Morning Journal - The problem with student loans

Economics

This Week’s Data

Fourth quarter productivity rose 0.9% in line with expectations; however, unit labor costs spiked 2.8% versus estimates of up 1.2%.
http://scottgrannis.blogspot.com/2012/03/mixed-news-today.html

The February ADP private payroll report was up 216,000 versus estimates of an increase of 203,000.
http://www.capitalspectator.com/archives/2012/03/adp_reports_fas.html#more
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Consumer credit rose $17.8 billion in January versus expectations of an increase of $10.0 billion--most of the rise due to student loans.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/january-consumer-credit-surges-government-blows-sudent-debt-bubble-epic-proportions

Speaking of student loans, here is some analysis on this mounting problem (medium and today’s must read):
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/guest-post-our-lets-pretend-economy-lets-pretend-student-loans-are-about-education

Weekly jobless claims rose 11,000 versus estimates of an increase of 4,000.

Other

Gas prices explained (5 minute video):
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/bears-explain-price-gas-special-gop-primary-edition

The economic outlook for the PIIGS continues to deteriorate (short):
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/death-piigs-illustrated

More moves to marginalize the dollar (medium):
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/china-moves-further-marginalize-dollar-offers-cny-denominated-bric-loans

Politics

Domestic

International War Against Radical Islam

US policy and Syria (medium):
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/292658/syrian-ironies-victor-davis-hanson

The latest out of Iran (medium):
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/iran-nuclear-site-clean-raises-suspicions-further

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.