The first few days of the week have been characterized by a fresh wave of risk aversion as uncertainty over the global economic outlook took its toll on stock markets and investors favored safe-haven assets such as government bonds, the US dollar and Japanese yen. However, yesterday brought some relief for risky assets - now in corrective mode - and it remains to be seen whether the S&P 500 Index will close down for a fourth consecutive week as the US earnings season gets on the way.

The usual debate on the outlook for the economy and financial markets dominated the video channels over the past few days, but interesting snippets on the IMF’s improved forecast for the global economy, the viability of the Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP), the US dollar’s role as reserve currency, the prospects for the earnings-reporting season and President Obama’s visit to Russia were also

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What is the market impact from the interpretation of data? It is an open and free debate, but there is a problem. The results follow from advanced statistical methods and processes. Even the smartest hedge fund managers, columnists, and pundits cannot draw independent conclusions. They did not take the right classes. They never did any time series modeling or survey research. Briefly put, they lack the necessary skills to evaluate most data. The result: Nearly everyone relies upon the analysis of those accepted as experts. What choice is there? This is a recognized principle in social science, called the two-step flow of communications. Application to the Monthly Payroll Employment Report When do we know that data interpretation has a market impact? One test might be the widespread citation of a conclusion. Our "go to guy" for those on the NYSE floor is Art Cashin. In his daily ...