It's that time of year when economists compete to release unique forecasts for the months ahead, flooding the inboxes of market players with outlooks on everything from iron ore to exotic debt.
Luckily, a few research houses like to spice things up.
Joining the ranks of Saxo Bank's annual outrageous predictions for the year ahead, Lombard Street Research (LSR) has published a tongue-in-cheek alternative guide to 2016. Containing (highly) unrealistic (but amusing) scenarios, LSR's chief European economist Dario Perkins mocks current news events from 'Brexit' fears to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
Here are a few highlights from his report released on Wednesday.
After creating a massive shortage of government bonds, mortgage-backed securities and all European regional/municipal debt, European Central Bank [ECB] chief Mario Draghi is forced to extend his asset purchase program to include second-hand Ferraris, holiday homes in Sardinia, Ferragamo loafers, Panini soccer stickers and super Tuscan wines.
"This causes outrage at the Bundesbank, adding fuel to German claims that Draghi is 'just a classic Italian central banker', setting policy only with a view to helping out his own country."
In which Donald Trump, presidential hopeful and current leading Republican candidate , is forced to pull out from the race after leaked documents reveal a detailed agenda for his four years in office, including "foreign policies that extend beyond building the wall."
"One disillusioned former Trump supporter said, 'We thought he was different. We thought he would make politics interesting. But he's just like all the rest and now no amount of silly gaffes or clever one-liners can convince me otherwise."
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe finally launches Abenomics' long-awaited structural reforms into full throttle and delivers the world's fastest-growing economy.
"Economists start writing again about 'Japan's miracle.' No one mentions 'secular stagnation' or liquidity traps ever again. Paul Krugman's public speaking fee suffers chronic deflation."
A year that sees England win the European Championships [UEFA] after beating every other team on penalties, prompting the British public to realize they like being part of Europe and vote by a massive majority to stay in the European Union.
"Striker Wayne Rooney is knighted for his services to European integration, and the team's manager, Roy Hodgson, becomes Lord Hodgson of Wembley. Following his stunning referendum victory, David Cameron resigns as prime minister and becomes the new president of the European Commission."