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Market Data: Week Ending February 10,2012

2012-02-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/30 /2011 2/10/2012 Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 12,217.56 12,801.20 -0.47% 4.78% S&P 500 1,257.60 1,342.64 -0.17% 6.76% Fed Funds Rate 0.04% 0.12% 0.01% 200.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 1.88% 1.99% 0.07% 5.85% 5 yr T-note Yld 0.83% 0.82% 0.05% -1.20% 5 yr TIPS - 'Real

Market Data: Week Ending February 3, 2012

2012-02-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/30 /2011 2/3/2012 Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 12,217.56 12,862.20 1.59% 5.28% S&P 500 1,257.60 1,344.90 2.17% 6.94% Fed Funds Rate 0.04% 0.11% 0.03% 175.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 1.88% 1.92% 0.03% 2.13% 5 yr T-note Yld 0.83% 0.77% 0.02% -7.23% 5 yr TIPS - 'Real'

Market Data & Graphs: Week Ending January 27, 2012

2012-01-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/30 /2011 1/27 /2012 Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 12,217.56 12,660.50 -0.47% 3.63% S&P 500 1,257.60 1,316.33 0.07% 4.67% Fed Funds Rate 0.04% 0.08% 0.00% 100.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 1.88% 1.89% -0.13% 0.53% 5 yr T-note Yld 0.83% 0.75% -0.14% -9.64% 5 yr TIPS - 'Real' Yld

Market Data: Week Ending January 20, 2012

2012-01-21T13:46:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/30 /2011 1/20 /2012 Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 12,217.56 12,720.48 2.40% 4.12% S&P 500 1,257.60 1,315.38 2.04% 4.59% Fed Funds Rate 0.04% 0.08% 0.01% 100.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 1.88% 2.02% 0.16% 7.45% 5 yr T-note Yld 0.83% 0.89% 0.10% 7.23% 5 yr TIPS - '

Market Data: Week Ending January 13, 2012

2012-01-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/30 /2011 1/13 /2012 Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 12,217.56 12,422.10 0.51% 1.67% S&P 500 1,257.60 1,289.09 0.88% 2.50% Fed Funds Rate 0.04% 0.07% 0.00% 75.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 1.88% 1.86% -0.10% -1.06% 5 yr T-note Yld 0.83% 0.79% -0.06% -4.82% 5 yr TIPS -

Market Data: Week Ending January 6, 2012

2012-01-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/30/2011 1/6/2012 Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 12,217.56 12,359.02 1.16% 1.16% S&P 500 1,257.60 1,277.81 1.61% 1.61% Fed Funds Rate 0.04% 0.07% 0.03% 75.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 1.88% 1.96% 0.08% 4.26% 5 yr T-note Yld 0.83% 0.85% 0.02% 2.41% 5 yr TIPS - 'Real' Yld

The Commodity Story Update: Bull Horns or Bear Tracks

2012-01-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

Commodities are used in the production of economic activity around the world, so a review of the markets that are sensitive to commodities helps to monitor the condition of important pieces in the global economy. Federal Reserve policy can influence prices of commodities, such as the price inflation observed in 2011, created by excess liquidity (monetary policy) finding value in commodities.

Market Data & Graphs: Week Ending December 30, 2011

2012-01-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 12/30 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,217.56 -0.62% 5.53% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,257.60 -0.61% 0.00% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.04% -0.03% -60.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 1.88% -0.14% -42.86% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.83% -0.15% -58.71% 5 yr TIPS

Market Data: Week Ending December 23, 2011

2011-12-24T14:45:00.001-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 12/23 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,294.00 0.90% 6.19% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,265.33 0.81% 0.61% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% 0.00% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.02% -0.04% -38.60% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.98% 0.09% -51.24% 5 yr TIPS - '

Market Data: Week Ending December 16, 2011

2011-12-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 12/16 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,866.39 -2.61% 2.50% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,219.66 -2.83% -3.02% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% 0.00% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 1.85% -0.21% -43.77% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.80% -0.09% -60.20% 5 yr TIPS

Market Data: Week Ending December 9, 2011

2011-12-11T14:07:00.001-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 12/9 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,184.26 1.37% 5.24% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,255.19 0.94% -0.19% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% 0.00% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.06% 0.03% -37.39% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.89% -0.02% -55.72% 5 yr TIPS -

Market Data: Week Ending December 2, 2011

2011-12-03T09:11:00.001-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 12/2 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,019.42 7.44% 3.82% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,243.50 7.81% -1.12% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% 0.00% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.03% 0.07% -38.30% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.91% -0.02% -54.73% 5 yr TIPS -

Market Data & Graphs: Week Ending November 25, 2011

2011-11-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 11/25 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,187.00 -4.93% -3.37% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,153.40 -4.98% -8.29% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% -0.01% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 1.96% -0.05% -40.43% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.93% 0.01% -53.73% 5 yr

The Commodity Story: Bull Horns or Bear Tracks

2011-11-27T12:40:00.001-08:00

Commodities are used in the creation of economic activity around the world. So a review of the markets that are sensitive to commodities is one method of watching the condition of many pieces in the global economy and some individual markets. It is also worth noting how Federal Reserve policy can influence prices of commodites, such as the price inflation observed early this year created by

Debt to GDP by Country

2011-11-22T21:58:00.001-08:00

In the context of the rest of the financial world, the dollar is perceived as the least bad. True or not. Being the most widely traded currency, and reserve currency to many, has been the US$ saving grace. Here are some facts...

Market Data: Week Ending November 18, 2011

2011-11-19T08:46:00.001-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 11/18 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,767.00 -2.85% 1.64% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,213.90 -3.78% -3.48% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.08% 0.01% -20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.01% -0.05% -38.91% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.92% 0.01% -54.23% 5 yr TIPS

Market Data: Week Ending November 11, 2011

2011-11-11T21:03:00.001-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 11/11 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,112.00 1.07% 4.62% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,261.60 0.67% 0.31% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% 0.00% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.06% 0.03% -37.39% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.91% 0.04% -54.73% 5 yr TIPS - '

Market Data: Week Ending November 4, 2011

2011-11-07T08:41:00.000-08:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 11/04 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,983.20 -1.52% 3.50% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,253.23 -2.16% -0.35% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% 0.00% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.03% -0.29% -38.30% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.87% -0.26% -56.72% 5 yr TIPS

James Rickards interviewed by James Turk

2011-11-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

James Rickards is talking candidly with James Turk of GoldMoney.com, about economic issues around the world, especially the Euro countries, the US and China. A common thread throughout the interview is the impact on the value and uses of gold. He also speculates freely about what various outcomes might look like as politicians wrestle with ways to create a needed solution and still be reelected.

Author of "When Money Dies" Interviewed by James Turk

2011-11-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Adam Fergusson is interviewed by James Turk of GoldMoney.com. The focus is on Fergusson's understanding of inflation, and then hyperinflation, as researcher and historian of the Weimar Republic or 1920's Germany experience.

Market Data & Graphs: Week Ending October 28, 2011

2011-10-31T09:06:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 10/28 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,168.00 3.04% 5.10% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,280.90 3.44% 1.85% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.07% -0.01% -30.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.32% 0.10% -29.48% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.13% 0.06% -43.78% 5 yr TIPS - '

Market Data: Week Ending October 21, 2011

2011-10-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 10/21 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,808.80 2.10% 2.00% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,238.25 1.56% -1.54% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.08% 0.00% -20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.22% -0.03% -32.52% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.07% -0.04% -46.77% 5 yr TIPS -

Market Data: Week Ending October 14, 2011

2011-10-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 10/14 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,566.00 4.17% -0.10% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,219.20 5.52% -3.06% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.08% 0.00% -20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.25% 0.17% -31.61% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.11% 0.03% -44.78% 5 yr TIPS -

Volatile and Sluggish Growth Will Persist

2011-10-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Calculated Risk has a post today that describes the stock market landscape in the light of relevant facts and filtered emotion. His post is based on an article in the WSJ. Here is a link to the post and the conclusion he writes is what follows. "Although growth is sluggish - due to the significant slack in the system (excess capacity, lack of demand) and also high levels of household debt, I

Market Data: Week Ending October 7, 2011

2011-10-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 10/07 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,103.10 1.74% -4.10% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,155.46 2.12% -8.12% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.08% 0.00% -20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.08% 0.16% -36.78% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.08% 0.13% -46.27% 5 yr TIPS -

Economic Condition Review

2011-10-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

Here at the end of the 3Q2011 all eyes are focused on the European Union (EU), the European Central Bank (ECB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), and now laser like focus on the 17 European Monetary Union (EMU) parliaments who are individually considering their agreement to further assistance for Greece. The process is complicated by the complexity of the euro

Market Data: Week Ending September 30, 2011

2011-10-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 9/30 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 10,913.40 2.02% -5.74% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,131.42 0.14% -10.04% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.08% -0.02% -20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 1.92% 0.09% -41.64% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.95% 0.08% -52.74% 5 yr TIPS

Gold Remains in Price Channel

2011-09-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

From Chart of the Day: Today's chart provides some long-term perspective in regards to the gold market. As today's chart illustrates, gold has been in an extremely strong bull market since 2001 with the pace of its uptrend increasing over time. Recently, however, the price of an ounce of the shiny metal has dropped significantly after bumping up against resistance (red line) and is now

Market Data: Week Ending September 23, 2011

2011-09-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 9/23 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 10,697.00 -6.54% -7.61% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,129.80 -6.77% -10.17% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.10% -0.02% 0.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 1.83% -0.22% -44.38% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.87% -0.04% -56.72% 5 yr

Nasdaq Nears Technical Support

2011-09-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

From Chart of the Day: The Nasdaq is currently down 14.5% (2483) since putting in a secondary peak 11 weeks ago. For some perspective on the current state of the stock market, today's chart presents the prevailing trend of the Nasdaq. As today's chart illustrates, the Nasdaq has been and continues to trade within its 17-month trend channel. However, the recent selloff has brought the

Bank Credit Ratings Reviewed by Moody's

2011-09-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

Bloomberg is reporting today that Moody's has lowered its credit ratings for both Bank of America and Well's Fargo debt. On BofA: "The government is “more likely now than during the financial crisis to allow a large bank to fail should it become financially troubled, as the risks of contagion become less acute,” Moody’s analysts wrote in a report today on the Charlotte, North Carolina-based

Market Data: Week Ending September 16, 2011

2011-09-17T13:24:00.001-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 9/16 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,446.00 4.13% -1.14% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,211.80 4.99% -3.64% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.12% 0.00% 20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.05% 0.13% -37.69% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.91% 0.11% -54.73% 5 yr TIPS

Market Data: Week Ending September 9, 2011

2011-09-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 9/09 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 10,992.10 -2.21% -5.06% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,154.23 -1.68% -8.22% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.12% 0.00% 20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 1.92% -0.07% -41.64% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.80% -0.06% -60.20% 5 yr

Market Data & Graphs: Week Ending September 2, 2011

2011-09-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 9/02 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,240.30 -0.39% -2.91% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,173.97 -0.24% -6.65% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.12% 0.00% 20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 1.99% -0.20% -39.51% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.86% -0.08% -57.21% 5 yr

Market Data: Week Ending August 26, 2011

2011-08-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 8/26 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,284.50 4.32% -2.53% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,176.80 4.74% -6.43% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.12% 0.09% 20.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.19% 0.13% -33.43% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.94% 0.04% -53.23% 5 yr TIPS -

Brief Summary of Bernanke's Speech

2011-08-26T10:24:00.001-07:00

From Econoday: Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke reaffirmed the Fed's commitment to at least two more years of low policy rates. He did not elaborate on any likely new quantitative easing but he did announce that the upcoming FOMC meeting has been expanded from one day to two days to allow for more in-depth discussion about monetary policy. The Fed chief calls on more effective fiscal policy. He

Market Data: Week Ending August 19, 2011

2011-08-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 8/19 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 10,817.70 -4.00% -6.56% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,123.53 -4.69% -10.66% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.03% 0.00% -70.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.06% -0.19% -37.39% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.90% -0.06% -55.22% 5 yr

Economic Condition Review: August 2011

2011-08-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

Looking back since my last review in June the world has recovered from the tsunami and earthquake damage in northern Japan (Japan is still in recovery/clean up mode), the civil revolt and dictator overthrow in Egypt has resulted in a power vacuum which will be resolved by election later, the dictator of Libya, Muammar Gadhafi, has been defeated by his opposition according to news reports. Other

Market Data: Week Ending August 12, 2011

2011-08-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 8/12 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,269.00 -1.53% -2.66% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,178.81 -1.72% -6.27% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.03% -0.07% -70.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.25% -0.31% -31.61% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 0.96% -0.29% -52.24%

If Big Bank in Crisis, Then Precious Metal for Safety

2011-08-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

This is an interview of one great mind talking with another. They are James Turk, interviewer, and Eric Sprott, interviewed. This interview took place at GATA's Gold Rush 2011 conference in London on, or near, August 5, 2011. This is a segment of a thirty-three minute interview that is worth listening to for the range of topics and candid observations from two marketers of precious metals

Market Data: Week Ending August 5, 2011

2011-08-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 8/05 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 11,444.60 -5.75% -1.15% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,199.38 -7.19% -4.63% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.10% -0.01% 0.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.56% -0.24% -22.19% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.25% -0.11% -37.81% 5 yr

Currency Risk, Debt and Gold

2011-08-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

This is an interview of one great mind talking with another. They are James Turk, interviewer, and Jim Sinclair, interviewed. This interview took place following Sinclair's presentaion at GATA's Gold Rush 2011 conference in London on August 5, 2011. Jim Sinclair interviewed by James Turk

Consumer Confidence

2011-08-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was minus 47.6 in the period to July 31, the lowest since May, compared with minus 46.8 the prior week. Two of the comfort index's three subcomponents declined last week. The measure of personal finances fell back into negative territory after two weeks of positive readings. The buying climate index fell to the lowest level since early June. The gauge of

GLD May Not Be Good as Gold

2011-08-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

The question of whether an investor in GLD owns rights to gold bullion held for shareholders of GLD is relevant. In an old post I asked the question to myself, should I stay or should I go as an owner of GLD shares then. I came to the conclusion that the water is too murky for me to see through and that was perhaps done by design. It is not necessary to be so opaque though and I suspected the

Market Data: Week Ending July 29, 2011

2011-08-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 7/29 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,143.20 -4.24% 4.89% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,292.28 -3.92% 2.75% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.11% 0.01% 10.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.80% -0.16% -14.89% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.36% -0.14% -32.34% 5 yr TIPS

Residential New Construction Prognosis

2011-07-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

U.S. home building likely won't return to normal levels until 2014, and then only if housing prices rebound and foreclosures drop sharply, research from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank showed. Continued weakness in the housing market is dragging on the U.S. economy, which is losing ground under the weight of 9.2 percent unemployment and declining consumer confidence. Research released

Market Data: Week Ending July 22, 2011

2011-07-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 7/22 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,681.20 1.61% 9.53% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,345.02 2.19% 6.95% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.10% 0.00% 0.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.96% 0.05% -10.03% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.50% 0.06% -25.37% 5 yr TIPS - '

Market Data: Week Ending July 15, 2011

2011-07-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

Market Index 12/31 Close 7/15 Close Week Change Simple YTD % Dow Industrials Avg 11,577.50 12,479.70 -1.40% 7.79% S&P 500 1,257.64 1,316.14 -2.06% 4.65% Fed Funds Rate 0.10% 0.10% 0.00% 0.00% 10 yr T-note Yld 3.29% 2.91% -0.22% -11.55% 5 yr T-note Yld 2.01% 1.44% -0.29% -28.36% 5 yr TIPS

Mutual Fund Flow Summary

2011-07-14T12:31:00.000-07:00