Morning Journal-Consumer credit soars

Economics
This Week’s Data

The International Council of Shopping Centers reported weekly sales of major retailers up 1.8% versus the prior week and up 3.5% versus the comparable period a year ago; Redbook Research reported month to date retail chain store sales up 1.2% versus the similar time frame last month and up 2.5% on a year over year basis.

Weekly mortgage applications rose 7.5% though purchase applications were up only 0.1%.

Other

The index of economic policy uncertainty (short):
http://www.capitalspectator.com/archives/2012/02/quantifying_eco.html#more

Consumer credit soars (short):
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/unadjusted-consumer-credit-soars-most-peak-credit-bubble-august-2007

Politics

Domestic

More examples of the abuse and corruption perpetrated by our elected representatives (short):
http://cafehayek.com/2012/02/disgusting-3.html

International

A different account of events in Syria (medium):
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2012/02/guest-post-independent-report-contradicts-western-portrait-of-syria.html


News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

Mastercard raised its quarterly dividend per share from $.15 to $.30

More earnings per share reports:

Reported Expected

Emerson Electric $.50 $.50

Steve Cook received his education in investments from Harvard, where he earned an MBA, New York University, where he did post graduate work in economics and financial analysis and the CFA Institute, where he earned the Chartered Financial Analysts designation in 1973. His 40 years of investment experience includes institutional portfolio management at Scudder, Stevens and Clark and Bear Stearns. Steve's goal at Strategic Stock Investments is to help other investors build wealth and benefit from the investing lessons he learned the hard way.