Pat Webb - Phase 2 Advisors
 
Good Greece. Bad Iran.
Weekly Update - February 20, 2012
In This Issue
Performance
Headlines
Recipe
Golf Tip
Health Tip
Green Fact
The Markets:

Despite a turbulent week filled with mixed news from Europe and rising Middle East tensions, stocks closed higher on hopes that Chinese assistance would mean a bailout plan for Greece. The S&P 500 closed at 1361.23, a level not seen in nearly a year, having gained 8.2% so far in 2012. Other major indexes also rose for the week, the Dow advancing 1.2% and the Nasdaq climbing 1.7%.[1]

In not-so-great news, crude oil prices rose for a third straight day on U.S. markets Friday, topping $103 a barrel, sparked by increased saber rattling from Iran over its nuclear energy policies. A sustained surge in prices could weigh on the global economic recovery. Drivers are seeing the effect at the pump, with gas prices up by 0.9% since January, topping $3.50 a gallon in many places. Every added penny at the gas pump diverts roughly $1 billion in consumer spending away from other sectors of the economy.[2] 

Thankfully, inflation isn't looking bad overall. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) only rose 0.02% in January, which was in line with expectations. The Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, also matched expectations, gaining 0.02%. Year-over-year gains were 2.9% for the general CPI and 2.3% for the Core CPI. If overall inflation was higher, economic growth could be threatened by rising prices, and the Fed would likely respond by raising interest rates. The Fed's statement following the January FOMC report described price pressures as "subdued", and indicated that they plan to keep rates low until at least late 2014.[3] 

In simple English, last week was really a mixed bag. While we are happy with the stock market's performance, progress in Europe, and low inflation, unrest in the Middle East is a wild card. Every time bad news out of that region hits headlines, speculators drive gas prices through the roof. At this point, all we can do is monitor the situation, hoping that with diplomatic pressure, Iran will listen to reason.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR:
Monday: U.S. Markets closed for President's Day
Wednesday: Existing Home Sales
Thursday: Jobless Claims, FHFA Housing Price Index, EIA Petroleum Status Report
Friday: Consumer Sentiment, New Home Sales



Performance


02-20-12_chart


Notes: All index returns exclude reinvested dividends, and the 5-year and 10-year returns are annualized.
Sources: Yahoo! Finance, MSCI Barra. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. N/A means not available

Headlines:

Greece won a second massive financial bailout in the early hours of Tuesday morning when its partners in the 17-country Eurozone finally stitched together a €130 billion ($170 billion) rescue, meant to avoid a potentially disastrous default and secure the euro currency.[4]

Congress passed a payroll tax cut and job benefits bill in a rare show of bipartisan support. Under the new bill, workers would continue to receive a two percentage point increase in their paychecks (taken out of the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax). People out of work for more than six months would keep jobless benefits averaging about $300 a week.[5]

Jobless claims plunged last week to a nearly four-year low, in the latest bit of good news for the U.S. economy. Initial unemployment claims totaled 348,000 in the week ended Feb. 11, said the U.S. Department of Labor. That's 13,000 less than the week before.[6]

Iran threatened to disrupt oil trade through Strait of Hormuz in response to pressure from the U.S. and European Union to shut down a uranium enrichment program aimed at producing nuclear weapons. Oil prices have been rising steadily since hitting a seasonal low in October.[7]



Quote of the Week
"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people."
 - Eleanor Roosevelt
Recipe of the Week

White Bean and Lamb Chili


02-20-12_picture

A healthy and hearty recipe from Real Simple.

 Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups white beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can chopped tomatoes, drained
2 14 1/2-ounce cans chicken broth
6 ounces roasted lamb, shredded
1 cup roasted carrots, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

Preparation:
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the bell pepper, chili powder, and salt and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, lamb, and carrots. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the flour and 1/4 cup warm water. Stir into the chili and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes more. Stir in the scallions.


 
Golf Tip

A Grip Tip

Grip is one of the most important aspects of your swing since your hands control the club face and are the only parts of your body in contact with the club. Grip the handle with about as much pressure as you would use to hold an egg; your grip should be more in the fingers of both hands instead of the palms. There should be no pressure at all in the thumb and forefinger of your right hand.

Healthy Lifestyle

Don't Get Thirsty


Dehydration slows down your blood flow and leaves you less energy to face the day. Drinking water first thing in the morning is a great way to kick start your day and takes only minutes. Aim to drink several glasses of water throughout the day to keep you hydrated. This will have a great effect on your energy levels and is very easy to implement into your daily routine.

Green Living

Keep CFL Bulbs Out of Trash and Recycling


Many households are switching from incandescent bulbs to long-lasting CFLs. But, how do you dispose of them when they eventually burn out? Since CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, it's not environmentally safe to throw them out in the trash or recycling. When they burn out, store them in a crush-proof container and either take them to a hazardous waste disposal site or check with local retailers to see if any have a CFL recycling program.


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[1] http://www.google.com/finance

[2] http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/17/10435968-oil-price-surge-could-dampen-global-recovery

[3] http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-18/leading-indicators-point-to-sustained-u-s-growth-economy.html

[4] http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/story/2012-02-20/Greece-bailout/53183092/1

[5] http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/house-passes-payroll-tax-cut-jobless-benefit-bill-legislation-heads-senate-article-1.1024421

[6] http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/16/news/economy/unemployment_benefits/index.htm

[7] http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/17/10435968-oil-price-surge-could-dampen-global-recovery

Pat Webb
Pat Webb - Phase 2 Advisors
8100 Turman Ct
Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-776-3306
[email protected]
http://www.phase2adv.com