‘Maximizing shareholder value’ has been about pumping up near-term valuations at the expense of long-term financial health and viability.  Private equity is excellent at this.

Kristina Partsinevelos joins CNBC’s ‘The Exchange’ to discuss the latest data on bankruptcies. Here is a direct video link. 

Households are increasingly struggling.

The American consumer is showing some signs of stress. Credit card delinquencies are near a five-year high, and high earners are under more pressure. Here is a direct video link.

In January, fifty percent of U. of Michigan Survey respondents expect their real household income to be lower in one year. This level of income pessimism, last seen in 2008, is historically rare and typically associated with periods of economic stress, most commonly during or near recessions.