It’s all stress-free bliss these days … at least for anyone who’s not paying attention. Has someone been putting anti-depressants in the water supply? That’s one way to explain Wednesday’s…
Mario the Magnificent
It will take more than higher prices to cure what ails the European economy, but Wall Street reacted to the European Central Bank’s inflation-boosting efforts by setting new records yesterday.…
Fundamentally Flawed
Imagine if the outcome of a football game depended more on the weather than on the talent of the players. Weather, indeed, can have an impact and should, but its…
Getting Your Bond Portfolio in Shape for 2014
It’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. It’s an American tradition to resolve to lose weight, exercise regularly, be nicer, work harder and give up everything you enjoy.…
The Beat Goes On
From a future article in The New York Times: Janet Yellen, retiring chair of the Federal Reserve Board, announced that The Fed’s quantitative easing program, aka QE12, is close to…
America – The New Europe?
Defaulting on bond payments isn’t just for Europe anymore. Detroit and several cities in California have defaulted on bond payments. Now Puerto Rico may be in trouble, as its bonds…
At The Fed, Saying Trumps Doing
President Obama’s campaign slogan for last year’s election was “Forward.” The Federal Reserve Board’s slogan in the coming months may be “forward guidance.” According to Goldman Sachs, The Fed is…
Take Advantage of Rising Interest Rates by Understanding Duration
Recently, there has been a lot of news about rising interest rates ending the bond rally. Investors who have a significant percentage of their investments in bonds may be getting…
This Is Progress?
Economic growth for the second quarter of 2012 officially has been revised down to 1.25%, which is below the lowest previous estimate. In an effort to stimulate the economy, the…
Over Fed
To QE3 or not to QE3? That is the question the Federal Reserve Board has been pondering for months … or at least Fed observers think it’s being pondered. But,…