“This Is Going to Be Horrific” — The Crisis on the Horizon

Mike Maloney doesn’t use the word “horrific” lightly. 

But after reviewing the economic data with Alan Hibbard in their latest episode, that’s exactly the word he chose. Not concerning. Not troubling. Horrific. 

And here’s the part that should make you sit up: the crisis he’s describing hasn’t even started yet. 

The Setup: Both Bubbles at Once 

Mike walked through every major financial crisis of the last century — 1929, 1966, 2000, 2008 — and pointed out a pattern. Each time, it was either a stock market bubble or a real estate bubble. Never both. 

Until now. 

“This time we are in a stock market bubble and a real estate bubble of historic proportions just before some sort of big financial crisis,” Mike explains. “And it looks like we’re in the midst of a monetary reset. This is going to be horrific.” 

That’s not speculation. That’s historical precedent meeting current data — and the data Alan presented makes the case impossible to ignore. 

Crisis-Level Numbers… Before the Crisis 

Here’s what makes this setup different: we’re already at crisis levels across multiple indicators, and the stock market hasn’t crashed. Real estate hasn’t broken. This is what Mike calls “the floor we’re lifting off from.” 

Consumer debt is cracking: 

• Credit card delinquencies hit 12% — a 15-year high. That’s roughly one in eight Americans who can’t pay their credit cards on time. 

• Auto repossessions hit 1.7 million last year and are tracking toward 2 million in 2025 — levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. 

The job market is weakening: 

• U.S. employers announced over 150,000 layoffs in October alone — the highest for any October since 2003. 

• Year-to-date, over 1 million layoffs have been announced. 

Real estate is showing historic stress: 

• Home sellers now outnumber buyers by more than 500,000 — the largest imbalance ever recorded. 

• Home sales are on track for their worst year since 1995. 

• Commercial mortgage-backed securities delinquencies surged to 11.8%, above the 2008 peak of 10.7%. 

Consumer sentiment has collapsed: 

• Consumer sentiment fell to 50.3 in October — the second-lowest reading ever. 

• It’s now 10 points below where it was during the Great Financial Crisis. 

Mike’s reaction: “The crisis hasn’t even started yet. We haven’t had a stock market crash. We haven’t had real estate crash yet. This is the floor that we’re lifting off from.” 

The Indicator That’s Never Been Wrong 

Perhaps the most concerning chart Alan presented was the Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) compared to the S&P 500. 

The LEI has never missed a recession signal since 1950. Not once. 

Right now, the LEI is the most negative it’s been since the late 1970s. And the divergence between the LEI (falling) and the S&P 500 (rising) has stretched for over three years — since 2022. That’s Main Street diverging from Wall Street. 

Historically, every time this happens, the pattern is the same: green box (divergence), red box (crash). Green, red. Green, red. Green, red. 

We’re in a very large green box right now. 

“Is it really different this time?” Alan asks. Mike’s answer: “I’m not betting on that.” 

What Comes Next? 

This isn’t doom and gloom. It’s just data. 

Credit card delinquencies, auto repos, commercial real estate stress, layoffs, consumer sentiment, housing imbalances — every indicator is pointing the same direction. And we’re hitting these levels before the crisis officially begins. 

If you want to understand the full setup — the charts, the historical context, and what Mike sees coming — the full 20-minute breakdown is essential viewing. 

👉 Watch The Complete Analysis Here 

People Also Ask 

Is the US headed for an economic crisis in 2025? 

According to precious metals expert Mike Maloney, the U.S. is showing crisis-level economic indicators before a major downturn has even begun — including record credit card delinquencies, auto repossessions tracking toward 2 million, and consumer sentiment at near-historic lows. Unlike previous crashes in 1929, 2000, or 2008, the current setup features both a stock market bubble and a real estate bubble simultaneously. 

What is the Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) saying about the economy? 

The Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) is currently at its most negative level since the late 1970s and has never missed a recession signal since 1950. The LEI is showing a historic divergence from the S&P 500 that has lasted over three years — a pattern that has always preceded major market corrections. Mike Maloney breaks down this indicator and what it means for investors in this detailed video. 

How does the 2025 economic situation compare to 2008? 

The 2025 economic setup is more dangerous than 2008 because multiple crisis indicators are already at or above 2008 levels before any major crash has occurred. Commercial real estate delinquencies are now at 11.8% (vs. 10.7% in 2008), consumer sentiment is 10 points lower than during the Great Financial Crisis, and unlike 2008, both the stock market and real estate are in simultaneous bubbles. 

Why are credit card delinquencies so high right now? 

U.S. credit card delinquencies reached 12% in 2024 — the highest level in 15 years — meaning roughly one in eight Americans can’t pay their credit cards on time. According to economic analyst Alan Hibbard, these delinquencies have accelerated rapidly since 2022 when stimulus payments ended, and they’re rising faster than during the 2008 financial crisis.  

What should I do to prepare for an economic crisis? 

Mike Maloney recommends focusing on assets that historically outperform during economic crises, particularly gold and silver, which have been top-performing asset classes this century. Rather than trying to time the market perfectly, Maloney emphasizes being “years early rather than one day too late” and learning about wealth cycles to position yourself before the crisis hits. For educational resources and precious metals guidance, visit GoldSilver.com or watch Mike’s preparation strategy.