Skip navigation

Current DateTime: 10:54:24 23 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 24355697
  • Runway Angels

      The superbowl of fashion shows, models walk down the runway at the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

  • Smartphone Guide

      Here's a need-to-know guide to nine devices, based on features, price, network and platform.

  • Wines for the Holidays

      Not quite sure what wine to pair with Turkey or Creme Brulee? Our experts do.

FEATURED QUIZZES


Current DateTime: 10:54:24 23 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 33793611
  • How Much Do You Know About Green?

      Green has become part of our everyday lives. Green is everywhere-- energy, clothing, food, housing, transportation. It's a big business and a global business.

  • The Billionaire BFF's

      Philanthropists. Bridge partners. Hockey players. Which responses are based on facts from Buffett's and Gates' real lives?

  • The Many Myths of Coca-Cola

      Can you tell which statements are true, and which ones are just rumors?


Current DateTime: 10:54:24 23 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 24890560
  • Winterizing Your Portfolio

      If 2009 was the winter of our discontent, will 2010 be a winter wonderland for investors? A lot depends on the recovery—or lack thereof.

  • Investor's Guide to Real Estate

      Some even say the long-awaited recovery is here. Regardless, buyers and sellers alike can profit from our guide.

  • Alternative Investing

      Stocks and bonds? Sure. But it's a big world out there for investors.

powered by digg
We Are Facing an 'Inflation Holocaust': Jim Rogers
By: CNBC.com | 10 Oct 2008 | 07:26 AM ET
Text Size

Markets do not trust the governments' plans to keep struggling banks alive and investors will only calm down when the companies with bad assets are allowed to go bankrupt, legendary investor Jim Rogers, CEO of Rogers Holdings, told CNBC on Friday.

"The way to solve this problem is to let people go bankrupt," Rogers said.

"Then you will hit bottom and then you start over. The people who are sound will take over the assets from the people who aren't sound and we will start over. This is the way the world has worked for a few thousand years."

The current rescue plans, which will force governments to issue more debt, print money and flood the markets with liquidity, will flare up inflation after the crisis is over and will create worse problems, Rogers warned.

"We're setting the stage for when we come out of this of a massive inflation holocaust," he said.

And the plans are unlikely to fend off a severe economic downturn, as the crisis starts affecting all walks of life.

"We had the worst excesses we had in credit markets in world history. We're going to have to take some pain," Rogers said.

"Many people bought 4-5 houses with no money down and no job… you think we'll just say well, that's too bad, we'll start over and nobody loses their job? Be realistic."

People should not look to the upcoming G7 meeting with the hope that the leaders of the strongest economies will find a solution.

"What they (G7 leaders) need to do is go down the bar and leave the rest of us alone," Rogers said.

Economies who did not take part in the subprime bonanza are likely to suffer along with Wall Street and the developed economies as the crisis unfolds, he warned.

"What about all the people in countries that minded their manners, saved their money, didn't get overextended and now all of a sudden they're being asked to bail out a bunch of guys on Wall Street who were incompetent at best and some of them crooks?"

"I thought it outrageous that anybody has to step in a bail out a bunch of 29 year olds driving Maseratis," he said.

There are not many safe havens in the volatile markets, he said.

CNBC Special Report: Bank Crisis Strikes EuropeCNBC Special Report: Bank Crisis Strikes Europe

"I have an enormous amount of cash and I've been using it to buy more Japanese yen, more Swiss Francs, more agricultural products… there's a liquidation phase going on, where everything is being liquidated. They're selling everything in sight."

"In a period like this the way you make money coming out of it is to own the things were the fundamentals have not been impaired," Rogers added.

© 2009 CNBC.com
Tools:
Print EmailAdd This share icon
  • digg share

CNBC HIGHLIGHTS

  • The show attracts a big TV audience every year, but this year it may take on even more importance.
  • …you'll want to be prepared. Tips for getting the most out of the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy.
  • Congressman Ron Paul explains to Squawk Box why he’s pushing legislation to audit the Federal Reserve.
  • CNBC’s Phil LeBeau took a test drive of GM’s flagship electric car. Here’s what he thought of the Volt.
  • A Macau casino will open Asia's first Michael Jackson shrine after its owners made a key purchase at a US auction.
  • CNBC’s technology reporter Jim Goldman guides you through the best gadgets to buy this holiday season.
ADD COMMENTS
Remaining characters


Current DateTime: 06:27:23 23 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 10:08:23 23 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 10:23:55 23 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779199

Current DateTime: 09:12:15 23 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779198
  Data is a real-time snapshot  *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2009 CNBC, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
A Division of NBC Universal
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters