Shop or drop. Fewer people than expected opened their wallets in December, as the latest Retail Sales numbers declined. But with home loan rates hovering near historic lows, not all of last week’s headlines were disappointing. Retail Sales plunged by 0.9 percent in December, the biggest decline in nearly a year as lower gas prices […]… Read more »

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…and I’m feeling good.” Nina Simone. The new year is here, and with home loan rates still near historic lows, 2015 rang in with plenty for consumers to feel good about. Here are some other highlights from the end of 2014. The final reading for Gross Domestic Product […]… Read more »

Media Advisory January 4, 2014 Minneapolis and Saint Paul Police Union Presidents co-author letter to the community addressing the recent attacks on officers and the law enforcement profession. In light of attacks on peace officers across the nation, including the recent tragedy in New York involving the execution of two police officers, and in response […]… Read more »

Built on the academic framework called Prospect Theory that won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2002, our software is the first-ever way to pinpoint investor risk tolerance with math, and engineer portfolios to fit our clients individual needs. We have designed the Risk Questionnaire to help understand each client’s feelings and biases regarding financial […]… Read more »

Dear Members: Words cannot express the emotions I felt when I heard of the assassination of two New York City police officers on Saturday. Whenever a tragedy occurs, regardless of whether perpetrated by humans or nature, we seek to know why. This event is no different. It is too easy and convenient to cast blame. […]… Read more »

“Up, up and away.” Consumer sentiment and retail sales may have soared higher, but both wholesale inflation and oil prices are on the decline. What does all of this mean for the markets and home loan rates? Read on for the breakdown. Consumer sentiment surged to 93.8 in December, reaching the highest level since January […]… Read more »

Time is on our side. Time continues to be on the side of potential homebuyers, as home loan rates remain near 18-month lows. But could a hint of inflation be creeping into our economy—and if so, could higher home loan rates be on the horizon? The housing sector continues to be a bright spot, as […]… Read more »

“Home of the brave.” The Bond markets were closed on Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day, and the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect and preserve our great nation. The economic calendar was quiet the rest of the week, but there are some key highlights to note. In the labor […]… Read more »

ANOTHER OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR HODGES Dear Mayor Hodges: Your statements in your open letter to “the communities of Minneapolis” and in your community forums are repeated and personal slaps in the face to every member of the Minneapolis Police Department. While you attempt to hide behind the tired remark that “most officers are good, […]… Read more »

It’s been said that history repeats itself. That seems to be the case as we approach the end of the Fed’s big Bond-buying program. Read on to learn why. In recent weeks, Stocks have seen a sell-off while Mortgage Bonds have pushed considerably higher. Why has this happened? Concerns about slowing global economic growth have […]… Read more »