America is facing a dilemma. Amid the greatest crisis since World War II, and four weeks into an effective shut down of the U.S. economy as a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, public debate is turning towards the question of how long the shutdown should continue. Last week President Trump released federal guidelines for “re-opening” … Continue reading
The following are books that have had the most significant impact on my investment philosophy. Though that philosophy is heavily influenced by a belief in Austrian School Economics, only two of these books deal with Austrian Economics specifically. What they do provide, however, is education and wisdom on how real-world markets work, which has allowed … Continue reading
By Ted Barnhart The recent plunge in oil prices, poses a number of questions. The Austrian School of Investment Thought Blog answers a few of them here. Q: Is the price of oil dropping because of deflationary forces i.e. an anticipated economic slowdown. A: No, but a couple of side bar discussions should go along … Continue reading
The S&P 500 finished the week at 1,362 up 0.43% for the week. The index had been higher on the week, but sold off about 1% on Friday, on the heels of a sell off across Europe including new lows on the Euro itself. Friday’s European stock markets saw declines in Italy of 4.3%, Germany … Continue reading
The S&P 500 finished the week at 1,356 up 0.16% for the week. The Ten Year Treasury Yield closed at 1.49% down from 1.54% the previous week and just above the June 1st low of 1.45%. Next Week’s Potential Market Moving Events: Tuesday: Fed Chariman Bernanke testifies before the Senate Banking committee. … Continue reading
The stock market encountered a roller coaster ride this week, rallying early based on positive news in the Greek Elections and in anticipation of a potential QE3 announcement from the Fed on Wednesday. When the Fed only delivered on Operation Twist, stocks sold off. The S&P 500 finished the week at 1,335, down 0.6% for … Continue reading
A nervous stock market managed to post a modest gain for the week as the financial world awaits the results of Sunday’s election in Greece. The S&P 500 Index closed at 1,342 up 1.3% for the week. Randall Forsyth of Barron’s noted that “stocks took off Thursday afternoon in the U.S. in reaction to various … Continue reading
The S&P 500 posted its biggest gain of the year with 3.6% rebound in the aftermath of a tough month of May. Yields on the benchmark Ten Year Treasury rose to 1.63% after finishing the previous week below 1.5%. SPY data by YCharts