Jobless claims data improves

by | 16 12 2010 | Blog

Labor Department figures released today show that initial jobless claims in the United States fell by 3,000 to 420,000.  Meanwhile, the four-week moving average was a decline in claims of 5,250 to 422,750. Analysis: Some media outlets are pointing to these figures as...

Germany is having to show more of its hand

by | 16 12 2010 | Blog

In my predictions for 2011 post from earlier this week I said that the net effect of the European financial crisis would predominately be political.  Specifically what I expect the long-term affect to be is a stronger, more expressive Germany.  While much of the...

The power of options

by | 15 12 2010 | Blog

Monday Forrester Research reported that for the first time, on average, citizens of the U.S. spend more time on the Internet than they do watching television.  Interestingly, the amount of time spent watching television has not declined much.  Instead, folks have...

How are the holiday sales?

by | 14 12 2010 | Blog

Retail sales increased by 0.8% in November according to the U.S. Commerce Department.  This result compares to an economists’ expected rise of 0.5%.  Additionally, October’s retail sales figures were revised up 1.7% from their previously reported 1.2%....