Insights

With quarterly net Treasury issuance reaching the mid-$500 billion mark — about 3 times as much as the average net issuance from 2002 to 2007 —one could say we are leaning aggressively on our high credit quality and reputation in the marketplace.

It’s been interesting to watch the markets set up for alternating scenarios through this downturn. Several times during the last 22 months since Lehman went under, fears of inflation have swept in like waves on the beach. Just as quickly the water receded from the shore.

Watching the global economy can be rather perplexing these days.

It seems you need to be up to speed on everything from Chinese wages to Greek pensions in order to understand where the global economy is headed. And for those of us over 40 (Yes, given the extreme changes in technology over the last 10 years, 40 can easily put you over the hill these days.) keeping up with a 24-hour news cycle is exhausting.

An interesting white paper was released last month by Fed economists looking into a decision faced by many homeowners today: when to default.

Many eyes have been focused on the housing market over the past few years and for different reasons. To me, the importance of this sector relates directly to the strength of our economy. Housing is the "cause" and economic growth is the "effect."

Last week, it was reported that the economy had gained 431,000 jobs in the month of May — a decidedly shocking number any way you look at it — and the unemployment rate had dropped to 9.7 percent. Of course, naysayers are quick to point out that 411,000 of those jobs are census workers who will necessarily be let go in coming months. From my perspective, it's a good thing we are in a census year to help soften the blow of the nearly eight million jobs lost due to the current downturn, although no one believes these jobs are a long-term fix.

Thus far, the government's attempts to jump over the drama of the current recession have had less than spectacular results. To be sure, the American drive is alive and well, but we've hit more than a bump in the road and now everyone is scrambling for answers.