Securities Broker/Dealer Index

The NYSE Arca Securities Broker/Dealer Index (XBD) is an equal-dollar weighted index designed to measure the performance of highly capitalized companies in the U.S. securities broker/dealer industry. Included in this group are companies in the U.S. that provide securities brokerage services, market making, U.S. Treasury Primary Dealer functions and other functions dealing with U.S. and international securities. The XBD Index was established with a benchmark value of 300.00 on October 15, 1993. The XBD Index is rebalanced quarterly based on closing prices on the third Friday in January, April, July & October to ensure that each component stock continues to represent approximately equal weight in the index. (The index value was later split 2-for-1 on April 14, 1998; split 2-for-1 again on March 23, 1999; and split 5-for-1 on April 19, 2004.)

No Image

Sterling Weekly for the Week of February 13th, 2012 – 2011 Index Performance Results

February 12, 2012 sterlinginvestments 0

I was fairly surprised when I looked at the performance results of the various indices I track. Sterling Investment Services tracks roughly 39 various sector indices. Of these indices, 3 are interest rate indices that track the movement of interest rates, and the other 36 indices are stock based indices that either track the broad market or are designed to track specific market sectors.

The 3 interest rate indices I track obviously did well as the Fed manipulated interest lower, sending bond prices higher in the process. It is tough to get any message from a manipulated market. However, what I do see is a bubble forming that I am very concerned will be far more damaging to the US and world economy when it bursts than the housing bubble was when it burst. Of the 36 stock indices I track, 13 managed to show positive gains for 2011, however it should be noted that

No Image

Sterling Market Commentary for Wednesday January 25th, 2012

January 25, 2012 sterlinginvestments 0

A Few Thoughts on Wednesday’s Market: In looking at the charts from yesterday’s trading activity I noticed that it looks like the NASDAQ 100 ‘NDX’ has entered an area of upside resistance that could be tough to get through. Additionally the very vast majority of the sector indices I track are not confirming the move higher by the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Granted I expect the NASDAQ to be higher today due to the incredible earnings by Apple, Inc. ‘AAPL’. However…………….