This Week; interest rates are likely to continue lower on increasing fears Europe is facing defaults from Greece and increasing likelihood Greece will depart the EU. If Greece were to exit the EU it may set up a domino effect with Ireland, Portugal and Spain; Europe’s attempt at severe austerity inn efforts to bring countries’’ [...]

This Week; there isn’t much in the way of key economic reports. Over the week-end French and Greek voters sent a strong message from their citizens and to Germany that the austerity jammed down the throats of people isn’t working. Both elections removed the leaders that were forcing what many see as draconian spending cuts [...]

At 9:45 the April Chicago purchasing mgrs. index, expected at 60.0 frm 62.2 in March; it fell to 56.2. The three components; new orders 57.4 frm 63.3, prices pd at 68.6 frm 70.1 and employment at 58.7 frm 56.3. Overall a weaker report adding to concerns of slowing economy. The weakness is primarily due to [...]

This Week; the FOMC metering will dominate most trading. The policy statement at 2:15 Wednesday afternoon has many thinking the Fed will announce another QE move to keep rates from increasing. We are not sure, more likely the statement will reflect increasing concerns that the economy is slowing and the Fed is alert to it. [...]

This week; after a week with little new economic data, this week’s calendar has a number of key reports beginning Monday with March retail sales and the NY Empire State manufacturing index. The benchmark 10 yr note ended last week at 1.99% an improvement of 6 basis points in rates on the week. Europe’s debt [...]

This Week; after last week’s very weak employment report that drove interest rates lower n mortgages and treasuries, Treasury will auction $66B of notes and bonds beginning Tuesday. Thursday and Friday PPI and CPI for March will be r3eported. The US stock market was closed on Friday so Monday morning the market will open weaker [...]

This Week; there are a number of key data points that will be closely followed. The March employment data is the headliner with early estimates of 214K non-farm jobs created and the unemployment rates unchanged at 8.3%. The data comes on Good Friday with markets closed except the bond market will be open until noon, [...]

This Week; not much data for markets to think about. Feb existing and new home sales are about it for the week. The NAHB March housing index on Monday, nothing on Tuesday or Friday. After the swift increase in rates last Wednesday and Thursday there is potential for more improvement early this week, however it [...]

This Week; the FOMC meets on Tuesday. The Fed has been talking about the economy not being as solid as what markets believe and there are a few members that want the FOMC to withdraw its pledge to keep rates low through 2014. There are other members that talk about another easing move with the [...]

This Week; the big data is on Friday with the Feb employment data. Early estimates are for the unemployment rate to remain at 8.3%, non-farm jobs up 207K and non-farm private jobs up 220K. Monday the Feb ISM services sector report will draw attention, estimates call for the index to decline slightly to 56.0 frm [...]