the economy: Reading between the lines...
- 11/22/10 06:42 AM
Hi all: I just was on Yahoo Finance and almost all the information being reported gave me pause. From Ireland's bailout by the EDC to insider trading scandals on Wall Street, the news is a bit grim. It's interesting that our government keeps trotting out positive numbers (4 straight months of increasing retail sales, for example). Perhaps they're trying to buoy our spirits. Either that or they're living in la-la land. All is not doom and gloom out there. I have friends who are starting to do better. In fact, my wife and I are doing a little bit better financially … (5 comments)
the economy: Are we Teetering or are we Over the Hump?
- 10/13/10 09:56 AM
Hi all: I hope you're having a great day. I was thinking today as the news from the stock market, etc. has generally been good recently. Which brings up the question: Are we teetering or are we over the hump? I love positive news and lord knows we look forward to it, especially in this industry. And I know some of you are doing well; at least better this year than in years past. So what do you think? Me? I think we're still teetering. If we're over the hump, it's barely and it could be a while before we see … (3 comments)
the economy: I think it's important we all tell the truth!
- 09/01/10 07:52 AM
Good morning! I hope you're well. I was having lunch with one of my very best referral partners yesterday and we were touching on reality. He showed me a graph that talked about equities and how much they had increased and decreased within the past 1 1/2 years. We also talked about the likelihood of a bond bubble which I didn't disagree with. So where are we today? We have the short term interest rate effectively at 0, very slow or no growth, very high unemployment, and falling prices on homes. All signs seem to be pointing to deflation or as … (2 comments)
the economy: Today the Fed. spoke. The question is: Did anyone listen?
- 08/27/10 05:33 AM
Good morning! I hope you're well and have big plans for the weekend. This morning Ben Bernanke of The Federal Reserve spoke. The question is: Did anyone listen? Bernanke talked about how the Fed. had additional weapons in its arsenal to combat the growing threat of deflation and a double dip. Bernanke said the Fed. would consider the purchase of additional securities in order to stimulate growth. The stock market so far liked this thought and is up for the day which is bad news for mortgage interest rates. My thoughts? After Intel in the same breath today said they would … (4 comments)
the economy: Good news! Unemployment rate stays at 9.7%.
- 03/05/10 10:31 AM
Afternoon all! I was reading this morning that the national unemployment rate stayed at 9.7% for the month of February. In other words, it didn't increase. I actually find this heartening. I know. 9.7% is a lot of people; especially since the actual unemployment rate is higher (some estimates put it at closer to 17% due to people who have given up looking for a job, not able to collect unemployment benefits, etc., etc.). The reason I find the 9.7% rate somewhat encouraging is because for months it was on the rise. Consider that when the economy was booming the unemployment … (7 comments)
the economy: Where goes our economy? See below for some thoughtful predictions.
- 09/17/09 03:51 AM
Hello all: I found this article courtesy of LeAnn McCain, our assistant secondary market manager. Don't be alarmed. But I think it's important to be aware of how far we still may need to go before a full-time economic recovery is on our hands. Until then, it may be in fits and starts. Read on. It's very interesting. One year after America's brush with economic catastrophe, there's plenty of looking back at the bubbles that caused financial chaos. But what's next? There are surely dangerous economic bubbles forming as we speak. As Alan Greenspan warned this week, "They [financial crises] are … (2 comments)
the economy: Hang in there-it's going to be a bumpy ride!
- 10/06/08 05:19 AM
Good morning! I was just thinking about the state of our economy and the worldwide economy for that matter. Today the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down over 400 points and broke the 10,000 point barrier for the first time in a while. Obviously, the $700 billion governement bailout did very little to assuage the public's fears. It appears we're in for a bumpy ride. Credit remains tight and corporations are laying off workers. Still, I think it's important that we hang in there and support each other. We may have further bad news before things get better, but eventually they will. … (11 comments)
the economy: The Fed. Interest rate cut-what it means
- 01/30/08 03:35 AM
Good morning: With the Federal Reserve poised to cut interest rates again this morning by 1/4-1/2%, I wanted to weigh in with my thoughts about how this is going to affect our world this year. First of all, some clarification is needed. When the Federal Reserve Board decides to cut interest rates, it's usually because they're worried about an economic slowdown. Thus, they're trying to stimulate borrowing. When interest rates are cut, rates for variable, not fixed, loans get better. This includes credit cards, lines of credit, etc. etc. If you have an adjustable rate mortgage, and it's fixed period is … (3 comments)
Hi all: I just was on Yahoo Finance and almost all the information being reported gave me pause. From Ireland's bailout by the EDC to insider trading scandals on Wall Street, the news is a bit grim.
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