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1. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff.
A few Republican Presidential candidates are supporting the elimination of long term capital gains. The reduction in the capital gains rate could spark investments and increase job growth. Currently, there are five Republican Presidential candidates that support the capital gains reduction and that number is likely to grow. Democrats are supporting measures to increase the current rate on capital gains.
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Jim Sutliff
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6. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff.
Standard and Poor’s lowered the U.S. credit rating to AA+ and also attached a negative outlook. The U.S. has held a triple A credit rating for 70 years and the downgrade is likely to have a negative effect on the financial markets. Moody’s and Fitch ratings still have U.S. debt at the highest credit rating.
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Jim Sutliff
Posted in Interest Rates, Tax, Trading, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Stocks, Regulatory, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, General, Banking | No Comments »
26. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff.
The U.S. Dollar continued to decline against all major currencies and hit record lows in trading. The uncertainty surrounding debt negotiations between Republicans and Democrats are leading traders to sell the Dollar. In afternoon trading the U.S. Dollar/ Euro exchange went above $1.45. In addition, the stock market lost some ground.
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James Sutliff
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24. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff.
The weekend is coming to a close and there is no agreement on raising the debt ceiling. Republican and Democratic negotiators have discussed short and long term debt ceiling increases. Republicans prefer a short term increase that would require Obama to request more funding in early 2012. Financial markets have started to react with the Dollar falling against the Euro, gold rising, and stock futures falling more than one percent.
To read a related Reuters article, please click here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/24/us-usa-debt-idUSTRE7646S620110724
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Tax, Stocks, Democrat, Trading, Treasury, Republican, Regulatory, Economic News, Bonds, General, Investments, Political News, Banking | No Comments »
19. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff.
A possible agreement to raise the debt ceiling sent the Dow higher in aftenoon trading. The Dow Jones gained over 200 points after Obama gave his approval for a debt agreement between Republican and Democratic Senators. The news also sent Gold prices lower by over $15 an ounce.
To read a related CNN Money article, please click here:
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/19/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?iid=Popular
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Stocks, Tax, Democrat, Trading, Republican, Political News, Bonds, Economic News, General, Investments, Banking | No Comments »
6. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff.
Municipal bonds are facing proposals that would eliminate their tax exempt status. Republican Paul Ryan submitted a budget proposal that was aimed at lowering the deficit but also would end municpal bond tax exemption. It is not likely that municipal bonds will lose their tax exempt status because of the effect it would have on the issuers.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
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17. December 2010 by Jim Sutliff.
Congress passed the bill to extend the Bush era tax cuts for another two years. The bill also includes estate tax provisions that increase exemptions and address gift tax and generation skipping tax issues. Today, the House voted 277-148 in support of the bill and on December 15th the Senate voted 81-19.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here
Jim Sutliff
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4. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff.
The sweeping victories by the Republicans may serve to keep the bulls running in the market. The House is now solidly controlled by the Republicans and Democratic control of the Senate has been watered down a great deal. Democrats in the Senate are likely to show caution regarding issues such as higher income and estate taxes. The tax rate on carried interest also may be off limits to changes by the Democrats. There are several Senate seats held by Democrats that are vulnerable in 2012 so this Congress should be much more conservative.
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James Sutliff
Posted in Republican, Regulatory, Stocks, Tax, Democrat, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Political News, Currency, Bonds, Economic News, General, Investments, Hedge Funds, Banking | No Comments »
27. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff.
Senator Maria Cantwell has proposed a plan that would allow taxpayers to prepay estate taxes. The Democratic Senator is expected to have some level of support for the plan from Republicans and fellow Democrats. The prepayment proposal would create an increase in near term federal tax revenue as well as estate planning activity.
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Jim Sutliff
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15. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff.
Venture Capital funding fell 7.3% in third quarter from a year earlier. According to a report from the National Venture Capital Association and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, firms invested $4.82 billion in the quarter. Clean technology saw the steepest decline falling 32% from the same quarter in the previous year. However, clean energy still received $625.2 million in funding. The largest financing round was $106 million for Trilliant Inc. which makes software and equipment for smart grid energy networks.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Regulatory, Tax, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Investments, Banking, General, Alternative Energy | No Comments »
12. October 2009 by Jim Sutliff.
The Swiss Franc is closing in on the U.S. Dollar.
To view the benchmark currency rates please click the attached link.
http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/currencies/fxc.html
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Investments, Tax, General, Economic News, Currency, Banking | No Comments »