12 Aug 2011

Posted at 13:35h in The Friday Brief by
Since the slide in equity prices that began July 22nd, US stocks have lost some $2.8 trillion dollars in value and roughly $4 trillion worldwide. Following yesterday’s rally, the MSCI Total US Market Index is down 13.5% and the blue chip Down Jones index is down 12.1%. Investors slugged it out this week as news gyrated on earnings, interest rates from the Fed, jobs data, and European bond woes. The Dow experienced an unprecedented four-day ride points-wise; down 634, up 429, down 519, and up 423. 

03 Jun 2011

Posted at 14:34h in The Friday Brief by
A basic tenant in negotiating is to start with an extreme position from which you allow your opponent to gain ground against, but only to a point that is better than or at your original objective. Have we as a ‘civilization’ gotten so accomplished to negotiating/posturing our own objectives that we completely lose sight of the greater good? You name the arena and it seems that leaders on both or more sides are so entrenched in their own beliefs and positions that no middle ground exists. Seemingly unsolvable conflicts abound, in the NFL, state houses, Washington, Pakistan v. India, Pakistan v. US, even Israel v. the US: The sense of urgency or the bigger picture are held hostage by ideology or greed. It’s the story of mankind, but it just seems louder and more prevalent lately. 

25 Feb 2011

Posted at 15:04h in The Friday Brief by
Mounting problems in Libya sent oil prices over $100, natural gas trading to record highs, and equity prices reeling. The MSCI US Broad Market Index, which represents 99.5% or more of the total market capitalization of all US common stocks was down 3.9% intra-day, but closed down 2.9% for the week as of yesterday. Realization that there is enough oil supply, a number of good earnings reports and today’s news that last year’s economy (despite a downward revision) still grew the best in 5 years has stocks up .6% this morning. 

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?