Is the stock market one big inflation hedge?

I’ve mused out loud to friends that the recent run-up of the stock market was not based on confidence in the economy or the individual companies, but rather an expression of the value of a dollar. It’s fairly simple: investors see the currency losing value over time (due to gov’t spending), and so convert their currency into assets. It’s basically like buying gold, i.e., an inflation hedge.

By my theory, the fundamentals of the stock market haven’t changed – the companies’ prospects haven’t improved dramatically – but it now takes more dollars to buy the same amount of stock. The “rising” market is anticipating inflation, not recovery.

But since I hadn’t heard any smart people saying such a thing, I figured there wasn’t much to my theory. But, cue horn-tooting, the WSJ’s numbers seems to support it: “Adjusted for Inflation, Dow's Gains Are Puny”.

How much of the market’s recent 20% gain is simply a precursor of (real) inflation?

Comments

[W.C. Varones]

I'm with you, dude.

Take out a 30-year fixed mortgage on a house, too. That's an inflation hedge with leverage.

[JENNY STANTON]

Research Shows Controversial Illness is Real and Treatable

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Policyholders of America (POA) released a consensus statement written by treating physicians and researchers in the field on the mechanism and treatment of illness found in people sickened by exposure to water-damaged buildings. This illness has been the subject of heated debate that has resulted in harsh allegations being lobbed at patients by experts hired by industry to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the illness. Today however, so-called "Sick Building Syndrome" is now unveiled to be very real; it's a chronic inflammatory illness that is easily identified with available lab testing and treatable using FDA-approved medications. The research paper is the first in the field written by physicians with experience treating the illness. Thorough and rigorous, the paper references governmental agency opinions, current published literature and an extensive review of patient data that has made this subject a political and legal hot potato obstructing patient care.

Nearly six months ago, a distinguished and credentialed panel of medical doctors and researchers, all from outside of POA's membership, were assembled and charged with developing a consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of a growing public health problem across America: illness acquired from water-damaged buildings. The consensus statement was then peer-reviewed by other medical doctors and researchers. The research paper is being released to help physicians and their patients understand the mechanisms, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment protocols available for sickened patients.

After reviewing hundreds of peer reviewed studies, analyzing hard data from research conducted on thousands of patients, and incorporating published results of treatment of thousands of patients, the authors embarked on this massive assignment with eyes wide open -- knowing that if the resulting research did not lessen liability of the powerful stakeholders involved, industry would likely attempt to discredit the findings.

With the research now concluded, the mysterious illness now has a name: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome or "CIRS", and when the cause of the illness can be directly linked to a water-damaged building, or ("WDB"), it is called "CIRS-WDB".

Says Co-Author, Ritchie Shoemaker, MD, of Pocomoke, Maryland, "This statement builds consensus by debunking false ideas about illness from water-damaged buildings and establishes the basis by which practicing physicians can assess the complex illnesses these patients experience. We don't have to guess what might be wrong when we have the labs to prove what is abnormal. Patients don't have to suffer any longer after being given incorrect diagnoses such as allergy, stress or depression."

Co-authors included Laura Mark MD from Williamsburg, Virginia; Scott McMahon MD from Roswell, New Mexico; Jack Thrasher PhD of Oakland, California and Carl Grimes HHS, CIEC, President of the Indoor Air Quality Association, from Denver, Colorado.

The 161-page research paper can be found, in its entirety, at: http://www.policyholdersofamerica.org/doc/CIRS_PEER_REVIEWED_PAPER.pdf

A layperson's summary of the research paper follows:

•CIRS-WDB is a multisystem, multi-symptom illness acquired following exposure to the interior environment of WDB. It exists as a recognizable syndrome that is identifiable and treatable;
•CIRS-WDB is identified as immunologic in origin, with differential inflammatory responses seen according to (i) genetic susceptibility and (ii) unique aspects of host innate immune responses.
•CIRS-WDB consistently involves loss of normal control of inflammation and the resulting "inflammation gone wild."
•Treatment of human illness that is acquired following exposure to the interior environment of WDB involves a series of steps, each correcting the physiologic problems one by one.
•CIRS-WDB can be readily identified by current methods of clinical diagnoses. This process of diagnosis is supported by (i) identification of unique subsets ("clusters") of symptoms found in epidemiologic cohorts of affected patients; (ii) identification of unique groupings of biomarkers, such as genetic markers, neuropeptides, inflammatory markers, and autoimmune findings.
•Patients with CIRS-WDB are often given incorrect diagnoses such as depression, stress, allergy, fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and somatization. Those conditions, when actually present, will not improve with therapies employed in CIRS-WDB.
•CIRS-WDB is acquired primarily from inhalation of microbial products that are contaminants found in the complex mixture of WDB.
•Re-exposure of previously affected patients will bring about immunological host responses that are enhanced in their rapidity of onset and magnitude, such that these patients are "sicker, quicker."

Melinda Ballard, POA's president said, "About 25% of our members have experienced health effects after exposure to toxigenic mold and other organisms in their homes and of those, the vast majority put on the treatment protocol outlined in this paper have reported back to us that their symptoms have either subsided or vanished altogether. While our experience with these members is purely anecdotal, this research paper is not; the findings are irrefutable. Most importantly, the rigorous science in the paper offers hope to so many who are in desperate need of an effective and inexpensive treatment.

POA is a nonprofit educational organization that, at no charge, helps policyholders receive adequate payment when a property insurance claim is filed. Since it was founded in 2001, more than 2.5 million people have joined, an unfortunate reflection on the manner in which claims are often handled by insurance companies. Its web address is: www.policyholdersofamerica.org. POA is a member of ACHEMMIC (the Action Committee on the Health Effects of Mold, Microbes and Indoor Contaminants), a group of scientists, researchers, physicians, indoor air quality experts, environmental engineers, industrial hygienists, structural engineers, teachers and advocates working to advance the understanding of the health effects of mold, microbes and indoor contaminants. ACHEMMIC's website is www.achemmic.com.

[San Francisco Fashion]

No matter what any elected official comes in and does there are always going to be pros and cons... just the way it is

[BARKERJerri18]

Set your life more simple take the business loans and everything you require.

[missseo]

“Coach designs from this era were seminal in defining our approach to great American style,” said Reed Krakoff, President and Executive Creative Director for Coach, in a statement. “Heritage is our hallmark, so we’re pleased to reintroduce these iconic bags."

[camper shoes]

CHINA stock market IS STRONG!!!HEH.

[San Francisco restaurants with views]

Your blog is hilarious :) Love your personality!

[North Face Clearance]

academics was not a good taste. Cold SURVEYING long smile spread of mouth, not far from the front of the waiter beckoned, eyes locked Lisi Xu, Tolerance of said with a smile: "Yes, but less

[north face jackets]

It’s hard to find experienced people about this topic, however you seem like you understand just what you’re referring to! Thanks a lot

[uggs on sale]

hundreds of sensory receptors, tendons and ligaments. Like the rest of the body, to keep our feet healthy, they need to be stimulated and exercised.

[North Face Kids Denali Jackets]

thank you for your blog

[nike free runs]

Months ago, courage convinced me to do something which I was reluctant on doing, in which I wrote an article which involved the anime industry and it’s current situation where, if you are aware, it is a very dangerous situation if nothing is done about it.

[north face best]

Just checking what is the theme you are using, it is simply awesome!

[buy ugg]

Very good article, I have paid attention to, thank you for sharing!!!!!

[lace wigs]

Sen Department of romantic female hair design, thick hair texture and volume Sibo Langjuan gift, beautiful dark red, more fashion, with a grass rattan hat, more in line with the summer recreational atmosphere.
Girls hair long oval face, Lace wigs , may wish to tie this summer curly hair, fluffy hair, coupled with the bangs cover the forehead, lovely fresh, highlighting the eyes of care, it is extremely moist and Aura.
http://www.hairpiecesale.org/

[Coach Tote]

Thank article is quite good

[dc shoes hats]

I agree with your point of view of this article. This is a good article. Very timely given us so much useful information. Thank you!

[ファン]

¥¨¥¢©`(¥¸¥ç©`¥À¥ó¤Ï¼È¤Ë¤«¤éÀë¤ì¤Æ¤¤¤¿¥³©`¥È¤À¡£¤·¤«¤·¡¢±Ë¤È¥¸¥ç©`¥À¥ó ¥Ð¥Ã¥·¥å ¼¤°²¤¬¹²Í¬¤Ç³É¤·Ë줲¤¿ÉñÔ’¤Ï˽´ï¤Î¤³¤ÎŸoÊý¤Î¥Ð¥¹¥±¥Ã¥È¥Ü©`¥ë?¥Þ¥Ë¥¢¤ÎÍü¤ì¤é¤ì¤Ê¤¤¡£¥¸¥ç©`¥À¥ó¤ÏÑ¥¤Ï¤½¤ì¤Î¥Õ¥¡¥Ã¥·¥ç¥ó¥Ç¥¶¥¤¥ó¤È¸ßÆ·ÖÊÕ÷·þ¤·¤Æ¶à¤¯¤Î¥Õ¥¡¥ó¤ò÷ÈÁˤµ¤»¤¿¡£

[north face best]

Police officers, fire fighters and military all use zip boots

[cheap moncler]

Good article! Thank you so much for sharing this post.Your views truly open my mind.

[North Face Discount]

My brother suggested that I might like this site. He is absolutely correct. The publication of this fact makes me happy. You can not imagine how much I spend too much time for this information! Thank you!

[canada goose coat]

What a great post! Just one suggestion:If you add some pics, it would be easiler to follow!

[Canada goose outlet]

Nude color sling dress romantic and elegant use of the design, brings tears, seems to be absent, shrouded in the body, so that women in this silky and elegant texture in the garden.

[coach]

What a great post! Just one suggestion:If you add some pics, it would be easiler to follow!My brother suggested that I might like this site. He is absolutely correct. The publication of this fact makes me happy. You can not imagine how much I spend too much time for this information! Thank you!

[canada goose parka]

Very good blogsite, thank you very much for your timein writing the posts.

[north face jackets]

Thank you for your analysis and sharing

[Moncler Jakker]

I agree with your point of view of this article. This is the article good article. It is time to give us so much useful information. Thank you!

[Moncler Parka]

Thanks for being awesome, Shimelle, and patient and understanding… And for offering this class—I cannot WAIT!

[canada goose]

One other point I’d like to bring up… writing should be FUN. And this part is mainly for the writers that I know canada goose chilliwack come to my blog due to all my earlier indie rah rah

[canada goose]

Could be hard to find skilled people on this matter, nevertheless, you be understood as you understand what you are speaking about! Bless you

[Moncler Outlet]

tipshintsideasinformationinformation and factsinstructionskey pointsmethodspointsproceduressecretssecrets and techniquessolutionsstepsstrategiestacticstechniquesthingsthoughtstipstips and hintstips and trickstricks thatthat manywhichwhich oftenwhich usually a number of peoplemany othersmany peoplemen and womenmost peopleother folksother peopleotherspeoplepeople todaysome other peoplesome otherssome peoplethe othersthe rest could have beenhave beenmay have b

[cheap moncler]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting.

[cheap canada goose]

I need dictionary.com or thesaurus.com or I need to research something Canada Goose. It’s not all stuff I can do without being connected.

[ugg outlet]

your artical looks like food taste so delicious, much information is very useful to me. thanks

[Canadian goose]

it is very good,i love it.you are beautiful.

[nikesoccercleatsshoes]

sdfsd

[UGG Boot Christmas]

You post is the best of one in this website!

[UGG Boot Christmas]

It’s also possible to use a multi domain certificate if you only have one ip

[ugg boot season]

Nice one, there is actually some good facts on this blog some of my friends may find this worthwhile, will send a link, thanks.

[moncler mens vest]

I am very impressed, so it has been found that you haveso well with so much class, subject and more. A top-notch, buddy! Really great thingshere.

[moncler womens jacket]

What a great post! Just one suggestion:If you add some pics, it would be easiler to follow!

[canada goose sale]

As the winter's step is nearer and nearer, canada goose sale , it is the high time for one to prepare a product of jacket to prevent you away via the cold. If you would want to purchase a man's jacket, Canada Goose Womens Expedition Parka , canada goose sale , canada goose sales will give plenty of options for you. It Canada Goose Womens Chilliwack Parka is not simple clothing but a near good friend for you. The Canada goose salemakes plenty of various jackets for men range in beautiful designs.Every jacket of the brand is below the idea that mix up the styles and fashion well. Canada Goose Womens Solaris Parka . And the cold winter is just near to the corner, Canada Goose Womens Expedition Parka, now it is a warm jacket that is in urgent requirement for you.

[Canadian goose]

it is very good,i love it.you are beautiful.

[tnf]

I like thsi site,thank you.

[Canadian goose]

it is very good,i love it.you are beautiful.

[String Bikini]

Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty blog with me. I am appreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great blog. Good luck to the author! all the best!

[cheap monclers]

Foreign trade cheap monclers not only in.You deserve.ZLF
http://www.cheapmonclersweaters2.com/

[cheap monclers]

Foreign trade cheap monclers not only in.You deserve.ZLF

[cheap monclers]

Foreign trade cheap monclers not only in.You deserve.ZLF

[North Face Outlet]

Tomorrow is another day , should have new features.
http://www.buynorthfacediscount.org