Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Robert Shiller: Housing Market Still Faces Danger of Drop
By Marlene Y. SatterA second month of higher home prices might not mean the housing market is back on track, according to Robert Shiller.
July 25, 2011
Washington Contemplates Severe Cap on 401(k) ContributionsDo we really want to discourage retirement savings as Social Security continues its inexorable slide toward insolvency?
July 25, 2011
FINRA to Investors: Stay Away From Risky Junk FundsFINRA issued an Investor Alert warning investors of the dangers of complex, risky products such as high-yield, or junk, bond funds; floating-rate loan funds; structured notes with principal protection; and leveraged products.
July 25, 2011
PIMCO’s El-Erian Warns U.S. Rating at Risk, Even With Debt Ceiling DealAs leaders of both parties now plan to unveil their own debt-ceiling plans, El-Erian said that a short-term deal would leave “the AAA rating extremely vulnerable and does little” to fix the basic problems of the economy.
July 25, 2011
Europe’s Market Euphoria Over Greek Rescue Turns SourEuropean markets gave back gains made on initial euphoria over last week’s Greek rescue plan, with the bond market in particular voting no confidence.
July 25, 2011
Moody's Downgrades Greece, Says Default Almost InevitableMoody's pushed Greece down to a single notch above default at Ca on Monday after the deal put together to rescue Athens from its debt woes proved unacceptable to the ratings agency.
July 25, 2011
Gold Soars on Threat of U.S. Debt DefaultDefault is in the air. Last week Greek woes threatened to scuttle the euro zone economy; this week, with the U.S. embroiled in a debt-ceiling-vs.-deficit standoff, investors are fleeing other holdings and sinking their funds in safe-haven gold.
July 25, 2011
If More Stimulus Is on the Way (QE3?), What’s an Advisor to Do?The wildcard effect on inflation, bank lending and consumer spending. Where we, and the markets, will go from here.