Dear Prudence
7/21/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Though austerity has its risks, a balanced perspective shows the measures taken could have long-term benefits.
We’re Not Out of the PIIGS Pen, Yet
6/15/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Though Greece continues to rattle, market jitters over PIIGS could be short-lived.
C’est Un Bazooka
5/11/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The EU unleashed a bazooka-sized rescue package on Sunday.
Goldman on Trial
4/19/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Goldman Sachs has been charged by the SEC for allegedly failing to disclose material information about CDOs.
Extra-Special Bulletproof
4/12/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Are credit ratings agencies really all that different from other forms of financial analysis? Nope.
Freer + Butter = Better
4/7/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
We don’t often think much of Washington’s “bright” ideas, but clearing houses could be a good thing for some credit derivatives markets.
Natural (In)effects
3/2/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Though tragic, natural disasters and terrorist attacks have historically relatively minimal effects on markets.
Time and Again
11/17/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Time and again, market timing proves to be an attractive—but elusive—pursuit.
Buy Apple Pie
6/24/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Rising American protectionism is provoking retaliation. But history’s hardest lessons should stem the tide.
No Surprise Here
4/14/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Markets are discounters of known information, so they can be jolted by surprises.
Little Air in Deflation Fears
2/10/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Deflation is a near-term risk worth watching, though a severe deflationary spiral is unlikely to take hold in 2009.
The Four Corners
12/30/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
What should investors be vigilant of now? Look abroad.
Our Erratic Queen
11/28/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Rapidly falling prices have many worried about deflation.
Monsters Under the Bed
11/6/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
New data is helping to bring the CDS market out of the shadows.
Ghosts of Lehman’s Debt
10/13/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Could part of this past week’s volatility been caused by ghosts of Lehman’s debt?
Study Abroad
10/1/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
At the close of a wild third quarter, and with the US Congress taking a day off, we examine global responses to recent financial events.
Monday’s Markets
9/30/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
After one of the largest down days in years, some new information came to light while other issues remained unresolved.
A Shot in the Dark
9/19/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Curtailing short selling is at best a regulatory shot in the dark.
Too Big to Fail
8/19/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Will the Fed’s expansion of powers prove to be a terrible precedent or a pertinent innovation?
Don’t Fear Failure
7/15/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Investors fearing bank failures shouldn’t—failures make way for progress.
Speculation Accusation
6/17/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Speculation is being blamed for high oil prices, but it’s largely a political scapegoat.
Global Inflation Conflagration
6/16/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Don’t fret inflation shock stories—global inflation remains benign.
The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Bad
4/3/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Ben Bernanke’s congressional testimony on Wednesday seemingly supports calls for recession in 2008. Scaling the problems reveals slower growth, but a recession remains unlikely.
New Rules for the Street?
4/1/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced an “overhaul” plan for U.S. financial markets. But the plan, if it survives, will likely look very different.
Goldilocks Government
3/28/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A “Goldilocks” government solution—just the right amount of government intervention and regulation—in economic markets is merely a fairytale.
Trial by Fire
3/14/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Treasury Secretary Paulson’s new policy recommendations intended to strengthen financial markets could prove to be more bane than boon.
Let the Market Do Its Thing
2/28/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Hidden in the credit crisis clamor, a little noticed development makes us smile—no sweeping legislative or regulatory change has taken root.
The Circle of Life
1/18/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Bond insurers are struggling to keep their heads above water as ratings agencies evaluate credit ratings. But new companies are entering the market and increased competition promises an improved industry over the coming years.
A Hundred Bucks a Barrel
1/3/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Headlines are making much of oil’s new milestone, but price milestones are meaningless and tell us nothing about the economy or market direction.
Top Market Stories of 2007
12/31/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A look back at the top market stories of 2007.
But Wait, There’s More
12/12/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
America’s and Europe’s central banks have coordinated in an innovative way to make capital available to troubled banks, which highlights the variety of liquidity sources available today for banks.
MarketMinder’s Letter to Santa
12/10/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
As 2007 draws to a close, we consider just a few of the market conditions that could help fuel a continued global equity bull market.
Resilience
12/7/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Pearl Harbor reminds us of the resiliency, strength, and versatility of the United States and its citizens. By comparison, today’s perceived economic problems are mere trifles.
Dour as It Gets
11/7/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Stocks took a walloping today as media coverage of the economy reached its most dour levels of the year. But volatile markets and grim headlines are nothing new for this bull market.
The Real Risks
10/9/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Sensational headlines about subprime woes, a weak dollar, the “credit crisis,” etc., distract investors from seeing legitimate market risks. But never fear—the risks we identify here are unlikely to develop into major market negatives at this point.
Live Long and Prosper
10/2/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
By not assuming a long enough time horizon or trying to “get conservative,” many investors make critical investing errors seriously impacting their ability to meet long-term investing goals.
October Horrors
10/1/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Is another Black Monday waiting for investors this October? Probably not, but expect to see endless headlines warning of coming trouble tied to the 20th anniversary.
Fed Focus
8/16/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Will the Fed save the day? Better question, do they need to?
Bearing with Bulls
8/14/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Is there anything that could make us bearish right now? Sure, but none seem very likely at the moment.
Free Trade Imperiled
8/8/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Is Congress trying to make the media’s baseless proclamations that the US economy is dead come true?
Terror’s Toll
7/2/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Global stocks just aren’t shocked by terror attacks.
House of Horrors
6/28/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
What’s more frightening for investors than the bird flu, a housing bubble, and a subprime implosion combined?
Run Bull! Run!
6/4/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
As global markets knock new highs, an inevitable question arises: At four and a half years, is this bull done running? Before answering, think if you’ve heard anyone questioning the longevity of this bull market before.
A Political Punch
5/31/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Yesterday’s market commentary ("Timing Tortillas") reminded us of one compelling fundamental likely to drive great stock returns this year.
I Dream of China
5/11/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Today, Chinese officials announced Chinese commercial banks will be allowed to make foreign stock investments.
Soak the Rich
4/16/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Ah, Tax Day! The one day Americans stand united in their utter contempt of their state and federal government.
Do-Nothing Market Heroes
4/4/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Our politicians are on a roll with a rash of ill-considered legislation.
Separating the Muck from the Mire
3/1/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A couple bad days of trading and—literally—people are starting to lose it.
Don't Go Blind from the Subprime
2/20/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
If you picked up a newspaper in the past few weeks, you probably saw at least one article detailing the downward spiral of the subprime mortgage market.