Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
China, Japan Facing Downgrade of Debt Rating: Fitch
By Marlene Y. SatterChina and Japan may see their credit ratings lowered within the next two years, Fitch Ratings said Thursday, thanks to the debt carried by its banks as the result of efforts to overcome the 2008 financial crisis.
September 07, 2011
U.S., European Austerity Will Doom Global Economy: U.N. StudyA U.N. economic think tank slammed the current approach to solving the global financial crisis in a report released Tuesday, saying current austerity policies and market-pleasing moves, along with financial deregulation, will bring the global economy to its knees, with the best-case scenario a decade of stagnation.
September 07, 2011
German Court Tosses Out Challenges to Greek BailoutCourt challenges to Germanys participation in the European Financial Stability Facility were thrown out on Wednesday, although the countrys top court warned that it was not granting blanket approval, and that the government must seek parliamentary approval for future bailout payments.
September 07, 2011
Top 10 International Stock Funds in 401(k)sHere are the 10 most widely distributed international stock funds in the 401(k) and DC industry, according to research firm BrightScope.
September 07, 2011
Finland to Greece: No Collateral, No BailoutFinlands Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said Wednesday Helsinki may opt out of its share of a second rescue package for Greece if it is denied collateral on the money.
September 07, 2011
PIMCO’s Gross Warns Fed’s ‘Helicopter Ben’ on LendingPIMCO Chairman Bill Gross warned that the Feds showering of money on the economy to combat deflation may end up harming long-term lending.
September 06, 2011
Nonprofits Brighten Employment Picture: Johns Hopkins ResearchWith President Barack Obama set to address a joint session of Congress on Thursday about the state of nations economy and the dismal employment picture, new data released Friday show that nonprofit employers actually added jobs during the worst part of the recent recession.
September 06, 2011
The 5 Faces of Gen Y InvestorsGeneration Y investors are conservative investors and invest more like their Baby Boomer parents, despite their long-term time horizon, according to the MFS Investing Sentiment Survey.