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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK – March 26 United States • A light data week globally resulted in relative calm in financial markets. Despite jawboning this week by Federal Reserve presidents, investors remain unconvinced that the Fed will raise rates at the pace revealed in last week’s FOMC economic projections. • The few data releases this …
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK – March 21 United States A dovish Fed gave support to financial markets this week. While leaving rates unchanged, the Fed’s state­ment noted the downside risks to growth from global economic and financial developments. Just as important, the Fed’s dot projections moved the expected pace of rate hikes down significantly, with …
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK – March 17 United States • Disappointing trade data from China briefly reignited concerns about global growth. Exports slumped by 25.4% y/y in February in U.S. dollar terms, marking the largest decline since May 2009. Imports also fared poorly, falling by a larger than expected 13.8% y/y. • Policymakers continued to …
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK – March 7 United States • Stronger than expected data out of the U.S. supported this week’s risk-on bias in global financial markets. Nonfarm payrolls took center stage at the end of the week adding 242k jobs in February. • Expectation for further stimulus out of the Eurozone and China appeared …
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First-Time Buyers Will Survive The New Rule The days of buying near-million-dollar homes with 5% down are officially over. The new minimum equity rules for purchases between $500,000 and $1 million began Monday. The regs now require 5% down on the first $500,000 and 10% down for the remaining portion. As before, purchases of $1 …
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