|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY QUOTE
“Success
is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.”
- George S. Patton
WEEKLY TIP
New
parents can sometimes spend a little too much on cute and trendy stuff.
Here’s a test: will the item improve the quality of care for your baby? If
not, leave it at the store.
WEEKLY RIDDLE
Five
girls took part in a bicycle race. Barbara finished before Vicki but behind
Susan. Katarina finished before Sara but behind Vicki. In what order did they
finish?
Last week’s riddle:
You need to park a car for the weekend. You find a parking space
signed “2-Hour Parking M-F, 8am-6pm” with no other restrictions. You call the
city and find that overnight parking is allowed on this block. So, what is
the maximum amount of time you can leave your car in this space without
getting a ticket?
Last week’s answer:
66
hours. You can park in the space from 4pm Friday until 10am Monday.
|
May 28,
2012
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
HIGHEST SINCE 2007
In
a tense week for investors, some promising news emerged: the closely watched
Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index came in with
a final reading of 79.3 for May – the ninth straight monthly improvement. May’s
3.8% gain brought the index to a peak unseen since October 2007. The survey’s
current conditions index rose 5.2% in May to 87.2, the best reading in that
category since January 2008.1
HOMEBUYING
PICKS UP
More good news: sales of new and existing homes improved in April. Last week, the Census Bureau reported a 3.3% April rise in new home purchases, just after the National Association of Realtors noted a 3.4% gain in residential resales for the month. In April, the pace of existing home sales nearly matched that of January – and January was the best month for the indicator in two years.2
DURABLE GOODS
ORDERS INCREASE 0.2%
The
overall April gain refuted the forecast of economists polled by MarketWatch –
they felt orders would decrease 0.4% after a revised 3.7% drop for March. However,
hard goods orders did fall 0.6% in April with transportation orders factored
out.3
STOCKS MANAGE GAINS
For
much of the week, Wall Street’s collective mind was on two things: ongoing
capital flight from European banks and the risk of Greece exiting the euro. Thanks
to some positive data stateside, and despite the debut of social media giant
Facebook (down 17.4% in its first week as a publicly traded company), stocks
broke a 3-week losing streak. The numbers across five trading days: S&P
500, +1.74% to 1,317.82; DJIA, +0.69% to 12,454.83; NASDAQ, +2.11% to 2,837.53.
NYMEX crude (-0.68% for the week) settled at $90.86 Friday while COMEX gold
(-1.44% on the week) settled at $1,568.90.4
THIS WEEK: Monday is
Memorial Day, so U.S. equity and bond markets will be closed. Tuesday brings
the March edition of the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index and the
Conference Board’s snapshot of May consumer confidence. The NAR puts out its
report on April pending home sales on Wednesday while TiVo issues Q1 results.
Thursday, investors will check the latest initial jobless claims figures and
react to the second estimate of Q1 GDP from the BEA. Friday is big: in one
market day, we get the May unemployment report from the Labor Department,
April’s consumer spending numbers from the Commerce Department, ISM’s April
manufacturing survey and data on April construction spending and May auto
sales.
Sources: money.msn.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 5/25/124,6,7,8
Indices are unmanaged, do not
incur fees or expenses, and cannot be invested into directly.
These returns do not include
dividends.
|
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free to forward this article to family, friends or colleagues.
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«RepresentativeDisclosure»
This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net
Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party,
nor their affiliates. Marketing Library.Net Inc. is not affiliated with any
broker or brokerage firm that may be providing this information to you. This
information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and
may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. The
Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 actively traded
blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is an unmanaged, market-weighted
index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Standard
& Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered
to be representative of the stock market in general. It is not possible to
invest directly in an index. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX) operates two
securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and NYSE Arca
(formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and the Pacific
Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities listing, trading
and market data products and services. The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.
(NYMEX) is the world's largest physical commodity futures exchange and the
preeminent trading forum for energy and precious metals, with trading
conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division, home to the energy,
platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division, on which all other
metals trade. Additional risks are associated with international investing,
such as currency fluctuations, political and economic instability and
differences in accounting standards. All information is believed to be from
reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or
accuracy. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative
of future results. Market indices discussed are unmanaged. Investors cannot
invest in unmanaged indices. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal,
accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the
reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional.
Citations.
1 - thomsonreuters.com/content/financial/pdf/i_and_a/438965/gains_in_confidence_depends_on_job_growth.pdf
[5/25/12]
2 - www.cbsnews.com/8301-500395_162-57439946/solid-rise-in-new-home-sales/
[5/23/12]
3 - articles.marketwatch.com/2012-05-24/economy/31831869_1_orders-for-long-lasting-goods-aircraft-and-parts-orders-durable-goods-orders
[5/25/12]
4 - money.msn.com/market-news/post.aspx?post=84efdd91-09d9-46c5-befa-9110478068c4
[5/25/12]
5 - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=common-financial-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them&category=29
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F25%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F25%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F25%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F25%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F25%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F25%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F24%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F24%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
6 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F24%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/25/12]
7 -
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyield
[5/25/12]
7 -
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyieldAll
[5/25/12]
8 - treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/2002/ofm10902.pdf
[1/9/02]
|
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Economic Update for the week of May 28th, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Economic Update for the week of May 21st, 2012
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY QUOTE
“Pleasure
in the job puts perfection in the work.”
- Aristotle
WEEKLY TIP
If
marriage will give you a new last name, be sure to notify Social Security,
your bank, and the investment and insurance companies with whom you have
accounts and policies about the name change.
WEEKLY RIDDLE
You
need to park a car for the weekend. You find a parking space marked “2-Hour
Parking M-F, 8am-6pm” with no other restrictions. You call the city and find
that overnight parking is allowed on this block. So, what is the maximum
amount of time you can leave your car in this space without getting a ticket?
Last week’s riddle:
We know that a seahorse isn’t a horse, and we know that a
silverfish isn’t a fish. For that matter, a snakehead isn’t a snake – but
what is it?
Last week’s answer:
A
predatory fish found in both Asia and Africa.
|
May 21,
2012
FACEBOOK DEBUT
DIVERTS ATTENTION FROM EUROPE
Facebook’s
IPO set a new record for a stock debut Friday – volume surpassed 578 million
shares. The gain was small: shares closed at $38.23 at the end of regular
trading, up 0.61% from the initial $38 offering price. Meanwhile, the S&P
500 ended the trading week below 1,300, a casualty of renewed pessimism over
the future of the euro and debt burdens in Spain and Greece. Greece dissolved
its parliament Friday and set new elections for June, increasing global fears
that it will exit the euro. Moody’s issued downgrades for 16 Spanish banks on
Thursday, and one of them was Banco Santander – the biggest bank in the
Eurozone.1,2
CPI IS FLAT
FOR APRIL
According to the Commerce Department, April brought no change in the Consumer Price Index and only a 0.1% advance in retail sales. Annualized consumer inflation was at 2.3% last month, the lowest in 14 months. Core CPI was up 0.2% in April.3
CONFERENCE
BOARD LEI DECLINES
The
private research group’s monthly index of leading economic indicators retreated
0.1% for April after a 0.3% March gain. On the upside, the index has risen
1.8% in the past six months compared to 0.1% in the six months prior.4
HOUSING STARTS
RISE 2.6% IN APRIL
Homebuilders
broke ground on 717,000 homes in April. Single-family construction starts
were up 2.3% from March levels.5
HEADWINDS SWEEP THROUGH WALL STREET
Facebook
frenzy notwithstanding, the market had it rough last week. The major index
performance during May 14-18: S&P 500, -4.30% to 1,295.22; DJIA, -3.52%
to 12,369.38; NASDAQ, -5.28% to 2,778.79. The end-of-day yield on the 10-year
Treasury was 1.69% last Thursday, near the all-time intraday low of 1.67%.1,6,7
THIS WEEK: Monday
brings Q1 results from Urban Outfitters, Lowe’s and Campbell’s Soup. Tuesday,
the NAR gives us data on April existing home sales and Q1 results are in from
AutoZone, Best Buy and Dell. Wednesday brings fresh earnings reports from Hewlett-Packard,
Big Lots, Toll Bros. and Pandora and the Census Bureau’s numbers on April new
home sales. A report on April durable goods orders arrives on Thursday, along
with earnings from Costco and Tiffany. Friday brings no earnings reports, but
the final May Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey will
appear.
Sources: cnbc.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 5/18/121,8,9,10
Indices are unmanaged, do not
incur fees or expenses, and cannot be invested into directly.
These returns do not include
dividends.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please feel
free to forward this article to family, friends or colleagues.
If you would like us to add them to our distribution list, please reply with their address. We will contact them first and request their permission to add them to our list. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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«RepresentativeDisclosure»
This material was prepared by
MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of
the presenting party, nor their affiliates. Marketing Library.Net Inc. is not
affiliated with any broker or brokerage firm that may be providing this
information to you. This information should not be construed as investment,
tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any
Federal tax penalty. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted
index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is
an unmanaged, market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks
traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System. The Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of
securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. It
is not possible to invest directly in an index. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX)
operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”)
and NYSE Arca (formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and
the Pacific Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities
listing, trading and market data products and services. The New York
Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (NYMEX) is the world's largest physical commodity
futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious
metals, with trading conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division,
home to the energy, platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division,
on which all other metals trade. Additional risks are associated with
international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and
economic instability and differences in accounting standards. All information
is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as
to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance data is
historical and not indicative of future results. Market indices discussed are
unmanaged. Investors cannot invest in unmanaged indices. The publisher is not
engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If
assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a
competent professional.
Citations.
1 - www.cnbc.com/id/47474749 [5/18/12]
2 - money.msn.com/market-news/post.aspx?post=15dbd105-1ce5-4661-bb8d-c81baa7700e5
[5/18/12]
3 - online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304192704577405853805485804.html
[5/15/12]
4 - articles.marketwatch.com/2012-05-17/economy/31737721_1_consumer-goods-and-materials-economic-indicators-negative-contributions
[5/18/12]
5 - thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1091-housing/227711-builders-start-construction-on-more-homes-in-april
[5/16/12]
6 - www.cnbc.com/id/47480281
[5/18/12]
7 - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=common-financial-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them&category=29
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F18%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F18%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F18%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F18%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F18%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F18%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F17%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F17%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
8 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F17%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/18/12]
9 -
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyield
[5/18/12]
9 -
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyieldAll
[5/18/12]
10 - treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/2002/ofm10902.pdf
[1/9/02]
|
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Economic Update for the week of May 14th, 2012
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY QUOTE
“He
who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
- Muhammad Ali
WEEKLY TIP
If
you and your partner aren’t married, it might be prudent to create a domestic
partnership agreement that states how expenses are shared, how assets are
owned, and how those assets should be distributed in the event of your
death(s) or the dissolution of the relationship.
WEEKLY RIDDLE
We
know that a seahorse isn’t a horse, and we know that a silverfish isn’t a
fish. For that matter, a snakehead isn’t a snake – but what is it?
Last week’s riddle:
About 90% of this country’s land area is made up of arid tan
desert, yet its flag is solid green – in fact, at present it is the only
nation in the world with a flag containing just one color. What nation is
this?
Last week’s answer:
Libya.
|
May 14,
2012
CONSUMER
SENTIMENT HITS A 4-YEAR PEAK
May’s
initial Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey came
in with an index reading of 77.8, the highest mark since January 2008. The
current economic conditions sub-index rose to 87.3 from last month’s final
82.9 reading. Descending oil and gas prices may have been factors promoting some
optimism.1
BIGGEST DROP
IN PPI In 6 MONTHS
Falling energy prices influenced this development as well. Producer prices retreated 0.2% in April according to the Labor Department. Economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast no change. The bulk of the retreat was attributed to the 1.4% April drop in energy costs. The PPI has only risen 1.9% in the last 12 months, the smallest annualized wholesale price inflation recorded since October 2009.2,3
GOLD & OIL
PRICES RETREAT
After
anxieties emerged last week about a China slowdown, the broad commodities
market took a hit. So at Friday’s close, gold had fallen 3.72% across five
trading days to $1,584.00 per ounce while crude futures had slipped 2.40% to
$96.13 a barrel. As of Friday evening, gold was +1.10% YTD and oil was -2.73%
YTD.2
NEW DOUBTS IN THE EU AFFECT STOCKS
Eurozone
elections brought new worries about whether Greece would abide by austerity
cuts and stick with the euro. Efforts to form a coalition government in
Greece stalled last week, and French president Nicolas Sarkozy was defeated
in his reelection bid by socialist candidate Francois Hollande. Factor in the
usual spring thoughts about whether stocks are ready to pull back, and the
weekly losses were as follows: S&P 500, -1.15% to 1,353.39; DJIA, -1.67%
to 12,820.60; NASDAQ, -0.76% to 2,933.82.2,4,8
THIS WEEK: Facebook’s
IPO is scheduled for Friday, and there are plenty of other news items on tap.
On Monday, Groupon comes out with Q1 results. Tuesday, the April CPI appears
plus data on April retail sales and earnings from JCPenney, TJX, Dick’s
Sporting Goods, Saks and Home Depot. Wednesday brings data on April housing
starts and industrial output, the April 25 FOMC minutes, and Q1 results from Deere,
Abercrombie & Fitch, Target, Staples and Limited Brands. The Conference
Board’s April consumer confidence index and new initial claims figures are
out Thursday, joined by Q1 earnings from Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, Ross Stores,
Gap, Aeropostale and Sears. As Facebook starts trading on Friday, a G8 summit
also starts at Camp David; Q1 results also arrive from Ann, Inc. (formerly
Ann Taylor).
Sources: money.msn.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 5/11/122,5,6,7
Indices are unmanaged, do not
incur fees or expenses, and cannot be invested into directly.
These returns do not include
dividends.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please feel
free to forward this article to family, friends or colleagues.
If you would like us to add them to our distribution list, please reply with their address. We will contact them first and request their permission to add them to our list. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
«RepresentativeDisclosure»
This material was prepared by
MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of
the presenting party, nor their affiliates. Marketing Library.Net Inc. is not
affiliated with any broker or brokerage firm that may be providing this
information to you. This information should not be construed as investment,
tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any
Federal tax penalty. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted
index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is
an unmanaged, market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks
traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System. The Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of
securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. It
is not possible to invest directly in an index. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX)
operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”)
and NYSE Arca (formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and
the Pacific Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities
listing, trading and market data products and services. The New York
Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (NYMEX) is the world's largest physical commodity
futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious
metals, with trading conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division,
home to the energy, platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division,
on which all other metals trade. Additional risks are associated with
international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and
economic instability and differences in accounting standards. All information
is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as
to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance data is
historical and not indicative of future results. Market indices discussed are
unmanaged. Investors cannot invest in unmanaged indices. The publisher is not
engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If
assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a
competent professional.
Citations.
1 - www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-in-may-at-post-recession-high-2012-05-11
[5/11/12]
2 - money.msn.com/market-news/post.aspx?post=eb995dbd-6940-465b-8bcb-3488ef1c2b7e
[5/11/12]
3 - www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/business/economy/us-wholesale-inflation-falls.html
[5/12/12]
4 - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=common-financial-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them&category=29
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F11%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F11%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F11%2F11&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F11%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F11%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F11%2F07&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=5%2F10%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=5%2F10%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
5 -
bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=5%2F10%2F02&x=0&y=0
[5/11/12]
6 -
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyield
[5/11/12]
6 -
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyieldAll
[5/11/12]
7 - treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/2002/ofm10902.pdf
[1/9/02]
8 - www.sacbee.com/2012/05/10/4483985/as-europes-economic-outlook-darkens.html
[5/11/12]
|
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