U.S. Review

Continued Economic Recovery, Low Inflation
  • Three economic releases this week—industrial production, the Philadelphia Fed index and the leading economic index—all support the view of continued economic growth. Meanwhile the housing starts data suggest that this recovery will be more modest than other recoveries.
  • Inflation remains low as measured by the Consumer Price Index. The details of this report highlight the slow pace of inflation, which partly reflects the ongoing housing correction. Medical price inflation continues to outpace the overall price index.
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Global Review

Greece Not Out of the Woods Yet
  • Although euro-zone finance ministers offered a few more details this week, a lending package for Greece is still woefully short on specifics. We still don’t know how much money other countries are willing to pony up. “Bailing out” Greece is unpopular in most countries, so politicians are reluctant to discuss details at this point.
  • In our view, the crisis will continue to simmer on the backburner for some time. Until a concrete lending program is announced or economic growth strengthens significantly, investors likely will remain worried about Greek fiscal prospects.

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