US & Canada Archives - Page 145 of 171

March 2, 2012

US Housing Still Drowning in Underwater Mortgages – WSJ

According to mortgage-data firm CoreLogic, 11.1 million of homeowners had an underwater mortgage in the fourth quarter, representing a large 22.8% of all residential properties with a mortgage. The share has not come down much since the recovery started in 2009. Of those underwater borrowers, 6.7 million have only a primary mortgage, with an average negative equity of $51,000. Of the 4.4 million with first and second liens, the average amount is $84,000. According to CoreLogic, an estimated $715.3 billion in negative equity is floating throughout the housing market.

via Housing Still Drowning in Underwater Mortgages – Real Time Economics – WSJ.

March 1, 2012April 18, 2024

TSX Momentum trades: Americas Petrogas [BOE]

Americas Petrogas was identified as a Momentum Trade using Incredible Charts screen #48894.

Americas Petrogas [BOE]

Narrow consolidation is bullish and Thursday’s long tail/hammer candlestick indicates good support at $4.00.

March 1, 2012

Five Largest Banks ‘Should Be Broken Up’: Fed’s Fisher – CNBC

The five biggest banks in the United States are too powerful and should be broken up, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher said on Wednesday.

The financial crisis has left the five biggest banks even more powerful than before, he said at an event in Mexico City……

“After the crisis, the five largest banks had a higher concentration of deposits than they did before the crisis,” he said. “I am of the belief personally that the power of the five largest banks is too concentrated.”

via Five Largest Banks ‘Should Be Broken Up’: Fed’s Fisher – US Business News – CNBC.

March 1, 2012

Forex: Aussie Dollar, Canadian Loonie and South African Rand

The Aussie and Canadian Dollar mirror the CRB Commodities Index, testing resistance at their long-term highs. The Aussie encountered resistance at $1.08. Breakout would confirm a primary up-trend — already signaled by 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero.

Aussie Dollar

* Target calculation: 1.08 + ( 1.08 – 0.96 ) = 1.20

Canada’s Loonie is similarly testing resistance at $1.01. Breakout would offer a target of $1.06*.

Canadian Loonie

* Target calculation: 1.01 + ( 1.01 – 0.96 ) = 1.06

The South African Rand is fairing slightly better, with the Aussie testing medium-term support at R8.00. Failure would warn of a correction to the long-term rising trendline at R7.50.

South African Rand

* Target calculation: 8.00 – ( 8.50 – 8.00 ) = 7.50

February 29, 2012

Contrarian view: ECRI’s Lakshman Achuthan says economy is slowing

ECRI’s Lakshman Achuthan says the economy is slowing:

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February 29, 2012

Momentum trades: Northern Graphite Corporation [NGC]

NGC turned up in my Momentum Stock Scan, but bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow warns of short/medium-term selling pressure.

Index

But respect of the bottom trend channel (at $1.80) and recovery above $2.00 would mean all’s forgiven and we can expect another advance.

February 28, 2012

Equipment Demand Hasn’t Dropped Out, Just Taking a Breather – WSJ

New orders for durable goods fell 4.0% in January. And bookings for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft — a measure of future business spending on equipment — dropped 4.5%. Although the declines were larger than expected, they shouldn’t raise alarm bells. That’s because much of the weakness traces to special factors.

The first is the end of a tax credit that allowed 100% deduction for equipment bought last year. Not surprisingly, businesses front-loaded their purchases early in 2011.

The second reason is a quirk in the very volatile orders series: New bookings tend to fall in the first month of a quarter, then rebound in the second or third months. The pattern is especially acute in the first quarter.

via Equipment Demand Hasn’t Dropped Out, Just Taking a Breather – Real Time Economics – WSJ.

Comment:~ Accelerated tax write-offs stimulate new capital investment by the private sector, as companies bring forward or initiate expenditure in order to take advantage of the tax deduction. But there is bound to be a (partial) offset when the accelerated write-offs are removed.

February 28, 2012

Canada TSX: Potential breakouts

Hudson Bay Minerals [HBM_ca] follow through above 12.50 would confirm a primary up-trend.

Hudson Bay Minerals

21-Day Twiggs Money Flow holding above zero indicates buying pressure, while recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests a primary up-trend.

February 25, 2012