Leavens comes to AUA from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain where he served as Professor of English from 2005, Associate Dean from 2006, and more recently as Interim Dean from March 2011. From 1988 until 2005, Leavens was on the faculty of English at Truman State University in Missouri, and from 1983-1988 he was Assistant Professor of English at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.  Leavens will begin work on July 1.

Chalian comes to AUA from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she was Associate Director for Major Gifts and Planned Giving.  Prior to that, she was the Principal Consultant for External Relations and Fundraising for MC Non-Profit Consultants in Los Angeles, where her clients included Occidental College.  Chalian is familiar with Armenia, having worked for the United Armenian Fund as Director of Special Projects and External Relations from 1996 to 2005. She has earned a Certificat de Langue Française at the Sorbonne, a BA degree in English Literature from California State University, Northridge, and a Certificate of Completion in Developing Major Gifts from the Fundraising School of Indiana University. She is currently pursuing an Executive Master of Leadership degree at the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Chalian will begin work in April, and will spend much time at AUA’s Oakland office and Yerevan campus.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Leavens and Ms. Chalian join AUA’s Senior Administration team at this important juncture in AUA’s growth,” stated President Boghosian. “As AUA prepares for the proposed launch of its undergraduate program in 2013, pending WASC approval, Dr. Leavens and Ms. Chalian bring a great deal of experience and expertise to AUA’s existing administrative capacity.”

SPANISH YIELDS AGAIN OVER 5.5%

March 23, 2012

Bench mark 10 year bond yields in Spain have risen to 5.53%. This is a stark reminder that problems in Europe may raise their head again and pull down world markets.

India’s jewelers went on strike to protest a hike in taxes on gold imports. There is significant anecdotal evidence that physical demand for gold is falling. India is the world’s biggest gold buyer. Gold futures are at $1649, silver futures are at $31.63, and oil futures are $105.72.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1360, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down 18 points.

CHINA AND EUROPE GET WEAKER, U.S. GETS STRONGER

March 22, 2012

China  HSBC  Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for March came at  48.1. This is the fifth straight month of contraction.

The PMI estimate for eurozone came at  48.7, down from 49.3 in February. This is the sixth decline  over the last seven months.

The U.S. weekly jobs data came better than expected.

The point is China and Europe are getting weaker, the U.S. is getting stronger.

Correction in gold and silver continues.

Gold futures are at $1635, silver futures are at $31.56, and oil futures are $105.49.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down 57 points.

UNDER PERFORMING MONEY MANAGERS MAY STAMPEDE TO CAUSE A MELT UP

March 21, 2012

A large number of money managers are significantly under performing their benchmarks this quarter.  As the end of the quarter approaches, such money managers may stampede into the market and cause a melt up.

There is no way to tell with certainty if this will happen because some money managers are like sheep.  If a few large ones start following this strategy, others will jump in.  It is important that investors be aware of this possibility.

First four days of April are usually positive.  Some selling takes as investors raise funds to pay taxes.  The tax deadline is April 15th.  If such a scenario unfolds, any correction will be postponed to second week of April.

Gold futures are at $1652, silver futures are at $31.99, and oil futures are $106.41.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1410, 1424, and 1437; support levels are 1400, 1380, and 1368.

DJIA futures are up 14 points.

SAUDI ARABIA AIMS TO DRIVE OIL TO $100

March 20, 2012

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet said it would work “individually” and with others to help return “oil prices to fair levels” by boosting its exports to the U.S. and re-opening old oilfields to expand production. Saudi aims to drive oil to $100.

In the U.S. important  housing data is released. February Housing Starts at 0.698M vs. consensus of 0.700M. February Housing Starts Permits at 0.717M vs. consensus of 0.700M.  Part of the stock market rally has been driven by optimism over housing.  The data are mixed, but housing bulls are not likely to be deterred in their optimism.

Our models continue to show a 65% probability of correction in the stock market.

Significant selling is seen by Smart Money in gold so far today.

Gold futures are at $1645, silver futures are at $32.17, and oil futures are $107.54.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down  64 points.

AAPL INITIATES DIVIDED AND BUY BACK

March 19, 2012

“We have used some of our cash to make great investments in our business through increased research and development, acquisitions, new retail store openings, strategic prepayments and capital expenditures in our supply chain, and building out our infrastructure. You’ll see more of all of these in the future,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Even with these investments, we can maintain a war chest for strategic opportunities and have plenty of cash to run our business. So we are going to initiate a dividend and share repurchase program.”

Apple announced plans to initiate a dividend and share repurchase program commencing later this year. Subject to declaration by the Board of Directors, the Company plans to initiate a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share sometime in the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2012, which begins on July 1, 2012. Additionally, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a $10B share repurchase program commencing in the Company’s fiscal 2013, which begins on September 30, 2012. The repurchase program is expected to be executed over three years, with the primary objective of neutralizing the impact of dilution from future employee equity grants and employee stock purchase programs.

AAPL stock is halted as of this writing.  Expect a battle between those who buy on this news and those who believe that part of  the last $100 run  up has already discounted the news in the stock.

The rest of the market will be heavily influenced by who wins the AAPL battle.

If there are any trading opportunities with reasonable risk that arise out of this situation, we will provide you with a signal on the Real Time Feed.

Gold futures are at $1656, silver futures are at $32.50, and oil futures are $107.70.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down  18 points

SPANISH YIELDS AGAIN OVER 5.5%

March 23, 2012

Bench mark 10 year bond yields in Spain have risen to 5.53%. This is a stark reminder that problems in Europe may raise their head again and pull down world markets.

India’s jewelers went on strike to protest a hike in taxes on gold imports. There is significant anecdotal evidence that physical demand for gold is falling. India is the world’s biggest gold buyer. Gold futures are at $1649, silver futures are at $31.63, and oil futures are $105.72.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1360, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down 18 points.

CHINA AND EUROPE GET WEAKER, U.S. GETS STRONGER

March 22, 2012

China  HSBC  Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for March came at  48.1. This is the fifth straight month of contraction.

The PMI estimate for eurozone came at  48.7, down from 49.3 in February. This is the sixth decline  over the last seven months.

The U.S. weekly jobs data came better than expected.

The point is China and Europe are getting weaker, the U.S. is getting stronger.

Correction in gold and silver continues.

Gold futures are at $1635, silver futures are at $31.56, and oil futures are $105.49.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down 57 points.

UNDER PERFORMING MONEY MANAGERS MAY STAMPEDE TO CAUSE A MELT UP

March 21, 2012

A large number of money managers are significantly under performing their benchmarks this quarter.  As the end of the quarter approaches, such money managers may stampede into the market and cause a melt up.

There is no way to tell with certainty if this will happen because some money managers are like sheep.  If a few large ones start following this strategy, others will jump in.  It is important that investors be aware of this possibility.

First four days of April are usually positive.  Some selling takes as investors raise funds to pay taxes.  The tax deadline is April 15th.  If such a scenario unfolds, any correction will be postponed to second week of April.

Gold futures are at $1652, silver futures are at $31.99, and oil futures are $106.41.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1410, 1424, and 1437; support levels are 1400, 1380, and 1368.

DJIA futures are up 14 points.

SAUDI ARABIA AIMS TO DRIVE OIL TO $100

March 20, 2012

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet said it would work “individually” and with others to help return “oil prices to fair levels” by boosting its exports to the U.S. and re-opening old oilfields to expand production. Saudi aims to drive oil to $100.

In the U.S. important  housing data is released. February Housing Starts at 0.698M vs. consensus of 0.700M. February Housing Starts Permits at 0.717M vs. consensus of 0.700M.  Part of the stock market rally has been driven by optimism over housing.  The data are mixed, but housing bulls are not likely to be deterred in their optimism.

Our models continue to show a 65% probability of correction in the stock market.

Significant selling is seen by Smart Money in gold so far today.

Gold futures are at $1645, silver futures are at $32.17, and oil futures are $107.54.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down  64 points.

AAPL INITIATES DIVIDED AND BUY BACK

March 19, 2012

“We have used some of our cash to make great investments in our business through increased research and development, acquisitions, new retail store openings, strategic prepayments and capital expenditures in our supply chain, and building out our infrastructure. You’ll see more of all of these in the future,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Even with these investments, we can maintain a war chest for strategic opportunities and have plenty of cash to run our business. So we are going to initiate a dividend and share repurchase program.”

Apple announced plans to initiate a dividend and share repurchase program commencing later this year. Subject to declaration by the Board of Directors, the Company plans to initiate a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share sometime in the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2012, which begins on July 1, 2012. Additionally, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a $10B share repurchase program commencing in the Company’s fiscal 2013, which begins on September 30, 2012. The repurchase program is expected to be executed over three years, with the primary objective of neutralizing the impact of dilution from future employee equity grants and employee stock purchase programs.

AAPL stock is halted as of this writing.  Expect a battle between those who buy on this news and those who believe that part of  the last $100 run  up has already discounted the news in the stock.

The rest of the market will be heavily influenced by who wins the AAPL battle.

If there are any trading opportunities with reasonable risk that arise out of this situation, we will provide you with a signal on the Real Time Feed.

Gold futures are at $1656, silver futures are at $32.50, and oil futures are $107.70.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down  18 points

SPANISH YIELDS AGAIN OVER 5.5%

March 23, 2012

Bench mark 10 year bond yields in Spain have risen to 5.53%. This is a stark reminder that problems in Europe may raise their head again and pull down world markets.

India’s jewelers went on strike to protest a hike in taxes on gold imports. There is significant anecdotal evidence that physical demand for gold is falling. India is the world’s biggest gold buyer. Gold futures are at $1649, silver futures are at $31.63, and oil futures are $105.72.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1360, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down 18 points.

CHINA AND EUROPE GET WEAKER, U.S. GETS STRONGER

March 22, 2012

China  HSBC  Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for March came at  48.1. This is the fifth straight month of contraction.

The PMI estimate for eurozone came at  48.7, down from 49.3 in February. This is the sixth decline  over the last seven months.

The U.S. weekly jobs data came better than expected.

The point is China and Europe are getting weaker, the U.S. is getting stronger.

Correction in gold and silver continues.

Gold futures are at $1635, silver futures are at $31.56, and oil futures are $105.49.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down 57 points.

UNDER PERFORMING MONEY MANAGERS MAY STAMPEDE TO CAUSE A MELT UP

March 21, 2012

A large number of money managers are significantly under performing their benchmarks this quarter.  As the end of the quarter approaches, such money managers may stampede into the market and cause a melt up.

There is no way to tell with certainty if this will happen because some money managers are like sheep.  If a few large ones start following this strategy, others will jump in.  It is important that investors be aware of this possibility.

First four days of April are usually positive.  Some selling takes as investors raise funds to pay taxes.  The tax deadline is April 15th.  If such a scenario unfolds, any correction will be postponed to second week of April.

Gold futures are at $1652, silver futures are at $31.99, and oil futures are $106.41.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1410, 1424, and 1437; support levels are 1400, 1380, and 1368.

DJIA futures are up 14 points.

SAUDI ARABIA AIMS TO DRIVE OIL TO $100

March 20, 2012

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet said it would work “individually” and with others to help return “oil prices to fair levels” by boosting its exports to the U.S. and re-opening old oilfields to expand production. Saudi aims to drive oil to $100.

In the U.S. important  housing data is released. February Housing Starts at 0.698M vs. consensus of 0.700M. February Housing Starts Permits at 0.717M vs. consensus of 0.700M.  Part of the stock market rally has been driven by optimism over housing.  The data are mixed, but housing bulls are not likely to be deterred in their optimism.

Our models continue to show a 65% probability of correction in the stock market.

Significant selling is seen by Smart Money in gold so far today.

Gold futures are at $1645, silver futures are at $32.17, and oil futures are $107.54.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down  64 points.

AAPL INITIATES DIVIDED AND BUY BACK

March 19, 2012

“We have used some of our cash to make great investments in our business through increased research and development, acquisitions, new retail store openings, strategic prepayments and capital expenditures in our supply chain, and building out our infrastructure. You’ll see more of all of these in the future,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Even with these investments, we can maintain a war chest for strategic opportunities and have plenty of cash to run our business. So we are going to initiate a dividend and share repurchase program.”

Apple announced plans to initiate a dividend and share repurchase program commencing later this year. Subject to declaration by the Board of Directors, the Company plans to initiate a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share sometime in the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2012, which begins on July 1, 2012. Additionally, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a $10B share repurchase program commencing in the Company’s fiscal 2013, which begins on September 30, 2012. The repurchase program is expected to be executed over three years, with the primary objective of neutralizing the impact of dilution from future employee equity grants and employee stock purchase programs.

AAPL stock is halted as of this writing.  Expect a battle between those who buy on this news and those who believe that part of  the last $100 run  up has already discounted the news in the stock.

The rest of the market will be heavily influenced by who wins the AAPL battle.

If there are any trading opportunities with reasonable risk that arise out of this situation, we will provide you with a signal on the Real Time Feed.

Gold futures are at $1656, silver futures are at $32.50, and oil futures are $107.70.

S&P 500 resistance levels are 1400, 1410, and 1424; support levels are 1380, 1368, and 1358.

DJIA futures are down  18 points