What's the Worst that Could Happen?

 

September 20, 2011

 

If you've been paying close attention, you might have noticed that the U.S. and global investment markets have been bouncing around unpredictably from one day to the next, and every time there is a major move, you hear analysts mumbling something about the debt crisis in Europe. On the up days, they talk about light at the end of the tunnel. On the down days, they talk about the possible collapse of the Euro as a currency, or the breakup of the Eurozone.

 

The assumption seems to be that if Europe were to devolve back into multiple currencies, there would be dire consequences for the global economy--and your stock portfolio. Or, if the various bailout measures work, people seem to assume that the world will enjoy economic sunshine. 

 

On September 29, the German parliament will vote on whether to authorize a major bailout, and Austria and the Netherlands are expected to vote on similar proposals soon thereafter. We can expect more volatility in the next week or so, as pundits, economists and day traders speculate on which way the political winds are blowing.

 

But how important are these votes, really? What if the gloomiest predictions are right? What if Germany decides to leave the Greeks to their fate, and Greece were forced to secede from the Euro and start printing drachmas all over again? What if Ireland took back control of its own currency? Or (what seems to be the scariest scenario) if Italy were to drop out of the Euro to get its fiscal house in order?

 

A recent analysis by Stratfor Global Intelligence points out something that many people (especially investors) seem to have forgotten: that Europe's individual countries were the world's leading economic powers for centuries without the convenience of a common currency, and often while they were engaged in fierce wars with each other. Since World War II, before the advent of the Euro, the various citizens of Europe created a local free-trade zone. But even they adopted common guidelines for managing fiscal policy, and voted to create a common currency; they never gave up their local languages, customs or pride in their individual nationalities.

 

The Stratfor article points out the obvious: that Germany and Greece are still different countries in different places with different value systems and interests. The idea of sacrificing for each other was always a dubious concept, especially the idea of sacrificing in order to hang onto a mutual currency that nearly 50% of both populations never wanted in the first place.

 

If Greece--or any other nation--were to secede from the Euro, it might actually relieve the pressure that the world is experiencing now. Greece would be able to print more Drachmas, inflate its currency a bit, and make its foreign debt less onerous. Of course, this would function like a stealth tax on its citizens--their income would be worth less--so the pain would be shared among the European banks holding Greek bonds and the citizens who fiercely oppose paying higher taxes in order to pay off foreign creditors. This might be a more workable solution than either an outright default or German citizens reaching deep into their own pockets.

 

In fact, the Stratfor analysis suggests that this breakup might be inevitable anyway. "Does Greece or Portugal really want to give Germany a blank check to export what it wants, or would they prefer managed trade under their control?" it asks plausibly. "Play this forward past the euro crisis, and the foundations of a unified Europe become questionable."

 

Stratfor's conclusion is that Europe will remain an enormously prosperous place under either scenario--bailout or not. Does anybody seriously disagree with that? And yet isn't that what the pundits and others are ultimately calling into question? 

 

If the worst case were to play out, if Germany votes not to fund a bailout and several PIIGs decide to opt out of the Euro, what then? If our worst fears are realized and the consequences are not nearly as bad as everyone seemed to imagine, you might see a lot of investors returning to the market to buy the stocks they unloaded when they thought the world was going to end. 

 

Sincerely,

Edward J. Kohlhepp, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, CPC, MSPA

Edward J. Kohlhepp, Jr., CFP®, MBA

 

Please contact us whenever there are any changes to your financial situation, personal situation or investment objectives.

 

 

Sources:

www.bobveres.com

Germany's vote: http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/08/markets/europe_debt_crisis_/index.htm

Europe's potential breakup: http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20110912-crisis-europe-and-european-nationalism

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Kohlhepp Investment Advisors, Ltd.
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