The markets may be in turmoil. But not all the news is bad. The editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance and Kiplinger's Forecasting came up with ten things
going right these days. See if you agree: 1.Oil Loses Its Swagger: With the U.S. and global economy hurting, oil prices have dropped more
than 50% in just three months, from $147 a barrel in July to the $65-70 range. .
2. A Tipping Point for the Auto Industry: After years of talk and false starts, finally, all the major
carmakers are furiously developing hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles that could lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Meanwhile, desperate dealers are offering unheard-of incentives on new, gas-fired models.
3. Interest Rates Are Low and Headed Lower: The prime rate is at 4.5%, which is driving down
interest rates on home-equity lines of credit and some consumer loans.
4. Homes Are More Affordable: Real estate, which was overpriced during the housing bubble, has
returned to earth. That's especially good news for first-time home buyers who were priced out of the
market.
5. Bank Savings Have Never Been Safer: The $700-billion federal rescue plan more than doubles
the amount of federal deposit insurance on individual bank accounts, to $250,000 from $100,000. Uncle Sam is also now providing providing unlimited FDIC insurance on non-interest-bearing accounts, covering virtually all of the nation's small businesses.
6. Stocks Are on Sale, and Many Bonds Offer Terrific Yields: For example, shares of AT&T
(symbol T) sell for about eight times estimated 2009 earnings and yield 6%. Networking giant Cisco
Systems (CSCO) sells for only ten times earnings estimates for its July 2009 fiscal year. Johnson &
Johnson (JNJ), as steady an Eddie as you'll find, sells for just 13 times '09 forecasts.
7. The Miracle of Technological Innovation Continues: Been to Best Buy, Sam's or Costco
lately? For $799, you can now buy a 42-inch, high-definition flat-panel TV that will knock your socks off. Throw in another $200, and you can get a surround-sound system to truly transform your den into a home theater.
8. Prosperity Reigns in the Heartland: The fall harvest is shaping up as one of the best ever,
despite the destructive weather and floods in the Mississippi River corridor since last spring. Exports of U.S. farm products will increase more than 40% by value this year. And recent years of high profits have allowed farmers to pay down debt so low that it accounts for a measly 9% of their assets providing all the credit they'll need for 2009 operations.
9. A New Tone and Direction in Washington: As we are starting to see, the election of a new
chief executive should provide at least 100 days of galvanizing certainty for markets, and a new direction and sense of purpose for the country.
1
0. Shoppers Can Expect Great Gift Buys This Holiday Season: Retailers depend on robust
end-of-year sales to turn a profit, but for 2008, the National Federation of Retailers forecasts
holiday spending will increase only 2.2% from last year. That won't beat inflation, butt's good
news for bargain hunters.
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