Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Disability insurance: Completing the application
By Larry SchneiderCompleting the application is one of the most important phases of the sales cycle since so much depends on its accuracy and how thorough the agent was in its completion.
August 20, 2009
Reason No. 611 for independent adviceThe Wall Street Journal reports that Goldman Sachs analysts reserved key trading tips for large clients, hurting smaller clients of the venerable firm. An example,...
August 17, 2009
Two Ways to Encourage LendingWhile it may not be a big surprise to those who follow the credit markets, The Federal Reserve Board and Treasury have officially extended the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF).
August 13, 2009
Stimulus slow to be feltMany Americans are not yet feeling the effects of the Obama administration's stimulus package, according to a new Gallup pole.
August 07, 2009
Earnings: AIG, Principal, OthersLife and health insurers and distributors that reported second-quarter earnings this week came in with a wide range of results.
August 03, 2009
The Hangover-Free Summer Party: Searching for Alpha, August 2009How long can the market continue to rally with an absence of genuine economic growth? July's gain of 7.82% in the S&P 500 puts that index's five-month return at over 34%.
August 01, 2009
The ETF Advisor: Those Outperforming Small CapsSmall-cap stocks are a thorny problem for investors. With thousands of different issues and little analytical coverage available, it is a difficult and time-consuming task...
August 01, 2009
Asset AllocationBehind the Numbers, with Mark Balasa Although risk remains, Balasa says that he and his colleagues in the Alpha Group have "a growing optimism around some...