Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Interest in Corporate M&A High, but Financing Still an Obstacle
By Ben WarwickA look at the current market for corporate M&A from The Deal: there's $1 trillion in 'dry powder' available.
October 27, 2011
Volcker Tells Charlie Rose: The 'Volcker Rule' Still WorksLobbying efforts notwithstanding, the Volcker Rule orohibiting banks from proprietary trading is still effective, according to no less an authority than Paul Volcker, for whom it was named.
October 27, 2011
Ireland Sees Opportunity in Greek SolutionThe deal brokered by the euro zone nations to save Greece from default has opened a window of opportunity for Ireland in which Dublin may seek relief for its own wounded economy.
October 27, 2011
The 50% Solution: Greek RescueThe solution entails a 50% write-down of Greek debt by banks, a boost in the euro zones rescue fund to $1.4 trillion and a substantial recapitalization of banks.
October 26, 2011
Balanced-Fund Returns Stable Over TimeAverage returns for funds with an equal mix of stock and bond allocations have historically been statistically equivalent during recessions and expansions, according to a Vanguard report released in early October that focused on balanced funds historical performance from 1926 through June 2009. The reason for this performance record, Vanguard...
October 26, 2011
Crisis or Not, European Notes LaunchDespite increasing credit risk to European banks, some firms introduced exchange-traded notes (ETNs). ETNs are debt obligations tied to the performance of an index, currency or commodity.
October 26, 2011
Economic Jump-StartThe principle of homeopathic medicine is to let like be cured by like: treat an illness by giving patients minute quantities of medicines that produce the same symptoms. But treating indigestion with a 10-course meal is not a good idea. This is why throwing borrowed funds at the current economic...
October 26, 2011
The Lessons of Starvation EconomicsThe U.S. economy was worse off before now, worse even than in the Great Depression. In 1620, when our Pilgrim Forefathers arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, per capita GDP was nearly zero. Of Plymouth Plantation, William Bradfords journal of those early years, records the economic scarcity prevailing at the time: