Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
EU Court Says Gender Can’t Be Factor in Insurance
By Marlene Y. SatterThe European Union’s top court ruled Tuesday that insurance companies cannot consider gender as a factor when determining premiums and payouts on such products as annuities, retirement savings and coverage for accidents.
February 28, 2011
New Irish Government Seeks Bailout Changes; EU Considers Lower RatesThe two parties that emerged victorious in Ireland’s election were to launch talks on Monday to work on renegotiation of terms for the country's EU-IMF bailout package.
February 28, 2011
Top Oil Importers to U.S. by Country: Where We Get ItEven though Libya is the 15th largest exporter of oil and provides 2% of the world’s daily output, those in the U.S. worried about a direct effect on the availability of oil from Libya can rest easy.
February 28, 2011
Congress Returns as Government Shutdown Looms: Advisor Briefing for the Week of Feb. 28, 2011Among likely developments of interest to advisors: DOL hearings on fiduciary, Bernanke testifying on monetary policy and the unemployment report for February.
February 28, 2011
Buffett’s Shareholder Letter Optimistic, Promises Increased U.S. InvestmentsWarren Buffett’s latest annual letter to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway, released Saturday, was upbeat and optimistic despite the current economic environment.
February 28, 2011
Top Oil Imports by Country: Where the U.S. Gets Its OilMore than half of U.S. oil imports comes from the Western Hemisphere, while 17% comes from the Persian Gulf. Libya doesn't crack the
February 27, 2011
Libya’s Oil Output Continues to FallThe Hamada oil field in Libya, which is southwest of Tripoli, has ceased to operate, and oil fields in the eastern part of the country are only producing at about half their normal rate, according to an official for Agoco, a Libyan state-owned oil company.
February 27, 2011
GOP, Democrats Blink on Budget, Government ShutdownBoth Republicans and Democrats on Sunday blinked—for the moment—about the possibility of shutting down the government over a pitched budget battle. The continuing resolution currently funding the government expires on Friday, March 4.