Desperate Times

 

With reports like these --

"Small Businesses See Large Challenges" (MarketWatch)

Recent sentiment surveys underscore pessimism, uncertainty

Small-business owners have a dim view of the future, according to a gauge of their optimism for June that stands “solidly in recession territory,” the National Federation of Independent Business reported Tuesday.

The NFIB’s barometer ticked down for a fourth consecutive month in June, reflecting pessimism about future business conditions as well as expected sales. The survey’s participants, most of whom have fewer than 40 employees, are concerned about the government, among other issues, said Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB’s chief economist, in a statement.

Small businesses say, 'What recovery?'

A huge force in this economy is being left out of the picture two years into the economic recovery.

“Between the deluge of new regulations and a Washington policy agenda that is largely ignorant of Main Street needs, stubbornly low consumer spending, and grave concern among small firms about the federal budget, there is not much to be optimistic about as a small-business owner,” Dunkelberg said.

"Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Sense Double-Dip Recession" (HousingWire)

Roughly 63% of middle-class Americans surveyed by a consumer psychology consulting firm believe the U.S. economy slipped into a double-dip recession, up from 50% one year ago.

First Command Financial Services commissioned Sentient Decision Science to survey roughly 1,000 U.S. consumers between the ages of 25 to 70 with annual household incomes of at least $50,000 for the quarterly First Command Financial Behaviors index.

Three-quarters of those consumers who believe a double-dip recession is underway believe it will be more than one year before the economy begins to recover. One in five consumers said it would be take more than three years.

"Americans aren’t looking for a meaningful recovery any time soon,” said Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command Financial Services. "The Index reveals a widespread belief that the U.S. has already experienced a recession and a short-lived recovery and is now experiencing a second recession. This conviction is being fueled by a host of pressing economic worries that do not come with quick resolutions, further intensifying consumer uncertainty and concern."

"CEOs Less Confident About Economy" (The Business Journal)

NEW YORK -- The nation's CEOs have turned far more pessimistic about current economic conditions. Only 33% say conditions are better compared to six months ago, down from 85% last quarter.

The Conference Board measure of CEO confidence, which had risen in the first quarter of this year, retreated sharply in the second quarter. The measure now reads 55, down from 67 last quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses).

"CEO confidence cooled considerably in the second quarter, a reflection of a sluggish U.S. economy," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board consumer research center. "Looking ahead, expectations are that this slow pace of economic growth will continue. Regarding the outlook for profits over the next 12 months, the news was a bit more favorable, with about 70% of CEOs anticipating profit increases."

In assessing their own industries, business leaders also were more negative. Now, just 40% say conditions have improved, compared with 61% in the first quarter.

CEOs' optimism about the short-term outlook declined sharply as well. Currently, 43% foresee an improvement in economic conditions over the next six months, down from 66% last quarter. Expectations for their own industries are about as pessimistic, with 44% expecting conditions to improve in the months ahead, down from 49% last quarter. --

I wouldn't be surprised to see more developments like this --

"Jobless Man Offers Hunters Human Prey" (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

It’s tough finding even an odd job these days.

You'll have to be a good shot to bag this wily woodsman.

That’s why Utah-area resident Mork Encino, who swears this is his real name, created the oddest job for himself.

Encino, 28, on his website, advertises he’ll be human prey for marksmen with $10,000 to spare.

It’ll cost you an extra $2k to hunt him in the nude.

He’s not worried about the steep price driving off customers.

“I’m looking for a true god[bleep] Money Bags, okay? 10K is nothing to these boys. They leave tips on restaurant checks like that. They drop that type of scratch just because. They’ll pay that money just to rub it in my FACE and show me how meaningless it truly is to the likes of them,” he writes on huntme4sport.com.

On Twitter, Encino says he’s “pro prey looking for a change,” but admits he’s not willing to die for the cash. Instead, he wants the website, which he calls “a product of my desperation,” to land him a normal job.

“I’m hoping someone will offer me a better opportunity than being shot in the face,” said Encino.

Desperate times call for desperate measures?

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