All the comments are well made. STMO's point about the markets being run by emotions is especially notable. The funny thing about all this is the fact that the media seem hell-bent on promoting a recession and yet, maybe it's just me, I don't see too much evidence on the frontline in the high street. Given the media's take, you'd be forgiven expecting the streets to be deserted, save a few beggars on street corners. Maybe it is that bad, just doesn't look it to the naked eye!
The points made about identifying the bottom of the market hits at the crux of the matter. On housing, for example, given the natural excess of demand over supply (and the fact that many big building projects have been put on ice), the underlying direction of prices will be up over the longer term. But will they fall further? Maybe, given that winter is a slack time for sales anyway. And, of course, the EU has scrapped its mark-to-market regulations which (some say) was one of the causes of the crunch in the first place, so banks should be healthier as a result.
The slump in the price of price of oil has been another factor which needs to be considered.
Overall, I posted the article because I thought it was interesting to read a hint that the bottom was near. If anyone actually spots it, please let us know!
