Description: Investors run to the precious metal as jitters about the recovery and currency market volatility increase. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report   Date: 09/23/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/09/23/mkts_gold_highs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented about gold and gold related investments. Do you agree with this analysis? What is your prediction for gold over the next… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Economic Analysis
Housing market rebounds — sort of
Description: Although construction company shares and new home starts are up, Buzz readers are skeptical about a recovery in the housing sector Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 09/22/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/09/22/n_bz_housing.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the range of commentary made about the housing market. Do you agree with any of the analysis presented? How… Read more »
U.S. REITs Use Stock Sales to Grow After `Balance-Sheet Repair’
Description: U.S. real estate investment trusts are selling shares to fund property acquisitions after using record cash from equity offerings last year to reduce debt and cover dividends. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 09/24/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-24/u-s-reits-balance-sheet-repair-gives-way-to-deals-as-stock-sales-advance.html  Questions for discussion: How are these firms restructuring their finances? What is driving this behavior? Do you believe it is… Read more »
Obama Stimulus Made Economic Crisis Worse, `Black Swan’ Author Taleb Says
Description: U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration weakened the country’s economy by seeking to foster growth instead of paying down the federal debt, said Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of “The Black Swan.†Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 09/25/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-25/-black-swan-author-taleb-says-obama-s-stimulus-made-economic-crisis-worse.html Questions for discussion: What is the basis of Taleb’s criticism of government handling of the… Read more »
As Market Pessimism Grows, Should You Buy Stocks?
Description: Investors are disenchanted with the market. To contrarians, that constitutes signs of a rally. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/16/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_39/b4196047923232.htm  Questions for discussion: Summarize the views presented in this article. Do you agree with the arguments presented for stock improvements? What would your investment advice be at this time?
Bernanke Shadow of Easing Limits BOJ Success With Yen Weakness
Description: Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa’s success in weakening the yen may hinge on Ben S. Bernanke. Japan said two days ago it sold yen for the first time since 2004 because the currency’s surge to a 15-year high versus the dollar imperiled the nation’s export-led recovery. Meantime, pressure is growing on U.S. Federal… Read more »
U.S. Stocks Advance as S&P 500 Caps Longest Rally Since June
Description: U.S. stocks advanced, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index capping its first consecutive weekly gains since June, as higher-than-forecast wholesale inventories and surging imports of oil in China boosted optimism about the global economic recovery. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/10/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-10/u-s-stocks-advance-as-s-p-500-caps-longest-rally-since-june.html  Questions for discussion: Summarize the views presented in this article. Do… Read more »
News Hub: September, a Cruel Month for Stocks
Description: Mark Hulbert discusses why September is typically a bad month for stocks, and why this month will likely follow the pattern. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 09/01/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-september-a-cruel-month-for-stocks/1608C6F4-D494-4DF2-948C-8CBE0607D15D Questions for discussion: Why should investors be concerned with the historical record of September market results? From an investor’s point of view, what… Read more »
Japan Has More Than Just a Yen Crisis
Description: The currency crisis is merely one symptom of the country’s general aversion to change after the boom-and-bust 1980s. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/02/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_37/b4194007896491.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis of Japans economic situation. What are the historical reasons that explain how this present condition came about. Do you agree with the analysis presented and… Read more »
Treasury 10-Year Notes Decline, Yield Curve Steepens on Increase in Jobs
Description: Treasury 10-year notes and 30-year bonds dropped for a second week for the first time since April as a bigger-than-forecast gain in company payrolls eased concern the U.S. economy was falling into another recession. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 09/04/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-04/treasury-10-year-notes-decline-yield-curve-steepens-on-increase-in-jobs.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments that attempt to explain the meaning of… Read more »
