consumer

A year ago this week the stock market hit its nefarious 666 level on the S&P 500. Since that historic day, we have enjoyed a 68% appreciation in equities from their depressionary low. Not only has the bounce caused a chorus of perma-bulls to claim the worst of the recession is behind us, but also to declare that the bull market is here to stay.

The euro as presently configured is doomed due to structural imbalances between mercantilist and consumer nations. A "euro1 and euro2" system would allow a face-saving demise to euroland's single currency.

I've got a bad feeling about the Euro: the structural imbalances I presented yesterday irrevocably doom the single currency.

U.S. equity markets are expected to open lower as risk sentiment wanes a little following a drop in the Euro. Investors appear to be taking risk off the table over concerns about debt issues in Europe and a slow down in the U.S. economy. Traders will be focusing on the Case-Shiller Housing and Consumer Confidence Reports for direction.

The U.S. Dollar managed to hold on to its gains after erasing earlier losses following the release of a friendly Consumer Confidence report. Although the reported figure of 52.9 was slightly less than estimates, it still reflected continuing strength in the economy. This morning the S&P/Case Shiller report on home prices was flat. There was almost no reaction to this report by Forex traders.

What do cheap wine, homeless childhood icons, and heavy new offerings from the U.S. Treasury have in common? Editor Adam Lass investigates…

Global shares have fallen sharply after figures showing a drop in US consumer spending dampened the enthusiasm that followed Thursday's US GDP figures.

Stock index futures are edging slightly higher ahead of this morning’s U.S. Third Quarter GDP Report. The report is expected to show that increased consumer and government spending helped expand the economy for the first time in over a year. Pre-report estimates are for this report to show an increase of 3.2%. A Bloomberg survey shows the possible range of guesses at 2.0% to 4.8%.

U.S. stock index futures closed lower on Tuesday. Equities were higher early this morning after a friendly Case-Schiller Housing Report but these gains were quickly erased after the Michigan U.S. Consumer Confidence Report showed a drop. Weaker technology issues drove the markets lower. The main trend has turned down in all three major indices on the daily chart.

A big improvement in the S&P/Case-Shiller Housing Report helped support the U.S. equity markets early in the trading session but it was the better than expected U.S. Consumer Confidence Report that helped launch the stock markets to new highs for the year.

Well, it was nice while it lasted - as we predicted, after a 3-4 week hiatus the days of premarket surges and swoons has returned; for most of 2009 (ex Jan/Feb) its been surges. In fact, I wish someone who had the data would let us know how much of the monster rally off March 6th lows was in premarket hours.

The chatter over the consumer rages on. The statistics showing the increased saving rates and reduced spending are everywhere. What do we believe or not believe becomes the question. The easiest answer is to look at the economic data and glean whatever insight we can. The retail sales data has been down, but not out.

The Keynesians only know one trick: crush the dollar, and then crush it some more. Editor Adam Lass examines Keynesians hold on the levers of power and how Taipan Daily readers can profit.

Let me be the first one to welcome the markets into summer! And after the 4th of July, the markets will be ready for a big rally into Labor Day. What, you're not a believer in the summer rally of 2009?

Welcome StockShark Memebers,, After the huge run We had with BEAC.OB the last couple of weeks.(From $.78 to $1.19 and still marching).Closing today 5/11/09 at $.1.39--You do not want to miss our new trading idea...So without further ado...

DO NOT MISS OUT ON TOMORROW ON...

Zaldiva , Inc.---"ZLDV.OB" -

Welcome StockShark Memebers,, After the huge run We had with BEAC.OB the last couple of weeks.(From $.78 to $1.19 and still marching)..You do not want to miss our new trading idea...So without further ado...

.....Zaldiva , Inc. ---"ZLDV" ---We feel this company is very undervalued , but with the way business and new inventory is shaping up , not for long..