Bigworld, Yes a lot of bearish factors are starting to pile up, including the Fed raising interest rates while simultaneously starting QT/quantitative tightening, which begins this month. As Rickards said, the Fed is trying to tighten into a weakening economy, so it's a recipe for recession.
But the biggest 'gloom' factor is the upcoming conflict with N Korea. China is reportedly tightening the screws on Kim Jung-Un via the sanctions, but I don't see how the US can put off the inevitable too much longer. Rickards says 6-8 months and it'll be war.
The US can't negotiate since little Nero will soon be able to deliver a nuclear ICBM. There's no time left for deals, and no road left to kick the can down. He won't voluntarily dismantle his program, so war looks inevitable, which is what the Deep State may have already concluded.
But who knows, maybe the rigged US stock market will surge even higher once the bombs start falling, as the Fed/PPT juice machine is put into high gear and they go to Fed happy talk, cut rates, add liquidity, etc. As an investor, all you can really do is stay diversified. Rickards' allocation would make it through most scenarios in good shape, ie cash, gold, silver, 10 year Treasuries, land, art, etc.
