The on-terminal “Bloomberg Market Concepts” training program clearly says “the future is unknowable.” How much longer can the market P/E remain 68% higher than the historical average? No one knows precisely. But I do agree with Pimco and Citigroup, now is not the time to be complacent. Also, take a look at this McKinsey report from a few years ago titled “Debt and (not much) deleveraging.” Debt is relatively high all over the place: governments, corporations, and households. In “This time is different: eight centuries of financial folly,” the authors point out that excessive debt levels preceded every financial crisis.
Proceed with caution my friends.
-Dr. Moore
“Whatever arises, ceases.” – The Buddha
Pimco, Citigroup Sound Complacency Alarm for Global Economy
More stories by David GoodmanJanuary 8, 2018, 3:16 AM PST
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Two of the biggest hitters in financial markets are sounding warnings against complacency in the global economic outlook.
After the first week of 2018 saw strong data and multiple stock-market records, Citigroup Inc. and Pacific Investment Management Co. told clients in the last few days that there are still reasons to be worried.
While both agree there are some causes for optimism, they cite geopolitical factors, a removal of central bank stimulus and the risk of an inflation overshoot as possible catalysts for an end to the current economic expansion and market exuberance.
Investors are showing few signs of unease with global stocks at record highs and volatility measures still subdued. While riskier assets have recorded further gains in the first trading week of the year, Mark Schofield at Citi warned the potential payoff from such trades is diminishing.
“It is too early to call an end to the bull-market in risk assets but the risk/reward profile is deteriorating as expected returns peak and volatility begins to rise. Asset allocators must weigh up where we are in the business cycle, and what comes next. The ‘Goldilocks’ environment cannot last forever; a plateau in growth would be more bearish than a pick-up in inflation.”
Meanwhile, Joachim Fels at Pimco points to signs that U.S. jobs growth may be peaking as a “a clear sign that we are reaching the later stages of the business cycle” — a fact that also increases the chance of an inflation overshoot.
Still, the biggest risk is:
“Monetary overkill by central banks that seem more eager than ever to escape from bloated balance sheets and the dreaded lower bound of interest rates. Led by the Fed, the tide of global monetary policy is turning, and when the tide goes out, we will find out who is swimming naked.”
Efficient Minds™ 
D Moore!
So you would advise against a second mortgage to build a pool? Let’s get together soon!
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Correct. Do not get a second mortgage to build a pool. If you must lever up for home repairs, I believe you get more return on investment with kitchens and bathrooms. However, as a shareholder of many large banks, I suppose I want you (and others) to lever up with second mortgages. Then, when the economy hits the fan, these banks (of which I’m part owner) can take control of your house on the cheap. The banks can wait it out a few years then resell the homes at a huge profit thereby increasing my per-share stock value.
So, perhaps I should encourage everyone to lever-up. That way I’ll make more money in the intermediate term.
-The Phantom