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The 10% rally in the S&P 500 beginning in early July abruptly turned this past Tuesday as the Fed announced a small downgrade in their assessment of the recovery and as a Chinese government report suggested growth was slowing in that economy. The US recovery has been largely attributed to exports which will decline if China and the global economy drift back into recession. The three-day decline in stock prices this week erased 3.8% from the 10% rally. Treasuries on the other hand continued their multi-month advance as the Fed said they would replace maturing mortgage bonds held on their books with two to ten-year Treasury bonds. The Barclay’s 7-10 year Treasury index is up 3% since early July. 

The Great Recession, now in its 33rd month, drags on relentlessly and painfully as headlines such as today’s unemployment number perpetuate the gloom. The US economy lost more jobs in July than was expected and the unemployment rate remained fixed at 9.5%. But beneath the din, there are substantial reasons for hope of improvement.

The combination of strong earnings reports and guidance from giants like Alcoa, Intel, Microsoft, Ford, UPS, 3M along with better-than-expected economic data in Europe cheered equity investors this week. Despite the enactment of sweeping economic reform legislation, potential tax hikes promised by the White House and comments from Fed chief Ben Bernanke that “the economic outlook remains unusually uncertain” the rally continued. 

Economic data reported during this holiday-shortened week was particularly light; perhaps facilitating the market’s rebound of 4.5%. Global markets rebounded as well as investors realized the world’s economy was not cliff-bound. Europe’s credit implosion has dampened growth, but evidence so far indicates it will not stall the recovery.

Paul Krugman in a column in Monday’s New York Times shook up the financial press and investors alike with his claims that “The Third Depression” may be upon us because of the “triumph of orthodoxy” evidenced in the G20’s endorsement of deficit reduction. Krugman a liberal economist and staunch Keynesian believes that government stimulus is the only way to create jobs, and that belt-tightening at this time would be disastrous. Unfortunately, the bond and stock markets seem reflect a similar fear at present with the benchmark 10-year Treasury at just over 3%, a level not seen since April 27, 2009, and the S&P 500 Index sliding to a nine-month low yesterday.

The ‘green shoots’ of economic recovery characterized by Ben Bernanke in mid 2009 are withering as the housing slump drags on, unemployment remains chronically high, consumer spending remains stagnate, Europe’s debt crisis eludes resolution, state governments grow increasingly insolvent, and the economic and ecological catastrophe in the Gulf grows worse by the day. For the second time, the government revised downward their estimate of US gross domestic product from to 2.7%. The first estimate was 3.2%, followed by a correction to 3.0%. Year over year real GDF (inflation adjusted) is up 2.4%, compared to up .1% for the fourth quarter.

There are plenty of stories of how smart or lucky investors made millions of dollars through unique investment ideas, schemes, or methodologies. There are indeed still billions, even trillions to be made by those who make large gambles and bets. Our purpose is not to suggest that the pursuit of market-beating returns does not have its place. There are indeed many investors with talents, knowledge, and acumen to do so. Rather it is our purpose to demonstrate that the performance pursuit is unnecessary and even dangerous for any investor with more important goals; such as educating children, retiring comfortably, or funding scholarships, grants, or buildings.

Since falling steadily during much of May by 12%, equity markets have traded within a 4.5% trading range since May 21st. Investors are struggling to assess what impact the worsening European debt crisis and China’s lending curbs will have on the US and on the larger global economic recovery. Since the breaking news of each, $6 trillion has been erased from equity markets worldwide. 

Employment generally begins to rise a few months or quarters into a typical economic recovery. Businesses see demand for their products and services rise faster than they can fill orders. The last bit of productivity squeezed from their workers and plant, they must hire. But when will we reach that point? We are in recovery from the ‘Great Recession?’ European debt concerns, slowing growth in China, and the greatest man-made oil spill in world history all serve to derail the chugging recovery.

Events of the past few weeks have rattled the confidence of even the most stalwart of optimists and caused more than a few to question fundamental tenets of the economy. How can millions of gallons of oil flood the Gulf and not permanently ruin that ecosystem and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend upon it? How can markets be called efficient when an aberration can cause the loss of a trillion dollars in mere minutes? How can the Euro survive a potential default by Greece and survive?