European Banks Unprepared For Greek Exit From Euro
Bloomberg recently reported that European Banks are unprepared for a Greek exit from the Euro. Once again this issue has become paramount for investors as they try to determine if the Euro can be held together and if it cannot what the consequences will be. Investors who have not taken the time to consider this could Read more ➝
Europe takes a sharp turn to the Left
The recent elections in France and Greece suggest that Europe has taken a sharp turn to the Left electing officials who view the recently agreed upon austerity measures as too severe. Time will tell how this affects Europe which is already mired in a recession, but with pledges like those from France’s President-Elect Francois Hollande to Read more ➝
Home ownership at 15 year low but market “heading back”
“Housing is adding to growth now and I think it is going to continue going forward.” states Patrick Newport of IHS Global Insight. This in spite of recent data that shows home ownership at a 15-year low. “We are headed back to a market that we had 20 years ago, where to qualify for a home Read more ➝
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Climbs Toward ’08 Levels
Consumers are happier as measured by the Conference Board’s gauge and the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index. Both measures recently reached peaks last seen in 2008. Bloomberg quoted Barclay’s Capital economist Dean Maki, “The major driver of the improvement in confidence has been the labor market,” Maki said. “We would expect consumer confidence to continue trending Read more ➝
S&P Gets 9% Cheaper
On February 23rd, 2011, Bloomberg reported that the Standard and Poor’s 500 is still cheap when compared to price earnings multiples it reached in April 2011. “Profits in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index are rising faster than its price, leaving the gauge 9% cheaper than it was in April…” To view the entire article Read more ➝
Shift in focus at Chinese trade talks
The focus of trade talks between China and the United States have taken a subtle turn. For quite some time the conversation has been centered around the US contention that China’s currency is artificially low, making Chinese goods more competitive. However, with the currency’s recent rise, relative to a basket of international currencies, this point has taken a Read more ➝
Is Greece another Argentina?
As Greek politicians and European leaders work to find a solution to the Greek debt crisis, many would do well to remember some of the lessons that were learned in 2001 when Argentina defaulted on their debt. In an online article posted in the Project Syndicate, PIMCO CEO Mohamed A. El-Erian draws some important similarities Read more ➝
Europe continues work on long-term solution to debt crisis
European officials will forge ahead with crafting a long-term plan to tackle ther region’s debt crisis as banking and government negotiators continue trying to reach an agreement that will lighten Greece’s debt bureden. Click the photo to the left to read the entire article as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
European Stocks Advance as EU Ministers Meet
European stocks climed to a five-month high, led by a rally in banks, as Germany and France said Greek debt-swap talks are making progress. Click the photo to the right to read the entire article reported by Bloomberg.
