The Traderszone Network

U.S. economic growth braked more sharply than initially thought in the fourth quarter amid a slow pace of stock accumulation by businesses and a wider trade deficit, but the underlying fundamentals remained solid. Gross domestic product expanded at a 2.2 percent annual pace, revised down from the 2.6 percent pace estimated last month, the Commerce Department said on Friday. With consumer spending accelerating at its quickest pace since the first quarter of 2006 and sturdy gains in other measures of domestic demand, the slowdown in growth is likely to be temporary.

read more

Airbus Group (AIR.PA) defied warnings of a slowdown in the jetliner market with a steep production boost for its top-selling A320 and announced its biggest ever dividend. The world’s second-largest aerospace group after Boeing (BA.N) said it would increase production of the A320 jet family to a record 50 a month in early 2017. “Airbus has bitten the bullet on the A330,” said Edison Investment Research analyst Sash Tusa, adding that the move was widely expected. Airbus Group Chief Executive Tom Enders dismissed recent market concerns that the commercial aerospace cycle has peaked.

Global investors increased their bets on stocks during February as major equity markets broke through all-time highs, fuelled by the promise of more monetary stimulus, Reuters’ monthly asset allocation poll showed. As around 20 central banks have cut interest rates since the start of 2015, and with the European Central Bank set to launch quantitative easing next month, investors expect loose monetary policy to stir growth and boost corporate earnings.

read more

February was one of the strongest months for stocks in years. Could today be the day we reach Nasdaq 5000? Plus, we have the latest on the GDP numbers. And Weight Watchers investors lose weight… in their wallets.

Gross domestic product expanded 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, revised down from 2.6 percent estimated last month, the Commerce Department said on Friday. “It was basically as expected, but it certainly shows weak growth in the quarter.” said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer of Solaris Group in Bedford Hills, New York. Each of the three major indexes were on track for a fourth straight week of gains, although the weekly climb has been slight, with the Dow and S&P 500 near record highs and the Nasdaq within striking distance of the 5,000 level.

The former head of asset management for Fidelity Investments who managed $1.9 trillion has joined the board of directors for insurer Unim Group.

This bottle has a special appeal to mixologists, who love all things historical when it comes to cocktails like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned.
read more