The markets will fluctuate said J.P. Morgan.  We will add they can fluctuate dramatically and quickly. We are now living that reality daily.

The longest bull market in U.S. history, which began in March of 2009 saw stocks reach new highs in February only to plummet this month at historic speeds and magnitudes. The bull market officially ended on March 11th and the bear market began with a 20% plus decline in major markets from their previous highs. Since then the bear market has been deepening.

The longest economic recovery in U.S. history is also at risk.  What seemed highly unlikely to most economists just a few weeks ago, namely a U.S. recession is now becoming a consensus view.  All it would take is two consecutive quarters of contracting growth and it looks like the second and third quarters of 2020 will qualify.

Wall Street’s number one economist and WEALTHTRACK guest Ed Hyman issued his U.S. recession forecast on March 7th citing the triple whammies of oil price collapse, coronavirus economic impacts, and China-related supply chain disruptions.

Meanwhile, the bond markets are setting their own records. Yields on U.S. Treasury securities the 10-year Treasury note and the 30-year Treasury bond have both been reaching historic lows. When bond prices rise yields fall so Treasuries have once again proven to be safe havens as well as excellent investments in the face of stock market declines.

None of this is a surprise to this week’s guest who has been warning of economic and stock market risks for years on WEALTHTRACK and the value of owning U.S. Treasury securities and cash.

He is Robert Kessler, founder, and CEO of Kessler Investment Advisors, a manager of fixed-income portfolios with a specialty in U.S. Treasuries for institutions and high net worth individuals around the globe.

When Kessler was on WEALTHTRACK a year ago he warned there was a recession dead ahead. He said it’s all about debt.

WEALTHTRACK # 1638 broadcast on March 20, 2020