Fed Flummoxed by Mortgage Yield Gap Refusing to Shrink: Economy – Bloomberg 12-24-12

Salient to Investors: New York Fed President William Dudley said the gap between bond yields and home-loan rates is blunting the economic benefits of the Fed’s record accommodation. Stephen Stanley at Pierpont Securities said banks are disinclined to lower mortgage rates. David Cannon at Royal Bank of Scotland said banks are reluctant to hire

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European Stocks Post Fifth Weekly Gain; SBM Shares Surge – Bloomberg 12-21-12

Salient to Investors: Manish Singh at Crossbridge Capital said the broad expectation is there will be no disaster over the fiscal cliff, and investors are getting excited about Japan again. Read the full article at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-21/european-stocks-post-fifth-weekly-gain-sbm-shares-surge.html. Click here to receive free email alerts of articles as soon as they are posted.

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U.S. Home Values Rose in 2012 for First Gain in 6 Years – Bloomberg 12-20-12

Salient to Investors: Zillow expects home values to continue to rise in 2013. Low interest rates, improving employment and prices almost 30 percent below the July 2006 peak have attracted buyers and a limited inventory of homes for sale have pushed up prices. Stan Humphries at Zillow said housing has turned a corner in 2012, as historic affordability and

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States Gaining in Economic Health as Manufacturing Grows – Bloomberg 12-20-12

Salient to Investors: 27 US states showed signs of economic improvement. Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois posted four of the eight biggest gains for Q3 over Q2. California, District of Columbia, Florida, Arizona and North Dakota improved. The largest declines were in Vermont, followed by New Mexico, Alaska, Wyoming and New Hampshire. Florida’s

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