During what is considered the greatest economic depression throughout modern history, interest rates during the Thirties fell to around 2.5%. By the time interest rates finally bottomed, the Dow Jones Industrials lost 89.9% of its value between August 29^th, 1929 and mid May 1932.  The global economy did not recover until after World War II and it was not until 1954 that the Dow Jones made a new high.

Today, the unemployment rate in the U.S. is 5.1% (supposedly), only once the Labour Participation Rate is factored in.  Ours is slightly higher but many jobs go unfilled as there are not enough people willing to work at minimum wages.  Interest rates across the West, except in Australia and New Zealand, are stuck around 0%.

Two weeks ago U.S. 3 month Treasuries were trading at negative .04 of 1%.  This means every buyer was paying the U.S. government to hold their savings.  For 6 months the yield was .01 of 1%, or a yearly return of 1 cent per $100 invested, before taxes.  Over the last 4 months, the 10 year Treasuries has gone from 2.5% down to 1.92%.

Savers are slowly being destroyed.  Without these investors there cannot be any long term recovery.  Around the world not one politician or economist understands this basic economic fact.

When interest rates begin to rise it will take at least 2 years for them to hit a fair rate of return (around 4%).   Today, we are at least 3 years away from getting there since income earned is paid at the end of the term.

The real danger today is the world is heading into a period of deflation.  Prices for everything are set to fall or have already dropped.  As we have reported in the Sacola Financial Newsletter, we believe house prices throughout North America, Europe, Australia and Hong Kong are today at their peak.  Starting next year we will experience falling house prices that could easily last a decade.

Adding to the woes will be government and personal debt at record highs.  This debt is hurting the economy.  The pain will get worse once interest rates rise.  Today, it has not been noticeable but from here on out, governments will be forced to cut back  on spending from falling tax revenue for the next few years, at least.  With no inflation and prices falling, all debt becomes 100% destructive because it overshadows the assessment that they represent.

The only recommendation is to pay off all debts as fast as possible.  Stock markets today are discounting the economic slowdown, so they will do little for the next couple of years.   Dividends will remain the main source of returns for most investors.

From today on zero interest rates are slowly destroying the world economy because  every saver is becoming poorer.  We will not repeat the Dirty 30s but we will have a long slowdown.  It will be 100% induced by politicians as they are clueless on economics.  The longer interest rates stay around zero the worse it will be and the longer it will last.