The week began with an easing of geopolitical tensions only to see them increased on Friday with accusations of Russian artillery firing into eastern Ukraine.  Stocks rose for the week on generally positive economic news.  Janet Yellen’s comments from Jackson Hole indicated that slack remains in the labor market and while things are improving the […]

US Stock prices rose this past week despite a sharp selloff midday Friday as the markets shifted attention away from geopolitical tensions and towards  economic growth.  This was interrupted Friday by reports of a Russian military incursion into Ukraine witnessed by news reporters.  Russia said they didn’t do it and Ukraine said they partially destroyed […]

In the first part of the week stocks fell mainly on geopolitical concerns and rallied at the end of the week on a reduction of these concerns.  I believe this enthusiasm is premature.  Yes, a senior Russian official said that Russia wanted to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine but Russia’s actions continue to do the […]

August 4, 2014

Stocks declined sharply last week.  Global issues were partly to blame with Argentina’s debt default, increasing sanctions on Russia, and Israel’s incursion into Gaza.  I believe that none of these things will derail the US economy.  Europe will be much more affected by the sanctions on Russia.  And while sovereign debt issues have subsided substantially in […]