Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat's commentary for the week of July 31, 2012?

Article Excerpt

I’ve been advising members to take a positive view of the market outlook, so I was glad to see the Dow Jones Industrials rise above 13,000 last Friday. Media reports said this rise was due to a quote from the head of the European Central Bank, who said the bank “is willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro.” Media interpretations of a market move always seem to have an official air, as if they were as unquestionable as, say, estimates of heat damage to the coming grain harvest. But this quote struck me as standard bureaucrat-speak. I think it only got credit for the rise because it was the main euro-related news that day. Developments in the eurozone will undoubtedly influence U.S. joblessness and economic growth. But uncertainty about policies coming out of Washington will have a much bigger impact. Friday’s Dow gain may owe something to the influence of the U.S. presidential election campaign. Even if you favour President…