Category Archives: Economy

Economy

Greek Referendum Plan –

Posted on 1. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Prime Minister of Greece surprised the financial markets by calling for a referendum on the bailout plan.  Prime Minister George Papandreou has suffered a loss of some support in his party.  The call for a referendum has sent the Euro and … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Business, Economy, Election, General, International, Politics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

S & P Downgrades Spain; Barcelona –

Posted on 18. October 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Standard & Poor’s cut the debt rating for Barcelona to AA- with a negative outlook.  The downgrade was expected after Standard & Poor’s cut the sovereign debt rating for Spain.  Debt for Spain and Barcelona can expect another downgrade if economic conditions do … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Economy, General, International, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Europe Plan Gains Support –

Posted on 16. October 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Global finance chiefs are showing support for a plan to address the European sovereign debt crisis.  A more complete plan may be presented by the October 23rd summit in Brussels. The plan is expected to include writing down as much as 50% … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Economy, International, Treasury, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Senate To Vote On Currency Bill –

Posted on 11. October 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Senate voted 63-35 in support of the currency bill.  The currency bill was supported by Republican and Democratic Senators and is hoped to address the trade imbalance due to undervalued currencies.  Although the Senate supported the measure, the House … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Democrat, Economy, General, International, Regulatory, Republican, Trade | Leave a comment

Moody’s Downgrades Italian Debt –

Posted on 4. October 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Moody’s downgraded Italian government debt from Aa2 to A2 with a negative outlook.  Moody’s cited the increase in long-term funding risks for Euro nations with high levels of debt.  Also, the weak global economic outlook was part of the rationale for … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Economy, General, International | Leave a comment

Currency Legislation –

Posted on 27. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Democratic Senator Harry Reid has indicated that he will introduce legislation relating to undervalued currencies.  The measure will address the effect that undervalued currencies have on trade.  The Chinese Yuan is one currency that is considered  to be undervalued and acting as a subsidy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Democrat, Economy, General, International, Regulatory, Republican, Trade | Leave a comment

Treasury Yields Fall –

Posted on 21. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Treasury yields for 30 year bonds fell below 3% for the first time since 2009.  The Federal Reserve announced that it will purchase long term debt and sell shorter term debt in an attempt to spur economic growth.  It is expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economy, General, Regulatory, Treasury | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Business, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Regulatory, Treasury | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Democrat, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Republican | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Treasury | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Regulatory, Treasury | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Treasury | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Economy, General, Infrastructure | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Budget, Business, Congress, Democrat, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Politics, Presidential, Republican, Tax, Treasury | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Democrat, Economy, Election, General, Infrastructure, Politics, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment