Gold Seen Cutting Weekly Drop as Europe Woes Spur Demand – Bloomberg 06-22-12

Salient to Investors: Investor Jim Pogoda said just extending Operation Twist was seen as not enough to keep positive momentum in gold, which will attract some safe haven investment as the focus turn quickly back to debt troubles in Europe. Nick Moore at Royal Bank of Scotland Group said global financial market risks abound and

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More Americans Than Forecast File for Jobless Benefits – Bloomberg 06-21-12

Salient to Investors: Four-week moving average increased to the highest since the week ended Dec. 3. The level of dismissals may raise concern the slowdown in payrolls will be prolonged, limiting consumer spending. Ryan Wang at HSBC Securities USA says momentum is slowing, companies have curtailed demand for labor, meaning less income growth, a restraint on

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Paulson Says Harm to U.S. From Europe Crisis is Minimal – Bloomberg 06-19-12

Salient to Investors: Henry Paulson at the University of Chicago said Europe will drag on but eventually stabilize and avoid catastrophe. Europeans are committed to monetary union, but isn’t sustainable without some political union. Paulson said government policies is more to blame than banks because it encourages people to save too little and borrow too much. The root causes

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U.S. Stocks Advance to One-Month High as Fed Meets – Bloomberg 06-19-12

Salient to Investors: FedEx, regarded as an economic bellwether, predicted Q1 profit lower than analyst estimates. Barnes & Noble Q4 revenue trailed analysts’ estimates. Predictions: Tom Wirth of Chemung Canal Trust sees the risks easing slightly, but expects any market action should the Fed extend Operation Twist to be short-lived. Myles Zyblock of RBC Capital Markets says growing uncertainty – due to

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Housing Starts in U.S. Fall 4.8% in May on Apartments – Bloomberg 06-19-12

Salients Points: The residential real-estate market is weathering the U.S. economic slowdown. Single family starts rose at the highest rate this year, while apartment construction slumped. Building permits climbed to the highest level since September 2008 on lower prices and record-low mortgage rates. Overall starts in May declined 13 percent in the Midwest, 20 percent in

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