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2004 Charts of the Week

Displaying stories 26–50 of 52|◄      ►|
How Confident Are We?
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted June 24, 2004
The Consumer Confidence Survey is a monthly measure of the public’s confidence in the health of the U.S. economy.
Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted June 18, 2004
Reagan’s Economic Legacy
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted June 10, 2004
The growth in the Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during President Reagan’s term reflects several positive changes in the economy.
Higher Prices Ahead?
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted June 4, 2004
The Economic Cycle Research Institute’s (ECRI) future inflation gauge may be suggesting that higher prices are yet to come.
Inflation-Adjusted Oil Prices
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted May 28, 2004
The technology-laden Nasdaq composite is traditionally a volatile index compared to the S&P 500 Index. Only time will tell if the summer of 2004 will follow the same path.
Summer Nasdaq
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted May 21, 2004
The technology-laden Nasdaq composite is traditionally a volatile index compared to the S&P 500 Index. Only time will tell if the summer of 2004 will follow the same path.
Non-Farm Payrolls - Current Versus Previous Recoveries
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted May 14, 2004
Despite the surprisingly positive job growth numbers from the May 7, 2004 Labor Department report, this recession recovery, like the one following the 1990-1991 recession, still trails the typical job growth recovery demonstrated by all other post WWII recession recoveries.
Japan Rises
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted May 7, 2004
The rise of the U.S. Dollar versus the Euro hurt returns while the loss versus the Japanese Yen helped performance. International investing continues to play an important diversification role in one’s portfolio.
Economic Improvement?
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted April 30, 2004
Initial reports show that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded 4.2% in the first quarter 2004 but was below consensus estimates. Much of the growth was attributed to Federal defense spending (15.1%) and business equipment and software spending (11.5%). Sluggish sales of autos, decreased imports and weak state and local government spending held the growth to the unanticipated level. GDP measures the total production and consumption of goods and services in the U.S.
Narrow Spreads Favor Stocks
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted April 23, 2004
Subtracting dividend yields from bond interest offers the yield spread, a measurement of how much additional stock return is necessary to equal bond returns. Low spreads indicate stocks are attractive; high spreads indicate that stocks must have higher capital gains to equal bond returns.
Are High Gas Prices Here to Stay?
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted April 16, 2004
The national average price of gasoline has been rising steadily for months and causing concern for consumers. Analysts believe that these prices are here to stay for awhile, especially with the peak summer travel season right around the corner.
S&P 500 vs. Bonds Quarterly Performance
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted April 8, 2004
Why the 1-year Returns Look So Good
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted April 2, 2004
10-Year Treasury Note Yield
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted March 26, 2004
The yield on the 10 year Treasury Note has dropped almost 3% over the last 3 years. In the last 18 months it has traded in a range between 3.4% and 4.4%, averaging 4%. Last year the rate jumped 1% from May to August as market participants became bullish on the economy and thought the Fed would have to raise rates soon. However, since then yields have dropped 0.75% because of continued low inflation, weak job creation and geopolitical fears.
Inflation Watch
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted March 19, 2004
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services, rose slightly in February. Overall, prices are 1.7% higher than a year ago.
Are the Employment Numbers Really that Bad?
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted March 12, 2004
The stock market wavered last week after reports of a weak labor market. Are the employment numbers really that bad?
Is a Strong Dollar a Good Thing?
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted March 5, 2004
The present rally in U.S. equity markets has coincided with a general weakness in the dollar versus other foreign currencies. The depreciation in the strength of the dollar is helpful for U.S. businesses in two ways.
Reduction of Risk Over Time
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted February 27, 2004
Investors who would have held the stocks in the S&P 500 Index for one-year periods may have received returns ranging from a 54% gain to a 43% loss. But those who would have held those same stocks for twenty years might have received as much as 18% per year and never less than 3%
What a 40 Year-Old Dollar Can Buy You
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted February 20, 2004
One of the great debates of investing is whether to invest in cash, bonds or stocks. The answer to that question often lies in the amount of time the money will be invested and/or the investor’s risk appetite.
Growth vs. Value
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted February 6, 2004
Over the past two years, value and growth stocks have experienced returns in a tight range with one not strongly outperforming the other. The convergence of returns between value and growth shows that both styles of stocks are benefiting from the present recovery.
Smaller Was Better in 2003
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted February 13, 2004
The dramatic rise in equity stock prices over the past year has not affected all stocks equally. Riskier smaller company stocks, those with market capitalizations of $2 billion and under, have exceeded the returns of their larger counterparts.
After Three Long Years, Equities Outperform Bonds
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted January 30, 2004
The past year turned that around with the S&P 500 outperforming both U.S. intermediate and long-term government bonds. With the shift between equity and fixed income performance, it may be a good time to review your asset allocation in your retirement portfolio.
Treasuries Get a Little Help from Their Friends
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted January 23, 2004
The Lehman Aggregate Bond Index, the industry accepted bond fund index, was up for the fourth quarter of 2003, despite the fact that normally as interest rates rise, bond prices fall. The reason for positive bond market return despite rising rates can be explained by evaluating the sectors that make up the index.
1-Year S&P 500 Sector Performance
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted January 16, 2004
The returns for the major market indices look good compared to the past few years but they aren’t quite back to their peak levels from 2000.
Close But No Cigar
MarketView Chart of the Week, posted January 9, 2004
The returns for the major market indices look good compared to the past few years but they aren’t quite back to their peak levels from 2000.
Displaying stories 26–50 of 52|◄      ►|