Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
German Concern over ECB Funding Grows
By Marlene Y. SatterGermany is getting worriedmore worried than usualabout the level of debt in the eurozone. The European Central Banks Target2 system indicates that money owed to the Bundesbank now totals 489 billion euros ($656 billion
March 13, 2012
JOBS Bill Under Fire by SEC, NASAA, Consumer AdvocatesA bill that started out as seven separate pieces of legislation intended to benefit business startups and stimulate job creation is coming in for criticism as it heads to the Senate, as opponents say that it does away with consumer protection.
March 13, 2012
Top 10 Best U.S. Cities for BusinessDespite increased competition from around the globe, America is still on top, according to a research report commissioned by Citigroup, which shows that 10 of the top 30 cities worldwide are in the United States.
March 13, 2012
The IRA Charitable Donation: It’s Just a Tax Deduction in 2012The tax code provision that allowed IRA owners to contribute up to $100,000 directly from their IRA to the qualified charity of their choicewithout recognizing the donation as incomeexpired at the end of 2011, and Congress has given no indication if it will be renewed.
March 12, 2012
Doomsayer Hussman Says Market Crash Coming—According to HistoryThe Ph.D. portfolio manager adds corporate insider selling as another ominous sign on top of his list of historic indicators of a crash, noting that the ratio of corporate stock sales to stock buys has been running 8 to 1, four times the normal pace.
March 12, 2012
Greek Bailout Set for ApprovalEuro area finance ministers gathered Monday to approve a second bailout for Greece after the country won approval from private bondholders to cut its debt.
March 12, 2012
Market Will Set Yuan Level: ChinaInvestors have been expecting a reduction in how much cash must be kept at PBOC by commercial lenders, after required reserve ratios were cut in November and again in February to lower them from their record high in June of 21.5%.
March 12, 2012
Belgium Deepens Austerity CutsBelgium has committed to reduce its public sector deficit to 2.8% of GDP in 2012, from its 2011 level of 3.8%. If it fails to cut its deficit to a level of a maximum of 3%, it could face fines imposed by the European Union.