-
Featured Story
Janet Yellen's Speech on Monetary Policy: Three Big Questions Answered
Janet Yellen gave her first speech on monetary policy today (Wednesday) since assuming her position as chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve on Feb. 3, 2014.
While cautioning that the economy still needs the central bank's support, Yellen stated that the nation's economic recovery will be nearing completion within two years.
Get the full text of Janet Yellen's speech here. Federal Reserve
-
Stock Market Today – Banks Behave Badly, U.S. Energy Boom
Top stock market news today, March 28, 2014: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.76 points to finish at 16,264.23. The Nasdaq dropped 22.35 points finish at 4,151.23, while the S&P 500 slid 3.52 to close at 1,849.04.
Meanwhile, gold prices fell $8.70 to close at $1,294.70 - below the $1,300 threshold for the first time in six weeks.
Friday's data will center on consumer income in February, an examination of February consumer spending, and a much anticipated look at March consumer sentiment.
To continue reading, please click here... -
Today's FOMC Meeting: Data-Dependent and Dovish
The end of today's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting included fresh dovish language in its policy statement - but the market-friendly attitude failed to excite investors who were hoping for more.
As widely expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced it will stay the course on its bond tapering. Anticipated - but not as expected - the policy statement shed some light on eventual interest rate hikes.
To continue reading, please click here... -
The Five Most Ridiculous Revelations from the Fed Hearings
On Friday, the U.S. Federal Reserve released the transcripts from its vital meetings over the state of the U.S. economy from 2007 through 2009.
The transcripts provide a staggering glimpse into the world of a central bank in crisis, or at least the inability for all parties concerned to grasp the problems at hand.
Here are the five most ridiculous takeaways from the Fed Reports.
To continue reading, please click here... -
Janet Yellen Sticks to the Script (Here's What It Means for Investors)
Janet Yellen made her debut before Congress Tuesday as the new head of the Fed...
And just like they did for her predecessors, the markets hung on every single word.
Except in this case, nobody (and I mean nobody) expected any major fireworks. What they were looking for instead was a confirmation that it would be "business as usual."
To continue reading, please click here... -
Five Important Things Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen Said to Congress Today
When freshly installed Fed Chair Janet Yellen went before Congress yesterday, she mostly followed the script written by her predecessor, Ben Bernanke. But now that she's in charge, everything she says will carry a great deal of weight.
Here are five key takeaways from Yellen's testimony...
-
Today's Stock Market News and Earnings Calendar
Today's stock market news, Feb. 10, 2014: The markets recovered last week after a choppy start to February trading. On Thursday and Friday, the markets dismissed disappointing unemployment numbers and tepid economic data. The S&P 500 increased 2.6% over the two days.
To continue reading, please click here... - This Has Been Making Investors Rich for 140 Years People are viewing the end of stimulus as a sunset. "My, what a wonderful day we've had," they say. What they should be doing is investing for tomorrow's dawn - the turmoil we're seeing now as part of Yellen's arrival is actually par for the course. It's also a great time to lock your sights on four companies that will lead the way when the smoke clears... Full Story Read More...
- This Chart Will Save You from a Dangerously Popular Delusion There's a very dangerous meme making the rounds. It goes something like this: The economy is improving, therefore the Fed's going to taper... and, when it does, the economy is strong enough to endure the withdrawals that will come with it. Don't fall for it. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Any amount of stimulus reduction will indeed trigger a "taper tantrum." This chart is all the proof we need...
-
The Chart the Federal Reserve Doesn't Want You to See
While the Federal Reserve is going full steam ahead with its money printing, a rule that applies to all central banks says it should be doing the exact opposite. Apparently the Fed plans to keep its collective head buried deep in the sand until everything blows up.
Here's the chart the Fed wishes didn't exist...
-
How the Fed QE Taper Will Affect Foreign Markets
Hints from the U.S. Federal Reserve this week that the quantitative easing taper is near ruffled feathers on Wall Street last week - but the idea of less Fed stimulus has caused much more turmoil in certain overseas markets. Here are the places getting hit the hardest.
Read more...
Read More...
-
What a QE Taper Means for Markets and the Next Fed Chair
On Tuesday, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans announced that he wouldn't be surprised if the central bank begins to taper its $85 billion monthly bond-buying program in September.
Evans is the third official this week to signal a QE taper. Richard Fisher, president of the Dallas Fed, and Dennis Lockhart, president of the Atlanta Fed, parroted Evans' sentiment.
While Fisher indicated he would prefer to cut back bond purchases in August, Lockhart stated a preference for a September QE taper, although the Fed could wait longer if economic growth and unemployment trends reverse.
But it is Evans' announcement that is the most important. Evans is a member of the activist wing of the Federal Reserve. These members strongly support unconventional monetary policies such as bond buying, which are designed to reduce borrowing costs to spur aggregate demand and hiring across the country.
His views reflect those of the majority of members of the FOMC, the Fed's monetary policy committee.
To continue reading, please click here...
Read More... - Esther George on Why It's Time to Begin Adjusting QE Esther George, Kansas City Fed President, is a hawk among doves. Here’s why she’s concerned about what’s ahead for the economy, thanks to QE. Read more... Read More...
Close
This Patent Portfolio "Dream Team" Just Got Even Better
When we recommended micro-cap tech play eOn Communications Corp. (NasdaqCM: EONC) last month, we told you to expect a pretty wild ride.
Today's Markets