Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Economic Update for the week of August 27th, 2012


WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE


WEEKLY QUOTE
         
“The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. The opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.”
    
- Niels Bohr
  
 
WEEKLY TIP
        
Have you talked to your spouse or partner about your retirement goals? This is vital. See how your individual visions of retirement correspond or differ.

 
WEEKLY RIDDLE
   
A major league pitcher faces just 27 hitters in a baseball game. He retires all of them, allowing no runs and no hits. Still, his team loses the game 4-0. How is this possible?
 
 
Last week’s riddle:
What is the longest word in the English language to have only one vowel repeated? (Hint: It has 18 total letters and the vowel is repeated 4 times).
 
Last week’s answer:
Strengthlessnesses.


August 27, 2012
   
MORE HOMEBUYING IN JULY 
Census Bureau data showed new home sales increasing 3.6% in July to a two-year peak, with an annual gain of 25%. In addition, the National Association of Realtors reported a 2.3% gain in existing home sales last month; residential resales were 10% improved from 12 months ago. The latest edition of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Home Price Index showed prices 1.8% higher for the second quarter (the best quarter since Q4 2005) and 3.0% higher year-over-year.1,2
  
DURABLE GOODS ORDERS SEND MIXED MESSAGE
Overall hard goods orders rose 4.2% in July, but they fell 0.4% for the month with transportation orders subtracted. Core capital goods orders fell 3.4% in July, the most severe monthly decline since November and the fourth retreat in five months.3
  
DID THE FED HINT AT QE3 ... OR NOT?
The August 1 Federal Reserve policy minutes noted: “Many members judged that additional monetary accommodation would likely be warranted fairly soon unless incoming information pointed to a substantial and sustainable strengthening in the pace of the economic recovery.” Does that imply QE3? Not according to St. Louis Fed president James Bullard, who dismissed the minutes as “stale” on Thursday and noted that stocks are “looking at all-time highs”. Friday, however, the Wall Street Journal cited a letter from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke noting that there was “scope for further action” by the Fed to “ease financial conditions and strengthen the recovery.” Investors are hoping for a decisive FOMC move in September.4,5,6
  
MARKET PULLS BACK
All three major U.S. indexes retreated last week, as follows: DJIA, -0.88% to 13,159.02; S&P 500, -0.46% to 1,411.68; NASDAQ, -0.19% to 3,070.73. In the commodities markets, COMEX gold gained 3.30% on the week while NYMEX crude rose 0.15%; gold ended the week at $1,672.90, oil at $96.15. A gallon of unleaded averaged $3.73 nationwide Friday.7,8
  
THIS WEEK: Monday, Tiffany announces Q2 earnings. Tuesday brings June’s S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index and the Conference Board’s August consumer confidence survey. Wednesday offers the latest Fed Beige Book, numbers on July’s pending home sales from the NAR and the second estimate of Q2 GDP from the federal government; TiVo, Pandora and Heinz issue earnings reports. July consumer spending figures are out on Thursday in addition to the weekly jobless claims report. Friday, Ben Bernanke speaks at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole symposium and the final August University of Michigan consumer sentiment index arrives.
 
% CHANGE
Y-T-D
1-YR CHG
5-YR AVG
10-YR AVG
DJIA
+7.71
+16.24
-0.33
+4.83
NASDAQ
+17.87
+24.44
+3.83
+12.24
S&P 500
+12.25
+19.88
-0.92
+5.00
REAL YIELD
8/24 RATE
1 YR AGO
5 YRS AGO
10 YRS AGO
10 YR TIPS
-0.60%
0.25%
2.40%
3.10%
 

Sources: money.msn.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 8/24/127,9,10,11
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.nytimes.com/2012/08/24/business/economy/claims-for-jobless-benefits-rise.html [8/24/12]
2 - www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-23/house-prices-rose-most-since-2005-in-second-quarter-fhfa.html [8/23/12]
3 - www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Drop-in-key-US-durable-goods-orders-shows-weakness-3812413.php [8/24/12]
4 - www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/Many-on-FOMC-Favored-Easing-Soon-If-No-Sustained-3808030.php [8/23/12]
5 - www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-23/fed-s-bullard-says-fomc-minutes-stale-economy-stronger.html [8/23/12]
6 - www.ajc.com/business/a-word-from-bernanke-1505404.html [8/24/12]
7 - money.msn.com/market-news/post.aspx?post=a498bd60-281a-4ee6-8fdc-80e3ddb041b7 [8/24/12]
8 - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=common-financial-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them&category=29 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F24%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F24%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F24%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F24%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F24%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F24%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F23%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F23%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F23%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/24/12]
10 - treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyield [8/24/12]
10 - treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyieldAll [8/24/12]
11 - treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/2002/ofm71002.pdf [7/10/02]



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Economic Update for the week of August 20th, 2012

WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE


WEEKLY QUOTE
         
“Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.”
    
- Mark Twain
   
  
WEEKLY TIP
         
We all have impulses that can make us spend more and save less. Recognizing them can help us to improve our financial behaviors.  

  
WEEKLY RIDDLE
    
What is the longest word in the English language to have only one vowel repeated? (Hint: It has 16 total letters and the vowel is repeated 4 times).
  
  
Last week’s riddle:
A common English word refers to a person or thing not being in a place. But just by inserting a space within it, you can get two words meaning that a person or thing is present. What is this word?
  
Last week’s answer:
Nowhere. It can become now here by inserting a space.


August 20, 2012
    
CPI FLAT FOR A SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONTH
In July, the federal Consumer Price Index showed no overall advance. That was the case in June as well, and that might just bolster the case for easing at the Federal Reserve. Consumer prices rose only 1.4% annually, the smallest increase since the November 2010 index. Core CPI (minus food and energy costs) rose 0.1% last month. As for wholesale prices, they rose 0.3% in July – the largest jump in five months, even as wholesale gas prices slipped 3.1%.1,2
   
RETAIL SALES IMPRESS
American retail purchases soared 0.8% in July after a (downwardly revised) 0.7% retreat in June. It was a real sea change – the first positive month for the category since March. The monthly increase in retail gasoline sales was just 0.5%, which had little effect on the overall gain.3
  
Housing starts DIP; permits hit  4-YEAR peak
U.S. builders broke ground on 1.1% fewer projects in July. The good news: permits for new construction hit a pace of 812,000, a high unseen since August 2008.4
  
CONSUMERS ARE FEELING A BIT BETTER
Economists polled by MarketWatch expected a dip in August’s initial University of Michigan consumer sentiment index. Instead, it rose 1.3% to 73.6 – the best reading since May. The index’s gauge of current economic conditions improved to 87.6 in August from 82.7 in July.5
  
THE SUMMER RALLY ROLLS ON
Feeling slightly bullish? You aren’t alone. The Dow and S&P 500 have now advanced for six straight weeks, and the CBOE VIX (the “fear index”) closed at 13.47 Friday, its lowest mark in five years. The numbers for the week: DJIA, +0.51% to 13,275.20; S&P 500, +0.87% to 1,418.16; NASDAQ, +1.84% to 3,076.59. Gold lost 0.21% on the COMEX for the week while oil soared 3.38% on the NYMEX. Gold settled Friday at $1,619.40, oil at $96.01.6,7,8
  
THIS WEEK: On Monday, Lowe’s reports Q2 earnings. Tuesday, Best Buy, Dell and Meditronic follow suit. Wednesday brings the National Association of Realtors report on July’s existing home sales, the July 31 FOMC minutes and earnings from Hewlett-Packard. In addition to weekly jobless claims, Thursday offers July data on new home buying, a new FHFA home price index and Q2 results from Hormel. Friday, the report on July’s durable goods orders arrives along with the latest USDA outlook on food prices.
  
% CHANGE
Y-T-D
1-YR CHG
5-YR AVG
10-YR AVG
DJIA
+8.66
+16.34
+0.30
+5.12
NASDAQ
+18.10
+22.50
+4.56
+12.61
S&P 500
+12.77
+18.78
-0.38
+5.27
REAL YIELD
8/17 RATE
1 YR AGO
5 YRS AGO
10 YRS AGO
10 YR TIPS
-0.43%
0.01%
2.45%
3.10%
 

Sources: cnbc.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 8/17/126,9,10,11
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.reuters.com/article/2012/08/15/usa-economy-idINL2E8JF2C720120815 [8/15/12]
2 - www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-economy-ppibre87d0gq-20120814,0,3794223.story [8/14/12]
3 - articles.marketwatch.com/2012-08-14/economy/33191357_1_sales-at-gasoline-stations-furniture-store-sales-retail-sales [8/17/12]
4 - www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/Housing-Starts-in-U-S-Decline-as-Permits-Reach-3793297.php [8/16/12]
5 - www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-rises-in-august-2012-08-17-10103922 [8/17/12]
6 - www.cnbc.com/id/48701551 [8/17/12]
7 - money.msn.com/market-news/post.aspx?post=2dab9cc0-86e7-48a1-b678-b50cb7e539d7 [8/17/12]
8 - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=common-financial-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them&category=29 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F17%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F17%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F17%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F17%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F17%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F17%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F16%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F16%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
9 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F16%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/17/12]
10 - treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyield [8/17/12]
10 - treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyieldAll [8/17/12]
11 - treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/2002/ofm71002.pdf [7/10/02]


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Economic Update for the week of August 13th, 2012

WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE


WEEKLY QUOTE
         
“Once you really commence to see things, then you really commence to feel things.”
    
- Edward Steichen
   
  
WEEKLY TIP
         
Most people save too little for retirement. Consider bumping your retirement plan contribution up to 10%-15% of your pay if you can.  

  
WEEKLY RIDDLE
    
A common English word refers to a person or thing not being in a place. But just by inserting a space within it, you can get two words meaning that a person or thing is present. What is this word?
  
  
Last week’s riddle:
A friend wants change for a dollar. All you have in your pocket is change, and it amounts to over a dollar, but you still can't make the change correctly. What is the largest amount of money you could have in this situation? What coins do you have that prevent you from making correct change?
  
Last week’s answer:
$1.19 – four pennies, four dimes, and three quarters.


August 13, 2012
    
WILL GAS HIT $4 AGAIN?
In April, the national average price for a gallon of gas peaked at $3.94. Few analysts think prices will return to that level, though the U.S. average hit $3.67 Friday – an increase of $0.34 since July 1, translating to about $33 more a month for the typical U.S. household. (Consumer demand for gas has dipped 3.5% since the start of July.) The massive refinery fire near Oakland is but one factor – fears over a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, slipping output from the North Sea and South Sudan and anxiety over the violence in Syria have also had an effect.1,2
   
OIL & GOLD MOVE IN THE SAME DIRECTION - UP
At the close Friday, NYMEX crude settled at $92.87 per barrel, +5.46% so far this month but still -6.03% YTD. Prices advanced 1.61% last week. As of Friday, gold was 0.76% improved for the month on the COMEX at $1,622.80.3
     
MORE TRANSPARENCY FOR MORTGAGE SERVICERS?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed new rules to help borrowers last week – rules intended to crack down on robosigning, force-place insurance and inadequate consumer disclosures among mortgage servicers. These regulations could be put into place (and modified) after a comment period.4
   
A QUIET WEEK SEES STOCKS ADVANCE
Friday, the S&P 500 notched a 6-day winning streak. On the week, it gained 1.07% to 1,405.87. The Dow (+0.85% to 13,207.95) and NASDAQ (+1.78% to 3,020.86) each logged their fifth straight weekly gain. Some of this was fueled by hopes that the European Central Bank would make moves to reduce borrowing costs for Italy and Spain. The Russell 2000 rose 1.66% last week to settle at 801.53 Friday, while the CBOE VIX lost 5.31% in five days to close the week at just 14.81.5,6
   
THIS WEEK: Monday, Groupon and Sysco report earnings. The Census Bureau issues July retail sales figures Tuesday, and the July Producer Price Index also appears; Home Depot, Saks and TJX announce Q2 results. Wednesday, the July CPI comes out along with data on July industrial output; earnings are in from Target, Cisco, Abercrombie & Fitch, Deere and Staples. Thursday offers earnings from Sears, Gap, Wal-Mart, Aeropostale and Dollar Tree, new weekly jobless claims figures and data on July housing starts and building permits. On Friday, the Conference Board releases its July index of leading indicators, the University of Michigan’s initial August consumer sentiment survey appears, and Foot Locker, J.M. Smuckers and Ann offer earnings reports.
  
% CHANGE
Y-T-D
1-YR CHG
5-YR AVG
10-YR AVG
DJIA
+8.11
+23.21
-0.05
+5.10
NASDAQ
+15.96
+26.87
+3.74
+13.13
S&P 500
+11.79
+25.44
-0.66
+5.48
REAL YIELD
8/10 RATE
1 YR AGO
5 YRS AGO
10 YRS AGO
10 YR TIPS
-0.60%
-0.13%
2.56%
3.10%
 

Sources: cnbc.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 8/10/126,7,8,9
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.boston.com/travel/destinations/2012/08/10/gas-prices-spike-refinery-problems-cited/IpJbijPWoiIxek94m3hIkM/story.html [8/10/12]
2 - blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/08/10/211579/ [8/10/12]
3 - money.msn.com/market-news/post.aspx?post=778fc44c-68b4-4fc5-a6e4-1fb2aad24796 [8/10/12]
4 - www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/10/us-financial-regulation-servicers-idUSBRE87905L20120810 [8/10/12]
5 - www.cnbc.com/id/48608213 [8/10/12]
6 - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=common-financial-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them&category=29 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F10%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F10%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F10%2F11&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F10%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F10%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F10%2F07&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=8%2F9%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=8%2F9%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
7 - bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=8%2F9%2F02&x=0&y=0 [8/10/12]
8 - treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyield [8/10/12]
8 - treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyieldAll [8/10/12]
9 - treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/2002/ofm71002.pdf [7/10/02]