S&P has lowered Spain’s sovereign credit rating for the second time this year as the region’s economy diminishes. Standard & Poor’s lowered Spain’s A to a BBB+, stating a negative outlook for the future. The country’s short term rating also fell to A-2 from A-1. Ten years of borrowing costs in the nation have inflated… Continue Reading
Carl Barbier, US District Judge, is ready to hear a proposed class-action settlement over the damages done by the British Petroleum oil spoil in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The agreement, which will hopefully settle billions of dollars in claims, will be presented by BP PLC and a team of lawyers representing the plaintiffs… Continue Reading
At the end of the recent IMF meetings, Singapore’s finance minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam warned that the US and Europe should both be prepared for several more years of economic turmoil. As chair of the International Monetary Fund’s governing body, Shanmugaratnam explained that he has finally begun to feel that political leaders understand the enormity of… Continue Reading
The following video presents an interview by the Editor-in-Chief of MarketWatch, David Callaway, with three economic expert analysts; Robert Powell, Senior Retirement Columnist, MarketWatch, William O’Donnell, Head of US Treasury Strategy, RBS Securities Inc., and Lee Munson, Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio LLC, in which they deliver their opinions regarding whether the Euro will still exist… Continue Reading
An unanticipated slowing of China’s economy resulted in one of the worst weeks for U.S. stocks this year. The top indexes all recorded losses, and Jim Sloan of Jim Sloan & Associates mentioned the link between the market and China’s news. Alan Skrainka of Cornerstone Wealth Management agreed, stating: “Everybody’s worried, and everybody’s unsure if… Continue Reading
Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball recently discussed the upcoming elections, Mitt Romney's organizational skills and the challenge he creates for the Obama Administration, and the economic issues still plaguing the United States. Matthews described the election as "a very close, hot, race for the American presidency." Meanwhile, the economy is not 'steaming ahead,' unfortunately. The… Continue Reading
According to a quarterly survey conducted by The Business Roundtable, a group of CEO’s of firms whose combined yearly revenues come to more than $6 trillion, there is a perception of improved movement of the economic recovery, including plans of increased hiring. This improved optimism comes despite fears of a continuing recession in Europe. The… Continue Reading
Though the world seems to sense an economic upbeat, an investor with management of over $25 billion has expressed his skepticism and lingering concerns. According to George Osborne, the Office for Budget Responsibility claims that the UK’s economy is expected to grow throughout 2012’s first quarter. He explained that the OBR expect the British economy… Continue Reading
The continuing improvement in the performance of the US economy in recent months has fueled a significant rise in auto sales. As confidence improves consumers feel better equipped to make new car purchases. There is also a larger than usual number of people replacing old cars due to the fact that they held off making… Continue Reading
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in a pre-recorded speech delivered at the convention of Independent Community Bankers of America that, despite the slow improvement of the US economy, American community banks are developing and getting stronger. The remarks were broadcast on a video monitor at the convention of community bankers held earlier this week… Continue Reading