Crew Capital Management Thoughts on Investment

Welcome to the Crew Capital Management Thoughts on Investment blog. At Crew Capital, investment education is key to how we work with our clients. We hope our conversation and analysis entice you to think further on your investment strategies and planning. For further discussion, please contact us at rjung@crewcapital.com

Thank you!
Robert F. Jung, CFA CPA*

*CPA inactve

Monday, May 18, 2009

Financial News Headlines

New taxes for life insurers? The Obama administration wants to tag life insurers with $12.8B in new taxes over the next decade, even as the sector recently garnered approval to receive TARP bailout funds. New proposals would restrict some tax breaks received by purchasers of insurance or insurance companies themselves. Industry followers say the changes could hit sales of corporate-owned life insurance. The Wall Steet Journal May 18.

ECB hopes it's done with easing. European Central Bank governing council member Axel Weber said it's unlikely the ECB will take further action to address the financial crisis. "Unless circumstances worsen considerably, previous measures are adequate, in my view," Weber said, adding, "We would come to reassess our strategy only in the case of a dysfunctional banking system." Late last week, Eurostat reported euro-area GDP fell a record 2.5% in Q1 from Q4, sparking speculation of further rate cuts from the current 1% benchmark. easybourse.com May 15.

Changes to Fed's powers likely on horizon
The U.S. Federal Reserve is at a turning point. The financial crisis is expected to result in the Fed gaining the authority to supervise large, systemically important financial institutions. However, the Fed could lose its emergency-lending power or its regulatory authority over consumer-finance activities. The Wall Street Journal (18 May.)

U.S. economy weak but not in free fall, official says
The latest data suggest the U.S. came through the worst of the recession and the economy should start recovering before the end of the year, said Peter Orszag, the White House budget director. The nation's record-high budget deficit should start coming down once the economic recovery gets under way, he said. Reuters (17 May.)

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