Standard & Poors S&P500 Earnings Estimates For 2011 & 2012

As many are aware, Standard & Poors publishes earnings estimates for the S&P500.  My previous posts concerning their estimates can be found on September 17,  May 30, and December 30) Currently, their estimates for 2011 add to the following: -From a “bottom up” perspective, operating earnings of $96.21/share -From a “top down” perspective, operating earnings …

Read more

The March 2011 Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Survey

The March Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Survey was published March 14, 2011.  The headline is “Jobless Rate at 2012 Presidential Vote Forecast at 7.7%, Highest Since Carter-Ford, but the Trend May Matter Most.” I find the most notable aspects of this survey to be in the survey detail (spreadsheet), in which the economists “grade” …

Read more

4 Confidence Charts – March 2011

Here are four charts reflecting confidence survey readings.  These are from the SentimenTrader.com site. I find these charts valuable as they provide a long-term history of each survey, which is rare. Each survey chart is plotted in blue, below the S&P500: (click on each chart to enlarge image) Conference Board Consumer Confidence, last updated 2-22-11: …

Read more

Alan Greenspan On Impact Of QE2

Recently Alan Greenspan wrote a paper titled “Activism.” (pdf)   While I don’t agree with many of its analyses and conclusions, I am finding it to be an interesting document. On March 4, CNBC interviewed Greenspan.  I found one response by Greenspan to be especially notable.  The question happens at the 42 second mark: interviewer:  …

Read more

Warren Buffett – “America’s best days lie ahead”

From time to time I post comments from Warren Buffett.  I find his perspectives interesting,  notable, and very unique, although in many cases I (at least) partially disagree with his thoughts. His latest “Chairman’s Letter” in the Berkshire Hathaway 2010 Annual Report contained some interesting comments regarding the American economy, both past and future.  Here …

Read more

Another Story Concerning Homeless Children

Last night, “60 Minutes” ran a segment on homeless children.   (A transcript is found at this link.) Of course, the overall concept of homeless children, as well as children suffering from (economic) adversity, is sad and disconcerting.  The video is disturbing. One line from the segment is especially notable: “We all hear about the recovery …

Read more

3 Critical Unemployment Charts – March 2011

As I have commented previously, as in the October 6, 2009 post, in my opinion the official methodologies used to measure the various job loss and unemployment statistics do not provide an accurate depiction; they serve to understate the severity of unemployment. However, even if one chooses to look at the official statistics, the following …

Read more

U.S. Dollar Decline – March 2011 Update

U.S. Dollar weakness is a foremost concern of mine.  As such, I have extensively written about it.  I am very concerned that the actions being taken to “improve” our economic situation will dramatically weaken the Dollar.  Should the Dollar substantially decline from here, as I expect, the negative consequences will far outweigh any benefits.  The …

Read more