Salient to Investors: Bloomberg study of 314 upgrades, downgrades and outlook changes since 1974 shows interest rates moved in the opposite direction 47 percent of the time for Moody’s and for S&P. IMF studies show prices moved in the expected direction 45 percent of the time for developed countries and 51 percent for
READ MORE... →The Census Bureau reports that 50 million people don’t have health coverage in the U.S., 16 percent of the population, versus 36.6 million, or 13 percent, in 2000. People covered at work declined to 55.3 percent from 65.1 percent in 2000. Intrade traders see a 68 percent chance the Supreme court will strike down
READ MORE... →The percent of men aged 25-34 living at home with parents has risen to near 20 percent in 2011 versus 14 percent in 2005. The percent of women aged 25-34 living with their parents rose to 1o percent in 2011 versus 8 percent in 2005. The unemployment rate for men 25-34 saw a
READ MORE... →Study shows that Western economies displayed the same manic behavior as psychologically disturbed people in the runup to the 2008 credit crisis, which could be repeated. In the two decades to 2008, Western bankers, economists and politicians shared a manic culture of denial, omnipotence and triumphalism over the collapse of communism, as they escalated risky
READ MORE... →BP data show that at the end of 2011, Venezuela had proven oil reserves of 296.5 billion barrels, Saudi Arabia 265.4 billion barrels, Canada 175.2 billion barrels, Russia 88.2 billion barrels, Norway 6.9 billion barrels. Read the full article at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-13/venezuela-overtakes-saudis-for-largest-oil-reserves-bp-says-1-.html
READ MORE... →Rising truck shipments show economic expansion is intact. The for-hire truck-tonnage index shows 29 months of growth – the economy has never contracted without tonnage turning negative first. The FTR’s index of U.S. truck loadings increase in April from a year earlier, the highest since 2008, shows the economy is expanding. Read the
READ MORE... →Salient to Investors: Home equity in the first quarter rose to the highest level since 2008 as homeowners refinance to pay down principal. Half the mortgages refinanced in the fourth quarter reduced loan size, a record.Predictions: About 23 percent of mortgage holders are underwater on their loans. Predictions: Median forecast
READ MORE... →The divide between the 1 percent and the 99 percent is usually is usually measured by incomes – even worse when measure by wealth. Very wealthy people only have to pay income tax when they have to liquidate, which for most of the very rich is never. Any unrealized capital gains disappear for tax purposes on
READ MORE... →The financial crisis wiped out 18 years of gains for the median U.S. household net worth, across almost every demographic group, which may hurt retirement prospects for middle-income families. The proportion of families with retirement accounts decreased 2.6 points to 50.4 percent during the period. Read the full article at
READ MORE... →Salient to Investors: Small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all private-sector employers. The average, profitable small business pays an effective tax rate of about 20 percent An Institute for Justice study shows that one in three U.S. workers needs government permission to operate a small business, versus only one in 20 in the 1950s. 66
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