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AGENDA MARCH 9, 2011 5:00 PM 1. Meeting called to order 2. A ...

AGENDA MARCH 9, 2011 5:00 PM 1. Meeting called to order 2. A ...

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Tohopekaliga Water Authority Investment Report – Quarter Ended December 31, 2010in December will give the economy a boost over the next year. Includedin the legislation was an extension of the Bush-era tax cuts and reductionof the FICA payroll tax, both of which are designed <strong>to</strong> spur growth viaadditional consumer spending. The bill also included an extension offederal unemployment benefits. The fiscal impact is about equal <strong>to</strong> that ofthe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, though the emphasis is onboosting consumer spending, whereas the first stimulus programcontained large federal construction and state and local government aidprograms.The pace of manufacturing activity continued <strong>to</strong> accelerate as evidencedby strong Philadelphia Fed and ISM Manufacturing numbers. Capacityutilization, which measures the relationship between actual output andpotential output, continued <strong>to</strong> increase but remains significantly belowpre-financial crisis levels.Gold reached record highs in December and finished up 29.67% for theyear, while oil traded above $91 per barrel for the first time since Oc<strong>to</strong>ber2<strong>00</strong>8. The S&P 5<strong>00</strong> reached 2-year highs in December and ended the yearup 15.06%.Investment StrategyWith the prospect for higher rates ahead, inves<strong>to</strong>rs are faced with thechoice of keeping money in cash for a future chance <strong>to</strong> invest at higherrates or investing now <strong>to</strong> take advantage of the positively sloped yieldcurve. Our view is that short-term rates will remain low for theforeseeable future as the Fed keeps its easy money bias in place, and thatthis presents an opportunity for a return that exceeds the near-zero rate oncash. The economic recovery will take some time <strong>to</strong> accelerate <strong>to</strong> thepoint where unemployment falls <strong>to</strong> acceptable levels and/or inflationtakes hold. Meanwhile we plan <strong>to</strong> continue <strong>to</strong> take advantage of thesharply-sloped yield curve. We also expect <strong>to</strong> continue <strong>to</strong> add corporateexposure where permitted <strong>to</strong> take advantage of incremental yield versusU.S. Treasuries. We remain cautious in executing this strategy becausewe recognize that with rates not far from his<strong>to</strong>ric lows there is more roomfor them <strong>to</strong> widen than narrow from here.PFM Asset Management LLC Section A - 4

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