This week’s chart looks at the CBO’s updated fiscal projections for the U.S. federal government published on May 14th (the red line on this chart is the updated deficit/GDP estimate). These projections are an update from the last set of projections made in February (gray line) and include the full effect of the tax increases implemented on January 1, 2013 and the budget cuts mandated by sequestration, which began on March 1st.

This week’s chart of the week examines the cash holdings of companies in the S&P 500 following the recession. Since 2007, the cash per share for the S&P 500 index has risen to $329.01 for a compounded annual growth rate of 11.5%.

This week’s Chart of the Week focuses on debt levels of the U.S. consumer and federal government. The Federal debt has increased significantly since the 3rd quarter of 2008 (onset of the Global Financial Crisis), and appears to be maintaining this trajectory. On the other hand, while consumers’ household debt has increased in absolute terms, there have not been dramatic spikes in the debt level.

This week’s Chart of the Week examines historical and projected contributions to total world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) at exchange rates prevalent in the United States.

This week’s chart looks at current U.S. Syndicated Loan Underwriting Volume in comparison with the new business environment created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”). Dodd Frank was enacted by President Obama in 2009 – 2010 with stated objectives of increasing financial accountability and transparency, ending “too big to fail” institutions requiring corporate bailouts, and protecting consumers.

This week’s chart illustrates recent shifts in the personal savings rate and household net worth. As seen in the graph, household wealth is approaching its pre-recession level as the recovery in the stock and housing markets has helped repair household finances.

On April 30, 2013 the S&P 500 Index closed at a level of 1597.57, which is the all time record high for the index. The new record high in the S&P 500, coupled with the fact that the index is up more than 105% during the four year rally since the March 9, 2009 low, has caused many market observers to speculate that the market is due for a significant correction.

This week’s Chart of the Week examines the relative performance of equity markets from a global perspective. Since January 1, 2013, U.S. large-cap stocks have returned a cumulative 10.03%, international large-cap stocks have returned a cumulative 4.38% and emerging market stocks have returned a disappointing -1.92% through March 31, 2013.

This week’s chart takes a look at the S&P 500 index in direct correlation to corporate profit earnings. Thriving on corporate profits, the S&P 500 index closed at 1593.37 this past Thursday, its highest level in history. Profits by corporations, in addition to a recovering housing market have helped expand the economy for 14 consecutive quarters.

In this week’s chart we look at the historical gap between the earnings yield of the S&P 500 and the ten year Treasury yield. The larger the gap is between the earnings yield and 10 year Treasury rate, the more attractive equities appear relative to bonds.