Why a Global Recession Is Closer Than You Think

Today’s economic news should bring a smile to any investor’s face, but the threat of a global recession looms ever closer.

Unemployment is near record lows, and among post-9/11 veterans, it is the lowest it’s ever been. The jobs report last week shattered expectations, GDP is growing, wages are up, and manufacturing is coming back into this country. After a sharp decline to end 2018, the stock market came roaring back, powered by these excellent economic numbers.

But conditions are not so rosy in the rest of the world. Global growth is faltering, and it could be just a matter of time before the world’s economy grinds to a halt.

And a global economic slowdown could sink the American economy with it…

There Are Recession Triggers Everywhere

We’re keeping our eyes on two problems that threaten global growth.

First, China’s economic growth last year was the slowest it’s been in 28 years. The second largest economy in the world is no longer performing as the envy of the financial world.

There were signs last year that this was coming, long before the specter of a trade war with the United States reared its head and tariff battles began. European exports to China were down sharply in 2017. And Chinese year-over-year import comparisons from all over dropped sharply throughout the year and into negative territory.

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The Wall Street Journal reported that Beijing is struggling with domestic economic weaknesses, which includes ballooning debt, overinvestment, and constraints on private businesses. The combination knocked down growth to its slowest rate in three decades.

The real problem is that China’s weakness is already creeping into American firms. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA), and a slew of other firms are already pointing the finger at China to explain slowing revenue and weaker guidance.

Unlike the Chinese stock market, which was one of the world’s worst performers in 2018, the effects of China’s economic slowdown have spread into the real economy. Its impact on the rest of the world will be much greater.

recessionSecond, Germany reported negative GDP growth last quarter.

That might seem like a minor problem, but Germany is the economic engine of Europe. That’s especially true as Brexit nears and threatens to destabilize the region and further hurt the already weak UK economy.

Italy is mired in a debt crisis with no end in sight, so it will not be able to handle an overall German-led European slump. France’s growth is anemic, and people are protesting in the streets. Since the European Union is the United States’ largest trading partner - even bigger than China - a downturn there could be even worse than China’s slowdown for the domestic economy.

And these triggers couldn’t be coming at a worse time.

While the U.S. economic numbers have looked great, there are signs they are peaking. The economy roared to life after the 2008 financial crisis, launching the stock market into the longest bull market every recorded. But as every investor knows, bull markets don’t last forever.

The American economy could start sliding down the mountain in a hurry if the rest of the world slows down too. In fact, economists at Cornell University believe the steady growth we’ve seen over the past decade will soon come to an end, likely by the end of the year. They see a gradual decline in reaction to the Federal Reserve raising interest rates and, in turn, interest-sensitive sectors cooling off.

Basically, we are nearing the peak of the business cycle. It’s nothing sinister, but rather a natural ebb in the flow of economic performance.

That’s why it’s important for investors to be aware of what’s going on and have a plan to protect their money…

It’s Time to Play Some Defense

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Since leading economic indicators are still holding up nicely, there is not much urgency to rapidly change your investment stance. But the inevitable is coming, and it pays to think about how to protect your money during a crisis. The good thing is that we can do it methodically without panicking.

Remember, when the rest of the market decides it is time to make defensive moves, it may be too late. It is critical to be ahead of the curve and not wait until the last second. Remember, astronauts prepare for emergencies long before they happen. So, too, should investors.

The question is what to do. The answer is not a secret. The tried and true method is to move a portion of your money out of higher risk assets, such as tech and cyclical stocks, and into more defensive or conservative areas as defensive consumer staples stocks and gold.

That does not mean selling everything and buying non-perishable foodstuffs and a bunker. Rather, it means shifting your total portfolio allocation to weight defensive areas more heavily than before. Perhaps you take some profits off the table and put the money in quality gold mining stocks.

Or even gold itself. The precious metal is a useful hedge against a volatile market. Historically speaking, gold held its value during the 2008 financial crisis. The Dow slipped 49% throughout the crisis, and gold went up 5% over this same period. Money Morning Chief Investment Strategist Keith Fitz-Gerald recommends dedicating as much as 5% of your total portfolio to this type of investment.

Quality blue-chip stocks that pay beefy dividends are another possibility. They tend to hold up better in a weak market; plus you get paid a nice income to wait it out.

Another option is cash. Raise your allocation to short-term fixed-income investments such as money market funds, Treasury bills, and short-term high-grade corporate bonds.

And if you want even more specifics on how to protect your money – and profit – then read on…

How to Survive - and Profit - from the Greatest Economic Crisis in 75 Years

The stock market crash of 2008 is nothing in comparison to the maelstrom that’s brewing now - 2019 will be the year of the greatest economic crisis of the century.

Jobs will suffer, the housing market will spiral downward, and millions of American seniors will face bankruptcy.

But if you know how to prepare, you’ll be one of the few lucky ones.

Click here to learn more.

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