Weekly Investmtent & Economic Recap: 4.4.08

April 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Attached/linked please find And That’s The Week That Was, the Brounes & Associates market/economic commentary for the week ended April 4, 2008.  So the books on the dismal 1st quarter 2008 are officially closed (and not soon enough) and investors seem intent on moving past the recent negativity. Though financial (more write-downs) and economic (weak housing, manufacturing, services, labor) news highlighted the week, the markets moved higher as investors looked at the carnage of the past three months and found some value in equities.  Bernanke stood up nicely to the heat as he was grilled by a finger-pointing Congress over his role in the JP Morgan/Bear Stearns transaction.  Paulson set out to reform the entire financial regulatory system, though he knows he will be long since retired (or back on Wall Street) before any of his proposals are approved/rejected.  The new quarter is off to the races and many investors believe the worst of the news is behind us.  Let’s hope the newfound optimism lasts (despite the  continued talks of recession.  Sorry, just a friendly reminder). 

Coming up in the week ahead:  Construction Spending (Tuesday), ISM - Manufacturing (Tuesday), ISM - Services (Thursday), Unemployment Rate (Friday), Nonfarm Payroll Additions (Friday)

Weekly Economic & Investment Recap: 2.15.08

February 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Attached/linked please find And That’s The Week That Was, the Brounes & Associates market/economic commentary for the week ended February 15, 2008. As the campaign season heats up, more Americans seem to be getting the fever and are even tuning into Congressional hearings for a look at our political system at its “finest.”  (Of course, that newfound interest only occurs when such hearings are simulcast on ESPN.)  While Clemens/McNamee may have garnered much of Congress’ attention of the week, Paulson/Bernanke testified before the Senate and shared their (increasingly negative) views on the economy (though their statements were not highlighted on SportsCenter).
Stocks rose early in the week as W. signed that stimulus package into law, but gave back some ground once the over-analysis of the testimonies began (Bernanke’s not Clemens’).  Some surprising retail results brought about a tad more optimism about future consumer activity, though the naysayers still seem to outnumber and a late week sentiment index fell to levels not seen in 16 years.  Earnings season continued with mixed results and Hugo made some idle threats to the domestic energy sector. 

Next week, Americans will have another opportunity to get in the political spirit with a celebration of our past presidents (that probably will not be covered on ESPN).

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