even though the Member Boards area is now closed, as far as I am concerned the 'state of the economy' wager is still open !
remember ???
At any rate, we are now about 6 months into the wager, with official data for the 1st quarter of 2008 now becoming available. Comparing the end of November to the end of May ...
shadowstats consumer inflation is still down (which is a + for Obama)
shadowstats money supply growth is flat to up (which is a small - for Obama)
shadowstats unemployment rate is up huge (which is a big - for Obama)
shadowstats gross domestic product is down huge (which is a big - for Obama)
shadowstats trade weighted dollar is down huge (which is a big - for Obama)
30 year 'prime' mortgage rate is 5.32% today versus 5.0%
average price of gasoline is $2.65 today versus $1.96
Russell 2000 Index is 528 today versus 443
Comex Corn Futures is 450 today versus 355
NYBOT US Dollar Index is 78.40 today versus 85.49
'average' 1 year CD interest rate is 2.35% today versus 3.36%
no official update available for Big Mac prices
see also previous February update at



Reply With Quote

Bookmarks