Money Talks – June 27, 2015

Radio, Radio: Whole Show Recording

This week on “Money Talks,” Matt Hames, CTFA, is joined by Managing Associate Charlie Holloway, CFP®, CDFA, and Research Analyst Nick Antonucci to discuss new and existing home sales, final first quarter GDP, oil inventories and personal income. Our experts also look at early retirement with reduced benefits in our case study. They also answer listeners’ questions on zero coupon municipal bonds, the best day to invest and when the next market dip may happen.

Markets End Week Slightly Lower After Focusing on Greek Debt

Market Commentary, Radio

The markets began the week on a positive note with Financial giants, such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and American Express, leading the gains. The markets also reacted to a variety of economic news as well as word that a Greek debt deal may finally see the light of day. Existing home sales ticked up in May with sales climbing 5.1% to 5.35 million. The NASDAQ closed at a new record level Tuesday, on prospects of a debt solution for Greece. Meanwhile, durable goods orders slipped 1.8% in May, while April’s reading was revised down to a 1.5% decrease from a previous 1% dip. Trading closed in the red zone on Wednesday, with stocks selling off on news the International Monetary Fund had rejected Athens’ latest proposal. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.2%, to settle at $60.27 a barrel. On another note, real GDP declined 0.2% in the first quarter, according to a third estimate. The result was down from 2.2% growth in the prior quarter, but better than the second estimate of a 0.7% dip. Thursday’s trading also ended lower. Initial jobless claims moved higher. Labor Department data showed an increase of 3,000 to 271,000 last week. Personal income activity jumped up in May, as income climbed 0.5%, matching April’s upwardly revised gain. Spending ticked up 0.9%, following a slight 0.1% upswing in April. Indices closed out mixed on Friday. The Dow added some points while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ traded into red territory for the session.