The Independent Market Observer

12/18/12 – Now We’re Talking Price

Posted by Brad McMillan, CFA®, CFP®

Find me on:

This entry was posted on Dec 18, 2012 11:14:03 AM

and tagged Fiscal Cliff

Leave a comment

In the fiscal cliff debate, both sides have started to take off the gloves and trade offers. Boehner threw in the first bid, offering to accept higher rates on incomes over $1 million, and Obama said that he might be willing to move the bar above the $250,000 he’d been holding at. Obama’s most recent bid is for a $400,000 threshold. So we’re getting much closer.

On spending cuts, there’s been less progress. The President has ignored a Republican proposal to increase the Medicare eligibility age to 67. Not no progress, though, as Obama did accept a GOP proposal to use a different inflation formula for benefit calculation. This is important because it will result in big cost reductions (and benefit reductions) over time.

We see movement here, and it does seem to be real movement because these concessions will hurt both sides politically. This is where it gets interesting: Can the Speaker and the President bring their troops along? So far, there have been isolated outbursts on both sides, but, in general, lawmakers who are willing to be quoted are grousing while staying signed on. The consensus is building that there’s a deal to be had here, and that it should get done.

Nonpolitical factors also support a deal. The first is lawmakers’ desire to get home for Christmas. The second, which reinforces the first, is the Connecticut tragedy, which seems to be eliciting a decline in partisanship. Just in the nick of time, the good of the country is factoring into the decision-making process.

Today, there’s reason to be optimistic about a deal. Even the debt ceiling extension is in play, which would be a major accomplishment if it gets done. This would be a short-term solution, but it would buy valuable time for next year, when we’ll need to discuss a longer-term way to address the pending entitlements spending crisis.

One step at a time, though. One step at a time.


Subscribe via Email

Crash-Test Investing

Hot Topics



New Call-to-action

Conversations

Archives

see all

Subscribe


Disclosure

The information on this website is intended for informational/educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.

Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly in an index.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) Index is a free float‐adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of 21 developed market country indices.

One basis point (bp) is equal to 1/100th of 1 percent, or 0.01 percent.

The VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) measures the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility across a wide range of S&P 500 options.

The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio divides the current share price of the index by its estimated future earnings.

Third-party links are provided to you as a courtesy. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided on these websites. Information on such sites, including third-party links contained within, should not be construed as an endorsement or adoption by Commonwealth of any kind. You should consult with a financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Member FINRASIPC

Please review our Terms of Use

Commonwealth Financial Network®