Market Watch
The major market indicators are looking reasonably stable at this time, as the economic stimulus packages from around the world maintain market confidence. The Dow Jones, as with all major market indexes, has had a good run of late and appears to be firmly into the 9,000+ territory.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 9,824.28 – 17 Sept 2009 (Creeping optimism?) Up 31.44 (0.32%)
This is despite the wave of new earnings reports showing major losses from the car manufacturing companies and rising unemployment figures. The National unemployment average is currently hovering at the 10% level with badly affected States such as Michigan heading into the 17% area. These figures are likely to continue to increase as the economic slowdown continues to reduce demand for goods and services. In July 2009 private-sector jobs losses were cited at 345,000, which is down from the level of reported 463,000 drop in June.
The good news from the banking sector is showing stronger signs of recovery than perhaps expected and the likes of Goldman Sachs are once again handing out bonus payouts to their staff. Although the Government has grumbled at these payouts, there is increasing optimism that the market has bottomed out and that the banks are showing signs of light on the slow road to recovery.
In the housing market, the core of the troubled economies, it appears that foreclosures continue to dampen the housing market. Although even in this sector, sales are increasing. There is however, concern that several millions of adjustable rate mortgages are still on the market waiting to reset and they are likely to cause more housing losses. The Federal Reserve has indicated that interest rates are likely to remain a low levels for the foreseeable future as one way of softening the problems of mortgage reset.
The Governments has also developed a support package to help refinancing of mortgages for people in serious financial problems. Reports this week however indicate that the performance of banks in using this support has been patchy. The Bank of America was cautioned on their record of only supporting 4% of the households on their books which appear to need support of this nature.
Gold: $1018.90. Historic highs for gold. Up $84.60 (9.05%) in last 30 days
Oil: $72.51 per barrel. Up $1.58. Oil prices are hovering in the low $70’s, half of their value one year ago. OPEC says it’s win-win: not too high, not too low.
Maize futures: 339.00 (¢/56lb bushel – CBOT Dec 09). Up from 333.25.
Publications library
New publications
- M&E Standards Narrated Presentation
This short narrated presentation on CRS’ Monitoring and Evaluation Standards provides an overview of CRS’ M&E Standards and support tools.
Agua y Conflicto
Una marco conceptual y práctica para los que aplican el desarrollo de agua, los que construyen la paz desde la sociedad civil y los defensores de los derechos humanos en
Rapid Experience of CRS Experience wit…
This rapid assessment reviewed sanitation activities by CRS, in particular the promotion of the Arborloo.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Consider…
This guidance document offers water supply and sanitation facility and hygiene promotion design considerations and recommendations intended to increase access to these facilities by people living with HIV.
Directives pour l’élaboration de petit…
Guide technique général sur les activités de planification et de mise en œuvre de petits projets d’assainissement et eau en Afrique orientale.