European Elections Favor Challengers Stocks (Weekly) Dow: 12,900 -150 NASDAQ: 2,950 -25 Highlights ** April Core PPI inflation was 2.7% higher than one year ago ** Consumer Sentiment rose to the highest level since January 2008 ** The March Trade Deficit reached a record high, mostly due to high oil prices ** The Bank of [...]

EMPLOYMENT FALLS SHORT STOCKS (WEEKLY) DOW: 13,050 -150 NASDAQ: 2,975 -75   HIGHLIGHTS > March Core PCE price inflation was 2.0% higher than one year ago > The European Central Bank (ECB) made no change in rates > Oil prices fell below $100 per barrel for the first time since February > The Treasury will [...]

Economic Growth Rates Slow Stocks (Weekly) Dow: 13,050 +150 NASDAQ: 3,025 Unchanged Highlights ** Weekly Jobless claims rose to 386K, the highest since early this year ** Spanish bond auctions saw adequate demand ** Leading indicators fell to 0.3% from 0.7% last month ** Regional manufacturing activity slows from March News Investors saw little last [...]

Employment Data Falls Short Highlights Core CPI inflation was 2.3% higher than one year ago Demand was close to average for all three Treasury auctions this week The Beige Book reported that the US economy continued to expand at a modest-to-moderate pace First quarter GDP growth in China was weaker than expected and the slowest [...]

Fed Minutes Jolt Mortgage Rates Stocks (Weekly) Dow: 13,050 -150 NASDAQ: 3,075 -25 Highlights **Weekly Jobless Claims fell to the lowest level since April 2008 **Economy added 120K jobs in March, unemployment rate fell to 8.2% **The European Central Bank (ECB) made no change in rates **The Treasury will auction $72 billion in 3-yr, 10-yr, [...]

Mortgage Rates Improve Stocks (Weekly): Dow – 13,200 +100 NASDAQ – 3,100 +40 HIGHLIGHTS: **The Core PCE price index was 1.9% higher than one year ago **Pending Home Sales were up 9% from one year ago **Consumer Sentiment rose to the highest level since February 2011 **Oil prices dropped to $103 per barrel, the lowest [...]

Will Fed Expand MBS Purchase Program? Stocks (Weekly) Dow: 13,100 -150      NASDAQ: 3,050 -10 Highlights Jobless Claims fell to the lowest since February 2008 ~ Building permits climbed to the highest level since October 2008 ~ The NAHB Housing Market confidence index was at the highest level since June 2007 ~ The Treasury will auction [...]

Fed Statement Sends Mortgage Rates Higher Average 30yr fixed rate Week of 3/16: +0.20% Week of 3/9: +0.01%  Stocks (Weekly) Dow: 13,250 +250 NASDAQ: 3,050 +50 Highlights: *Core CPI inflation was 2.2% higher than one year ago  *Retail Sales posted the largest monthly increase since September 2011  *Weekly Jobless Claims matched the lowest level since December [...]