OK, hiking sounds like something we can all get behind like walking to the store but with minimal air pollution, no overly-friendly neighbors, and the opportunity to align with Mother Nature, that is until you are actually doing it and are a few miles up the from the trail head. All things, including hiking, are […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: The majority of Fed officials last month believed that economic conditions would likely warrant keeping its Dovish monetary policy unchanged for the rest of this year. Several officials said their view could shift in either direction based on incoming data, according to minutes of the meeting released Wednesday. Weaker growth […]
Club for Growth founder and former-Trump campaign adviser Stephen Moore says his harsh criticism of the Fed for raising interest rates was ‘spot-on’. In an in interview Monday with The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Moore, President Trump’s pick for a Federal Reserve Board seat, said the central banks’ recent policy pivot proves he was right. Mr. Moore had […]
It’s becoming more and more difficult to exist within society today without dealing with some form of stress on a daily basis. Between family drama, money issues, and demanding businesses and jobs, it makes sense that you may wish that there was truly a body wash that could take it all away and make you […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Cyclical sectors outperformed, follow-through buying interest came in on no new catalysts. Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) extend losses on familiar story lines Patience is the FOMC’s focus now, signaling that it went too far last year with its 4 rate hikes, so no interest rate hikes likely soon. […]
US consumers expect prices to rise more slowly, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a decline in inflation expectations in February that likely reinforces policymakers’ reluctance to hike rates. It showed 1 and 3 year ahead inflation expectations were down 0.2 percentage points to 2.8% last month, with sharp declines in expected […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: Trump Policy Traction, FOMC Minutes Due Wednesday Tuesday, New York Fed President John Williams said he is comfortable with the level US interest rates are at now, and sees no need to raise them again unless growth or inflation shift to an unexpectedly higher gear. In an interview with […]
Last month when the Fed adopted a new “patient” approach to monetary policy, it gave no specific guidance about how long its policy pause would last, or how many more interest-rate increases were ahead. Last week disappointing US retail sales and industrial production data raised the prospect that the US economy is slowing faster than […]
For a weekend of epic scenery, fresh mountain air and Michelin star dining, head to the stunning ranges of northeastern Italy San Cassiano A travel tip for the Dolomites: You do not want to be the driver, negotiating steep hairpin turns and bands of Italian cyclists pedalling through dangerously narrow mountain passes. You want to […]
The Fed’s decision to stop raising interest rates puts a “fundamentally healthy” US economy on track to further growth, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari indicated Sunday. “I think we still have room to run in the US economy,” Mr. Kashkari said at a town hall at a church in Long Lake, Minnesota. “The […]
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ President James Bullard applauded the shift away from its policy of raising interest rates, saying that should help to ensure a solid US economy for the next 2 years. “I think it set us up for a very good couple of years here,” Mr. Bullard said in a TV […]
There are few things more relaxing than soaking in a natural hot Spring. The waters are perfect for easing sore muscles, relaxing the mind and soothing the soul. Here are 5 hot Springs in the United States to visit in Y 2019 if relaxing is on your to do list, as follows: Travertine Hot Springs: […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX US wholesale prices fell last month on a steep fall in gasoline prices suggesting that inflation will remain tame in the coming months. The Labor Department said that the producer price index, which tracks cost changes before they reach the consumer fell 0.2% in December from the prior month. The drop […]
$SPY Looking back, we have learned that it is very rare for the Fed to raises interest rates when stocks are acting as badly as they have been and are being now. Should the FOMC follow through with their expected fed funds rate hike Wednesday, it would be the 1st time since Y 1994 they […]
Fed to Signal Long Rate Hike ‘Pause’ at December FOMC Meeting President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser said he expects the Fed to pause its interest-rate increases for “quite some time” after a possible hike later this month. As Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members prepare to meet on 18-19 December, “I think they’re signaling […]
Dog Friendly Places to Vacation USA Human travelers occasionally need some motivation to take an adventure vacation with their dogs. So, sometimes humans need a weekend or vacation to let loose, put the Keys in the ignition and set off on a road trip with the dog in the back seat and not on the […]
Wild Market Day as S&P Tested Support, Bounced, Finished Flat $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX US stocsk climbed from their lows heading into the close led by gains in tech shares and a report that the Fed is reconsidering its rate hike strategy. The S&P 500 finished flat to unchanged Crude Oil off on concern […]
Markets Flash ‘Slowdown’, Fed Turns ‘Dovish’ $JPM, $USO The Fed is likely to deliver some response to the wave of risk aversion hitting global markets, according to JPMorgan Asset Management’s fixed-income Chief. Policy makers can hardly ignore inversions showing up on the yield curve while a violent sell-off rocks US stocks on trade tensions, European […]
Take a Hike this Winter Hiking is a perfect activity to enjoy alone, with friends or family in the Winter and you can avoid the snow. It is also ideal for shedding Winter blues, breathing in the crisp air of the countryside and seeing stunning landscapes in a different light, the light is different. If […]
Thanksgiving Football Weekend, Winning the Financial Debate When this year’s holiday weekend discussion turns to the US economy, which it may, you need to be primed correctly. Whether your relatives want to talk about the job market as casual observers or parse Fed actions like superNerds, we have prepared rebuttals for some of Y 2018’s […]
Aspen Colorado, a ‘Wonderland’ All Year Round | e Aspen where the cowboy spirit of the Wild West meets high-end glitz and glamour. Cowboys and ski bums and bunnies mingle alongside Business, Hollywood elites and extreme sports enthusiasts. They come together to enjoy some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the US from snow capped […]
Fed Hikes, Removes ‘Dovish’ Language from Policy Statement $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The FOMC increased short-term interest rates Wednesday, as expected, raising the fed funds target range by 25 bpts to 2.00-2.25%. The move reflected an upbeat assessment of the economy that was identical to the central bank’s last policy statement 8 weeks ago, […]
Gold Finished Flat, Rate Hike and Trade Tensions Concern $GLD, $SLV Gold prices held steady during Asian trade Tuesday as investors remained on the sidelines amid expectations of a Fed interest rate hike later this month and on fears of an escalation in the US-China trade dispute. Spot gold was mostly unchanged at 1,195.79 oz […]
US Inflation Rate at 2.9% in June, Highest in 6 Years US consumer prices rose in June from a year earlier at the fastest pace in more than s6 years, lifted by more expensive gas, car insurance, and higher rents. Last Thursday, the US Labor Department said that the CPI (consumer price index) ticked up […]
Investors See a Rate Hike From the FOMC Wednesday $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX Retail investors are not waiting to see inflation coming, they know it is here. And are moving money into securities that hedge against risks of rising price pressures as the U Labor Department is set to give its latest reading on […]
FOMC Eyeing Inflation, ‘Strike a Balance’ with Rate Hikes Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, pledging to “strike a balance” between the risk of an overheating economy and the need to keep growth on track, told US lawmakers Tuesday that the central bank would stick with gradual interest rate increases despite the added stimulus of tax cuts […]
US Jobs Report: NFPs +200,000, Wages Rise Most Since 2009 $AAPL, $WMT “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” US job growth rose in January and wages increased too, recording their largest annual gainer in more than 8.5 years, bolstering expectations that inflation will push higher this year as the labor market hits full employment. Remember, No inflation, No […]
Fed May Have Misjudged Low Inflation $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Expect President Trump to fill the Fed vacancies with pro-growth advocates. Econ 101, No inflation, No growth. Tuesday, the expected outgoing Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen acknowledged that the central bank is puzzled by the persistence of unusually low inflation and that it might have […]
Fed Must See Higher Prices Before Another Rate Hike $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The Federal Reserve should wait until there are clear signs that American paychecks and prices are rising before raising interest rates again, a Fed bank president and FOMC voter, said Monday, warning that moving too fast would be a policy “misstep.” Chicago […]
Trump Rally Extends, Inflation Under Control In The US $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Lower costs for gas, airline tickets, new & used cars and wireless mobile phone plans kept US consumer prices flat in June. US inflation is still muted. The unchanged reading followed a drop of 0.1% in May, the US Labor Department said […]
Fed Chairwoman Gets Investors Attention Again $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The focus Thursday was Fed Chairwoman Yellen’s testimony before the US Congress as the market posted another record close. Wednesday’s testimony confirmed this year’s next rate hike/s and QE policy tightening process that the market expected, but the discussions about the longer-term Neutral rate of […]
Markets Bet on a Fed Rate Hike in December The FOMC mins showed a discussion of inflation with the current low figures being dismissed as being due to technical issues rather than underlying trends. In an environment where inflation is generally low, technical distortions assume a lot more importance. A 0.4% drop in consumer price […]
Traders Believe that the US Economy is not as Strong as Fed Thinks $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The head of NYSE floor operations for UBS, Art Cashin, said he doubts the Fed will be able to raise interest rates again this year because of underlying weakness in the US economy. “The Fed is going to […]
Chances of Rate Hike Falls as Fed Cuts Debt Fed officials have indicated they will begin to reduce the central bank’s $4.5-T of Treasury and mortgage debt. The debt was bought from banks for several years after the Y 2008 financial crisis as a way of pushing down interest rates to help the economy recover. […]
Gold’s Price Rise Triggers Mining Stocks’ Rally $GDX, $SBLG, $GFI, $NEM, $EXCFF Just about a week ago it looked like Gold’s Y 2017 rally was running out of steam, and in danger of losing sight of the psych mark at 1,200 oz. A number of major Gold stocks which had outperformed the precious Yellow metal […]
Hawkish FOMC Member said, “March Rate Hike Possible” $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX A FOMC member Thursday added his hawkish tone to a growing group of Fed officials who are indicating that they could raise rates in March. FOMC member Jerome Powell said in a TV interview that he believed the Fed was close to achieving […]
US Stocks Finished Flat to Unchanged Wednesday $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The major US averages finished Wednesday’s session flat to unchanged, as the S&P 500 (+0.1%) and the NAS Comp (+0.2%) closed with modest gains while the DJIA (-0.2%) under-performed. Black Gold finished 0.3% higher at 52.36 bbl after seeing solid losses during the overnight […]
Gold Outlook: Do Not See Fed Interest Rate Increase in 2016 $GLD A US Fed interest-rate increase this year should not shake investors’ faith in Gold, according to Australia’s 2nd-largest producer. Bullion is trading near the lowest level in more than 3 months. Prices fell on speculative worries that central banks are ready to curb […]
Janet Yellen from Jackson Hole: More QE in Sight $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Friday, US Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen suggestion that she may consider further asset purchases aka QE to boost the anemic economy is yet another political “band aid”. Ms. Yellen, speaking Friday at a conference of central bankers and economists in Jackson Hole, […]
Japan’s Economy Stagnant, Tax Hike Delayed The Cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has approved the delay of a planned hike of the nation’s consumption by 2.5 years. The Cabinet also decided to delay other measures related to the tax hike, including a planned exemption of some food items from the tax hike from 8 […]
Top Fed Officials Pushing for Interest Rate Hikes $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX As central bankers converge on Jackson Hole Thursday for an annual conference on monetary policy, a couple of top US Fed officials took the chance to renew a push for interest-rate hikes, citing improvement in employment and inflation. “The case is strengthening” for […]
Key Economic Data Does Not Reflect Pending ‘Disaster’ $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX July New Home Sales and August Philadelphia Fed NonManufacturing Survey Home Sales: +12.4%/ Philly Fed: -4 points; Orders: -14.9 points The Big Q: With housing and hiring looking really good, where is the economic disaster we keep hearing about? The notion that the […]
Janet Yellen’s Remarks Anything But “Dovish” Monday, US Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen said that interest rate hikes are likely on the way because “positive economic forces outweigh the negative” for the United States now that risks from earlier this year have diminished. In Monday’s public comment from any US central banker before a Key […]
June Fed Interest Rate Hike In Sight $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The US Fed officials said it would appropriate to raise interest rates in June if economic data points to stronger Q-2 growth as well as firming inflation and employment, according to the FOMC mins from their policy meeting in April. That view suggests the […]
Wednesday’s Technical Outlook for DJIA (.DJI) $DIA, $.DJI The Wall Street rollercoaster was full on Tuesday, as all 3 US major stock market indexes reversed Monday’s gains. The DJIA fell 180 pts to close at 17,529.90, the NAS Comp fell 1.25%, to 4,715.72 and the S&P 500 shed 0.94% to finish at 2,047.21. Wall Street was […]