According to CNBC.com, which quoted a RealtyTrac report, “Sales of distressed U.S. homes fell in the first quarter as demand remained weak, but they still made up about 28 percent…
Japanese ‘Quake Hurts U.S. Economy
The Japanese tsunami and earthquake are having a greater impact on the U.S. economy than previously expected. According to CNBC.com, “A series of analysts have recently cut their second-quarter gross…
IPOs Making A Comeback – For Large Companies
Judging by the LinkedIn IPO, “going public” may be fashionable again. Investors lucky enough to own LinkedIn shares (i.e., employees and a small number of wealthy, well-connected investors) saw their…
Housing Market Needs Rehab
It wasn’t long ago that housing seemed like the best possible investment. Housing prices just kept going up, up, up. Now 2011 is on track to become the sixth consecutive…
T-Bills, Munis Are Hot … Compared With Everything Else
You could say that the yield on three-month Treasury bills has quintupled this month, which would explain why they are in demand. Or you could say that yields on three-month…
Steroids Running Out For Stock Market
Lackluster economic performance, continuing concern about debt in both Europe and the U.S., and other factors have been pushing the stock market down in recent weeks. Another factor receiving less…
Let’s Hear It for Growth … A Little Louder, Please
You call this a recovery? Typically, the rule is this – the bigger the recession, the stronger the recovery. By any measure, the recent recession was a whopper. Yet gross…
Day Traders Returning
The Wall Street Journal recently noted that day traders are returning to the market. When speculative traders start betting on the market, it’s typically a sign of trouble ahead. Their…
Pick One: High Risk or Low Returns
Here’s your choice: Take on lots of risk and hope for the best or watch your standard of living erode. The stock market has been soaring, thanks to the Federal…
What’s So Funny About Quantitative Easing?
There’s plenty funny about quantitative easing. This UTube computer-animated video explains QE2 much better than anything I’ve seen or read elsewhere. Check it out. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUY16CkS-k&feature=email]