Does the old stock market cliché have any credibility in 2012? An old stock market dictum says that spring is for profit-taking, or at least a time to reduce your exposure to equities. In the classic market psychology, you “sell in May and go away” with the belief that stock prices will plateau or retreat [...]
Recent Articles
YOU CAN’T HIDE IN FIXED INCOME
Investing timidly may shield you against risk … but not against inflation. When is being risk-averse too risky for the sake of your retirement? After you conclude your career or sell your company, you have a right to be financially cautious. At the same time, you can risk being a little too cautious – some retirees invest so [...]
OPTIONS FOR MORE RETIREMENT INCOME
What do you do if your portfolio isn’t generating a decent return? Do you wish you had more money these days? You aren’t alone. Many retirees find that their income streams are insufficient. Right now, interest rates are at rock bottom – and it appears they will stay there for the near future. With the [...]
Recent Economic Updaes
Economic Update for May 14, 2012
CONSUMER SENTIMENT HITS A 4-YEAR PEAK May’s initial Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey came in with an index reading of 77.8, the highest mark since January 2008. The current economic conditions sub-index rose to 87.3 from last month’s final 82.9 reading. Descending oil and gas prices may have been factors promoting some optimism.1 [...]
Economic Update for May 7, 2012
UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 8.1% The jobless rate dipped 0.1% in April, but Wall Street didn’t exactly cheer about it as just 115,000 non-farm jobs were added to the economy. Economists polled by Briefing.com thought payrolls would expand by 162,000. The Dow fell 168 points Friday on the news. On the bright side, job gains across [...]
MONTHLY ECONOMIC UPDATE, May 2012
THE MONTH IN BRIEF The Dow gained 0.01% in April – a month in which the impressive bull run of the first quarter moderated and more pessimism crept onto Wall Street. Some domestic indicators were tepid – but others did provide nice surprises. Signals out of Europe flashed hints (or confirmations) of recession. Some key [...]