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HomeMy WebLinkAbout69610 (2)2013 ECONOMIC COMMENTARY City of Palm Desert � / I'Pl,liXll'E'/' � cJ/2��P���IZ�>?� ��% (.F'�7C+t'f The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) met on December 18, and announced that it will be modestly "tapering" the amount of its future asset purchases. Starting in January 2014, the Federal Reserve will reduce its monthly purchases of Federal Agency mortgage-backed securities, and of longer-term U.S. Treasuries, by $5 billion each. This reflects the FOMC's perception that economic activity is expanding at a moderate pace, with improved labor market conditions, and a lower unemployment rate. Inflation continues to run below the Committee's two percent threshold. The Treasury market reacted with a sharp seil-off, driving up the yield on a 10- year Treasury Note to 2.92 percent, the highest level in three months. Investors ciosed out positions that they had taken to hedge their bets that U.S. Government debt would fall, due to the pull back of the Fed's stimulus program. Gold prices also fell to a three-year low, based upon lower expectations of inflation. The housing market shows some signs of stabilizing, but there are continued concerns that a weakening in consumer confidence or another jump in mortgage rates might spark more turbulence. In October, housing permits rose to the highest level in five years, driven largely by demand for multifamily buildings, such as apartments and condominiums. In September, housing prices rose in most major U.S. cities, but at a slower pace than prior months. ��s ��, e.e..�.��: � City Treasurer * Certified California Municipa/ Treasurer PORTFOLIO STATISTICS Thousands of Dollars Month-End Book Value Month-End Market Value Paper Gain (Loss) Prior Year Book Variance Interest Earnings Yield-To-Maturity Weighted Maturity (Days) Effective Duration $ 201,302 $ 202,645 $ 201,302 $ 202,645 $ - $ - $ 6,521 $ 7,589 $ 49 $ 53 0.30% 0.31 % 1 1 0.00 0.00 �� , � <.�r�e�2�X ital Markets Team City Treasurer Paul S. Gibson, C.C.M.T. Deputy City Treasurer Thomas W. Jeffrey, J.D., M.B.A. Investment Objectives The treasurer shall invest all public monies in a manner that ensures safety of principal; sufficient liquidity to finance the City's expenditures; and the highest yield possible after the previous two objectives have been met. $ 204,899 $ 220,313 $ 220,370 $ 218,688 $ 204,899 $ 220,319 $ 220,373 $ 218,697 $ - $ 6 $ 3 $ 9 $ 5,909 $ 13,559 $ 14,565 $ 1,885 $ 51 $ 59 $ 59 $ 57 0.30% 0.31 % 0.32% 0.32% 1 12 26 26 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 All data as of November 30, 2013