03/20/2006

Market Up/Dollar Down

Hello:

By some measurements, the U.S. Stock market rose to five year highs last week. Meanwhile the U.S. Dollar dropped precipitously. It appears that the dollar is stabilizing in today's trading session in anticipation of Fed. Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech tonight which is expected to discuss a moderation in interest rate hikes. It is particularly good to see the dollar stabilizing (so far) today, because today is the day that barrels of oil start to trade in Euros on the new Iranian exchange. That means the Euro is now competing with the Dollar for Oil Money. It could be that the dollar may become less popular worldwide.

Do you have a donor that is in the process of selling some real estate? Perhaps they should talk to their advisors about considering the benefits of a Charitable Bargain Sale, with your organization as the beneficiary.

Terri G. Millson, CIMA, CIMC President

Ray Dicius, CSA, GEPC LPL Branch Manager