Great Economic News!!

Here are four of the more stress-evoking, market-moving headlines of the past week or so... Each followed by a nonintuitive, stress-relieving, and legitimate, interpretation... I.e., think longer-term and don't sweat the headlines...

Employers added just 120,000 new jobs in March, the fewest since last November... I.e., employers remain cautious - not ramping up spending until they're comfortable with their nearer-term outlook... This will lessen the potential for future shocks, and give new hires more assurance of lasting employment... It will also inspire policymakers to think twice before enacting more angst-inducing regulations... This bodes very well for the economy longer-term...

Oil prices remain stubbornly high... I.e., demand remains high and oil companies, in the pursuit of profits, will ramp up production... It also inspires capitalists to explore alternative energy sources... I.e., we'll have no worries over supply disruptions and we'll see an increase in the pace of technological advance... This bodes very well for the economy longer-term...

Spanish bond yields above 6% again... I.e., investors require a greater rate of return on risky sovereign debt... This will inspire Spain (and others) to take proper measures to assure creditors that its profligate ways are over... This bodes very well for the economy longer-term...

Consumer Confidence Slipped in March... I.e., the consumer has decided to spend less, save more and/or pay off her credit cards... I.e., when she's ready to spend, it'll be from a much healthier financial base... This bodes very well for the economy longer-term...

I.e., inner peace is all about perspective...

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