Insights

Stocks are lower today, but not nearly as much as one might think, only 0.3% even though debt ceiling talks seem to be making little progress. Europe is also down. Investors apparently don't believe a US default will actually happen. I don't think it will, either....

It looks like the U.S. stock market will finish the week flat. It is about where the last three peaks in the market this year have topped out - about 0% - 2% below the year's high of 12,807. The ceiling is more noticeable on the S&P 500 which is a much broader and...

Stock and bond markets are mixed today in the U.S. but higher in Europe and Asia. Gold is higher by 1% after 3 days of decline. Treasury yields are back down today but not as much as they were up yesterday. The new Greek bailout version whatever is a partial default...

It's a very nice day in the market today with the S&P 500 (my preferred index) up 1.4%. Out of the 35 world indexes on my Bloomberg app, 28 are up today and nearly all the losing indexes are in Asia. The good news from the market's perspective in Europe. Progress is...

The market is treading water today, looking over earnings announcements, waiting for a debt ceiling deal and clarification on the European debt crisis. Apple just blew away their projected earnings and revenues. They always beat their estimates by a wide margin but...

"Leaders of a bipartisan "Gang of Six" senators said Tuesday that they've reached agreement on a major plan to cut the deficit by roughly $4 trillion over the coming decade in what could be a bold entry into a debate on the deficit long bogged-down by bitter...

Markets are up today. Lest you ascribe that to the news that housing starts are up in the U.S. let me point out that it was major markets in Asia that moved higher first, then Europe, then the U.S. The world is pretty much moving together, as has been the case for the...