http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/commentary/view/ en tpitcher@smallcappulse.com Copyright 2009 2009-07-03T05:40:01-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/weekly_jobless_claims_and_nonfarm_payrolls_reports_disappoint/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/weekly_jobless_claims_and_nonfarm_payrolls_reports_disappoint/#When:04:40:01Z July 2, 2009 - THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: JUNE 2009 - This morning's jobless data is a reminder that there are still heavy headwinds facing the U.S. economy. While most take the labor data as a lagging indicator, we don't buy it in this case. As more people lose their jobs, and feel less security, they will be holding onto their pocketbooks that much tighter and you can expect that this is going to negatively impact retail data and any recovery in GDP. After all, consumers represent more than 70% of GDP. Economy 2009-07-03T04:40:01-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_lower_on_worse_than_expected_employment_data/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_lower_on_worse_than_expected_employment_data/#When:04:37:00Z July 2, 2009 – The futures are moving lower this morning on what will likely be a lightly traded session ahead of the July 4 weekend (markets closed tomorrow). The primary culprit is the labor market. Both the weekly jobless claims and the nonfarm payrolls report came in worse than expected, a reminder that the situation in the economy remains dismal. Market 2009-07-03T04:37:00-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_higher_despite_worse_than_expected_adp_employers_report/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_higher_despite_worse_than_expected_adp_employers_report/#When:04:38:01Z July 1, 2009 – The futures are pointing to higher openings this morning for the broader markets, despite the worse-than-expected ADP Employer Services report for June. Market 2009-07-02T04:38:01-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/consumer_confidence_declined_in_june/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/consumer_confidence_declined_in_june/#When:05:40:00Z June 30, 2009 - Consumer Confidence is going in the wrong direction. In terms of key economic data out today, this morning’s consumer confidence report is a splash of cold water on the Street’s optimism that it was trying build after better than expected housing data. Economy 2009-07-01T05:40:00-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/housing_data_better_than_expected/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/housing_data_better_than_expected/#When:05:07:00Z June 30, 2009 - This morning's housing data indicates that while housing prices are still dismal, they are improved over the last month. This will add to the growing view that the economy has bottomed. Foreclosure increases and rising unemployment have been weighing on housing prices, adding to the oversupply in the market which has caused new homes to remain on the market almost 12 months after being built. Later this week we will get the nonfarm payrolls report data which is expected to show that unemployment increased to 9.6%. Economy 2009-07-01T05:07:00-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_set_to_extend_yesterdays_gains_at_open/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_set_to_extend_yesterdays_gains_at_open/#When:05:00:01Z June 30, 2009 – The futures are indicating higher this morning ahead of the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index report and as the Street digests the latest housing data. Market 2009-07-01T05:00:01-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_point_to_slightly_higher_openings_no_real_bullish_catalysts_in_plac/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_point_to_slightly_higher_openings_no_real_bullish_catalysts_in_plac/#When:12:21:00Z May 1, 2009 – The futures are indicating modestly higher openings this morning for the broader markets as the Street contemplates the implications of a delay in releasing the so-called ‘stress-test’ results for the banking sector so banks can debate the findings. The results were originally scheduled for release on May 4. Market 2009-05-01T12:21:00-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_higher_counting_on_the_worst_being_behind_the_economy_at_th/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_higher_counting_on_the_worst_being_behind_the_economy_at_th/#When:12:24:00Z April 30, 2009 – The futures are pointing to higher openings this morning for the broader markets. Initial jobless claims were forecast to come in at 640,000, and came in at 631,000. While personal income and spending fell more than expected, down 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. The futures moved higher on the news. The data is still really bad, it is just not as bad as it was. Pundits and analysts are saying, with respect to a move in jobless claims below 600,000 would be a key indication that the economy is, in fact turning the corner. Market 2009-04-30T12:24:00-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/street_looks_past_larger_than_expected_contraction_in_q1_gdp_and_focuses_ho/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/street_looks_past_larger_than_expected_contraction_in_q1_gdp_and_focuses_ho/#When:12:06:00Z April 29, 2009 – The futures are indicating higher openings for the broader markets today, despite reports that the swine flu is spreading with the first death being reported in the US. In addition to earnings reports, the focus this morning has been on a report due on Q1 GDP showing the pace of the contraction in the US economy slowed, which would be a hopeful signal. Market 2009-04-29T12:06:00-08:00 http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_lower_wsj_paints_dim_picture_on_banks/ http://www.smallcappulse.com/index.php/site/markets_to_open_lower_wsj_paints_dim_picture_on_banks/#When:12:25:00Z April 28, 2009 – The futures are indicating lower openings for the broader markets as the Street contemplates the ramifications of the swine flu pandemic on global markets, more earnings reports, the conditions of the banking sector and ahead of the day’s economic data. Market 2009-04-28T12:25:00-08:00