Understanding the Consequences of a U. S. Debt Downgrade
I recently read an interesting white paper written by Darrell Cronk, Regional Chief Investment Officer for Wells Fargo titled Understanding the Consequences of a U. S. Debt Downgrade. It does a great job laying out some important facts that are worthy of consideration as the conversation rages in Washington D. C. I encourage you to click the Read more ➝
David Walker: 60 Minutes Interview
David Walker served as Comptroller General of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from 1998 to 2008 during both Democratic and Republican administrations. Since 2005 he has been a no-nonsense, non-partisan voice in the critically important discussion about our Nations soaring debt crisis. In 2007 he was featured on the CBS Read more ➝
Market Commentary: 2011 Q2
As we look back at the markets in the second quarter of 2011 we see conditions that support our tactical approach to portfolio management. After advancing approximately 5% in the first quarter of 2011 the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index retreated by 5% early in the second quarter, only to close the quarter back where it Read more ➝
A Look at Our National Debt
As a very heated debate rages in Washington D. C. over how best to address our nations’ national debt I thought it might be helpful to look at this subject from an objective, apolitical point of view. Dr. David Kelly, CFA, Chief Market Strategist for J.P. Morgan Funds drafted a great white paper on this subject Read more ➝
Grand budget deal eludes parties
For anyone who has studied our country’s debt crisis, it quickly becomes apparent that any real long term solution will require a combination of all of the following; 1. Increased revenues through tax increases or fundamental changes to our tax structure, 2. Fundamental changes to Medicare and 3. Significant defense spending cuts. Unfortunately, these are Read more ➝
Stocks (still) Rule!
With all the talk of a double-dip recession, the wheels falling off the cart and our country veering off into the abyss, there are still many, including a few billionaires, who are still very bullish. This article, originally published in the May 23rd, 2011 issue of Fortune magazine gives one bullish investor’s point of view. Read more ➝
PIMCO Secular Outlook: Navigating the Multi-Speed World
Each year local portfolio manager PIMCO hosts a Secular Forum where they invite some of the brightest minds in politics and economics to their local offices to discuss and debate what they believe the next three to five years have in store for the global economy and markets. In the attached article, PIMCO CEO Mohamed Read more ➝
Trade at L.A, Long Beach ports in April up 6.3%
This week the Los Angeles Times reported that, “International trade at the ports of Los Angels and Long Beach improved by more than 6% in April, compared with the same month a year ago, but the pace of growth slowed”. Often times cargo traffic can prove to be a great leading economic indicator as it Read more ➝
Purse strings staying open
On May 6th, 2011 the Los Angeles Times reported that retail sales surged in April despite higher gas and food prices. This report comes on the heals of strong first quarter 2011 number and adds credence to the argument that the U.S. economy is improving, albeit at a slow pace. To view the entire article, please click on Read more ➝
