Description
1) Markets Hit an Oil Slick
Oil prices are plunging, bond yields are plunging, and even stocks have had a rainy week. The markets haven’t seen collective prices fall this much in some time, and that doesn’t bode well for stocks in the US, or around the world. So, how did the actual numbers on the week turn out for the Dow, S&P 500, bonds, gold, emerging markets, international developed markets—and many other major asset classes? Find out all the down-and-dirty details in Doug’s leadoff podcast segment.
2) Weekly ETF Strategy Session: Deflationary Awareness
Falling oil prices, falling yields and a strong US dollar vs. rival foreign currencies are all symptoms of deflation. Deflation is the worst-possible scenario for stocks, and we saw that most recently during the deflationary sell-off of 2008 and 2009 (which of course had other causes as well). And while we’re not forecasting that outcome right now, there are many sectors of the market (energy, multinationals, and commodities) tha
