Market Focus: Focus returns to economic data this week. Pending Home Sales and FOMC Minutes are just ahead of the Employment Situation. The last week ended with an anemic 1% GDP growth. This combined with a manufacturing report pointing to a contraction.  Is a double dip next? Monday: Pending Hom...

Market Focus: While light on scheduled events fears about the U.S. possibly heading into another recession and the financial crisis in Europe are expected to weigh heavily on trading. Monday: Chicago Fed. National Activity Index: The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) is a monthly index ...

Market Focus: Volatility is the word for the week. Another wave of economic closely watched economic data and closely watched earnings reports. Watch for industrial production and inflation reports. Don’t forget Europe! Monday: Empire State MFG: The New York Fed conducts this monthly survey of ma...

I have chosen to write this today because today is the 4th anniversary of my father’s death. I like to refer to it as the day he “escaped”. Sounds better than dying. Death is not your choice but escaping is in your control. Every day that I can remember my father provided a lesson of some sort. S...

At the opening of Futures Trading (6PM ET) markets signaled us with a nasty response to the new lower AA+ rating. S&P futures fell 2.2%. Nasdaq Futures fell 2% while the Dow Futures fell 2.2%. What does this all mean to you and your money? History tells us it may not translate into disaster. Cana...

Market Focus: Credit Rating downgrade? How will AA effect your stocks, bonds, and borrowing costs? Monday: No Reports Tuesday: ICSC Goldman Store Sales:  This weekly measure of comparable store sales at major retail chains, published by the International Council of Shopping Centers, is related to...