U.S. Economy

• The U.S. Federal Reserve has been purchasing $85 billion of bonds per month this year in an attempt to stimulate the economy. How close to reducing the monthly purchase amount might the Fed be? Valeo Financial Advisors
• Financial conditions, as measured by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago National Financial Conditions Index, have not been this loose since 1994. Valeo Financial Advisors
• For the fifth week in a row the number of individuals filing for new unemployment benefits dropped. Wall Street Journal
• On Tuesday the Conference Board reported that consumer confidence fell to a 7-month low. USA Today

Housing

• In October, home prices in the U.S. increased at the fastest pace since early 2006 Forbes
• Last month, permits to build homes in the U.S. rose to the highest level since 2008 CNBC

Around the World

• The recovery in the Eurozone has been uneven as Germany’s economic conditions and confidence improve while France’s does not. International Business Times
• Last month prices in Japan for goods and services increased by the most since 1998 as the economy finally shows signs of digging its way out of decades long deflation induced slump Bloomberg Businessweek

Miscellaneous

• Gloom sells. “Everything Is Amazing and Nobody Is Happy” TMF