Spending, incomes: Two important measures of the “pocketbook” economy come out this week. Personal incomes and personal consumption spending are due Monday (8:30 a.m.) and the non-farm payrolls (aka, “unemployment”) report on Friday (8:30 a.m.). Unlike the recent GDP revision, these figures more closely relate to the economy right now, that is, how much Americans […]
Archive | August, 2010
AAM Weekly Wrap August 28 2010
Weekly Market Wrap: The markets moved lower for most of the week and ended with a solid rally on Friday to close down only slightly lower. The S&P 500 finished at 1,065 down 0.7%. Oil rallied 2.6% on the week after recent sharp drops ending at $75.41 per barrel. Gold was slightly higher at $1,238.07 […]
Five Stock Market Movers This Week
Housing, manufacturing: On Tuesday (10 a.m.) we get existing home sales, followed on Wednesday (also 10 a.m.) by new home sales. Both are July numbers. Durable goods orders come at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Economic growth (GDP): The headlines last week were all about how the Fed is bailing to save the recovery. On Friday (8:30 […]
AAM Weekly Wrap August 21 2010
August 21, 2010 Weekly Market Wrap: A pretty un-eventful week in the markets finished with the S&P 500 at 1,072, down about 0.4% on the week. Oil was also lower while Gold and the Dollar moved higher. Oil was down another 2.5% to close at $73.46 per barrel, Gold was up 1% closing at $1,227.50 […]
AAM LLC Weekly Review August 14 2010
August 14, 2010 Weekly Market Wrap: The markets pulled back this week as the S&P 500 retreated 3.8% to close at 1,079. Oil plummeted and Gold rose slightly on the week. Oil finished the week down 6.7% at $75.39 per barrel and Gold finished up almost 1% at $1,215 per oz. The dollar was stronger […]
Keeping Your Credit Score Healthy
Keeping Your Credit Score Healthy It doesn’t take much these days to damage a credit score. Before the recession, late payments and blasting through credit limits would take its toll. But in the past year, Fair Isaac, the company that developed the algorithm that is the leading determinant of our scores, made an important change […]
AAM Weekly Wrap as of August 8, 2010
August 7, 2010 Weekly Market Wrap: The stock markets pushed forward this week with the S&P 500 finishing at 1,122 up 1.8% on the week and now up 0.59% for the year. Gold and Oil finished the week higher as well. Gold was up 2% at $1,205 per oz and Oil was up 2.3% at […]
A Midyear Financial Checkup Can Make For a Smarter Second Half
A Midyear Financial Checkup Can Make For a Smarter Second Half This is not the time of year when everyone wants to stay indoors with their finances. But a midyear review of your tax situation, retirement and spending issues can be far more valuable than the rushed attempt most people make at the end of […]
WASHINGTON HOTLINE
WASHINGTON HOTLINE On a national media program on July 25, 2010, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner emphasized that the Obama administration plans to increase the tax rates for the top two brackets. When asked whether the 2001/2003 tax reductions should be extended for all brackets, Secretary Geithner stated, “I don’t believe they should and I don’t […]
The 4 Percent Rule — What is the Right Amount to Withdraw from Your Retirement fund each year?
The 4 Percent Rule — What is the Right Amount to Withdraw from Your Retirement fund each year? With stagnant incomes and roller-coaster investment returns over the past decade, individuals on the brink of retirement might wonder what became of all those “rules of thumb” affecting how they handle their nest egg once they walk […]
