Category Archives: Business

Senate Increases Debt Ceiling –

Posted on 10. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Senate voted 52-45 to increase the debt limit by $500 billion.  The vote came on Thursday night after the jobs speech by Obama and before the NFL season opener.  Democratic Senator Ben Nelson voted with the Republicans and Republican Senators Corker … Continue reading →

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Ten Year Treasury Yields Drop –

Posted on 6. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The yield on a ten year Treasury fell to an all-time low in trading on Tuesday.  The European debt crisis and a slow US economy drove investors to the safety of Treasuries.  European stocks fell on Monday and US stocks declined in trading … Continue reading →

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Job Growth Stalls –

Posted on 2. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Labor Department released employment figures for the month of August and job growth remained flat.  The data sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average down almost 200 points in afternoon trading.  Another round of stimulus could be discussed at the next meeting of … Continue reading →

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Treasuries Gain In August –

Posted on 31. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Treasuries posted their biggest monthly gains since December 2008.  Investors looked towards the safety of US Treasuries even as Standard & Poor’s downgraded US debt.  The yield on a 10 year note fell 60 basis points in the month of August as compared … Continue reading →

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Stocks Gain –

Posted on 22. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks are trading above the 10,900 mark on Monday as traders speculate on more Fed action.  Also, the possibility that the Federal Reserve will announce another quantitative easing program to counter recessionary concerns have kept Treasury yields at record lows. … Continue reading →

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Fitch Rates US Debt AAA –

Posted on 17. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

On Tuesday, Fitch Ratings announced that they were keeping U.S. debt at a AAA rating.  In addition, the outlook was kept at stable.  Moody’s has U.S. debt rated AAA with a negative outlook.  Fitch Ratings indicated that the outlook could change to negative if Congress … Continue reading →

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Munis Downgraded –

Posted on 9. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Standard and Poor’s downgraded over 11,000 municipal bonds that are closely tied to the federal government.  The downgrades in the muni market were expected after Standard and Poor’s downgraded U.S debt last Friday.  The munis will now have the AA+ … Continue reading →

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Debt Concerns Grow –

Posted on 6. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

World leaders are meeting this weekend to discuss the debt crises in Europe and the United States.  The downgrade of U.S. debt by Standard and Poor’s on Friday will test the strength of financial markets.  Also, markets may negatively react if the … Continue reading →

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Senate Supports Debt Plan –

Posted on 2. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Senate voted 74-26 in support of the debt plan.  The plan was supported by 46 Democrats and 28 Republicans.  The plan is expected to cut spending by $2.4 trillion and raise the debt ceiling by $2.1 trillion.  However, most of … Continue reading →

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House Passes Debt Legislation –

Posted on 1. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The House passed legislation to raise the debt ceiling with a vote of 269-161.  Only 66 Republicans opposed the bill and 95 Democrats supported the legislation.  The legislation will raise the debt ceiling by $2.1 trillion and cut federal spending by $2.4 trillion.  … Continue reading →

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Congress Close To Debt Deal –

Posted on 31. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Congress is close to an agreement on a deal to raise the debt ceiling.  Republican and Democratic Senators are meeting on Sunday in an attempt to finalize a deal before the financial markets open on Monday.  The Dollar fell against all … Continue reading →

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Oil Sands Pipeline Bill –

Posted on 27. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Republican controlled House passed a bill that would require the Obama administration to approve or deny a permit for an oil sands pipeline by November 1st.  The bill passed the House with a vote of 279-147.  The Canadian pipeline would provide … Continue reading →

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Moody’s Lowers Credit Rating For Greece –

Posted on 25. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Moody’s lowered the credit rating for Greece and indicated that they will likely be in default.  After the debt exchange of the EU rescue package, Moody’s may raise the credit rating.  Standard & Poor’s and Fitch rate Greece similarly to … Continue reading →

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Republican Camp Talks Debt Deal –

Posted on 23. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Republican Congressman Dave Camp predicted that there will be a compromise to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by August 2nd.  Camp would like the debt deal to include an overhaul of the tax code.  In addition, Camp has indicated that any … Continue reading →

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States May Face Downgrade –

Posted on 19. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Moody’s has indicated that bond ratings of some states may be downgraded if the debt limit is not raised.  The states that depend heavily on federal revenue are likely to be hurt most by a default.  Five states with high bond ratings that … Continue reading →

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