Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Fed’s ‘Operation Twist’ Offers Bond Investment Opportunities
By Joyce HansonWhat does the Fed's "Operation Twist" easy-monetary policy move mean for bond investors? Heres a roundup of what the strategists are saying about opportunities in the fixed-income market.
September 21, 2011
Bank of England Mulls Return to QEThe Bank of England may return to quantitative easing (QE) at some point as a stuttering recovery may need assistance, according to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) notes released Wednesday.
September 21, 2011
Why You Should Care About the Greek CrisisGreek default fears are starting to infect Germany and its banks, which have significant holdings of Greek sovereign debt. And the infection is spreading to the U.S. because of close connections between U.S. and German banks.
September 20, 2011
IMF Downgrades U.S. Economic OutlookThe International Monetary Fund lowered its outlook for the U.S. in a report released Tuesday and said that the world economy has entered a "dangerous new phase."
September 20, 2011
In China, New Home Sales Are Up, Up, UpWhile U.S. homeowners are lamenting the continuing depression in real estate prices and slack sales in cities across the nation despite record-low mortgage rates, home prices in China are at record highs in all 70 cities.
September 20, 2011
4 Ways Fed Can Take Action: Stone & McCarthy ReportThe Fed this week will likely add further stimulus to the U.S. economy, say Stone & McCarthy Research Associates in a report that lays out the policymakers four options for taking action.
September 20, 2011
China Stops FX Swaps With Some European BanksBank of China and another Chinese bank have stopped interest rate swaps and foreign exchange trading with a number of foreign banks, reducing their exposure to the euro zone.
September 20, 2011
Italy Stunned by S&P DowngradeStandard & Poors took Italy by surprise Monday night with a cut in its credit rating that put it below Slovakia and on the same level as Malta, with a negative outlook. It was the first such cut in five years.