14 May 2010

Posted at 16:08h in The Friday Brief by
As Europe wrestles with its own version of ‘too big to fail,’ speculation is rising that the Euro might not survive the sovereign debt crisis. Greece may not be able to repay its debt in full, but the problems of fiscal irresponsibility are broader and may take more than the almost $1 trillion already pledged.

30 Apr 2010

Posted at 16:24h in The Friday Brief by
Recovery remains firmly on track as revealed by the government’s first of three estimates on the growth of US Gross Domestic Product for the first quarter of this year. While a little below expectations, the 3.2% gain is solid and continues on the heels of a 5.6% pace set in the fourth quarter. The six months together comprise the strongest advance since 2003.

09 Apr 2010

Posted at 16:32h in The Friday Brief by
Globalization and productivity have all but neutralized inflation.  Profits in the US continue to surge while analysts play catch-up.  Global economic growth looks healthy as well among the G6 countries.  Earnings in Japan and Europe outpace analysts’ expectations just as they do here.  And the developing ‘BRIC’ countries; Brazil, Russia, India, and China are ablaze with growth rates as high as 10%.  

12 Mar 2010

Posted at 16:47h in The Friday Brief by
The American consumer is coming back. Sales at US retailers grew a surprising .3% in February according to a Commerce Department report released this morning, but the two previous months were revised downward. Excluding autos, February sales rose .8%, also surpassing expectations. Economists expected sales to fall .2% due to bad weather across the country.