Free Market Update for the Week of August 2, 2010

Presented by Mark Lund, The Investor Coach.

WEEKLY QUOTE
“Live out of your imagination, not your history.”
– Dr. Stephen Covey

HOME SALES & HOME PRICES IMPROVE
The Commerce Department said new home purchases surged by 23.6% for June, bouncing back nicely from May’s historic retreat. The supply of new homes for sale diminished to 7.6 months worth, much improved from the 9.6 months worth of inventory estimated in May and much closer to the 6-month level of a healthy housing market. New home prices dropped only 0.6% from June 2009 to June 2010, the smallest year-over-year decrease since November 1987. Separately, the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index of 20 U.S. cities showed prices of existing homes rising 1.3% for May. Prices were also 4.6% higher than a year ago.^1,2

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE LAGS
The economic recovery is taking time – too much time for many Americans, according to the final July University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey and the July Conference Board poll. The Reuters/University of Michigan index came in at 67.8, way down from the final 76.0 of June. That is the lowest reading since November. The Conference Board’s survey also slipped to 50.4 in July from June’s 54.3 mark.³

ECONOMY GROWS 2.4% IN SECOND QUARTER
The preliminary GDP reading from the Commerce Department was received tepidly on Wall Street. Analysts surveyed by Reuters were predicting 2.5% 2Q growth, and the federal government had earlier estimated 1Q 2010 expansion at 2.7%. Still, the recovery is continuing. One interesting note: business expenditures on equipment and software increased by 29.1% last quarter – the biggest jump since 3Q 1997.^4,5

DURABLE GOODS ORDERS DOWN 1.0%
Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast a 1.1% gain for June. Instead, the category posted its worst performance in 10 months. With transportation orders factored out, the decrease was only 0.6%.⁶

A GREAT JULY ON WALL STREET
While last week saw stocks retreat slightly, the Dow climbed 7.08% in July for its best month in a year. As of Friday’s close, about two-thirds of companies in the S&P 500 had issued earnings reports with about 75% surpassing expectations. The DJIA ended the week at 10,465.94, while the NASDAQ and S&P 500 respectively settled at 2,254.70 and 1,101.60 Friday. In commodities, oil logged its best month since March, with prices rising 4.39% to $78.95 a barrel at the July 30 NYMEX close. Gold had its poorest month since December, with futures falling 5.12% in July and ending the month at $1,181.70 per ounce on the COMEX.^5,7

Source: cnbc.com, bigcharts.com, ustreas.gov, bls.gov – 7/30/10^5,8,9,10
Indices are unmanaged, do not incur fees or expenses, and cannot be invested into directly.
These returns do not include dividends.

WEEKLY RIDDLE
Six cups are lined up in a row. Cups 1-3 on the left are full of juice; cups 4-6 on the right are empty. How can you arrange this row so empty and full glasses alternate while moving only one cup in the process?

Last week’s riddle:
This vehicle has wheels and often flies, but it is certainly not an aircraft. What is it?

Last week’s answer:
A garbage truck.

Citations.
1 – reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65M2WK20100716 [7/26/10]
2 – articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/28/business/la-fi-home-prices-20100728 [7/28/10]
3 – thestreet.com/story/10822616/1/consumer-sentiment-hits-9-month-low.html [7/30/10]
4 – cnbc.com/id/38483372/ [7/30/10]
5 – cnbc.com/id/38487832 [7/30/10]
6 – marketwatch.com/story/surprise-drop-in-june-us-durable-goods-orders-2010-07-28?dist=beforebell [7/28/10]
7 – blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2010/07/30/data-points-energy-metals-330/ [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=DJIA&close_date=7%2F30%2F09&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=COMP&close_date=7%2F30%2F09&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=SPX&close_date=7%2F30%2F09&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=DJIA&close_date=7%2F29%2F05&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=COMP&close_date=7%2F29%2F05&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=SPX&close_date=7%2F29%2F05&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=DJIA&close_date=7%2F31%2F00&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=COMP&close_date=7%2F31%2F00&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
8 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?detect=1&symbol=SPX&close_date=7%2F31%2F00&x=0&y=0 [7/30/10]
9 – ustreas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/debt-management/interest-rate/real_yield.shtml [7/30/10]
9 – ustreas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/debt-management/interest-rate/real_yield_historical.shtml [7/30/10]
10 – treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/2000/ofm11200.pdf [7/12/00]

This material was prepared by Peter Montoya Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting Representative’s Broker/Dealer. This information should not be construed as investment advice. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is an unmanaged, market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX) operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and NYSE Arca (formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and the Pacific Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities listing, trading and market data products and services. The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (NYMEX) is the world’s largest physical commodity futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious metals, with trading conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division, home to the energy, platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division, on which all other metals trade. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. Market indices discussed are unmanaged. Investors cannot invest in unmanaged indices. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If other expert assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic instability and differences in accounting standards. www.montoyaregistry.com www.petermontoya.com