18 Feb 2011

Posted at 15:09h in The Friday Brief by
It was a mixed week for economic data, but a pretty good one for markets. The S&P looks to finish up close to 1% and the 7-10 year Treasury index is up .25% for the week so far.  Manufacturing news and corporate earnings continue strong, but the consumer may be taking a break. And still bouncing along the bottom, jobs and housing showed few signs of recovery. 

12 Nov 2010

Posted at 15:17h in The Friday Brief by
Equity markets took a 1% hit on Tuesday when Cisco, a bellwether of the tech industry, expressed concern over its projected revenues. Investors ignored analysts’ reminders of the recent reports of other large techs which were in sharp contrast to Cisco’s warnings. But investors are concerned over the broader question; will companies be able to grow sales numbers sufficiently in a sub-par economy to sustain record earnings momentum? 

05 Nov 2010

Posted at 15:19h in The Friday Brief by
It has been a busy week across the country, but especially, in Washington D.C. and on Wall Street. Republicans gained over 60 seats in the House, roughly twice the post-World War II midterm average. Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve risked credibility again by increasing their record stimulus to buy an additional $600 billion of Treasuries through June to reduce unemployment and avert deflation. And amidst it all the S&P 500 charged to its highest level since September 2008 on strong earnings releases and speculation that the Fed will indeed stimulate growth and that banks will be allowed to raise dividends. But alas, as the presumptive Speaker of the House John Boehner said on Tuesday night, “we have real work to do – and this is not a time for celebration.” 

24 Sep 2010

Posted at 16:22h in The Friday Brief by
Once again a headline issue with both near and long-term impact on this country’s economic future was decided by the majority party, completely on political terms; this time it was for personal survival. Going back a few months it was in the name of economic survival. The extravagant American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was supposed to save the day. Some derided the $787 billion bill as “Speaker Pelosi’s Payoffs and Pork Bill.” In fact it provided limited if any stimulus impact. And the crowning accomplishment of the majority party: The Affordable Healthcare for America Act. This massive sea-change of American culture and economy was literally rammed down the throats not only of the minority party in Congress, but the American people.