Main Topic: Americans' credit card debt reaches over $1 trillion for the first time ever.
Key Points:
1. Total credit card indebtedness rose by $45 billion in the April-through-June period, reaching $1.03 trillion.
2. Credit card delinquency rates have increased, with 30 or more days late climbing to 7.2% in Q2.
3. The rise in credit card balances reflects inflationary pressures and higher levels of consumption, while household income remains below pre-pandemic levels.
The number of corporate bankruptcies in the US is increasing at the fastest pace since 2010, with over 400 corporations going under so far in 2023, reflecting overstretched balance sheets and rising interest rates.
Late payments on credit card balances are surging, potentially signaling a recession, as delinquencies hit an all-time high among commercial banks outside of the top 100, according to Wells Fargo.
Macy's credit card revenue has dropped by 36% due to an increase in delinquencies, reflecting the larger trend of rising credit card debt in the US as a result of inflation and higher interest rates.
Despite reaching record levels of total credit card debt and household debt, Americans are actually managing their debt better than in the past due to inflation masking the impact on balances and lower debt-to-deposit levels, according to an analysis by WalletHub. However, the rising trajectory of credit card debt and the increasing number of households carrying balances raise concerns, especially considering the high interest rates, which can take more than 17 years to pay off and cost thousands of dollars in interest. Meanwhile, savers have the opportunity to earn higher returns on cash due to higher inflation and interest rates.
Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a rate of 2.1% in the second quarter of 2023, driven by consumer spending, while the Federal Reserve is considering raising interest rates again despite a drop in GDP growth; Americans are increasingly turning to credit cards in a high-interest rate environment, leading to rising credit card debt.
The 10-year Treasury bond is on course for a third consecutive year of losses, which is unprecedented in 250 years of U.S. history, as the bond's return stands at negative 0.3% so far in 2023 after significant declines in the past two years, due to factors such as rising inflation and interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
Top economist David Rosenberg predicts that the US will experience a recession within the next six months due to the aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and the erosion of credit quality in credit card debt.
The US saw a 54% increase in bankruptcies in August, with small and mid-cap companies being hit the hardest, as the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes and higher borrowing costs continue to take a toll on businesses.
US companies have experienced a 176% increase in debt defaults in the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, with high interest rates pushing businesses into financial distress, particularly in the media and entertainment sector.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has revealed accumulated losses of $100 billion in 2023, a situation that is expected to worsen for the Fed, but it may be a blessing in disguise for risk assets like Bitcoin. The losses are a result of interest payments on the Fed's debt surpassing its earnings, leading to concerns about the impact on interest rates and the demand for scarce assets like BTC.
Credit card losses for issuers in the US have reached record levels and are expected to continue rising, signaling an unusual trend that typically occurs during economic downturns.
US credit card debt reached $1 trillion for the first time, but experts argue that it is not a cause for concern as factors like income, wealth, spending growth, credit card utilization, and delinquency rates indicate that consumers are in good financial shape unless the US enters a severe recession.
The gold market has experienced nine consecutive days of losses, its longest losing streak in seven years, due to surging bond yields, but rising bond yields also pose significant risks for the economy, creating potential for short-term challenges and a potential breakdown in the U.S. dollar's international appeal.
U.S. bankruptcy filings in September indicate that 2023 may surpass 2020 as the worst year for corporate bankruptcies in over a decade, with more filings than in 2021 or 2022, as concerns about a potential recession emerge.
US corporate bankruptcies are increasing due to higher interest rates set by the Federal Reserve, leading to higher borrowing costs and putting pressure on companies with high levels of debt.
