Standard & Poor’s S&P500 Earnings Estimates For 2014 & 2015 – As Of August 14, 2014

As many are aware, Standard & Poor’s publishes earnings estimates for the S&P500.  (My posts concerning their estimates can be found under the S&P500 Earnings tag) For reference purposes, the most current estimates are reflected below, and are as of August 14, 2014: Year 2014 estimates add to the following: -From a “bottom up” perspective, operating earnings of $119.25/share …

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Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI)

The St. Louis Fed’s Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) is one index that is supposed to measure stress in the financial system.  Its reading as of the August 14, 2014 update (reflecting data through August 8) is -1.202. Of course, there are a variety of other measures and indices that are supposed to measure financial stress and other related …

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“Hunger in America 2014” Report – Notable Excerpts

Yesterday (August 18, 2014) Feeding America released the “Hunger in America 2014” report.  As stated: Hunger in America 2014 is the sixth and most comprehensive study undertaken. The 2014 study reveals that each year, the Feeding America network of food banks provides service to 46.5 million people in need across the United States, including 12 million children …

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Philadelphia Fed – 3rd Quarter 2014 Survey Of Professional Forecasters

The Philadelphia Fed Third Quarter 2014 Survey of Professional Forecasters was released on August 15, 2014.  This survey is somewhat unique in various regards, such as it incorporates a longer time frame for various measures. The survey shows, among many measures, the following median expectations: Real GDP: (annual average level) full-year 2014 : 2.1% full-year 2015:  3.1% full-year …

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Walmart’s Q2 2015 Results – Comments

I found various notable items in Walmart’s Q2 2015 management call transcript (pdf) dated May 14, 2014.  (as well, there is Walmart’s press release of the Q2 results) I view Walmart’s results and comments as particularly noteworthy given their retail prominence and focus on low prices.  I have previously commented on their quarterly conference call comments; these previous posts are found under …

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Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI)

The St. Louis Fed’s Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) is one index that is supposed to measure stress in the financial system.  Its reading as of the August 7, 2014 update (reflecting data through August 1) is -1.282. Of course, there are a variety of other measures and indices that are supposed to measure financial stress and other related …

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NFIB Small Business Optimism – August 2014

The August NFIB Small Business Optimism report was released today, August 12.  The headline of the Press Release is “NFIB SBET: Small Business Optimism Ticks Up Slightly.” The Index of Small Business Optimism increased .7 points in July to 95.7. Here are some excerpts from the Press Release that I find particularly notable (but don’t necessarily …

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Perceived Economic Conditions

In the February 24 post, titled “Economic Expansion, Recession Or Depression?”  I discussed whether the U.S. economy was then in an economic recovery, economic recession, or economic depression. In that post, I highlighted the Marist Poll results of February 5, in which 61% of respondents believe that the U.S. economy is in a recession. Recently, there have …

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Financial Situation Experienced By Americans

In the August 7, 2014 post (“Thoughts Concerning The Next Financial Crisis“) I mentioned a “widespread ‘paycheck to paycheck’” situation as well as other signs indicating widespread weak financial wherewithal. Another recently released report provides details as to the financial situation experienced by Americans.  This report is the Federal Reserve report released August 7, 2014, …

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