Irish Bank Nationalization

Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2011
Irish Banks Move Toward Nationalization

Mortgage Lending Regulations

Securitization of mortgages and other loans by US banks was a catalyst for the 2008 credit crisis. Subprime loan securities were innovative and compelling but the lack of credit risk modeling and regulation lead to a nationwide bank failure. The Dodd-Frank financial overhaul law addresses the lack of regulation in this area by imposing a 5% credit risk requirement on banks for securitized mortgages and loans. Additional regulation on down payment requirements and mortgage ratings are likely to follow.

Wall Street Journal, March 30, 2011
Regulators Unveil Mortgage-Lending Rules

Sovereign Debt Downgraded in Portugal and Greece

Wall Street Journal, March 29, 2011
S&P Downgrades Portugal, Greece

Socrates to Continue as Prime Minister of Portugal

Huffington Post, March 28, 2011
Uncertainty hastens Portugal's financial tailspin

Wall Street Journal, March 27, 2011

Portugal's Socrates Re-elected Party Leader

Turmoil in Syria and Jordan

New York Times, March 27, 2011

Tension and Grief in Syria After Protests and Deadly Reprisals

Unrest in Syria and Jordan Poses New Test for U.S. Policy

Home Sales

New York Times, March 26, 2011
A Housing Market Cycle Different From Others

Federal Reserve Press Conference Schedule

Wall Street Journal, March 25, 2011
Bernanke to Speak Out More to Explain, Bolster Policy

Eurozone Debt Crisis

Wall Street Journal, March 24, 2011
New Phase in Europe Crisis

Aftermaths from the 2008 Credit Crisis Continue

Aftermaths from the 2008 Credit Crisis still continue to surface within the U.S financial system. Liz Rappaport, from the Wall Street Journal reports in her article, “Banks Hit for Credit Union Ills” on five wholesale credit unions backed by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) who have threatened to sue Wall Street investment banks for misrepresenting bonds packaged with subprime mortgage loans, bought and held within credit union portfolios.

Credit Unions, usually created by employee working groups, were established by the government in 1934. Federal Credit Unions are overseen by the NCUA and managed by a credit committee or Board of Directors. These unions encourage regular savings by members and can provide consumer and home mortgage loans from the members’ pooled savings deposits. Funds deposited with the federal credit unions are insured up to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). These funds are also backed by the U.S. Government.

The 2008 credit crisis had such a dramatic effect on credit unions because of their reliance on corporate bank liquidity. Mortgage loans bought and held by credit unions significantly lost value causing a liquidity crisis for credit unions.

Sources:

Banks Hit for Credit Union Ills

www.ncua.gov

NCUA - Frequently Asked Questions

Euro Gains

Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2011
Euro Demand Hurts Dollar

USDX Down 4.51%

The U.S. Dollar Index return has fallen 4.51% year-to-date and 1.59% in March.

Wall Street Journal, March 21, 2011

Markets Back in Lockstep as Risk Bets Return

Japan's Disaster

New York Times, March 20, 2011
A Crisis That Markets Can't Grasp

Global Growth

New York Times, March 19, 2011

Washington vs. the Merciless

Similarities between the 2008 US Financial Crisis and Japan's Nuclear Risks

New York Times, March 18, 2011

Japan's Meltdown and the Global Economy's

Nuclear Situation in Japan Affects World Markets

Wall Street Journal, March 17, 2011

DJIA Takes Another Triple-Digit Hit

Treasury Rates

The 10-year Treasury note yield fell to a 3.22% close today following the Federal Reserve's decision yesterday to continue with their bond buying program.

Wall Street Journal, March 16, 2011

High-Yield Bond Issues, Loan Repricings Pulled; Treasurys Rise

Outcome of Today's Federal Reserve Policy Meeting

Wall Street Journal

Fed Sees Gains, Keeps Eye on Inflation

QE2

Wall Street Journal, March 14, 2011

Treasury Investors Focus on Fed, BOJ

The Federal Reserve System

The New York Times' list of resources on the federal reserve system.

Federal Reserve

Wisconsin Union Bill Becomes Law

Wisconsin's union bill was signed into law Friday by Governor Scott Walker. The law will strip unions in Wisconsin of their collective bargaining rights.

New York Times, March 12, 2011

Union Bill Is Law, but Debate Is Far From Over

New York Times, March 11, 2011

The Burden of Pensions on States

Crisis Continues in Eurozone

New York Times, March 11, 2011
Germany Sets Steep Price to Shore Up Euro Zone

Two-Year Anniversary of Bull Market's Start

Since March 9, 2009, the S&P 500 has gained more than 95% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained nearly 87%.

Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2011

Stocks Ease Lower: Boston Beer Loses 4.3%

U.S. Considers Humanitarian Mission in Libya

The U.S. is considering humanitarian options that would provide aid to rebel forces in Libya.

Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2011

U.S. Sees Stalemate Emerging in Libya
EU to Broaden Libya Sanctions
U.S. Debates Libya Action

Rising Oil Prices Continue

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell Monday on news of Wells Fargo's downgrade to the semiconductor sector and rising oil prices following continued conflict in Libya. The change pushed the year-to-date return for the DJIA to 4.92%.

Wall Street Journal, March 8, 2011
Stocks Notch a Down Day on Oil Jitters

QE2 Likely to Continue

Fed officials will most likely decide next week to continue the $600 billion Treasury securities purchasing program, known as QE2.

Wall Street Journal, March 7, 2011
Fed Unlikely to Remove Its Economic Stimulus Just Yet

The Fiscal Illusion

New York Times, March 6, 2011
It's Time to Face the Fiscal Illusion

Crude Oil Reaches $104.42

New York Times, March 5, 2011
Rising Oil Prices Overshadow Drop in the Jobless Rate

Oil Prices Could Push Food Prices Even Higher

World food prices rose 2.2% in February as measured by the Food and Agriculture Organization's price index.

Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2011

Food Prices Reach Record High

H.J. Heinz - Earnings Report:

Heinz Profit Rises on Strength in North America

Kroger - Earnings Report:

Loyalty Program Boosts Kroger

Article Publications

Included below are links to some of my published articles.

Greece's Economic Crisis
Currency Funds
Gold Prices Soar as Euro Falters
Eurozone Volatility
Emerging Markets
Deflation Risks