Economics and Investing:

Watch the US Dollar Index. As I’ve mentioned before, 72 is he threshold to watch for. Below that, there could be huge currency trading turmoil, and formal devaluations.

Reader Richard H. sent us this ominous article: Financial stability set back by debt woes: IMF. Here is a quote: “However, the fund said banks had made less progress in dealing with near-term funding pressures — nearly $4 trillion of bank debt needs to be refinanced in the next 24 months. ‘Overall, bank balance sheets need to be further bolstered to ensure financial stability against funding shocks and to prevent adverse feedback loops with the real economy,’ the IMF said.”

Middle Class Slams Brakes on Spending

Stimulus Check Winners: Prisoners, Dead People

Tangibles, tangibles, tangibles: The Most Profitable Industries for the Next Three Years

Items from The Economatrix:

Housing Slump Hammers Local Government Tax Revenues

Norcini, Sinclair: Financial Hurricane To Collapse The System

US Loan Delinquencies Rise For First Time in a Year, ABA Says

Yellow Hoard (The Mogambo Guru)