Over the last four years, the market declined in excess of 2% in a single day around 100 times, more than any other four-year period since the S&P 500 Index’s formation in 1957. On the flip-side, the market also recorded a 2% or greater gain in a single day more than any other four-year period. Continue reading —>
The Internal Revenue Service has announced its inflation-adjusted retirement plan contribution limits for 2012. Continue reading —>
Last week, the S&P 500 Index dropped 6.5% to 1,136. The Index gave back the 5.4% gain achieved in the prior week, the third-biggest weekly gain since 2009, which had lifted the Index to the top end of the range at 1216. The volatility continues within the range of about 1120 to 1220 on the S&P 500, a range that has prevailed since early August. Continue reading —>
Friday’s (September 9, 2011) stock market loss erased last week’s gain. The S&P 500 ended the week at 1154, down 1.7%, near the middle of the range of about 1120 to 1200 that has prevailed since early August 2011. The near term outlook remains clouded and uncertain. The main issue keeping the market in this volatile range is coming from overseas. Continue reading —>
Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Ben Bernanke’s widely anticipated speech in Jackson Hole, WY last Friday (August 26) apparently struck just the right tone for markets. The speech allowed market participants to look ahead to several key economic and policy events this week, including the impact of Hurricane Irene in the economy and markets, Continue reading —>
Summer is a time when many Americans seek out amusement parks for the thrills of riding a roller coaster. The climbs and drops at high speed deliver an exciting mix of fear and exhilaration. But knowing the extent of the highs and lows and when it is going to be over play a crucial Continue reading —>
Despite passing the debt ceiling and spending cut deal anticipated by the markets, last week’s data and events pulled bond yields lower and left theS&P 500 now down about 10% from this year’s high. This slide may seem all too familiar. Market participants are worried about a repeat of the 2008financial crisis. While the message from the markets is important, in last summer’s soft spot the Continue reading —>
Economics and central bank policy will most likely play second fiddle to the ongoing debt ceiling debate in the United States, the fiscal woes in Europe, and the heart of the second quarter earnings reporting season for S&P 500 companies. Housing data Continue reading —>
The Treasury market continues to shrug off debt limit concerns even as negotiations between Democrats and Republicans deteriorated. With an agreement on raising the debt limit seemingly farther apart and the August 2 deadline only two weeks away, the Treasury market failed to Continue reading —>
Grease fires are dangerous because they are hard to put out, burn very hot, and are easily spread. Europe’s Greece fire has been burning for well over a year, despite attempts by the ECB and IMF to put it out. Last week, Greece’s financial crisis intensified Continue reading —>