Why gold keeps breaking records

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: The gold rally revved up again Friday, nearly hitting a record $1,250 an ounce, before slipping later in the day in volatile trade. Stock market jitters and Europe’s debt troubles have sent investors flocking to the precious metal, but why? Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 05/14/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/14/markets/gold_record/index.htm   Questions for discussion: Why has gold risen… Read more »

Treasury Two-Year Notes Gain on Speculation Crisis to Sink Euro

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: U.S. two-year notes had their first three-week winning streak since January as demand for the safest assets rose on speculation Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis will damp growth and lead to disintegration of the euro. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 05/15/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a3uJ_8cLNk.A Questions for discussion: What is the yield curve? How is it used to interpret… Read more »

U.S. Banks in Four States Closed, Failure Count Climbs to 68

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  U.S. regulators closed four banks holding less than $740 million in total assets as this year’s failures climbed to 68. Lenders in Arizona, California, Minnesota and Florida were closed by regulators and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was named receiver, according to statements on the agency’s website. The failures cost the FDIC’s deposit insurance… Read more »

Boost in U.S. Consumer Spending Broadens, Sustains Expansion

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  Consumer spending grew at the fastest pace in three years during the first quarter, a sign that the largest part of the economy is gaining speed while becoming less dependent on government stimulus. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 05/01/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aWPIvQsHfsaw  Questions for discussion: Given the recent economic improvements, what changes should financial managers consider… Read more »

Housing bubble: Who’s to blame?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  Alan Greenspan defends keeping interest rates low. Readers of ‘The Buzz’ weigh in on who they think is responsible. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report   Date: 04/07/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/04/07/n_bz_housing_bubble_blame.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments for who is to blame for the crisis. How would you apportion blame? Present arguments in defence of each… Read more »

Where To Invest When Rates Rise

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description:  As the economy improves, rate hikes loom, says Michael Cuggino, manager of the Permanent Portfolio fund family. He tells Jonathan Burton how stock and bond investors can blunt the impact of rising rates and take advantage of global growth. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 03/31/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/where-to-invest-when-rates-rise/2F40294E-9670-4996-93C6-F8553FE0AFE3 Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

Increase in March Employment Shows U.S. Recovery Is Broadening

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Employment in March grew by the most in three years, representing a turning point for the labor market that will help broaden the U.S. economy as it recovers from the deepest recession in seven decades. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 04/03/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aDCWdea8_JO0 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for economic and stock market optimism?… Read more »

U.S. Economy: Profit Surge May Help Broaden Expansion

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: The fastest pace of economic growth in six years during the final three months of 2009 fueled a surge in corporate profits that may set the stage for job gains and a broadening of the U.S. recovery. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 03/26/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aorqXG5sfGeY Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for economic and stock… Read more »

China may allow yuan to rise by mid-April, strategists say

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  China could allow its currency to begin appreciating against the U.S. dollar within the next month, as Beijing responds to growing pressure from Washington to allow its currency to trade more freely, according to analysts. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 03/12/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-may-let-yuan-rise-next-month-2010-03-12?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons one can expect a rise in… Read more »

Greece on the Brink: Anatomy of a Debt Crisis

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  A wakeup call for Greece and the euro. WSJ’s Andy Jordan and Joe Parkinson report from Athens on the threat of a potentially contagious debt crisis and the moral hazard of bailing out a country with bad fiscal habits. Source: Marketwatch – video report   Date: 03/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/greece-on-the-brink-anatomy-of-a-debt-crisis/5AEAD5AC-6C7E-424C-BF51-FA0A40B350C9  Questions for discussion: What is… Read more »