What Really Happened In 2015, And What Is Coming In 2016...

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Michael Snyder via The Economic Collapse blog,

A lot of people were expecting some really big things to happen in 2015, and most of them did not happen.  But what did happen?

It is my contention that a global financial crisis began during the second half of 2015, and it threatens to greatly accelerate as we enter 2016.  During the last six months of the year that just ended, financial markets all over the planet crashed, trillions of dollars of global wealth was wiped out, and some of the largest economies in the world plunged into recession.  Here in the United States, 2015 was the worst year for stocks since 2008, nearly 70 percent of all investors lost money last year, and it is being projected that the final numbers will show that close to 1,000 hedge funds permanently shut down within the last 12 months.  This is what the early stages of a financial crisis look like, and the worst is yet to come.

If we were entering another 2008-style crisis, we would expect to see junk bonds crashing.  When financial trouble starts, it usually doesn’t start with the biggest and strongest companies.  Instead, it usually starts percolating on the periphery.  And right now bonds of firms that are considered to be on the risky side of things are rapidly losing value.

In the chart below, you can see that a high yield bond ETF that I track very closely known as JNK started crashing in the middle of 2008.  This crash began to unfold before the horrific crash of stocks in the fall.  Investors that saw junk bonds crashing in advance and pulled their money out of stocks in time saved an enormous amount of money.

Now, for the very first time since the last financial crisis, we are seeing junk bonds crash again.  In December, there was finally a sustained crash through the psychologically-important 35.00 level, and at this point JNK is sitting a bit below 34.00.  This stunning decline is a giant red flag that tells us that stocks will soon follow in the exact same direction…

JNK

In 2015, Third Avenue Management shocked Wall Street when they froze withdrawals from a 788 million dollar mutual fund that was highly focused on junk bonds.  Investors that couldn’t get their money out began to panic, and other mutual funds now find themselves under siege.  If junk bonds continue to crash, this will just be the beginning of the carnage.

One of the big reasons why junk bonds are crashing is because of the crash in the price of oil.  Over the past 18 months, the price of oil has plummeted from $108 a barrel to $37 a barrel.

There has only been one other time in all of history when we have ever seen an oil price crash of this magnitude. That was in 2008 – just before the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression…

Oil - Federal Reserve

Why can’t people see the parallels?

Crashes are happening all around us, and yet so many of the “experts” seem completely blind to what is going on.

Unlike 2008, the price of oil is not expected to rapidly rebound any time soon.  The following comes from CNN

Crude prices dropped a whopping 35% last year and are hovering around $37 a barrel. That’s a level not seen since the global financial crisis.

 

It won’t get better any time soon. Most oil experts believe prices will bounce back in late 2016, but they expect more pain first.

Goldman Sachs forecasts that oil will average about $38 a barrel in February, even lower than for most of 2015.

Meanwhile, the prices of industrial commodities have been crashing as well.  For example, the chart below shows that the price of copper started crashing hard just before the great financial crisis of 2008, and the exact same thing is happening once again right before our very eyes…

Price Of Copper

Things are unfolding just as we would expect they would during the initial stages of a new global financial crisis.

And we have already seen a full blown stock market crash in many of the largest economies around the planet.  For instance, just look at what has been happening in Brazil.  The Brazilians have the 7th largest economy in the world, and Goldman Sachs says that they have plunged into an “outright depression“.  In the chart below, you can see the sharp downturn that took place in August, and Brazilian stocks actually kept falling all the way through the end of 2015…

Brazil Stock Market

We see a similar thing when we look at our neighbor to the north.  Canada has the 11th largest economy on the entire planet, and I recently wrote a lengthy article about the economic difficulties that the Canadians are now facing.  2015 was a very bad year for Canadian stocks as well, and they just kept falling steadily all the way through December…

Canada Stock Market

Of course nobody can forget what happened to China.  The Chinese have the second largest economy on the globe, and news about their economic slowdown in making headlines almost every single day now.

Last summer, Chinese stocks crashed about 40 percent, and they did manage to bounce back just a bit since then. But they are still down about 30 percent from the peak of the market…

China Stock Market

And there is plenty more that we could talk about.  European stocks just had their second worst December ever, and Japanese stocks are down about 500 points in early trading as I write this article.

Here in the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Dow Transports, the S&P 500 and the Russell 2000 all had their worst years since 2008.  As I mentioned the other day674 hedge funds shut down during the first nine months of 2015, and it is being projected that the final total for the year will be up around 1000.

But we aren’t hearing much about this financial carnage on the news yet, are we?

Many people that I talk to still think that “nothing is happening”, but don’t you dare say that to Warren Buffett.

He lost 7.8 billion dollars in 2015.

How would you feel if you lost 7.8 billion dollars in a single year?

The truth, of course, is that signs of financial chaos are erupting all around us.  Corporate profits are plunging, the bond distress ratio just hit the highest level that we have seen since the last financial crisis, and corporate debt defaults have risen to the highest level that we have seen in about seven years.

If you run a business, you may have noticed that fewer people are coming in and it seems like those that do come in have less money to spend.  Economic activity is slowing down, and inventories are piling up.  In fact, wholesale inventories have now risen to the highest level that we have seen since the last recession…

Inventory To Sales Ratio - Federal Reserve

Do you notice a theme?

So many things that have not happened in six or seven years are now happening again.

History may not repeat, but it sure does rhyme, and it astounds me that more people cannot see that 2015/2016 is looking eerily similar to a replay of 2008/2009.

Another number that I watch closely is the velocity of money.  When an economy is running well, money tends to circulate efficiently through the system.  But when an economy gets into trouble, people get scared and start holding on to their money.  As you can see from the chart below, the velocity of money declined during every single recession since 1960.  This is precisely what one would expect.  And of course during the recession that started in 2008, the velocity of money plunged precipitously.  But then a funny thing happened when that recession supposedly “ended”.  The velocity of money just kept going down, and now it has fallen to an all-time record low…

Velocity Of Money M2

A big reason for this is the ongoing decline of the middle class.  In 2015, we learned that middle class Americans now make up a minority of the population for the first time ever.

But if you go back to 1971, 61 percent of all Americans lived in middle class households.

Meanwhile, the share of the income pie that the middle class takes home has also continued to shrink.

In 1970, the middle class brought home approximately 62 percent of all income. Today, that number has fallen to just 43 percent.

As the middle class is systematically destroyed, the number of Americans living in poverty just continues to grow. And those that often suffer the most are the children.  It may be hard for you to believe, but the number of homeless children in the U.S. has increased by 60 percent over the past six years.

60 percent!

How in the world can anyone dare to claim that “things are getting better”?

Anyone that says that should be ashamed of themselves.

We are in the midst of a long-term economic collapse that is now accelerating once again.

Anyone that tries to tell you that “things are getting better” and that 2016 is going to be a better year than 2015 is simply not being honest with you.

A new global financial crisis erupted during the last six months of 2015, and this new financial crisis is going to intensify throughout the early months of 2016.  Financial institutions will begin falling like dominoes, and this will result in a great credit crunch around the world.  Businesses will fail, unemployment will skyrocket and millions will suddenly be faced with economic despair.

By the time it is all said and done, this new financial crisis will be even worse than what we experienced back in 2008, and the suffering that we will see around the world will be off the charts.

So does that mean that I am down about this year?

Not at all.  In fact, my wife and I are greatly looking forward to 2016.  In the midst of all the chaos and darkness, there will be great opportunities.

What a great shaking comes, people go looking for answers.  And I think that this will be a year when millions of people start to understand that our politicians and the mainstream media are not telling them the truth.

Yes, great challenges are coming.  But now is not a time to dig a hole and try to hide from the world.  Instead, this will be a time for those that have prepared in advance to help others and show them the truth.

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Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:40 | 6995147 _ConanTheLibert...
_ConanTheLibertarian_'s picture

Bring it on! I'm dying for some serious carnage!!

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:56 | 6995226 SelfGov
SelfGov's picture

Serious carnage is on its way.

This always happens after an oil production peak.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:01 | 6995252 sam i am
sam i am's picture

 

Russia Defense Report – Jan. 3, 2016: Tank Fleet Modernization

http://thesaker.is/russia-defense-report-jan-3-2016-tank-fleet-moderniza...

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:19 | 6995351 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

Remember, we used to have a more or less functioning economy till the 'elite experts' got a hold of it and started"improving" it. We're getting to the point of no return, and it's literally going to get bloody........

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:44 | 6995172 bjax
bjax's picture

Anything is better than this!

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:22 | 6995362 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

"Things can't get any worse" or any variation, are challenging Murphy's law and Murphy is a real bastard..... ;-)

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:46 | 6995177 Lumberjack
Lumberjack's picture

They saw hope dwindle with change. Now it's a full court press and but the basket ball ended up in a sand trap and he can't get it out with the wedge.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:52 | 6995189 Scooby Dooby Doo
Scooby Dooby Doo's picture

Please let Scooby get some new Scooby Snacks for 2016. Nothing fish flavor please.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:51 | 6995199 cpnscarlet
cpnscarlet's picture

Had a dream last night - Au at 2006 sometime in March...

If I'm wrong, I'm still doing better than Sinclair.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:51 | 6995200 FreeShitter
FreeShitter's picture

The crash was delayed in 2015, in 2016 let's see how the fucking tribe covers it up.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:51 | 6995202 Collapsed_Elast...
Collapsed_Elastic_Pants's picture

"And I think that this will be a year when millions of people start to understand that our politicians and the mainstream media are not telling them the truth".

 

Don't hold your breath.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:53 | 6995210 MountainsRoam
MountainsRoam's picture

Whats the truth matter when the consequences can't be stopped? Its time to get really hardened in the heart and worry about you and your own, or you will not survive any kind of "event"..

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:04 | 6995268 Armed Resistance
Armed Resistance's picture

Actually, it's the opposite. Open your heart and educate your friends and neighbors. Prep a little extra for the widow down the street. Those that both survive and thrive in the world to come will be leaders of men and women. Not hardened hearts resorting to going it solo. History shows us that it's groups and communities of the like minded that survive!

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:14 | 6995320 MountainsRoam
MountainsRoam's picture

I said you and your own, not going solo.. Reality is if you can't turn your back when the real carnage comes, you will not survive or thrive.. Dead weight is dead weight, and humanity is a crutch in real crisis.. Humans will have to go back to the real animalistic side instincts of evolution to have a chance..

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 12:18 | 6995647 Bemused Observer
Bemused Observer's picture

But that is what the current powers-that-be have been doing...and we didn't like it when they did it, and we wouldn't feel any better about it coming from some other group either.

The fact is, we have to get AWAY from our animalistic selves, and start functioning as an INTELLIGENT species. Together.

NOT as some kind of "communist" collective, but as individuals cooperating willingly for the good of all, not just a few. Any kind of talk like this gets smacked down, because of the poisonous taint of "socialism", but the fact IS that we perform better when we work together. As "rugged individuals" we are just target practice for those who DO work cooperatively.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:24 | 6995379 Pabloallen
Pabloallen's picture

FUCK THOSE PEOPLE. Fucking assholes like your neigbors got us in this mess. ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE Bitchezzzzzzz

 

 

See You on The Battlefield.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:00 | 6995240 Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights's picture

Lmao look at the magicians pound silver lol .24 cents wiped out in seconds

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:17 | 6995332 MountainsRoam
MountainsRoam's picture

Looks like forced liquidations of everything is kicking in.. Don't be shocked if spot price on silver goes to single digits in a market collapse..

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:03 | 6995260 ghostzapper
ghostzapper's picture

2015:

Fed - zero moves and nothing but jawboning.

Other CBs - multiple moves of all sorts.

PBOC/ECB - accepted baton of explicit money printing and eventually helicopters.

Evisceration of USD based carry trades and explicit moves to weaken Yuan.

2016:

Continuation of epic deflationary collapse.  Eventual understanding that Fed funny money will not return until crash reaches certain levels and that the baton has indeed been passed.  "Genius experts" continue to tell you to get long because "everything is fine".

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:04 | 6995264 Wow72
Wow72's picture
Article Title: "What Really Happened In 2015, And What Is Coming In 2016..."

In 2015 Obama printed passports like the FED prints money, In 2016 we have to fight to keep ourselves safe from the immigration influx. 

Nothing like progress! Fucking Douche Bag!

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:05 | 6995276 Jstanley011
Jstanley011's picture

I'm hearing the squeals of a few pigs being slaughtered today as we're breaking the December low on the ES. HAPPY NEW YEAR, DIPPY!

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:11 | 6995303 ghostzapper
ghostzapper's picture

Altered course a bit.  Dumped FAZ at $44.58 as we test this 1990ish.  Yeah, yeah, yeah I'm a pussy but can always cash it and re-enter if any bounce here is limp dicked.  

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:15 | 6995323 opaopaopa
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:21 | 6995361 Pabloallen
Pabloallen's picture

Sounds like we need to give the 1 percent some more money !

 

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:38 | 6995441 smacker
smacker's picture

"There has only been one other time in all of history when we have ever seen an oil price crash of this magnitude. That was in 2008 – just before the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression…"

 

Yeahbut, this time round the oil price is low due to over-production on top of reduced demand. Only reduced demand existed in 2008.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:45 | 6995464 MrNosey
MrNosey's picture

This is just the start of things to come, as we head for WW3 and then a disclosure that will rock the entire planet......

http://beforeitsnews.com/conspiracy-theories/2016/01/top-secret-alien-ph...

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:56 | 6995527 PTR
PTR's picture

If you read the David Wilcox/Corey Goode interviews, listen to anything by Cobra and Michael Sala, there's been talk of disclosure by of SSP's in the works for awhile now.  

If you look around online a bit, a lot of space discoveries of late have been labeled as "soft disclosure" in some circles.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:59 | 6995545 Magooo
Magooo's picture

We are about to return to the stone age.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 13:08 | 6995894 potemcam
potemcam's picture

It is my contention that a global financial crisis began during the second half of 2015, and it threatens to greatly accelerate as we enter 2016

 

 

It's funny, but I'm pretty sure that I read this exact same article at the beginning of 2015, which was almost exactly the same as the one at the beginning of 2014, which was...

It must be easy posting articles on ZH. You just take the same articles posted the year before about how bad the following year is going to be, update the dates, and away you go. And a year later, just ignore the fact that once again you were wrong on just about every prognostication, including the ongoing belief that gold is going to rise and stocks are going to plummet. It's a lead pipe cinch.

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