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Dow Jones Industrial Average: 15354.40         Germany: 8398.00         Japan: 15138.12         Nasdaq 100 Index: 2665.83         S&P 500 Index: 1667.47         S&P MidCap 400 Index: 1211.54         S&P SmallCap 600 Index: 461.28        

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05/16/2013

Two different measures of inflation released this week both point to an inflation situation that remains stable. The Producer Price Index (PPI) reported headline inflation of 0.7% and core inflation (which excludes energy and food) of 1.7%. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers were very similar, showing headline inflation at 1.1% and core inflation at 1.7%. As long as inflation remains low and below its 2.0% to 2.5% comfort level, we can expect the Fed to continue its easy money policy and focus on stimulating growth to bring down the unemployment rate. With jobless claims coming in higher than expected this week, it looks like the Fed still has some work to do on the employment front. More...

Most Recent Forum Threads

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The Financial Condition of Pre-Retirees: Precarious
T4Texas 2013-05-18 09:43:52

The Financial Condition of Pre-Retirees: Precarious Scott Burns “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” That famous Benjamin Franklin quote came More...

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Gamblers Paradise, Market Overpriced, A Bubble in Stocks, Margin Debt at Record Highs
jerrygg 2013-05-17 22:43:15

There are some warning signs that the stock market may have reached its high. [b]The S&P 500 Is Now A Gambler's Paradise With 76.9% Up Days More...

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GNMA FUND
vickid 2013-05-17 19:47:21

With the almost daily loss in share value, is it advisable to continue to hold? 25% of my total portfolio.



Vanguard Launches Total International Bond Index

05/01/2013

Vanguard filed documents with the SEC today that shows it has begun operations on Total International Bond Index, its first foray into foreign bonds. The new fund will have Investor (VTIBX), Admiral (VTABX), Institutional (VTIFX) and ETF (BNDX) share classes. The fund, however, is not yet available for investment. More...

Old Ghosts

05/01/2013

From David Stockman to Reinhart and Rogoff, and the Boston Marathon bombing to a piece of wreckage from 9/11, old ghosts came back to haunt investors in April. Yet both the Dow and the S&P 500 went on to new highs during the month and closed up 1.8% since March. The rising stock market combined with falling interest rates set up an intriguing dynamic, as the top two funds represented both ends of the spectrum, with Telecom Services up 8.3%, and Extended Duration Treasury ETF up 7.3%. I wouldn't recommend either, as they're far too narrow and risky. (Check out Part II of my Bonds 101 series for more on the risks of the bond market.) And if you're looking for a store of value, I don't think you're going to find it in gold, or Precious Metals & Mining. In spite of political and financial tumult across the globe, both fell about 9% during April, and remain far below their all-time highs.

Also in this month's issue, if you missed my advice on what to do about Capital Opportunity's reopening, I've got a recap for you, along with updates on South Korea's place in Vanguard's index funds, ongoing fee waivers at its money funds, and a solution to the bond market index problem Jack Bogle's been talking about. More...