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Starting a New Business? Here's Where to Look!

In a story recently posted on CNN.com, Oklahoma City has been selected as the best place in America to start a business. Ranking #1 among all large metro areas, Oklahoma City was selected as the surest place for a start-up for its lower than low foreclosure rate and extremely reasonable median rent.

A high concentration of investors populate Oklahoma City and just
about any type of start up has a good potential of finding investors.
The downtown area bustles with activity and cultural diversity ensures investors will continue to come here for decades to come.

The MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects) initiatives which began two decades ago have fostered over $3 billion in pubic and private development. Additional funding is close to being passed which will add an additional $777 million in additional public projects. This will ensure further private investment for Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City truly has a very bright future ahead for itself. A great cosmopolitan city, it offers everything business owners and investors want and need.

Unemployment Now At 9.7%. So, What's Keeping the Stocks Rising?

The Dow ended Friday in positive territory again even after a report showing the new unemployment rate had risen to 9.7 percent. The bad news didn't seem to have much effect however, as many analysts were predicting the unemployment rate to worse than reported.

The report issued from the Labor Department showed a slower than expected pace for losses last month. Even though the unemployment numbers are now the worst since 1983, the report is leaving many with optimism about future reports.

Employers eliminated nearly 216,000 jobs in August which is down nearly 30% over July and over 10% than numbers from June. Things are getting better. Or are they?

As long as job losses remain this high many believe that average Americans won't feel comfortable about spending money. Even though the market is still on a multi-month rally, the unemployment numbers are still the main concern for a true economic turnaround. Most believe that unemployment numbers aren't likely to get better anytime soon. As the Government continues to dump money into the economy employers are continuing to let people go.

However, if the current decreases in unemployment numbers continue, the economy could begin to see improvement by the end of the year.

Time to Come Out of Hiding Yet? Is the Recession Over?

While U.S. data isn't quite as optimistic, to say the least, reports out of Europe are indicating that not only are many countries there well on their way to recovery, but they are actually out of the recession. Unexpected growth the last quarter, especially in France and Germany, has spilled onto just about every major news outlet indicating the recession is over in Europe.

The Dow responded yesterday by closing in positive territory at 9,398.19, up nearly half a percent. However, unemployment numbers here in the states are curbing optimism. As unemployment numbers still hover at more than 500,000 a month. Retail sales are still lower than hoped and import prices keep falling as people are still reluctant to spend, thinking the worst is not over.

The biggest concern here in the U.S. is the continuing weak job conditions, and the numbers of foreclosures each month are not letting up. Is the worst over yet in the U.S.? By the end of the year many hope to see employers beginning to hire more and foreclosures beginning to fall.

Do Fewer Layoffs Mean End of Recession?

Data from the Labor Department is expected to indicate a trend toward decreasing rates in unemployment numbers. As the unemployment nationally hovers at just under 9.6 percent, the pace has shown to be slowing, now at levels not seen since a year ago.

While this time of year typically sees fewer layoffs in general, there is reason to believe the numbers for this summer indicate the recession is easing up. The government reported recently that the U.S. economy only shrank 1 percent between April and June. That is the strongest indicator yet that the recession may very well be nearing an end.

The economy is expected to grow over the next three months. If it does it will be the strongest indicator yet that the recession is in fact coming to its end. Parts of the Northwest and the Midwest are already showing signs of recovering.

It's pretty clear that the next two to three months will be critical for the U.S. economy. While unemployment numbers are expected to continue to rise, analysts and the government will be looking for economic numbers that indicate that things are stabilizing across the country and the economy overall is growing. If it does grow during the next couple of months, the recession will be practically, finally over.

Jobless Claims Plunge to Lowest Levels Since January

Experts say that the numbers are still well above the 325,000 that many believe is consistent with a healthy economy. The lowest numbers of new claims this year was 490,000 in January. It's unclear whether numbers for July will be even lower, though many experts claim they will.

Unemployment rates are expected to continue to rise throughout the year even as most analysts believe this year will see the end of the recession. However, the unemployment claim numbers are still 150,000 a month too high. The national unemployment rate is nearly at 10 percent and is expected to continue to creep upward for the next few months.

Numbers for new claims were expected to be much higher and that has given many analysts reasons to believe that the economy is turning around. The latest rebound in the market and current leveling off of unemployment claims is enough at the moment to suggest that the economy may be on the tipping point back to stabilizing and ending the recession.

Oil Drops to Nearly $60 As Consumers Spend Less

With fewer jobs and more unemployed, fewer cars are on the road and thus, less gas is being purchased at the pumps. Labor Department numbers for last week showed a nearly 470,000 cut in the U.S. work force across the country in June. The unemployment rate is still rising, now at 9.5 percent and is expected to continue to increase throughout the remainder of the year.

Fewer jobs and more gas left at the pump have helped to push inventories of existing barrels higher. Typically, this time of year sees a substantial increase in gas purchases as more Americans turn up the air conditioning and spend more time on vacations and weekend excursions.

Now at $60 a barrel, the lowest since the beginning of May, oil is likely to continue to fall throughout the summer. Gas prices at the pump continue to fall as average prices around the country fell nearly a penny overnight.

Savings Up But Not Enough

The savings rate is expected to hit nearly 10 percent soon. It had been around 5.5 percent in April and has steadily risen since then.

Why aren't people spending more? With Americans clearly saving more money now than in months past, most are still extremely timid about spending and investing. Experts are unsure how or what can change that.

The Dow bounced back later in the week after a very rocky start. Thursday saw the Dow Jones rebound and gain over 2 percent of its value.

What's in store for the future? Well, with the end of the quarter coming on Tuesday, many experts believe we will see another week ending in positive territory for the major markets as portfolio managers are eager to burnish their numbers for the quarter.

Oil still sits at just under $70 a barrel. The Dow has remained stagnant since its nearly 3-month rally indicating that the experts on Wall Street feel the economic recovery isn't quite here yet.

Which Cities Likely Won't Rebound Anytime Soon?

Texas cities Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and McAllen have not seen any economic growth so far this year. They were considered focal areas of the massive real estate bubble of the past few years. Once skyrocketing home prices in these Texas cities are to blame for a slow recovery.

Texas is not alone, however. Several key California cities will also have a difficult time in rebounding from the economic troubles. Fresno, Modesto, Salinas, Bakersfield, Stockton and Los Angeles all also saw collapses in housing markets in the past couple of years.

There are many indicators nationwide that home prices might be stabilizing again; however in many cities in Texas and California will likely take years for their economies to turn around.

Consumer Confidence Rising, But Is It Enough?

While down a bit from expectations, the increase marks the multi-month high and the strongest showing since September of 2008. Over the past three months, the confidence reports have shown an increase proving perhaps that the economy is set to rebound.

This report , however, also gauges inflation expectation, which has risen to its highest in months.

The five-year inflation outlook rose to just above 3 percent this month, the highest since October of last year. While the confidence numbers are are promising, the fact that inflation is still set to increase is worrisome to some analysts. Concern continues to grow that the federal government may not be doing enough to to help spur recovery.

Rebound! Dow Ends in Positive Territory After Steep Slide

Volume trading for the day was light, making the market susceptible to quick changes in direction. Fewer traders on the market floor are normally not a good thing, but yesterday it was partially responsible for the positive nudge sending the market closing in positive territory.

Prices recovered late in the day as trading wound down. Investors made the most of the day late in the day. The bulk of the trading was done in the last hour of trading. The rally signaled the market is still trying to decide how to proceed after it has seen substantial yet rather reserved gains over the past three months.

Confusion dominates the market still as many are left questioning exactly when the market will decidedly rebound from this recession.

By day's end on Monday, the Dow finished up nearly 0.1 percent. Every little bit helps as each day seen in the green and not the red helps.

Got a Job? Well, You May Want to Keep It!

Despite the increased percentage of unemployed, layoffs leveled off somewhat last month with employers only eliminating 345,000 jobs. That number marks the lowest slash in work force numbers since last September, nearly eight months ago.

The ease in layoff numbers point to a likely loosening the recession has had on the country even though overall unemployment percentage was up. It's the fourth straight month the layoff pace has slowed.

It's definitely not easy to get a job these days in America and that fact has only been continued into the month of May. Government officials have pledged to help bring down the high numbers by helping the unemployed with new training.

The U.S. economy has lost nearly 6 million jobs dating back to September 2007. The slowing of layoffs will still do little to cause companies to begin hiring again until they feel secure that the economy is improving.

It's Back!! Oil Nears $70 a Barrel

The huge inventories of crude reported earlier in the year had steadily pushed the price of crude down over several months to near all-time lows.

While signs have pointed that the global demand for energy has rebounded substantially, there is little confidence the trend will continue or that a full rebound is likely right now.

Most analysts feel the recent increase in oil value is inflated and will likely flatten and decrease in the near future. High energy prices could end up severely slowing an economic recovery. It's doubtful oil will rise above $70 now.

GM Files for Bankruptcy

It will stand as the largest industrial bankruptcy in history. As GM enters bankruptcy protection, the U.S. government has vowed to provide the necessary billions it will need in aid. It will also need protection for the taxpayers' investments without interfering with normal operations.

GM President Fritz Henderson will hold a news conference today following an address from President Barrack Obama at the White house.

Late Sunday the federal government said it would provide an additional $29 billion in aid to General Motors in an attempt to assist its restructuring. The process will likely take upwards of 90 days, and if successful, will allow GM to emerge as a much more profitable and viable company with a much leaner workforce and fewer number of plants. The company plans, however, on cutting nearly 35 percent of its workforce and its stock on will likely see huge losses this week.

The government should refrain from intervening in day-to-day management of GM, and will management to make critical decisions. Some analysts are hopeful GM will come out of this crisis a much more profitable and better-restructured company.

Home Sales Up; Inventory, Too

Single-family houses and condos saw higher sales last month. Though the gains were substantial over last month, they were still down nearly 10 percent from just a year ago.

Inventories, however, rose nearly 9 percent to roughly 4 million vacant homes. That's nearly a 5 percent increase in housing supply over the previous month.

While a rise in housing inventories in spring is typical, it appears the increase is not due to seasonal factors. Bank repossessions made up nearly half of sales across the nation last month.

The median price for existing homes now sits at around $170,000, marking a 15.5 percent year-over-year decline in price. The West is suffering the worst with median prices dropping to nearly 22 percent during the past few years.

Did Dow Spark Another Market Surge This Week?

Up only slightly this week, the markets did see positive gains for the week. But that can hardly be labeled a definite surge or comeback. This week saw substantial seesaws on Wall Street, with the Dow closing up nearly 3 percent one day and other days down the same percentage.

Results from Sears, Gap and Aeropostale helped finish trading on Friday to bring the Dow nearly even. This week's economic calendar will be a much better indicator of whether the markets are poised or in a position to stage another rally. Key reports are scheduled to be released that will focus on home sales and big-ticket manufactured goods.

Banks reduced borrowing last week and investment banks reportedly didn't borrow at all ,which has been the first time this has happened since September of last year.

Markets were closed yesterday for Memorial Day, and the short week will offer possibly far more turbulent trading than last week. Many analysts are not sure where the markets will go. We'll have a good indication of whether the market will have a positive or negative week by tomorrow most likely.