US stocks declined for the week but fared better than international stocks, especially Europe.  Treasury rates rose and prices fell following Janet Yellen’s comments that the US economy is strong enough to withstand a rate increase and that the FED would likely be raising rates before year end.  Gold prices rose, energy prices were flat […]

After a volatile week US stocks ended with modest losses.  The big news on the week was the Federal Reserve decided not to raise interest rates.  The FED cited concerns over global growth.  Foreign stocks generally performed better than US stocks and emerging markets generally performed better than developed foreign stocks.  Treasury bonds rose and […]

Stock market volatility settled down somewhat this week and the US markets ended with modest gains.  International markets performed better as China stocks bounced.  The US now has a record number of job openings and producer prices are flat both good signs for the US economy.  Treasury yields rose modestly while prices declined.  Industrial metals […]

US stocks slumped this week as a weaker than expected jobs report for August was just strong enough to leave the possibility of a rate hike in two weeks on the table.  Markets hate uncertainty and now we are looking at a 50/50 chance of a rate hike in September.  The 2nd quarter rise in […]

US Stocks ended an extremely volatile week with modest gains.  The Dow saw its biggest ever point decline shortly after opening on Monday.  There were 1300 instances of “circuit breakers” exchange imposed trading halts on Monday.  China lowered interest rates again and reduced bank’s reserve requirements to strengthen its economy.  That coupled with better than […]