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Results 251–265 of 265 found.

Late for Work?
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 7/9/10
Even in the face of signals that this labor market is, if anything, improving a bit faster than history would suggest, it is too early to rest easy. The intensity of the layoffs during the recession of 2008-09 could suggest that something very different is happening in this cycle and that rehiring may be held off longer than it might otherwise appear or not happen at all. Furthermore, the extended unemployment benefits may keep workers out of work - European style - much longer than they have typically stayed out.

Health Care RX
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 4/6/10
It will take months to sort out all the implications of the immense health care bill, with all its arcane provisions and so-called 'fixes.' For all the uncertainty, however, it seems definite that the government will play a new role in student lending, that taxes will rise, that insurers will receive millions of new customers, that generic pharmaceuticals will benefit and that federal budget deficits will grow despite Congressional Budget Office projections. Finally, if the November elections bring a backlash, there could be new rounds of negotiations and reforms.

Taking Stock of Deficits
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 3/29/10
As investors have gained confidence that financial markets have healed and economic recovery has begun, their concern has increasingly turned to the flow of federal red ink. While not all deficits lead to bad markets, there is reason for concern. The White House forecasts huge budget shortfalls in the years to come, and the deficit-narrowing plans it has offered rely almost exclusively on tax increases. Other considerations such as economic growth, a balanced monetary policy and earnings improvements, however, may allow stocks to rise even in the face of fiscal woes.

The Greatest Hopes and Worst Fears Are Seldom Realized
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 3/22/10
The main lessons for investors from the past 18-24 months are that emotion is the enemy of good investing, and that time-honored investment principles, even if they frustrate, still provide the best likelihood for success. The S&P 500 Index rose more than 65 percent in the first quarter of this year from their March 2009 lows. The ultimate losers in this situation were those who succumbed to the ugly mood of a year ago and, despairing over the efficacy of and long term investment principles, sold out. By contrast, those who held onto their investments benefited from the recent rally.

What Will Lead Equities?
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 3/17/10
If history is any guide, small capitalization stocks will continue to lead the recovery in equities. Small growth stocks led during the recovery phase in seven of the last 10 business cycles, and small value led in two. Large capitalization led only once, in 1953-54. Consistent with the trend, small value has led the present recovery so far by a wide margin. It is unclear, however, whether that margin will last.

Will the Bond Vigilantes Ride Again?
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 3/10/10
Projected deficits will remain too large for too long to avoid raising serious concerns about inflation, the dollar's value and the economy's fundamental growth potential. When investors return to these questions, chances are that the bond vigilantes who made pricing so tumultuous in the early 1990s will come back. Those vigilantes were unwilling to tolerate any red ink in federal finances during the Clinton administration. If President Obama wants to prevent bond vigilantism, he must end the current policy uncertainty and present a credible, balanced plan to control the future flow of debt.

Budget Proposals - Red on Arrival
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 3/2/10
The latest White House budget proposals reveal that fiscal policy will offer little control over the river of red budgetary ink already at flood. The White House expects the deficit to run at $1.6 trillion, up from last year's record $1.4 trillion, taking the deficit up to about 10.6 percent of GDP. Furthermore, despite optimistic growth projections, deficit forecasts barely get below 4 percent of GDP by 2014. These deficits would raise the country's overall debt from the present $7.5 trillion to $18.6 trillion, or about 80 percent of GDP, by 2015.

A Greek Tragedy, 'PIIGS,' and a Euro Challenge
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 2/23/10
Greece's public debt has risen to 110 percent of its gross domestic product, and its budget deficit stands at 14 percent of GDP, well above the EU limit of 3 percent. This has raised concerns about other European states with questionable finances, including Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain. The political risks of a Greek default, however, will probably motivate other EU nations to support the troubled country.

Emerging Economies Continue to Show Promise
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 2/16/10
Despite recent financial turmoil in response to policy initiatives in Washington and fears surrounding the finances of Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, markets are up since the beginning of 2009, and are likely to grow this year. Emerging markets have the best prospects for growth, but their success depends on the precarious recoveries in the United States, Europe and Japan.

Emerging Economies Continue to Show Promise
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 2/16/10
Despite recent financial turmoil in response to policy initiatives in Washington and fears surrounding the finances of Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, markets are up since the beginning of 2009, and are likely to grow this year. Emerging markets have the best prospects for growth, but their success depends on the precarious recoveries in the United States, Europe and Japan.

The Regulatory Muddle Continues
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 2/8/10
Just when investors thought they knew what to expect in terms of financial regulation, the Obama administration proposes something new. In his latest article, ?The Regulatory Muddle Continues,? Milton Ezrati, Lord Abbett Partner, Senior Economist and Market Strategist, compares and contrasts the House legislation with recent proposals from the White House and examines the impact on banks and lending.

Fed Up? The Effects of a Rate Rise
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 2/1/10
Milton Ezrati examines the history of Fed Funds rate hikes and the response of the bond markets. He concludes, based on the evidence of the 2004-2007 experience, that bond investors should not be fearful of rate increases.

Invigorated Inventories: Catalyst for Growth?
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 1/25/10
?Now with a turn to accumulation, especially if it occurs in a compressed period of time, inventories could add as much as two percentage points to overall growth. Under such an influence, an otherwis

Regulatory Refinement
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 1/12/10
Now at the start of a new year, Congress is debating regulatory legislation that will shape the financial landscape for years to come. In his latest article, ?Regulatory Refinement,? Milton Ezrati, L

Municipal Maladies
by Milton Ezrati of Lord Abbett, 1/8/10
Results 251–265 of 265 found.