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Greece on the Brink
16 January 12 01:21 PM | Brian Dightman

On Friday the 13 th global investors received two pieces of disturbing news. S&P downgraded nine of the 17 countries in the euro zone, including AAA rated France, and Greece was unable to get private bond holders to renegotiate terms. The posturing...

Filed under: World Economy, S&P 500, IMF, developed markets, Credit Crisis, risk management, Bond Investing, U.S. Bonds

2011 Reflection, 2012 Projection
03 January 12 08:15 AM | Brian Dightman

After delivering about break-even performance for 2011, the S&P 500 is off to a strong start in 2012. Unfortunately small U.S. company , international developed country, and emerging country stocks all suffered significant declines in 2011. This will...

Filed under: S&P 500, China, Credit Markets, Buy & Hold, developed markets, emerging market stocks, U.S. Real Estate

Productivity Growth vs. Demand Growth
30 December 09 12:33 PM | Brian Dightman

After a tremendous rally from lows hit in March, stock investors want to know if the rally will continue into 2010. Leading economic indicators produced by the private firm, Economic Cycle Research Institute (ECRI), suggest the economic expansion that...

Filed under: developed markets, emerging market stocks, leading economic indicators, stock leadership, Major U.S. Markets

Rally Continues
26 August 09 09:58 PM | Brian Dightman

The rally that started mid-July looked like it was about to end only a month later. On Monday, August 17 th , continued selling from the Friday before looked like the start of a correction. The S&P 500 was down 3.26% during the period on consecutive...

Filed under: developed markets, SPDR Sectors, Major U.S. Markets

Will Stock Market Gains Hold?
16 June 09 04:43 PM | Brian Dightman

As the pattern of global economic data of less negative numbers continues, a shift may be taking place in asset pricing. Two possible reasons among many: 1) Asset prices are taking a break from the rapid appreciation realized since March 2) Economic data...

Filed under: Commodities, S&P 500, Crude Oil, China, developed markets, emerging market stocks

An Easter Basket of Stocks
09 April 09 04:39 PM | Brian Dightman

This week's trading ended a day early and with strong action marking the 5 th consecutive week of gains. U.S. stock markets will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday. While I still have doubts about the sustainability of the current market advance,...

Filed under: NASDAQ 100, Credit Markets, developed markets, emerging market stocks, leading economic indicators, dividends

Fiscal Stimulus, Stocks, & Interest Rates
19 January 09 01:52 PM | Brian Dightman

Many market commentators are hoping for a stock market rally as the Obama Administration takes the helm of our great country. And for good reason, a roughly $850 billion dollar fiscal stimulus could be just the shot in the arm the U.S. economy needs....

Filed under: TED SPREAD, S&P 500 Earnings, Energy, Global Banks, metals and mining, developed markets, Credit Crisis, leading economic indicators

Rally Reversed
19 August 08 02:12 PM | Brian Dightman

You may have noticed U.S. stock indexes moving higher over the last month, offering some hope we may have found a market bottom. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case as many indexes failed a major test in the last few days. There were some...

Filed under: World Economy, S&P 500, cash, bear market, developed markets, emerging market stocks