$85 Billion in Fed Stimulus but still no inflation. What’s up?
These days we hear a lot about Federal Reserve stimulus and the hazards that come with it, not the least of which is inflation. Well, according to recent data, it turns out that inflation is not rising and in fact is falling. With the Fed buying back $85 billion per month in mortgage backed securities Read more ➝
Tax overhaul bill put on hold
Buried in an article about the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp postponing and extenders bill was some very interesting information about another bill that he is working on. One that would reduce the maximum income tax rate to 25% but also do away with or eliminate mortgage interest deductions–sacred to most homeowners Read more ➝
Red Flags Rise on Emerging Stocks
Monday’s Wall Street Journal discussed the intermediate term future for emerging markets. A growing number of analysts find the recent rebound in emerging markets troubling. Developing country equities are up 16% since June. Theeir message: Proceed at your own risk. Based on a five year forecast, U.S. small cap stocks are still a better growth Read more ➝
With stock funds, ‘passive’ keeps beating ‘active.’
A client of ours shared an article with us from the October 6th, 2013 issue of the Los Angeles Times titled, With stock funds, ‘passive’ keeps beating ‘active.’ But many investors still gamble. I guess he remembered me making this same statement, as I am sure most of my clients have also heard. Although Read more ➝
Investors Turn From Once-Hot REITs
Investors fled Real Estate Investment Trusts en mase since mid May when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggested that the Federal Reserve’s accomodative monetary policy might soon come to a close. Their concerns appear to be twofold; there’s concern that higher borrowing cost will impair REIT’s ability to continue to pay handsome dividends and also concern Read more ➝
Paul Ryan: Here’s How We Can End This Stalemate
In an op-ed post in today’s Wall Street Journal (to read CLICK HERE), Representative Paul Ryan, R-Wis, proposed broading the Congressional dialouge beyond a conversation on the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) to include a conversation about changing the tax code and tackling Medicare funding–two topics that, at least in theory, garner broad bi-partisian support. Read more ➝
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.
Just a simple garage–maybe not!
Today Google celebrated it’s 15 year anniversary at the garage where founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin started the company. Turns out they were not the only silicon valley companies to start in a garage. Hewlett Packard started the trend and Apple got it’s start there as well. Maybe its time to move out the Read more ➝
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.
