IMF’s Pessimism on Global Growth Widens

The International Monetary Fund cut its world growth forecast Tuesday amid deteriorating emerging-market prospects, urging authorities to shore up their economies as the U.S. prepares to exit its easy-money policies and wrestles with a budget impasse that threatens to derail the global recovery.  To view the entire article from the Wall Street Journal CLICK HERE.

Mortgage rates fall to 9-week low

This week the Los Angeles Times reported that mortgage rates fell to a 9-week low. This may come as good news to those who have not taken advantage of these historically low rates.  It also bodes well for new and resale housing–both key drivers of the economy.  To read the entire article CLICK HERE.  

BlackRock’s Larry Fink speaks out

Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, the largest asset manager in world speaks out about retirement and what living longer will mean to all of us.  He also shares his opinion of the equity market (here’s a hint, he has 100% of his personal portfolio in Equities).  CLICK HERE to read the interview from the  Read more ➝

Germany Loves Merkel

For those who have studied European history, you know that the region has had its fair share of turmoil and discord over the centuries.  This is why when the formation of the European Union was first being contemplated, the primary goal was not economic in nature but instead political.  Those leaders understood that if the states could  Read more ➝

Simpson-Bowles Blues Brothers Tour Going Who Knows Where

 Simpson, 81, and Bowles, 67, became unlikely celebrities after failing to carry off one of President Obama’s more abitious first term endeavors.  In 2009 he appointed them to lead his National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, a bipartisan group that was supposed to produce a “grand bargain” both parties could endorse to bring the  Read more ➝

Arnott on All Asset

 The PIMCO All Asset All Authority funds has been a top performing fund (in both good and bad equity markets) for nearly a decade and is a cornerstone investment for many of our clients’ portfolios.  In his November 2012 report Mr. Arnott talks about the dominant themes driving his portfolio positioning as well as his  Read more ➝

The Great Recession: An ‘Affair’ to Remember

The business cycles doesn’t seem to care who is president.  With the tightening of the Presidential race in recent weeks many are concerned with the speed, or lack thereof, of  the U.S. economic recovery.  Although the recession technically ended in June 2009, the climb out is happening all to slowly. This article discusses how little  Read more ➝

Falling Off the Fiscal Cliff?

With the uncertainty of the Presidential election looming and even greater uncertainty about how Congress will tackle our fiscal woes, many are concerned that the United States will soon fall off a Fiscal Cliff.  Although no one could deny that this is a possible outcome, most economist seem to believe that a less dramatic outcome  Read more ➝