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).

Global Debt Levels Threaten Economic Growth...

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.

The Dollar In 1970 Is Only Worth 18 Cents Today...

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.

Asset Class Returns in 2011...

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.

The Federal Reserve Is Abysmal At Forecasting GDP Growth and Inflation...

Not Even Germany Has Complied With European Union Debt Limits!

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.

Inflation Watch: Food Prices Up +4.6% During The Past Year...

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

On Friday, January 27, the S&P 500 closed @ 1316, and that was...
  
    +4.9% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1255.
    +4.9% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1255.
    +4.5% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1260.


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

Why The Wall Street Retirement Plan Is Risky, Unreliable & Uncertain...

GDP Per Capita Remains in the Top 5% in the World...

Of 227 countries and territories ranked by the CIA World Factbook, U.S. GDP per capita remains in the top 5%, behind natural resource heavy waits like Qatar and the U.A.E. 

U.S. GDP per capita currently stands at $47,200.

In this chart from the St. Louis Fed, the rate has increased steadily since the 1960s, even after recessions have taken some bite from it. Already in 2010 and 2011, GDP per capita has re-accelerated as the overall economy begins growing.

Government Health-Care Spending Is The Real U.S. Debt & Deficit Driver...

The key to reducing the federal debt is getting health-care spending under control.

7 Reasons Why "Bank On Yourself" Is A Superior Retirement Plan Alternative...

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

On Friday, January 20, the S&P 500 closed @ 1315, and that was...
  
    +4.8% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1255.
    +4.8% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1255.
    +5.2% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1250.


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

Why Banks Still Don't Trust Each Other...

The TED Spread charts the difference between what they feel are “risk-free” T-bills and LIBOR (the London Interbank Offered Rate), which is the perceived credit risk in lending to commercial banks.

When the TED Spread rises, banks start to lose trust in one another, because they feel that another bank could default.

Secrets To A Stress-Free Retirement Plan!

Why Conventional Financial Planning Doesn't Work!

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

On Friday, January 13, the S&P 500 closed @ 1289, and that was...
  
    +3.0% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1251.
    +2.7% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1255.
    +3.5% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1245.


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

Obamanomics: Not Spreading The Wealth...

Follow In Walt Disney's Footsteps: Become Your Own Lending Source & Bank On Yourself!

Intrade Risk of U.S. Recession Falls To Only 25%, Down From 50% Last Fall...

Quote of The Day: Higher Taxes Ahead...

“One way or another, whether we end up with a Republican or a Democrat as the next president, it would appear that taxes are going up, because the tax issue is not going away.”

- Stanley Smiley, Senior VP of Advanced Planning at Cetera Financial Group, which has $82.5 billion under advisement.

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

On Friday, January 6, the S&P 500 closed @ 1278, and that was...
  
    +2.3% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1249.
    +1.7% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1256.
    +3.0% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1241.


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

Chart of The Day: Rising Rail Carloads Indicate A Reduced Risk of Recession...

Hedge Fund Bridgewater Associates Takes Grim 2012 View

Hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest if not the largest pure hedge fund, put up a +25% positive return last year.

Bridgewater has a grim 2012 outlook for the global economy, citing slow growth, a debt overhang, solvency issues and high unemployment for the world’s developed economies.

“What you have is a picture of broken economic systems that are operating on life support,” said Robert Prince, co-chief investment officer.

In December, Consumer Confidence Rose To It's Highest Level Since April 2011

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

On Friday, December 30, the S&P 500 closed @ 1258, and that was...
  
    +1.1% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1244.
    +0.0% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1257.
    +1.3% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1242.


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