YUKKY YIELD

The Bank of Japan’s decision to target a 0% yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds should reassure the government that it can run bigger deficits without triggering a jump in debt service costs, thereby promoting increased spending. But with a peg, the BOJ...

SOLID STATISTICS

While Friday’s job report showed 156,000 net new jobs created in September, below expectations of 168,000, private sector job growth was 167,000, barely under the 170,000 expected. Separately, the labor force participation rate increased to 62.9% from 62.8%,...

DWELLING DATA

Despite starts declining for a second straight month, yesterday’s housing numbers were pretty good. Year-to-date starts are up 3.7%, with single-family starts up a solid 8.6% and at their best level since 2/16. While multifamily starts fell a staggering 38% in...

MINUSCULE MARGIN

Assuming Trump wins MI where he’s ahead, and Clinton wins NH where she’s ahead, the final electoral college tally will be 306 to 232 for Trump. The three states Clinton lost where she was closest to winning were Michigan, with 49.87% of the vote,...

FINANCIAL FITNESS

For the health of your financial portfolio I recommend three things. Don’t listen to expert predictions; experts can’t forecast the future any better than you. Next, fees paid to financial advisors/managers reduce your return. Make sure you are getting...