The present economic and investing environment is particularly challenging. Nevertheless, we do see opportunities for positive investment returns in the year ahead as the recovery continues. http://budgeting-investing.ameriprise.com/planning-and-budgeting/financial-analysis/?cid=RSS_commentary At 8.3%, the unemployment rate remains unacceptably high. But there is also a broader measure of labor market conditions referred to as the underemployment rate. http://budgeting-investing.ameriprise.com/planning-and-budgeting/financial-analysis/weekly-markets-commentary/2012-02-06.asp?cid=RSS_commentary The message is that the Fed expects the sub-par recovery to persist for at least several more years, with little threat of rising inflation. http://budgeting-investing.ameriprise.com/planning-and-budgeting/financial-analysis/weekly-markets-commentary/2012-01-31.asp?cid=RSS_commentary It is one thing to be aware that relative currency strength in any particular country may differ significantly from an index. It is something else again to understand what is driving it. http://budgeting-investing.ameriprise.com/planning-and-budgeting/financial-analysis/weekly-markets-commentary/2012-01-23.asp?cid=RSS_commentary