Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Rivals May Follow RBS Lead in Investment Bank Cuts
By Marlene Y. SatterIn the wake of cuts announced Thursday by Royal Bank of Scotland Group that it will close or sell its equities, mergers advisory and equity capital markets businesses, slashing 3,500 jobs, other European banks may follow suit.
January 13, 2012
Energy Market Imbalance Could Transform Entire IndustriesIn the last five years, the spread between oil and gas prices has materially widened, which potentially has far-reaching effects across a value chain that touches industries including energy, utilities, chemicals and transportation, not to mention geopolitics.
January 13, 2012
Week in Pictures | January, 13 2012Mitt Romney expectedly wins the New Hampshire primary, an anticipated rise in unemployment claims after the holiday season begins to show and an Iranian nuclear scientist is assassinated raising tensions at an already shaky time. This and more in this week's Week in Pictures.
January 12, 2012
World Economic Forum Warns of Income DisparityThe World Economic Forum released a report Wednesday that warns of a threat to economies all over the world from anger over increasing inequality. It also said that, for the first time in generations, people are no longer optimistic that their children will experience a better standard of living.
January 12, 2012
Hedge Funds Look to Greek Bonds for ProfitLondon- and New York-based hedge funds are among those that hold Greek bonds and are resisting haircuts advocated by the Greek government to help the country avoid default.
January 12, 2012
SIFMA Says Volcker Rule Threatens to Freeze Corporate Bond MarketSIFMA says that an overly restrictive implementation of the Volcker rule could severely reduce liquidity in the $1 trillion U.S. corporate bond market.
January 12, 2012
U.S. Consumer—the Economy’s Engine—Chugs Along at Snail’s PaceThe U.S. Commerce Department reported flat retail sales in December, but the lackluster news may mask more positive news on the critical consumer front of the economy.
January 12, 2012
Highest Volatility in 50 years Spooks Hedge Fund ManagersPlain-vanilla bonds and widow-and-orphan utilities creamed hedge funds in 2011, offering fresh evidence that ordinary investors need not feel underprivileged for lack of access to more exclusive investment opportunities.