Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Debate of the Century (The Hip-Hop Version)
By Warren S. HerschAn economic debate taking the internet by storm counters the insights presented by a speaker at this year's IMCA conference. Who's right and who's wrong? The fate of the economy hangs in the balance!
February 23, 2012
European Economy to Contract, Not Expand: ECAltering its forecast on the state of the European economy in 2012, the European Commission said that the euro area would shrink instead of expanding, largely because of Spain and Italy. The two countries are expected to be in for some difficult times as they cope with various economic woes.
February 23, 2012
China New Land of Expansion for BanksBank of America is setting its sights on China. After adding both staff and profit in its initial efforts there, it sees more opportunity in the huge Chinese economy than it does in other areas, where it is slashing staff and shuttering branches.
February 23, 2012
Greek Debt Crisis Weighs on BanksEuropes banks are tallying up the losses from Greek sovereign debt, and the picture is not a pretty one. Euro losses in the billions are taking a toll on earnings and banks are posting heavy hits in the midst of a need to find additional capital to meet new banking...
February 23, 2012
Dallas Fed's Fisher Says No QE3 NeededDallas Federal Reserve Bank President Richard Fisher said Thursday the U.S. economy is getting better and repeated his view that further quantitative easing, also known as QE3, was not needed from the central bank.
February 23, 2012
Dividends and the End of the Retirement Crisis; Easing Economic Pressure: March Investment Advisor—SlideshowEveryone is talking about dividends these days, but Fred Taylor at Northstar Investment Advisors has been using them as a retirement income solution for the past 17 years. Clearly, this is a strategy with some staying power.
February 22, 2012
Greece to Force Cuts on BondholdersThe bill, called Collective Action Clauses, will impose the debt swap of existing bonds for new, lower-value debt with lower coupon rates on Greece's creditors.
February 22, 2012
White House’s Corporate Tax Reform Derided by Republicans, BusinessesThe Obama administration has unveiled a framework for corporate tax reform that lowers rates while eliminating loopholes, but the proposal has already met with sharp criticism from Republicans and corporations for proposing a rate higher than the developed-country average.