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Linus Pauling Categories
Tag Archives: investors
Average mortgage rates hit low of 4.42 percent
Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in decades for the eighth time in nine weeks, a sign that investors are concerned about the weak economy.
The average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.42 percent, down from 4.44 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday, August 19 . . . read more Read More
Fund investors: Consider fees first, then stars
A new study reinforces time-tested advice for investors shopping for mutual funds: Look first for funds with low fees, then go from there.
Fund expenses are a slightly more important factor in predicting how well a fund will perform than the one . . . read more Read More
Small caps losing their edge over blue chips
Could David be losing his historical edge over Goliath in the stock market? Investors are starting to wonder.
Small-cap stocks have lost their sizzle in recent months, falling 12 percent and underperforming blue chips since the market’s . . . read more Read More
Gloomy investors ignore plump profits, dump stocks
Profit is so boring.
That’s one way to characterize investors’ suddenly blase view of Corporate America’s single most important figure. Earnings gushed last week like oil from the ruptured BP well and were greeted like the same gooey mess. . . . read more Read More
Fed survey: Investors have bigger debt appetite
Investors are showing a bigger appetite to fund a range of securities, an encouraging sign that credit conditions are improving.
The Federal Reserve, in its first such survey, released Tuesday, July 13, found that demand . . . read more Read More
Bonds gain in popularity, despite current risks
Investors put a huge sum of money in bonds over the past year and a half as they sought refuge from the more volatile stock market. Another driver: the needs of a growing number of retirees who want steady income . . . read more Read More
Fixed-income ETFs make sense, but in moderation
Investors have been increasingly pouring cash into exchange-traded funds specializing in fixed income. That gives them the quick-trading capability of ETFs while retaining the more conservative position of bonds.
Many financial analysts think the flight to safety is overdone. They say investors need to be in stocks for the long run . . . read more Read More
Bernanke says recovery on track despite headwinds
The European debt crisis is likely to have only a “modest” impact on the U.S. economic recovery as long as Wall Street stabilizes, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Wednesday, June 9.
Testifying before the House Budget Committee, Bernanke struck a more confident tone that the recovery will remain intact despite problems in Europe as well stubbornly high unemployment and a fragile housing market here at home.
“The economy … appears to be on track to continue to expand through this year and next,” Bernanke said.
However, the pace of the expansion — 3.5 percent this year by the Fed’s estimate — won’t be strong enough to quickly bring relief to the 15 million Americans who are unemployed. . . . read more Read More
How financial overhaul stands to affect consumers
If some lawmakers have their way, brokers will have to show they’re serving their customers’ financial interests. Debit cards could be cheaper to use. And homeowners would be less vulnerable to high-cost mortgages. . . . read more Read More
