Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Will ECB Do QE and Start Printing Money? Strategists See Growing Possibility
By Marlene Y. SatterAlthough France and Germany are still wrangling over the part that the European Central Bank should play in resolving the spreading debt crisis across the eurozone, apparently one thing is believed possible despite their disagreements: that the ECB could start printing money.
November 16, 2011
Advisors Are Growing as Pessimistic as Their Clients: MFS Investment SurveyFinancial advisors have grown 'decidedly more pessimistic' about the U.S. economy in 2011, closing the gap that existed earlier in the year between advisors and their clients, says a new MFS survey.
November 16, 2011
Deficit Supercommittee Will Not Solve Our Problems: News AnalysisIt will take far more than economic reforms and political fixes to set America back on track. Until we fix the values problem underlying our economic problems, we shouldnt expect a lasting recovery.
November 16, 2011
RIAs Prepare for Lower Risk Tolerance Among ClientsRIAs believe market volatility in the past 12 months has made clients more risk averse, according to an Invesco market research study released Wednesday.
November 16, 2011
Buffett Makes Rare Investment in Tech Sector With IBMAlthough he normally shuns tech stocks, Warren Buffett, head of Berkshire Hathaway, veered from his usual policy and sank close to $11 billion into shares of IBM, picking up a stake of almost 5.5% that makes him potentially its biggest shareholder
November 16, 2011
5 Best & Worst Broker-Dealers: Q3 EarningsBrokerage firms in the third quarter boosted earnings growth as high as nearly 2,200% and reported declines as low as 120% AdvisorOne selected a lucky 10 to spotlight.
November 16, 2011
EU Plans to Shake Up Ratings AgenciesA new draft law unveiled Tuesday by the European Union angered ratings agencies Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch, although according to Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier it is designed to inject competition into the sector, currently dominated by the 'big three.'
November 16, 2011
European Debt Crisis ‘Systemic:’ BarrosoThe euro came within two cents of a five-week low after European Commission President Jose Barroso said the eurozone is confronting a truly systemic crisis. Word that the European Central Bank was buying up Spanish and Italian debt helped to reverse that fall, however.