US Stocks ended the week modestly higher in the lowest trading volume seen since the end of last year.  Foreign stocks were mixed.  A very strong housing start number helped build confidence in an improving economy and consumer prices rose after months of declines.  The Federal Reserve’s minutes released Wednesday indicated that there will likely […]

US stocks finished the week higher after falling mid week.  Yields of both US and German government bonds spiked mid week but US Bonds ended largely unchanged.  Foreign stocks were mixed.  The economic data showed weaker than expected retail sales and industrial production but better than expected first time claims for unemployment while producer prices […]

Stocks rose sharply on Friday after a goldilocks jobs report (not too hot, not too cold) encouraged both those looking for a rebound and those looking for a delay in the Federal Reserve’s rise in interest rates.  This came after Janet Yellen said mid-week that stock valuations were “quite high” but not as extreme as […]

Despite rebounding on Friday, stocks were lower for the week and Thursday’s close was barely positive for the month of April.  On Wednesday and Thursday stocks received a one-two punch.  Wednesday’s bad Q1 GDP number raised concerns about the strength of the economy and Thursday’s great unemployment claims number raised concerns about the FED raising […]