Category Archives: Economy and Markets
Interest Rates A-Comin’. The Ins and Outs of Debt.
The level and trend of interest rates impacts each of us differently. Generally, lower rates benefit us by stimulating the economy, equity and real estate investments. Borrowers are also big fans of lower rates. You can reduce your payments and … Continue reading
The Silk Road and Planning for Federal Employees
Beasts carried and merchants traded silk, porcelain, gold, spice and gunpowder along a 4,000 mile corridor between China and Greece for almost 2,000 years. It was called the Silk Road, and started about 200 BC when wealthy Romans sought soft … Continue reading
Money Market Reform
How concerned would you be if your cash reserve account balance fluctuated – hopefully by not much – reflecting short term conditions? Say you normally held $30,000 in a money market account as cash reserves, and it might range $29,850 … Continue reading
Happy 4th! – Beware of Greeks Bearing Bonds
The bald eagle is an icon that symbolizes American ideals and spirit. The image rode Westward stamped on the lockplates of firearms carried by explorers and settlers, landed in Normandy for the liberation of Europe, rests on the Sea of … Continue reading
Hoopla of S&P Hitting 1,700
Humans have a fascination with numbers. They play important roles in our lives, and in the development of language, culture and civilization. Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher best known for the Pythagorean Theorem, concluded that everything in the universe was a … Continue reading
Chinese Inflation
When a Chinese restaurant removes kung pao chicken from its menu, there’s going to be problems. It caught my attention in what may have been another thrill-less economic story. The LA Times article, “China’s inflation rate edges up in March,” … Continue reading
The Hoopla over the Dow 13,000
Humans have a fascination with numbers. They play important roles in our lives, and in the development of language, culture and civilization. Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher best known for the Pythagorean theorem, concluded that everything in the universe was a … Continue reading
‘Like’ the Facebook IPO?
You’ll soon have the opportunity to expand your relationship with Mark Zuckerberg — from friend to investment partner. Facebook shares will be available to Main Street in the upcoming social media giant’s initial public offering. You likely won’t have access … Continue reading
Positive trends and under-told stories
A great jazz or ballet dancer requires strength, flexibility and grace. She or he also possesses a special mindset. My daughter returned from an out of town dance workshop totally jazzed. She learned a lesson she’s heard in different ways. … Continue reading
Inflation – A Silent Menace about to Roar?
Economist Milt Friedman said “Inflation is an old, old disease.” As I pine for 35¢ gasoline in my youth, so too will my daughter about $4 to her future great grandkids. A question on many investors’ minds today is “How … Continue reading