"Frightening" GLOBAL DOWNTURN

Grim news is pouring out of nearly every corner of the world including China, Japan, the Philippines, the U.S., New Zealand, and the UK. Let's kick the discussion off with a 'Frightening' Deterioration In UK Economy
Full Summary

Hard Landing Summary

* UK Retailers Worst December In 14 Years
* UK home sales lowest since the measure began in 1978
* UK interest rates lowest dating back to 1694
* Germany exports saw their largest fall in November since reunification in 1990.
* New Zealand is in its first recession in 10 years
* Philippines’ exports plunge
* Alcoa reports $1.19B loss in 4Q
* Aluminum prices collapse to 70 cents per pound from around $1.50 per pound last summer
* Japan Corporate Bankruptcies Rose for Seventh Month
* Japan Exports Slump By Record Amount
* China’s Exports Fall by Most Since 1999
* Waning export demand has led to protests by fired factory employees, an exodus of 600,000 migrant workers from the manufacturing hub of Guangdong