Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Britain’s Drop in Retail Sales Hits Pound
By Marlene Y. SatterRetail sales in the U.K. sounded one more note in the sad economic song of Europe on Thursday, as consumers tightened their belts against an inflation rate that was more than twice what the Bank of England had set as its target.
August 17, 2011
Top 7 Small Towns to Ride Out Tough EconomyWhen it comes to the economy, its bad, but not all bad. A team of CNN Money writers joined Onboard Informatics in ranking the top spots in the country for low crime and high employment, as well as good schools, cultural attractions and weather, among other factors.
August 17, 2011
Inflation Isn’t Stopping Dollar SellingTodays surprisingly robust inflation data initially propped up stocks, but Eurozone concerns pressured equities lower.
August 17, 2011
Merkel-Sarkozy Meeting Disappoints Europe MarketsA much-touted meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy over strategies to cope with the euro zones debt woes disappointed investors Tuesday, and stocks echoed their disappointment in Wednesday morning trading, moving lower.
August 17, 2011
Swiss Franc Continues RiseThe Swiss franc continued its rise into the stratosphere on Wednesday, spurred on by a failure by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to directly intervene in the currency's valuation. Instead SNB boosted liquidity and said it would take additional steps.
August 16, 2011
Volatility Spikes on Europe WoesThe markets opened lower, but bounced after good industrial production numbers at mid-morning.
August 16, 2011
States Get $185 Million to Build Insurance ExchangesHHS awarded $185 million to 13 states and the District of Columbia to help them build Affordable Insurance Exchangesone stop marketplaces that let consumers pick a private health plan that mirrors choices offered to Congress.
August 16, 2011
If Volatile Markets Persist, Pension Funds May Flee to BondsIf markets continue to be volatile post S&P's downgrade of U.S. debt to Double-A+, pension funds will attempt to minimize their losses and buy bonds, says Brett Goldstein, president of The Pension Department.