Wednesday, February 29, 2012

U.S. Life Expectancy Reaches New High of 78.7 Years, Thanks to Rising GDP...



Life expectancy at birth of Americans has increased by
+10.5
years
in the last 60 years (i.e., 1950-2010), reaching 78.7 years today. Thus since 1950, life expectancy at birth has increased by +2 months every year.

Source: Center for Disease Control



Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Eldery Can't Afford To Retire...

[SEVENTY]

 The labor-force participation rate of people 75 and older is the highest since 1966.


Monday, February 27, 2012

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis


On
Friday, February 24, the S&P 500 closed @ 1366, and that was...
  
    +7.4% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1272.
    +8.8% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1255.
    +3.9% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1314.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend IS BULLISH and the LONG-Term trend is BULLISH.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis


On
Friday, February 17, the S&P 500 closed @ 1361, and that was...
  
    +7.1% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1271.
    +8.5% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1255.
    +4.8% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1299.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend IS BULLISH and the LONG-Term trend is BULLISH.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Private Schools are OUT. State Schools are IN...

According to the College Board, tuition and fees at the average private college is $27,293. Tuition and fees at the average public university? $7,605.

Parents are discovering they can cover practically a child’s entire college education for what they’d pay for one year at a private university, which is probably why 44% of parents said they’re considering this option (up from 38% in 2007).


Monday, February 13, 2012

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis


On
Friday, February 10, the S&P 500 closed @ 1343, and that was...
  
    +5.9% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1268.
    +7.1% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1254.
    +4.2% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1288.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend IS BULLISH and the LONG-Term trend is BULLISH.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Gross Domestic Income Is Not Keeping Pace with Inflation...



Gross Domestic Income (GDI), an alternative gauge of economic output to gross domestic product, shows the U.S. near a standstill. GDI — income received by U.S. households and businesses — rose +0.4% in the 3rd quarter 2011.

GDI should, in theory, be equal to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which rose +2.0%.

The discrepancy raises fears that 3rd-quarter growth was much slower than GDP figures suggest.


Monday, February 6, 2012

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis


On
Friday, February 3, the S&P 500 closed @ 1345, and that was...
  
    +6.1% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1268.
    +7.2% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1254.
    +4.4% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1288.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend IS BULLISH and the LONG-Term trend is BULLISH.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Quote of The Day: The Fed Is Concerned About A Japanese-Style Economy...


“The Fed outlook was so extreme they have to be worried about a Japanese-style no-growth deflationary environment.

Harvard Professor, Niall Ferguson


"The Fed has made it clear they intend to be accommodative and proactive, and now I can assume that 'short' rates will remain effectively zero for three years, rather than a year and a half."

Christopher Molumphy, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income.