVD's
Paint Brushes
Detergents

Vaporizers
Balloons
Sun Glasses
Tents

Heart Valves
Crayons
Parachutes
Telephones

Enamel
Pillows
Dishes
Cameras

Anesthetics
Artificial Turf
Artificial limbs
Bandages

Dentures
Model Cars
Folding Doors
Hair Curlers

Cold cream
Movie film
Soft Contact l

Soft Contact lenses
Drinking Cups

Fan Belts
Car Enamel
Shaving Cream
Ammonia

Refrigerators
Golf Balls
Toothpaste
Gasoline


Americans consume petroleum products at a rate of three-and-a-half gallons of oil and more than
250 cubic feet of natural gas per day each! But, as shown here petroleum is not just used for fuel.

Posted by e11e
Personally, I prefer the lower gas prices for everyone. It helps the economy more than the stock market. It's *real* money (and more of it) for absolutely everyone (who drives).

SMH. Try getting up and down the road without tires or asphalt.

Posted by e11e
I don't believe we will have a shortage of crude oil.

It's a shell game for all the big businesses to make us believe that.

Go back to your sheltered life.

I remember the shortage in the 1970's. People sitting in line for three hours for a ten gallon of gas limit.

LIB, I wasn't trying to derail your thread. I just think what is going on in the oil industry affects our economy and the stock market. I think it's all related.

I'm telling you that oil companys are taking rigs out of the oil patch and stacking them in the company yard, where they sit there collecting rust. They are not producing as much oil, they are cutting back on production. Right now we have a surplus, but in one year, we will not.

9/11 was more about panic rather than supply. In the 70s, it was about supply. OPEC did then what they are doing now.

And all those things I listed, will be less produced and more expensive if there is a shortage of oil. I hope I'm wrong. I truly do. But I can see if what is predicted happens, inflation will increase. When inflation increases, it leads to a crash.

Sure many will lose jobs, amd many things will change, but it's time for these changes, and oil is a terrible resource to use, and a primitive resource.

Unlike past generations, it is time to take one for the team, and instead of "won't happen in my life time" We need to suffer for future generations, and make sure we leave this place for the greater good of the future.

Posted by truecap

Posted by DAMEN VI
only a few states are affected by the drop in oil prices( like texas & north dakota) but the majority of us are benfitting from this

places like Russia & Venezuela are the countries thats hurting the most from this..

You're kidding yourself. It will affect you. If not now, then in the future.

click to expand

So what am i suppose to do? Not take advantage of these insanely low gas prices? Pffft, my car only takes premium fuel at that

Maybe it's time I sell my American dollars...

Posted by e11e

Posted by truecap
I'm telling you that oil companys are taking rigs out of the oil patch and stacking them in the company yard, where they sit there collecting rust. They are not producing as much oil, they are cutting back on production. Right now we have a surplus, but in one year, we will not.

9/11 was more about panic rather than supply. In the 70s, it was about supply. OPEC did then what they are doing now.

And all those things I listed, will be less produced and more expensive if there is a shortage of oil. I hope I'm wrong. I truly do. But I can see if what is predicted happens, inflation will increase. When inflation increases, it leads to a crash.

but the reason they are parking these rigs is because the Saudi's are playing the shell game and playing it well. They are saturating the market to the point we can't compete in their market....it has nothing to do with a 'real' surplus. Our wages are too high for us to compete at under $ 50 a gallon.....that is why they are pulling back.

when you can't make money at manufacturing because someone else can do it cheaper....we all see what happened happened with China. This time...we tried to play in a game that made zero sense for us to play and we will most definitely feel the effects of that. There is some huge karma coming down the pipeline (no pun intended) for what we did in Irag and Afghanistan to play with the 'big boys'.

click to expand

Yes, the Saudi's are playing a game, but you still don't get it. It's not about the other industries manufacturing cheaper, it's about a shortage of the products need to manufacture with.
With decreased production, there will be less supply. Not now, in a year. It is worth noting the long term effects. So many people have their heads in the sand.

And yes, the Saudi's are doing this on purpose trying to crush their competitors. Do we really want and need the Saudi's calling the shots? This was a decision made without the US. It was done to us, it's not that we chose to play the game.

Posted by e11e
either way...I'm prepared this time.

no credit card debt.
my vehicle is just about paid off.
my mortgage rate was refinanced at the prime time to get the best fixed rate.
my money is NOT sitting in my 401K.
....and I'm not living paycheck to paycheck.

We cannot endure what happened in 2008/2009 and NOT learn from it...and if you didn't....well, tough break for you. (not you personally, but anyone who's pissed the last six years away whining about the government and not making provisions if it happens again)

Exactly!!!! If all American's would do this, we would be much more prepared as a country.

Posted by DAMEN VI

Posted by truecap

Posted by DAMEN VI
only a few states are affected by the drop in oil prices( like texas & north dakota) but the majority of us are benfitting from this

places like Russia & Venezuela are the countries thats hurting the most from this..

You're kidding yourself. It will affect you. If not now, then in the future.

So what am i suppose to do? Not take advantage of these insanely low gas prices? Pffft, my car only takes premium fuel at that

click to expand

Just get prepared, get your debts paid off, etc.

Posted by e11e

Posted by aquapiscescusp
Maybe it's time I sell my American dollars...

I have monopoly money to sell 😛

click to expand

Lol!!!

Oh just for fun, OPEC is the ones who set the price per barrel price. The US is not a member.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded in Baghdad, Iraq, with the signing of an agreement in September 1960 by five countries namely Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. They were to become the Founder Members of the Organization.

These countries were later joined by Qatar (1961), Indonesia (1962), Libya (1962), the United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969), Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gabon (1975) and Angola (2007).

From December 1992 until October 2007, Ecuador suspended its membership. Gabon terminated its membership in 1995. Indonesia suspended its membership effective January 2009.

Currently, the Organization has a total of 12 Member Countries.

The OPEC Statute distinguishes between the Founder Members and Full Members - those countries whose applications for membership have been accepted by the Conference.

The Statute stipulates that —any country with a substantial net export of crude petroleum, which has fundamentally similar interests to those of Member Countries, may become a Full Member of the Organization, if accepted by a majority of three-fourths of Full Members, including the concurring votes of all Founder Members.??

The Statute further provides for Associate Members which are those countries that do not qualify for full membership, but are nevertheless admitted under such special conditions as may be prescribed by the Conference.

The big picture of what's really going on is so well thought out and refined it's hard to figure out why others can't see it.

It's ok though, I forgive you lol.

Maybe in time the world will see.

This is all coming from people living paycheck to paycheck (76% of you) pretending to know something about the market.

The whole world is trunked, the powers to be playing with the petro dollar, the USA exported all its jobs overseas, China is in trouble, I watched a documentary about China building cities with nobody living in them.

In Canada we are repeating the same mistake the USA made trying to make an industry out of selling real estate to people, getting deep into debt.

Posted by Stihl46
The whole world is trunked, the powers to be playing with the petro dollar, the USA exported all its jobs overseas, China is in trouble, I watched a documentary about China building cities with nobody living in them.

In Canada we are repeating the same mistake the USA made trying to make an industry out of selling real estate to people, getting deep into debt.

That could never happen in Canada, we have stricter rules regarding real estate.

Posted by truecap
LIB, I wasn't trying to derail your thread. I just think what is going on in the oil industry affects our economy and the stock market. I think it's all related.

Not at all...in fact everything you've listed is a factor.

First of all...I don't give a rats ass WHO says or believes gas/oil sky rocketed because of shortages, wars, too many farts in europe etc...that's just bullshit. That^^ is the cream of the crop where ALL corporations/politicians line their pockets. Last winter they raped the entire Northeast with a supposed "propane" shortage. They saw this coming. All of a sudden we have record breaking gas prices that have dropped beginning the end of 2014. Why? Because people were gassing up to get to work and saving that gas (well most people who are budget minded) for work. That has caused a huge drop in buying retail, or buying ANYTHING... They figure, give us a break on the gas so we get out and about and SPEND in areas that are tanking. Some are..

Here is the top nine list for 2015 of stores closing (corporate big wigs selling off)

These are some retailers (top 9) that are currently closing 2015.

1. Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch first announced its plans to close 180 stores by 2015 more than two years ago. In its most recent quarterly report, the company said it had closed 10 stores by November of last year and would close another 40 stores by the end of its fiscal year. This total does not include the 20 stand-alone Gilly Hicks brand stores, which the company also plans to shutter this year. Abercrombie & Fitch's stock has struggled, posting one of the largest declines in the S&P 500 during 2013. To improve performance, the retailer is planning to shift marketing for its Abercrombie & Fitch to older shoppers while transforming its Hollister stores to a fast-fashion approach in line with H&M and Zara. A succession plan for CEO Mike Jeffries is also in the works. Last year, shareholders from Engaged Capital publicly campaigned for Jefferies' dismissal, citing the retailer's failure to adapt to fast-fashion, and Jeffries' statements about excluding customers that he thought were too heavy for the brand.

2. Barnes & Noble

Early last year, Barnes & Noble announced plans to shut a third of its stores over the next 10 years. As of this January, the company had already closed some 14 retail locations, dropping its store count to 663 from the 677 it had when the announcement was first made. Particularly painful for many book-lovers, the retailer chose to close its one-time flagship store in New York City this January. While cost-cutting has helped the company post profits, by some measures the company's prognosis remains bleak. Book retail has increasingly shifted to online and e-books, dominated by Amazon.com. But while Amazon.com has noted strong sales of its Kindle e-reader, Barnes & Noble's own e-reader, the Nook, has struggled. Revenue of the bookstore's Nook division, which include hardware and digital sales, fell by more than 50% year-over-year, and the segment remains unprofitable.

3. Aeropostale

Aeropostale is the in the midst of closing 40 to 50 stores in 2014, and plans to shutter some 175 stores in total over the next few years. The teen clothing retailer's net income dropped to $ 34.92 million in 2013 from $ 229.5 million in 2010, and its EBITDA fell to $ 157.89 million last year from $ 435.45 million in 2010. Pressure from competitors such as Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch, as well as declining mall sales, has driven the company's share price from $ 32.08 in 2010 to $ 7 as of March 2014. Private equity firm Hirzel acquired 6% of Aeropostale in November 2013. Currently, the company is rumored to be in talks with Barclays Plc. because it is seeking either additional financing or to be acquired. Aeropostale's fast-fashion shipment model, which it took up last year, has largely been unsuccessful.

4. J.C. Penney (the number has already risen to 39 from 33 below)

After J.C. Penney's sales began to steadily decline, the company tasked Ron Johnson, formerly retail head at Apple, with reinventing the retailer's pricing strategy, only to see sales, earnings, and cash flow fall off a cliff. After years of avoiding closing stores, the company has recently said it would be shuttering several locations. At the start of 2014, J.C. Penney announced 33 store closings, to be completed by May, leading to the loss of about 2,000 jobs. Some investors and pundits believe the company has not been aggressive enough in cutting stores. As of November, the company had 1,095 department stores, down only slightly from past years. Not all news has been bad for the retailer, which reported surprisingly strong earnings in February. Additionally, Standard & Poor's recently upgraded the retailer's credit outlook, although it noted changes will still be necessary to improve its credit long-term.

5. Office Depot

Office Depot merged with rival OfficeMax in November. Since the merger, the company has been cutting jobs at its Boca Raton, Fla., headquarters. The next stage in integrating the two retailers, the company has stated, will be to cut store count. CEO Roland Smith admitted the company's merger was difficult for many workers, telling the Orlando Sun-Sentinel that "it is difficult to focus on business when your personal future is uncertain." The company had 1,912 retail stores at the end of its latest fiscal year, including 823 OfficeMax stores. Since the merger, the company has closed 15 of its Office Depot stores and seven OfficeMax locations.

6. RadioShack

During the Super Bowl, RadioShack attempted to poke fun at itself, running an ad touting its store remodelling that playfully referenced the store's reputation as a throwback to the 1980s. But a reinvention alone may not save the electronics retailer — its previous attempt at rebranding itself as "The Shack" never caught on. The retailer recently announced it would close 1,100 out of its more-than 5,000 stores. The company has deemed these closings as critical to its cash-management and turnaround plans, which it hopes would help reverse recent poor results. Both the company's top and bottom lines have declined considerably in recent years, and its operating cash flow is also down from years past. The fourth quarter of last year, which coincides with the holiday season, was especially troubling. Sales declined 19% at stores open at least a year because of lower foot traffic and weak performance in mobile sales.

7. Sears Holdings

Sears has been heading downhill since 2005, when Wall Street billionaire Edward Lampert merged Sears Roebuck & Co. with Kmart in a deal worth $ 11 billion. Since 2010, the company has closed roughly 300 stores. One of the few surges in the company's share price came at the end of January, after it announced the closing of its flagship store in Chicago in April. Shedding its assets has been a major part of the company's business for years. The company has not only dumped stores, but entire businesses, including Orchard Supplies Hardware Stores, Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores, Lands End, and a part of its stake in Sears Canada. Cowen analyst John Kernan recently noted that he expected Sears Holdings to close an additional 500 stores going-forward.

8. Staples

Staples recently announced plans to close 225 stores, or roughly 12% of its total count, by the end of 2015. The closures reflect both the company's struggling sales totals, as well as its shift away from brick-and-mortar business to online retail. In its recent earnings release, the company said almost half of its sales come from online orders, and store closures reflect an opportunity to save money while improving the company's bottom line. This is not the first time headwinds have lead the company to close stores. In 2012, Staples shut 60 stores, mostly in Europe, as part of its plans to cut costs. The company referred to its shift to online sales.

9. Toys "R" Us

A Toys "R" Us was taken private by a consortium of companies in 2005. Nearly a decade later, disagreements among the company's ownership and a high debt burden have weighed down the retailer. In all, Toys "R" Us spent nearly three years trying to time an IPO, before backtracking last May. In early March of this year, industry sources told The Record's NorthJersey.com that the company would soon close some 100 stores. Whether or not the company decides to close stores, major changes may be needed. Real estate giant Vornado, one of the three co-owners of Toys "R" Us, recently announced a more than $ 240 million writedown on its investment in the company. Among the reasons it gave were the company's 2013 holiday sales results, "and our inability to forecast a recovery in the near term." Toys "R" Us has struggled to keep up with online competition as well. A December report from Bloomberg indicated it was easier to find the holidays' hottest toys on Amazon.com than through Toys "R" Us' website.

Now some of these retailers I could care less about. JC Penney happens to be my fav. home store for linens, curtains etc...In an another article I read about JC, is Pennsylvania has the largest amount closing.

When you start to see Target, K-mart, and heaven forbid Walmart closing down...that would be significant. But...look at the top 9 and how many people will be losing jobs... extremely sad and scary. That's just RETAIL.

The article doesn't mention for #4 about what was involved in that changing of pricing strategy. Penney's attempted to shift their image onto a boutique-like store, where their bread and butter was more "family friendly". The demgraphic they were targeting by this shift-they were hoping to tap into all that disposable income, and subsequently lost what used to be their core demographic.
They tried to backtrack, but I think it might be too late.

Kmart should have disappeared some time ago, IMHO.

Barnes and Noble, as far as most of the brick and mortar locations, will probably go the way of Borders.

Sears used to be the place to go especially in terms of tools/appliances. The sales staff used to know their stuff but that has changed. But the retail overhead is crazy when places like Lowe's, Home Depot, and *cough* Best Buy (know nothing vulture like sales staff) entered the market.

Posted by LetltB

But...look at the top 9 and how many people will be losing jobs... extremely sad and scary. That's just RETAIL.

Add to that the 700 recently laid off from US Steel and about 140,000 oil field workers and there are probably even more industries I don't know about. Lay offs tank the economy because those families aren't going to be spending. They aren't buying clothes or toys (oil field guys are young and buy lots of toys - trucks and boats and 4-wheelers, etc) or anything else. They are going to be struggling to buy food and utilities.

It IS very scary.

Kmart bought Sears with the help of hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert.
Sears was struggling (but Kmart was sucking wind IMHO). The "idea" was that acquiring Sears would help raise Kmart's image.
I think it worked the other way around (lowering Sears image), although Sears was already having problems via changeover in the style of their sales force and even sacrificing product quality. The way consumers shopped was also changing , including the online shopping mentioned earlier in this thread.

Personally, I think Lamperts intention under Sears Holding was to sell off real estate assets for a profit.

Posted by e11e
don't you see a trend in the store closings you listed?

1 and 7....high end clothing lines. Priorities have changed a bit and it is becoming more common place to by online or at factory outlets. Personally, I've never set foot in 1 or 7....if you find me at the mall, which is rare....I don't even bother. Plus these stores cater to affluent teenagers...and their tastes are changing rapidly.

2...is a given. With as well as Amazon is doing, Barnes and Nobles is being overlooked because they are not keeping up with the online crowd, the technology nor the customer service that Amazon can offer.

4 and 7....also not keeping up well. With online sales and niche home good stores that offer products for half the price....the only people I know that shop at Sears and Penney's is my mother.

5, 6 and 8....too expensive when you can get all these supplies online and quickly...most even with free shipping. Radio Shack is the worst, tbh, everything is 30-40% more than online and their stores have been reduced to the size of a store room closet.

9....online again. Better alternative....and perhaps Americans aren't spoiling their children as much as in the past? I remember being in Toys R Us as a child as a treat after eating dinner out when I was a kid. However, children are changing and so are their 'toys'. Barbie and Big Wheel are being replaced with Tablets and Kindle Fire.

These companies, specifically, are a sign of the times and their inability to keep up.

Regardless whether it's the company's fault or not, that is going to be thousands of people without jobs. No jobs = no spending. No spending = more businesses losing customers = more businesses closing. More families struggling.

Posted by truecap

Posted by e11e
don't you see a trend in the store closings you listed?

1 and 7....high end clothing lines. Priorities have changed a bit and it is becoming more common place to by online or at factory outlets. Personally, I've never set foot in 1 or 7....if you find me at the mall, which is rare....I don't even bother. Plus these stores cater to affluent teenagers...and their tastes are changing rapidly.

2...is a given. With as well as Amazon is doing, Barnes and Nobles is being overlooked because they are not keeping up with the online crowd, the technology nor the customer service that Amazon can offer.

4 and 7....also not keeping up well. With online sales and niche home good stores that offer products for half the price....the only people I know that shop at Sears and Penney's is my mother.

5, 6 and 8....too expensive when you can get all these supplies online and quickly...most even with free shipping. Radio Shack is the worst, tbh, everything is 30-40% more than online and their stores have been reduced to the size of a store room closet.

9....online again. Better alternative....and perhaps Americans aren't spoiling their children as much as in the past? I remember being in Toys R Us as a child as a treat after eating dinner out when I was a kid. However, children are changing and so are their 'toys'. Barbie and Big Wheel are being replaced with Tablets and Kindle Fire.

These companies, specifically, are a sign of the times and their inability to keep up.

Regardless whether it's the company's fault or not, that is going to be thousands of people without jobs. No jobs = no spending. No spending = more businesses losing customers = more businesses closing. More families struggling.

click to expand

exactly the point..

april fools

did it crash yet

well did it?

Posted by HouseCleaning
well did it?

smh...


which brings me to my next topic

still waiting on that crash

It didn't happen.

Unless you are retiring soon, you shouldn't worry about the short term impact. People who took money out after the 2008 crash lost money from the bull market shortly after. If you are retiring,then you shouldn't even have your money in an aggressive portfolio.

Posted by truecap

Posted by LetltB

But...look at the top 9 and how many people will be losing jobs... extremely sad and scary. That's just RETAIL.

Add to that the 700 recently laid off from US Steel and about 140,000 oil field workers and there are probably even more industries I don't know about. Lay offs tank the economy because those families aren't going to be spending. They aren't buying clothes or toys (oil field guys are young and buy lots of toys - trucks and boats and 4-wheelers, etc) or anything else. They are going to be struggling to buy food and utilities.

It IS very scary.

click to expand

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/business/energy-environment/low-oil-prices-pose-threat-to-texas-fracking-bonanza.html?action=click&contentCollection=Energy% 20% 26% 20Environment% 20®ion=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&moduleDetail=undefined&pgtype=Multimedia

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/business/energy-environment/oil-prices.html


"At the end of WWI, our currency shifted from the "gold standard" over to what is now called the petro-dollar, or the oil dollar. So as the price of oil rises, our dollar value drops.

For decades, OPEC's currency for all exported oil was the good old greenback. And today, 50% of the strength of the United States currency is dependent on cheap, plentiful oil. While the Euro gains in price, and the dollar drops fears have begun to develop that OPEC could successfully shift its standard currency from the U.S. dollar to the Euro, as Iraq and Iran have tried to do.

The value of the dollar would plummet by roughly 50% and we would find ourselves in an economic state far worse than the Great Depression. The terrifying part is, without our military presence in the Middle East, it would probably happen."

http://www.enopetroleum.com/usoildollar.html


I'll just say this: The fact that the US is no longer the major manufacturing nation it once was, prior to 1960, with increasingly sharper declines, in all sectors, including the factory service sectors, throughout the 1970s thru 90s, and the workforce shifting from production to service oriented occupations and professions, along with manufactory occupations training, there IS a threat to national security, in the sense that the US is not only on the verge of a major economic collapse, but the promise of economic recovery is also at high risk.

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Posted by capricornmoon

Posted by HouseCleaning
well did it?

i

It did,

Probably. WALMART didn't close down approximately 400 stores nation wide for nothing. There's something they're not telling us.

click to expand

thats your indicator?