BOARD CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY GUIDES Lower Extremity Trauma
[Click on Image to Enlarge]
ME-P Free Advertising Consultation
The “Medical Executive-Post” is about connecting doctors, health care executives and modern consulting advisors. It’s about free-enterprise, business, practice, policy, personal financial planning and wealth building capitalism. We have an attitude that’s independent, outspoken, intelligent and so Next-Gen; often edgy, usually controversial. And, our consultants “got fly”, just like U. Read it! Write it! Post it! “Medical Executive-Post”. Call or email us for your FREE advertising and sales consultation TODAY [678.779.8597] Email: MarcinkoAdvisors@outlook.com
Medical & Surgical e-Consent Forms
ePodiatryConsentForms.com
iMBA Inc., OFFICES
Suite #5901 Wilbanks Drive, Norcross, Georgia, 30092 USA [1.678.779.8597]. Our location is real and we are now virtually enabled to assist new long distance clients and out-of-town colleagues.
ME-P Publishing
SEEKING INDUSTRY INFO PARTNERS?
If you want the opportunity to work with leading health care industry insiders, innovators and watchers, the “ME-P” may be right for you? We are unbiased and operate at the nexus of theoretical and applied R&D. Collaborate with us and you’ll put your brand in front of a smart & tightly focused demographic; one at the forefront of our emerging healthcare free marketplace of informed and professional “movers and shakers.” Our Ad Rate Card is available upon request [678-779-8597].
Stocks: The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ started the second half of the year on the wrong foot, while the Dow climbed despite investors’ trepidation about conflict in Congress. But the Senate passed its version of the big, beautiful bill this afternoon, potentially getting us one step closer to ending all the drama.
Bonds: 10-year Treasury yields fell to their lowest level in two months this morning ahead of Jerome Powell’s appearance at a central banking conference today. There, Powell demurred on the possibility of a July rate cut, reiterating his wait-and-see approach.
Safe havens: The US dollar gained ground after a terrible first half of the year, while gold rose as investors braced themselves for the big jobs report on Friday.
Posted on June 24, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By AI
***
***
Stocks: Markets rose tentatively to start the week after the US bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran over the weekend. The rally gained steam in the afternoon after Iran launched a missile strike against a US airbase in Qatar, leaving no US casualties and keeping a path to de-escalation intact.
Safe havens: The US dollar rose to its highest level in nearly a month this morning, up from a three-year low last week, as investors sought safety. Meanwhile, gold inched higher despite pressure from a stronger dollar, a sure sign of investor tension.
Crypto: Bitcoin fell dangerously close to the key support level of $100,000 before recovering later in the day as traders took a risk-on stance.
Posted on May 7, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Rick Kahler CFP™ MSFP
***
***
DECLINE OF THE DOLLAR
On-again, off-again tariffs. Rising prices. Dramatic market swings. The anxiety-producing headlines come so fast it’s hard to know what to worry about first. Meanwhile, one serious consequence of all this chaos is going almost unnoticed. That is the decline of the dollar.
Since the start of this year, the value of the U.S. dollar has slipped more than 10% against other major currencies. That drop is not just an economic statistic. It affects all Americans’ daily lives.
People are feeling the pinch of rising prices at checkout lines, gas stations, and shipping counters. But there isn’t a full understanding of why. Tariffs are only half the story. The weakening dollar amplifies those price increases even further.
For years, the dollar remained strong even as the national debt ballooned. It benefited from its reputation as a safe haven, from global demand, and from U.S. interest rates. But much of that strength, as we now see, was fragile—propped up more by perception than fundamentals. In April, sweeping tariffs triggered a sharp market correction, and the dollar suddenly fell to its lowest point in over three years. Market confidence vanished overnight.
This was more than a market reaction. It signaled a collapse in trust—not just in policy, but in principle. It is no longer a given that the U.S. will act with consistency, reason, and long-term responsibility. What’s unraveling is both our country’s financial credibility and the moral foundation that underpinned it.
When a currency represents a nation, its value reflects more than economics. It reflects governance, accountability, stability, and integrity. When the dollar stumbles, it speaks to who we are, and whether we can still be counted on.
Yet, most people aren’t talking about the decline of the dollar. This may come from being overwhelmed, choosing to ignore even more bad news, or actually believing that this is a necessary step in making things better. It is not.
We all respond differently to financial uncertainty. Some lean into hyper-vigilance—tightening budgets, tracking every headline. Others shut down, turning toward distraction. Still others press on as if nothing has changed. These are all natural human reactions.
They are not the same as leadership. And leadership—internal and external—is what’s needed now. Not panic. Not blame. Just the courage to face where we are and the willingness to start again from there.
But leadership is in short supply in Washington, where many in both parties remain silent. Some fear political retribution from the administration, others fear backlash from increasingly extreme and vocal constituencies. That silence costs us all.
A respected government official recently told me that, while some of the domestic damage to our economy could be repaired within a few years, rebuilding global confidence in the United States may take a generation. That is a reflection of the rapid erosion of trust that has already happened in the last three months. Trust that took decades to build has been unwound in a matter of weeks. Even if we reversed every policy decision tomorrow, the damage is done.
We cannot change what’s already happened. We can still choose to show up. To pay attention. To have the hard conversations. To lead our own financial lives with more clarity, integrity, and intention than before. That kind of personal leadership may not fix the dollar. But it can help rebuild what underlies its value: trust, steadiness, and the moral grounding we’ve begun to lose.
Because the dollar’s decline is more than an economic headline.
It’s a story about who we are—and whether we’re ready to live with open eyes in a world where the old assumptions no longer hold.
Posted on April 14, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
US Markets
After one of the most volatile weeks in Wall Street history, the S&P 500 closed 5.7% higher for its best week since 2023. But investors are taking little comfort with the rebound in stocks.
A declining dollar fell to a three-year low against the euro on Friday and spiking bond yields have some observers warning of a monumental, structural shift away from the US as a safe haven due to the recent tariff turmoil.
I am in an unenviable position. The policy coming out of the White House has a significant impact on economics, more than ever before in my career. If I say anything positive about that policy, I’ll be put in the MAGA camp. If I criticize it, I’ll be accused of suffering from Trump derangement syndrome. I am hired by you to make the best investment decisions possible. Rather than see me as engaged in political commentary, I’d ask that you view my remarks as purely analytical.
Let me give you this analogy. I live in Denver. Let’s imagine I am a huge Broncos fan, and the Broncos are playing the Chicago Bears. If I am betting a significant amount of money on this game, I should put my affinity for the Broncos and hatred of the Chicago Bears aside and analyze data and facts. The Broncos are either going to win or lose; my wanting them to win has zero impact on the outcome. The same applies to my analysis here. My motto in life is Seneca’s saying, “Time discovers truth.” I just try to discover it before time does.
When it comes to politics, I also have a significant advantage. I was not born in this country. From a young age, I was brainwashed about communism, not about team Republican versus team Democrat. The failure of the Soviet Union de-brainwashed me fast concerning the virtues of communism and converted me into a believer in free markets.
As a result, I never bought into either party’s ideology, and thus in the last four presidential elections I voted for a Republican, an independent, a Democrat, and wrote in my youngest daughter, Mia Sarah (not in that order). In my articles I have criticized the policies of both Biden (student loan forgiveness, unions) and Trump (Bitcoin reserve).
I remind myself that in times like these you have to be a nuanced thinker. Some of Trump’s policies are terrific, others … not so much (I am being diplomatic here).
Scott Fitzgerald once said “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” In 2025 we are taking this “first-rate intelligence” test daily.
What will happen to the US dollar? The US dollar will likely continue to get weaker, which is inflationary for the US. Let me start with some easily identifiable reasons:
We have too much debt. We ran 6-7% budget deficits while our economy was growing and unemployment was at record lows. Now we have $36 trillion in debt. Our interest expenses exceed our defense spending, and these costs will continue to climb. If/when we go into recession, we may see something we have not seen in a long time – higher interest rates. Our budget deficits will balloon to between 9–12%, and the debt market, realizing that inflation (i.e., money printing) is inevitable, will say, “Pay up!”
New competition from Bitcoin. President Trump’s approval of Bitcoin as a potential reserve currency is one of the most self-serving and anti-American things I’ve seen any president do. The US dollar is the world’s reserve currency. We still have little competition for that title. China could be a contender, but it is not a democracy and has capital controls. This policy has no upside for America, only downside.
A stronger Europe. Ironically, we may inadvertently create a stronger Europe by threatening to abandon NATO. I don’t want to insult European clients (or my European friends), but the following analogy describes the US-Europe relationship on some level: Europe gradually evolved into a trust fund kid (when it came to security) and the US turned into its sugar daddy. The trust fund kid was incredibly dependent on the sugar daddy. It criticized its parent for being a barbarian and money-driven, but it relied heavily on that parent to protect it from bullies.
President Trump cut off Europe’s allowance by threatening that the US might not protect Europe from Russia. This has forced Europe to spend more money on defense. Outside of Germany (which has little debt), few European economies can afford that. This may force Europe (or at least some European countries) to become more pragmatic – to cut social programs and bureaucracy. If this leads to a stronger Europe both economically and militarily, the euro will be competing with the US dollar. This is a big if.
Our new foreign policy.
When people describe President Trump’s foreign policy as “transactional,” they’re highlighting a fundamental shift in how America engages with the world – one with profound implications for our global standing, national interests, and the US dollar. The shift affects both types of capital – financial and reputational.
Reputational capital isn’t at risk in ‘one-shot’ transactions like house selling. Imagine you’re selling your primary residence and moving elsewhere. Do you disclose every flaw, or let the buyer figure things out? Your incentive is to maximize short-term profits. You’ll likely never meet this buyer again, and therefore there are incentives not to care what they’ll think of you afterward. You’ll be transactional, seeking the highest price possible for your biggest asset. This exemplifies a ‘one-shot’ system where future interactions aren’t expected.
Contrast this with a relationship- and trust-based system. Now imagine you are a homebuilder in a small town. Your suppliers only extend credit if you have a reputation for paying on time. Your employees do quality work only if you treat them fairly. Your buyers tell friends about their experience with you. The incentives naturally create a relational approach. In this trust-based system, incentives skew toward maximizing long-term profits, where reputational capital becomes the glue creating continuity.
Reputational capital radiates predictability – you know how someone will behave based on their history – but operating with low or negative reputational capital is difficult and expensive. People won’t enter long-term contracts with you or will demand external guarantees. Many potential partners will simply refuse to deal with you.
Building reputational capital works like adding pennies to a jar – each good deed incrementally adds to your standing. Yet reputational capital can collapse instantly by removing the jar’s bottom. A single breach of trust doesn’t just remove one penny; it can wipe out your entire balance and plunge you into reputational bankruptcy. The math is brutally asymmetric: good deeds might add a point or two, while bad deeds subtract by factors of 50 or 100.
This doesn’t mean transactions shouldn’t be profitable. If you’re accumulating reputational capital while consistently losing money, you’re probably in the wrong business. Each deal should be evaluated considering both long-term financial and reputational capital.
Individual transactions can sacrifice some profit but cannot afford to lose reputational capital. A “one-shot” transactional approach used in a trust-system environment may provide greater short-term profitability, but if this success comes at the expense of reputational capital, the long-term consequences for America’s global position could be devastating.
This brings us to our current foreign policy.
Relationships between nations are a trust-based system. I’d argue it’s a super-relational system because it’s multigenerational, lasting beyond the life of any one human. Reputational capital is paramount here.
Part of the US’s strength has been the soft power – the reputational capital – it exerted. We had a lot of friends, which helped us to be more effective in dealing with our foes. We keep telling ourselves that America is an “exceptional” nation. This exceptionalism didn’t just come from our financial and military might – it accumulated based on our reputational capital.
Though we don’t always succeed, we are a people who try to do the right thing. Our exceptionalism has been earned through our actions. We are the country that helped rebuild Europe and gave it six decades to repay lend-lease. We toppled communism.
I don’t know the nuances of the Ukraine mineral deal, but initially it had the optics of extortion. Though I think the renegotiated and signed version appears to be fair to both sides, forcing repayment while Ukraine is dodging Russian missiles made the US look transactional.
Actions by President Trump over the last month have undermined our reputation. We are quickly becoming a “one-shot” transactional player in a trust-based environment. Imposing tariffs on Canada on a whim to try to get it to become the 51st state erodes American reputational capital. So does not ruling out America invading Greenland. This puts us on the same moral plane as Russia invading Ukraine.
The conversation about tariffs has many nuances. For instance, I don’t know anyone who opposes reciprocal tariffs – they seem fair and don’t consume any reputational capital. But tariffs that are used as weapons in a trade war in order to annex another country erode reputational capital. Threatening to leave NATO and not protect countries that don’t spend enough on their defense diminishes reputational capital. Maybe the only way to get European countries to spend on defense was to threaten not to defend them – you can agree or disagree with the rationale behind each of Trump’s decisions, but what can’t be argued is that they undermined our reputational capital.
As we lose soft power, our influence will diminish, and thus so will perceptions of our power. The world will start looking at us not from the perspective of the continuity of generations but of presidential cycles. The word of the American president will have an expiration date of the next presidential or mid-term election.
There are two negotiation styles – Warren Buffett’s and Donald Trump’s. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Buffett will give you one offer and one offer only. Once the deal is agreed to, even just verbally, that is the deal. Critics would say that there is downside to that predictability, as foes know how you are going to respond. Donald Trump’s style is to be unpredictable, which has its own advantages when you deal with foes – it keeps opponents guessing. But it destroys trust with your allies.
In a world of fiat currencies, all currency is a financial and reputational promise. President Trump, with the help of DOGE (and maybe even tariffs) may increase our financial strength. I hope he does, but it will likely come at a very high cost to our reputational capital, and therefore US global influence and the US dollar will continue its decline.
How are we positioned for this?
About half of our portfolio is foreign companies whose sales are not in dollars. They will benefit from a weaker dollar. We also have exposure to oil, which is priced in the US dollar and usually appreciates when the dollar weakens.
A weaker dollar means our imports will become more expensive, which is inflationary. We own many companies with pricing power and also companies that have claims on someone else’s revenues. Take Uber for example: they get about 20% of each ride. If the cost of the ride goes up, so does their dollar take.
Why does President Trump keep pushing crypto?
In July 2019, Trump said the following: “I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air.” Five years later he promised to establish the US Crypto Reserve, and in 2025 he did.
What changed? There is no logical reason for an American president to endorse crypto. None. Here is the honest answer: Crypto bros made mega-contributions to his campaign.
To top it off, three days before he took office he issued $TRUMP – a shitcoin. Believe it or not, “shitcoin” is a technical term in the crypto community (any coin other than Bitcoin is called a shitcoin by Bitcoin “maximalists”, folks who believe Bitcoin is the one and only digital currency). The future sitting president literally issued – I don’t want to call it a currency, so I guess shitcoin is the right name – that will at some point decline to zero in value. In other words, he’ll fleece his loyal followers who purchase $TRUMP of billions of dollars.
I previously referenced both reputational capital and soft power. These types of acts by a sitting president subtract from both.
Posted on April 11, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST– Today’sNewsletter
***
Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants
“Serving Almost One Million Doctors, Financial Advisors and Medical Management Consultants Daily“
A Partner of the Institute of Medical Business Advisors , Inc.
NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. accounting watchdog on Wednesday said it has hit KPMG Netherlands with a $25 million civil penalty, a record for the regulator, in response to “egregious” and widespread exam cheating at the foreign affiliate of the major audit firm.
As millions of Americans approach age 66, they face the inevitable question, is it time to retire? The physician population is aging alongside the general population—more than 40% of physicians in the U.S. will be 65 years or older within the next decade. In the case of surgeons, there is little guidance on how to best ensure their competency throughout their career and at the same time maintain patient safety while preserving mature physician dignity.
It is a scenario playing out nationwide. From Oregon to Pennsylvania, hundreds of communities have in recent years either stopped adding fluoride to their water supplies or voted to prevent its addition. Supporters of such bans argue that people should be given the freedom of choice. The broad availability of over-the-counter dental products containing the mineral makes it no longer necessary to add to public water supplies, they say. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that while store-bought products reduce tooth decay, the greatest protection comes when they are used in combination with water fluoridation.
More health systems are going to be opting out of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, George Hill, a managing director at Deutsche Bank in Boston, predicted Monday at a “Wall Street Comes to Washington” webinar hosted by the Brookings Institution. “I think you’re going to see more large provider organizations threaten to opt out of networks, particularly as it relates to MA,” Hill said, adding that there are a number of reasons for this. “Prior authorizations are the problem, claims denials are a huge problem, delayed payments and rates are the problem — barriers in access to care in all varieties are the problem.”
The latest budget update from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that the federal government has spent more on paying interest on the national debt than on the military in fiscal year 2024. The CBO’s budget report for March showed that the U.S. has spent $412 billion on military programs at the Department of Defense through the first half of FY-2024, according to preliminary figures from CBO and the Treasury Department.
Consumer price increases remained high last month, boosted by gas, rents, and car insurance, the government said Wednesday in a report that will likely give pause to the Federal Reserve as it weighs when and by how much to cut interest rates this year. Prices outside the volatile food and energy categories rose 0.4% from February to March, the same accelerated pace as in the previous month. Measured from a year earlier, these core prices were up 3.8%, unchanged from the year-over-year rise in February. The Fed closely tracks core prices because they tend to provide a good read of where inflation is headed.
Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500® index (SPX) dropped 49.27 points (1.0%) to 5,160.64; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 422.16 points (1.1%) to 38,461.51; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) fell 136.28 points (0.8%) to 16,170.36.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) soared more than 18 basis points to 4.548%.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) jumped 0.82 to 15.80.
Interest-rate-sensitive sectors like banks, real estate, and utilities led Wednesday’s decliners. The KBW Regional Bank Index (KRX) tumbled 5% to its lowest point since late November. The small-cap Russell 2000® Index (RUT) lost 2.5%. Energy shares were among the few gainers as WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures rebounded after three-straight losing sessions.
In other markets, the U.S. dollar index (DXY) jumped 1% to a five-month high amid expectations interest rates will remain elevated.
Posted on August 16, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
The S&P 500 dropped to a five-week low as weaker-than-expected Chinese data and stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales fueled concerns about growth and inflation.
Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 51.86 points (1.2%) at 4,437.86; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down 361.24 points (1.0%) at 34,946.39; the NASDAQ Composite was down 157.28 points (1.1%) at 13,631.05.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 3 basis points at 4.217%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 1.60 at 16.42.
Financials were among the weakest market sectors, with the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) dropping over 3% to a four-week low.
Energy shares were also under pressure after crude oil futures fell to a two-week closing low.
***
Stock spotlight: Tesla stock needs a recharge after falling more than 20% from its July peak. Investors are peeved with Tesla’s extended price cuts in China and its plan to release lower-range Model X and Model S vehicles that are $10,000 cheaper than the standard versions.
Posted on July 7, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
When markets closed Friday, Apple’s market capitalization was over $3 trillion, making it the most valuable company — ever. It’s a massive milestone for the tech giant, which warned investors in May that its current quarter revenue was expected to decline. But Friday’s stock price increasing by just over 2 percent to close at $193.97 per share suggests that investors are still confident in the company, a bright spot in an industry that has otherwise been rocked by layoffs over the past year.
Curiously, Goldman Sachs is considering exiting its partnership with Apple, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The iPhone-maker and Goldman Sachs started rolling out a virtual credit card in 2019. The bank is in talks with American Express to take over its Apple credit card and other ventures with the tech giant, the report added.
***
Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was up 53.94 points (1.2%) at 4,450.38, a gain of 16% for the first half of 2023. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 283.18 points (0.8%) at 34,407.60, up 3.8% in the first half. The NASDAQ Composite was up 196.59 points (1.5%) at 13,787.92 for a first-half gain of 32%.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 2 basis points at 3.837%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.15 at 13.39.
Oilfield services companies and others in energy led sector gainers Friday, after crude oil futures rose 1% (though oil prices are down 12% so far this year).
Technology and Consumer Discretionary stocks were also strong performers, while regional banks were among the laggards. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) eased slightly. It is down about 0.5% for the first half.
Posted on June 26, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
Last week, the NASDAQ snapped its eight-week winning streak, but it’s still on pace for its best and has nearly erased its total losses from 2022. Over in the media world, everyone (Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global) is struggling except Netflix.
***
But, the U.S. dollar rose to a 15-month high against the ruble this Monday after dramatic weekend events in Russia, which saw an aborted mutiny by heavily armed mercenaries. The dollar index also found some safe-haven support on lingering worries that the protracted monetary tightening cycles from major central banks would further hurt the global economic outlook.
Posted on May 8, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
The S&P 500 and the Dow are coming off their worst weeks since March. And even with the Fed signaling the end of interest rate hikes, analysts don’t expect the market to perk up all of a sudden. Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley predict the S&P will end the year lower than its current level. US oil prices, meanwhile, have fallen for three consecutive weeks over economic concerns.
***
We mentioned the annual “Woodstock for Capitalists” meeting last week on this ME-P. Here are the highlights.
On the regional banking crisis: W. Buffett bashed leaders at the banks that failed this spring (First Republic, SVB, etc.), saying they “should suffer” and face “punishment.” But he also blamed the “totally crazy” bank regulations that incentivize bad behavior and “very poor” messaging around the debacle from politicians and the media. Buffett thinks the government was right to intervene to protect SVB depositors, claiming, “It would have been catastrophic” otherwise.
On the status of the dollar: “We are the reserve currency. I see no option for any other currency to be the reserve currency,” Buffett said. He called the notion of bitcoin or other tokens dethroning the dollar a “joke.”
On Berkshire’s investment in Apple: The value of Berkshire’s stake in Apple has ballooned to $151 billion, amounting to nearly half the value of its entire stock portfolio. “It just happens to be a better business than any we own,” Buffett said.
***
US ends Covid-19 public health emergency: Like Title 42, the US public health emergency for Covid-19 will end on this Thursday. That may limit access to testing for millions of Americans, but it won’t affect the availability of treatments and vaccines.
Posted on October 26, 2022 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
Stocks Extend Rally as U.S. Dollar and Bond Yields Cool Off
U.S. stocks traded higher as Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar pulled back, while investors digested a host of corporate results.
Earnings reports painted a mixed picture, as Dow member Coca-Cola beat earnings estimates and raised its guidance, while Dow member 3M also announced a positive earnings surprise, but lowered its full-year outlook. Additionally, General Electric missed earnings expectations and lowered guidance, and General Motors topped profit projections. In economic news, home prices declined more than expected in August, consumer confidence decreased, and regional manufacturing fell more than fore-casted.
Crude oil and gold prices gained ground.
Markets in Asia finished mixed as economic uncertainty continued to weigh on conviction, while European stocks finished mostly higher following economic reports and the political situation in the U.K.
Posted on October 12, 2022 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
U.S. equities finished mixed after turning to the downside following news that the Bank of England set a three-day deadline to end its bond buying initiative and for pension funds within the U.K. to rebalance. Action was choppy most of the day, as investors awaited tomorrow’s first look at the highly anticipated September inflation data.
Now, according to the Schwab Center for Financial Research, the markets appeared to be on edge at the prospect of further monetary policy tightening, which could be enhanced by the inflation reports. In light economic news, small business optimism unexpectedly increased but remained below the 48-year average for a ninth-consecutive month.
On the equity front, Leggett & Platt lowered its full-year guidance, KLA Corporation ceased some of its business with China-based customers following export restrictions, while a proposal from the Labor Department is pressuring ride-hailing and food-delivery companies. Treasury yields were mixed after a return to action following yesterday’s holiday.
The U.S. dollar finished modestly higher in its own whipsaw session, crude oil prices fell, and gold was also lower.
Asian markets were mostly lower following new export rules on semiconductor chips from the U.S., while European stocks were lower as the Bank of England announced further intervention to try to ensure financial stability.
The global markets continue to grapple with the possibility of future global rate hikes as inflationary concerns remain.
Posted on July 24, 2022 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of monkeypox to be a public health emergency of international concern. “The global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a briefing in Geneva. At the virtual press conference, Ghebreyesus also said that the outbreak has spread around the world “rapidly” and that officials understand “too little” about the disease.
And, the U.S. Dollar had an incredible run throughout 2022, appreciating against most major currencies as the world’s central banks continue to combat rising inflation. This year alone, the dollar is up 15% against the Japanese yen, 10% against the British pound, and 5% compared to China’s Renminbi. The Wall Street Journal’s Dollar Index, which measures the dollar against 16 other major currencies, has also had its best first half performance since 2010 this year, rising more than 10% year-to-date. And for the lucky Americans who could find cheap airfare to Europe (and made it through with all their luggage), the dollar even reached equal standing with the euro for the first time in two decades earlier this month.
Posted on July 6, 2022 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
***
***
The Euro lost 10% versus the dollar this year and at $1.0238 EUR=EBS is close to the psychologically crucial parity point it last saw in mid-2002. It also hit new seven-year lows versus the Swiss franc and dropped against the sterling and the yen, but few observers are willing to call a bottom yet. Nomura’s analysts cut their euro/dollar target to $0.95 and said parity could be breached as soon as August. Citibank says a move to parity is “inevitable.” However, Nomura said that $0.95 was not that important historically, noting that the euro fell from $1.17 after its creation to $0.82 in October 2002. Extrapolating backwards using its legacy currencies, the euro traded as weak as $0.6444 in February 1985.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, benchmark U.S. crude oil for August delivery fell $8.93 to $99.50 a barrel, its first dip below $100 since May 11th. Brent crude for September delivery fell $10.73 to $102.70 a barrel.
Finally, the Dow dropped 129.44 points, or 0.4%, to finish at 30,967.82; it had been down more than 700 points at its lows earlier in the session. The S&P 500 gained 6.06 points, or 0.2%, closing at 3,831.39. And, the NASDAQ Composite advanced 194.39 points, or 1.8%, to finish at 11,322.24.