The Debt Star

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Kevin S. Willis

Filed under: Star Wars | 45 Comments »

Morning Report

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Brent Nyitray

Vital Statistics:

 

 

Last

Change

Percent

S&P Futures

1399.1

-2.9

-0.21%

Eurostoxx Index

2286.9

-3.3

-0.14%

Oil (WTI)

103.05

-2.2

-2.1%

LIBOR

0.466

0.000

0.00%

US Dollar Index (DXY)

79.17

-.349

0.44%

10 Year Govt Bond Yield

1.92%

-0.02%

  

RPX Composite Real Estate  Index

173

-0.4

  

 

Markets are lower this morning on disappointing economic data. Initial Jobless Claims came in at 365k, which was better than expectations, however last week was revised upward to 392k. Bonds and MBS are up slightly.

 

Chicago-based job placement firm released its monthly job cuts report this morning, which tracks announced job cuts. US-based employers announced a total of 40,559 job cuts in April, up 11% from last year.

 

The Institute for Supply Management released its April Non-Manufacturing Report this morning, which showed the pace of expansion has slowed. The index dropped to 53.5 from 56.  A number above 50 indicates expansion.

 

Today is the first Thursday of the month, which means retailers are reporting same store sales. Generally, they were disappointing, with The Gap, Costco, and Target leading the charge.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

Cradle to Grave

Posted on May 3, 2012 by novahockey

From the Obama campaign: Life of Julia

I’ll be honest. This makes my stomach churn. Every one of life’s moments, made possible by the benevolence of President Obama.

Poor Julia. Obama wants her dependent on him her entire life.

Update: Apparently this has taken off. Here’s the WSJ and The Atlantic

Filed under: 2012, big government | 66 Comments »