Most of the charts below come from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. We have not had time to comment on each chart and what we believe its significance to be (and, in any case, we are probably unqualified to do so), but you might still find them interesting. Increasing debt levels often play an enormous role in financial cycles. In our view, the increasing amounts of debt being taken on within the country and worldwide (both at historic highs) is dangerous, however historically low interest rates have greatly ameliorated the effects. If rates rise significantly, then high levels of debt can easily become economically destabilizing.

The first 2 charts look at short- and long-term mortgage interest rate trends because they massively influence the financial effect of debt.The third is on consumer confidence, because increasing confidence often leads to taking on higher levels of debt, and “irrational exuberance” often leads to taking on untenable levels of debt. Then the report dives into national, corporate and household debt statistics.

Long-Term Trends

Consumer Confidence

National Debt

U.S. Corporate Debt

Investor (Margin) Debt

Household Debt Statistics

Household Debt Statistics for Selected States

These analyses were made in good faith with data from sources deemed reliable, but may contain errors and are subject to revision. It is not our intent to convince you of a particular position, but to attempt to provide straightforward data and analysis, so you can make your own informed decisions.