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…
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…
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]
QE2: Will Investors Buy Higher Prices?
The chief role of the Federal Reserve used to be to fight inflation. It was a role the Fed played well, generally holding inflation in check since the 1980s. With…
Signs Of A Market Breakout
While nothing is ever certain until it happens, the stock market appears to be ready for a major breakout from its recent short-term trading range. If the S&P 500 closes…
Payrolls Up Just In Time For Labor Day Weekend
The stock market was given another boost by better-than-expected economic data today, with an August jump of 67,000 jobs in the private sector. Overall, non-farm payrolls declined by 54,000, but that…
Double Dip Less Likely
Global equities are starting the month off on a positive note. The August Chinese Purchasing Managers’ report came in with better-than-expected results, as did Australia’s Gross Domestic Product. In the…