Consumers left in the loan lurch as big banks still hold off

<i>Friday's menu:</i> Consumers still left in the loan lurch. Plus: Which manager just jumped into the liquid alts pool? Some stocks for a rising-rate cycle; commodities are hot again; European banks ride the wave; and Merrill trims its housing outlook.
APR 17, 2014
  • As the big banks rolled out earnings reports over the past week it has become increasingly obvious that consumers are still not getting clean and clear access to credit. Corporate lending is up 7%
  • Brinker Capital jumps on the liquid alts bandwagon in the latest sign of a real and fast-expanding category. Responding to requests from financial advisers
  • Some stocks like higher interest rates more than others. Life is not fair and that might be a good thing for savvy investors. Companies will benefit disproportionately
  • Commodities are once again acting as diversifiers and investors are taking notice. YTD inflows reverse 2013 outflows
  • Rumors of ECB stimulus plans are driving European bonds higher and pushing yields to new lows. This looks like Mario Draghi's no-holds-barred effort to nudge the inflation rate above 0.5%. Pledging unlimited support
  • Merrill Lynch has trimmed its 2014 housing market forecast. The main culprit? You guessed it, weather. A more muted rebound

Latest News

Fintech industry crosses $500bn revenue mark, led by trading and investments
Fintech industry crosses $500bn revenue mark, led by trading and investments

Global revenues hit record high in 2025 with sector growing at four times the rate of traditional financial institutions.

SEC sues Texas man over alleged $12.3 million AI crypto scheme
SEC sues Texas man over alleged $12.3 million AI crypto scheme

He swore the bots were real, the FDIC had it covered - the SEC says neither was true

Citadel loses SEC fight as appeals court upholds IEX options trading speedbump
Citadel loses SEC fight as appeals court upholds IEX options trading speedbump

One firm controls 30% of options volume – and just lost this one

Industry groups want tweaks to DOL's 401(k) fiduciary proposal
Industry groups want tweaks to DOL's 401(k) fiduciary proposal

IRI, SIFMA, and MFA are requesting targeted clarifications on how annuities and alternative assets fit under the Labor Department's proposed fiduciary safe harbor.

Osaic loses another key executive, this time the head of recruiting
Osaic loses another key executive, this time the head of recruiting

Kristen Kimmell is leaving the company.

SPONSORED Estate planning isn't a service add-on. It's your retention strategy.

As $84 trillion prepares to change hands, advisors who treat estate planning as peripheral are quietly building a sieve, not a book.

SPONSORED Why strategy matters more than performance

In volatile markets, the advisors who win aren't the ones with the best calls - they're the ones whose clients stay the course.