Tablets and the next tech bubble

On the last day of the second quarter, the major indexes tracked global markets sharply higher today after a two-day summit in Brussels resulted in a plan to ease borrowing costs in Europe. The Dow rose 277 points, the Nasdaq gained 85, and the S&P 500 added 33. Twenty-nine of the Dow’s 30 components gained ground, with JPMorgan Chase (JPM) the sole laggard, slipping 0.42%. Volume was moderate, and advancers led decliners by about six to one on both the NYSE and the Nasdaq. The prices of Treasuries fell, while gold futures added 3.4% to $1,604.20 an ounce. Oil futures spiked 9.3% to $84.96 a barrel.

 

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Tablets and the next tech bubble

How stable is cable? (podcast)

Video subscriptions to cable companies have stagnated. Yet, some cable companies have managed to deliver pleasant earnings surprises. And growth. That’s nice. How are they doing it, and what’s the opportunity for investors? Here to explain is Ann Miletti, managing director and lead portfolio manager with the Core Equity team at Wells Capital Management.

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How stable is cable? (podcast)

Pushed toward a step in the right direction

Chief Portfolio Strategist Dr. Brian Jacobsen, CFA, CFP®, and Chief Equity Strategist John Manley share their thoughts on this week’s European Union summit.

Although details are lacking, which we should be used to by now with these summits, today’s news from Europe seems to be a step in the right direction. Instead of having the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) lend money to governments, who then would need to recapitalize their banks, the ESM is going to bypass the national governments and inject capital directly into the banks. This should help governments’ balance sheets from getting leveraged up as they attempt to bailout their overly leveraged banks.

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Pushed toward a step in the right direction

Supreme Court sustains health care act

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act. The decision was five to four, with Chief Justice John Roberts voting with four of the court’s more liberal justices. Their ruling found that the law’s controversial “individual mandate” clause, which requires individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fee, is constitutional. The administration called the fee a “penalty,” but the court said today that the fee is not a penalty, which would be unconstitutional, but rather a “tax,” which is constitutional. Wall Street estimated the decision would help hospital companies and insurance companies that focus on Medicaid.

 

 

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Supreme Court sustains health care act

Crime doesn’t pay (much)

A report showing an improvement in the housing market gave stocks a boost, but concerns about Europe and a disappointing consumer confidence report kept gains modest.

The Dow advanced 32 points, well off of its highs, with 16 of its 30 components gaining ground; the S&P 500 rose 6; and the Nasdaq was higher by 17. Advancers led decliners by seven to four on the NYSE and four to three on the Nasdaq. The prices of Treasuries weakened. Gold futures fell $13.50 to close at $1,574.90 an ounce, and the price of crude oil staged a last-minute recovery, rising 15 cents to settle at $79.36 a barrel.

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Crime doesn’t pay (much)