Betting Against the American Dream
On April 9th, 2010, the National Public Radio program This American Life aired a provocative radio program that traces the history of Magnetar, a hedge fund that came up with an elaborate plan to make money by sponsoring the creation of complicated and ultimately toxic securities…while at the same time betting against the very securities Read more ➝
March exports jump at Los Angeles, Long Beach ports
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together make up the Nation’s busiest shipping container complex, showed gains in cargo traffic for the fourth straight month in March. Please click the photo to the left to read the entire article from the April 16th, 2010 edition of the Los Angeles Times.
Fed doesn’t see inflation as an immediate threat
On April 7th, 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported that the minutes of the most recent meeting of a central bank committee show that it doesn’t plan to raise short-term interest rates any time soon but suggests it could quickly change course. Members such as Janet Yellen, the president of the San Francisco Fed who Read more ➝
For muni bonds, some financial advisors look outside California
On Saturday, March 6th, 2010, the Los Angeles Times ran a provocative article that discussed the merits and risks of owning California municipal bonds. They argued that a portfolio that is too concentrated in California municipal bonds may be put in jeopardy if a catastrophic economic event or a natural disaster occurred. To view the entire article, please click Read more ➝
Fed Begins Tightening Process
On Thursday the Federal Reserve took it’s first step toward withdrawing some of the stimulus rolled out during the recession by increasing the so-called discount rate from 0.5% to 0.75%. The discount rate is the rate banks pay when borrowing funds directly from the Federal Reserve. To view the entire story from the February 19th, Read more ➝
Economy grows at 5.7% pace, fastest since 2003
The economy grew for a second straight quarter from October through December, posting a better-than-expected 5.7 percent annual rate, the fastest quarterly pace since 2003. The two straight quarters of growth followed a record four quarters of decline. Click the photo to the right to view the entire January 30th, 2010 Los Angeles Times Article
Stimulus money to spur CA high-speed rail project
On Thursday, President Obama and Vice President Biden formally announced the projects that would receive money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for high-speed rail projects. The money will be distributed to 13 high-speed rail corridors across the country. California won the largest share of the $ 8 Billion in economic stimulus funds for a Read more ➝
Southern California home prices and sales improve in November
The Los Angeles Times reported today that the number of homes sold in Southern Californa and the Median home price of homes sold in Southern California rose in November. Click the graphic to the left to view the entire December 16th, 2009 Los Angeles Times article.
Latin America ready to rebound
A United Nations commission predicts solid economic growth for Brazil and the rest of the Latin American region in 2010. Click the photo to the left to read the entire December 11th, 2009, Los Angeles Times article.