Dow Wow

by northmantrader The $DJIA got to within 3% of all time highs yesterday. Quite the feat from being down 20% off the highs just 9 weeks ago. Credit where credit is due: Jawboning works. From the Fed’s 180 turnaround on policy to the constant carrot dangling of a supposed imminent China trade deal this rally has … Read more

IRS Interest rates remain the same for the second quarter of 2019

by these-things-happen   The Internal Revenue Service announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2019. The rates are: • six (6) percent for individual overpayments (refunds) • six (6) percent for individual underpayments (balance due) Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is determined on … Read more

More Evidence that the Bears Have it Dead Right

by David Haggith In my last article, “The Bears Have it Right: Economy went Polar Opposite of Bullish Predictions,” I laid out my first prediction for 2019 — a recession by summer. I don’t want the following revelations and facts that I have since come across to get lost in comments I recently posted to that … Read more

Tax Day Draws Closer…for the 56% of Americans Who Pay Any Federal Income Taxes

via MarketWatch: The Tax Policy Center estimates how many people paid no federal individual income taxes in 2018 Tax-filing season has begun. Americans have until April 15 to file their income taxes. There’s been some good news for workers over the last year: Unemployment hovers at 3.9% and average hourly earnings rose by 3.2% on the year in December. … Read more

Italian Beef: With Higher-Taxes Populists Like This, Who Needs Socialists?

via businessinsider: Italy faces a fresh budget fight just months after ending a near six-month saga surrounding spending, after media reports in the country suggested the coalition government could move to raise taxes. Government officials moved to squash the rumors. Finance Minister Giovanni Tria described those responsible for reports of higher taxes as “follies and speculations.” … Read more

Technically Speaking: Sell Today? Risk Vs. FOMO

by Lance Roberts The market is downright bullish. There is little reason to argue the point given the bullish trend since the December 24th lows. Of course, such is not surprising given the Fed’s dovish turn from tightening monetary policy to quietly putting the “punch bowl” back on the table. But yet, this rally is occurring at a … Read more