Blog.

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Posted on April 27, 2014 · Posted in Observation

Major U.S. indices closed as follows on March 31: Dow, 16,457.66; Nasdaq, 4,198.99; S&P 500, 1,872.34; Russell 2000, 1,173.04; CBOE VIX, 13.88. Small caps lost 0.84% on the month, leaving the.. read more

Commodities Markets and Real Estate

Posted on · Posted in Observation

COMMODITIES MARKETS Crops set the pace in March. Aside from coffee losing 1.03%, there were numerous gains – wheat, 16.53%; sugar, 12.26%; corn, 6.99%; cotton, 8.25%; soybeans, 1.56%; cocoa, 0.20%. Among energy.. read more

Global Economic Health

Posted on · Posted in Observation

On March 16, Crimeans voted to leave Ukraine and join Russia in what seemed a clear violation of Ukraine’s constitution. To most diplomats, it looked merely like a Russian land grab. Russia.. read more

Domestic Economic Health

Posted on April 26, 2014 · Posted in Observation

On March 19, the Federal Reserve announced further tapering of QE3 – another cut of $10 billion effective in April. The market anticipated that, but it didn’t anticipate Janet Yellen’s spontaneous remarks.. read more

The Month In Brief – March

Posted on · Posted in Month In Brief

Thanks in part to a March 31 rally, the S&P 500 managed to gain 0.69% last month. Comments from Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen alternately startled and soothed investors; events in the.. read more