Hubdub’s Hot Predictions This Week
Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.
The Credit Crunch
Two weeks ago we were predicting whether the DOW would drop below 10,000. Shortly thereafter the market dropped right through that mark. Now as the DOW just tries to stay afloat the question lingers, have we seen the worst of it? Sadly Hubdubbers doubt it’s over, forecasting the DOW will close below 7,000 in 2008.
What will be the lowest close for the DJIA in 2008?
We’ve all heard the rumors about a GM Chrysler merger but at first it didn’t seem possible. As the markets worsen though, this deal seems more and more plausible. Companies like GM are on the edge of an abyss, falling SUV sales and a failing economy are pushing this merger, but will it happen? For now 60% of Hubdubbers still think it won’t.
Will GM and Chrysler be announced to merge before December 15?
The markets are rebounding right now, after world leaders announced more plans to rebuild the broken financial markets. The start of this week looks good in comparison with the last two weeks where stunning losses were followed by only more stunning losses. As the weeks moves on though can they continue their rebound or will more bad news lead to more losses?
Will Dow (DJIA) close up the week Oct 13-17?
The Election Heats Up
Is John McCain your friend? If you’ve been watching him recite ‘My Friends’ this and ‘My friends’ that you’d think he’s the most popular person in the world. For Wednesdays debate look forward to more ‘My Friends’ this and ‘My friends’ that, as Hubdub forecasts McCain says ‘My friends’ more than 12 times. Phew, that was 5 ‘My friends’ right there!
3rd Presidential Debate Oct 15 — How many times will McCain address the audience as, “my friends”?
It seems the one person being helped by the financial crisis is Barack Obama. Since the DOW crash Obama’s lead in the polls has grown exponentially. If Obama does win, Hubdub users forecast there’s a 48% chance that he wins in a landslide, getting at least 2/3 of the electoral votes.
Will Barack Obama win a landslide victory (at least 2/3 of electoral college votes)?
World News
Can a country go bankrupt? The answer is yes if a government defaults. Following Iceland’s nationalization of its banks, some have alluded to the possibility of national bankruptcy. Fortunately Hubdub users give Iceland only a 25% chance of bankruptcy in the near future.
Will Iceland be officially bankrupt by the end of the year?
Canada’s not usually known for political violence. Although, recently some Liberal party supporters have awoken to find their car brake lines cut. The vandalism is being investigated by police. Although hubdubbers doubt anyone will be arrested, giving only a 21% chance of arrests being made.
Will any of the brake-line cutting vandals of Toronto Liberal supporters be arrested?
Sport
Instant replay has been around in the NFL for a long time, but just this season it’s been introduced into the MLB. With the biggest event coming up this month, Hubdub users are forecasting by 60% that instant replay will be used to determine or challenge a call in the World Series.
Will instant replay be used to determine or challenge a call in the 2008 World Series
Odd Stuff
There’s the Olympics and then there’s the the World Mind Games. For armchair generals the Beijing Mind Games offer an array of brain strengthening events in bridge, chess, draughts, Go and Xiangqi. It’s a chance for those who were never really popular in high school to regain some self esteem. Home ground advantage seems to be proving true as Hubdubbers predict Asia tops the gold medal tally.
A country from which region will top the gold medal tally at the World Mind Games?
Entertainment
In one swoop Tina Fey saved Saturday Night Live from cancellation. As Sarah Palin Tina brought in swathes of new viewers. In the final days of the election rumors are abound of a joint Sarah Palin, Tina Fey SNL appearance, but will it happen? 75% of Hubdubbers forecast it will.
Will Tina Fey and Sarah Palin make a joint appearance on SNL prior to the November election?
Popularity: 16% [?]
Tags: 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama, credit crunch, djia, dow, forecasts, hubdub, iceland, instant replay, John McCain, MLB, news, Predictions, sarah palin, world mind games
