DailyMarkets.com - CBS 60 Minutes: “Day Of Reckoning Is At Hand!”

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• CBS 60 Minutes: “Day Of Reckoning Is At Hand!”
• Hot Option Plays: Market Drift
• Forex – EUR/USD Up During The U.S. Session
• CEMIG Issues Promissory Notes
• GM To Recall Almost 100,000 Vehicles
• LATAM Merger To Close In 2011
• CRA International Year-end Changes
• SunPower Sells 44 MW Solar Plant
• Forex – AUD/USD Down During The U.S. Session
• Warming Up To Heating Oil
• Diverse Bullish Strategies Detected In Oil Company Call Options
• Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) To Sail High?
• Fil-Estate Land (LND) Soared As Alliance Global Buys 50% Stake
• Reiterate Outperform Rating On DATATRAK (DATA)
• Data From Dynavax For HBV Candidate
• Neutral On Eni SpA
• It’s Your Money- Manage It!
• Outlook 2011: China Says No More Cars, Down Goes The Auto Industry
• DELL To Acquire InSite One
• Hormel Upgraded To Outperform
• GE To Sell Mexican Mortgage Business
• Connecting The Dots: The U.S. Attorney, The SEC, Art Samberg, Pequot Capital, Hush Money, Lying And More
• Repsol To Offload YPF Stake
• Chinese Rate Hike Lifts Risk Aversion
• FX Levels And Outlooks 12.27.2010 – USD/CAD AUD/USD Gold
• RLI To Acquire Contractors Bonding
• FedEx: Earnings Scorecard
• Forex Trading: GBPUSD Moves Below 200 Day MA And Continues Drift Lower
• Forex Trading: EURUSD Not Backing Down Much In Quiet NY Trade
• Australian Dollar: Under Pressure
• Canadian Dollar: Rebound In Sight
• Forex – Dollar Mixed Vs. Rivals In Thin Trade After China Interest Rate Hike
• H&K To Acquire Global Tanitim
• Edison Unit’s New Wind Project
• PetroChina, Shell Drill Fushun Well
• STZ Sells Two Wine Businesses
• Jo-Ann To Be Acquired For $1.6B
• Forex – GBP/USD Falls To 2-day Low Amid Thin Trade Volume
• Opening Bell Market Monitor: DAL
• Crude Slides After Nearly Reaching $92
• Forex – EUR/USD Re-approaches 3-day High In Holiday-thinned Trade
• Europe Leading Index:Continued Expansion In 2011
• Does China’s Rate Hike Point To A Sell Of AUD/USD To Start 2011?
• Balancing The Budget Requires Spending Restraint And Pro-Growth Policies, Not Higher Tax Rates
• Mix Of “Risk-ON, Risk-OFF” Follows Chinese Central Bank Rate Hike
• This Time Is Different

CBS 60 Minutes: “Day Of Reckoning Is At Hand!” Posted: 27 Dec 2010 11:49 AM PST At this very moment, cities and states all across this country are facing their day of reckoning, with far-reaching consequences for the economy, investors and every American citizen. This morning, I will show why this day is so urgent, how to protect yourself and even how to profit from the crisis. But first … Some Dire Warnings from the Past J. Irving Weiss, Abraham Weiss, and Rubin Weiss, circa 1929. Back in the 1930s, when my father and his … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Hot Option Plays: Market Drift Posted: 27 Dec 2010 11:19 AM PST Cusick's Corner The market is drifting back and forth like the snow. Trading volumes are pretty low today, some traders are still on holiday and the blizzard on the East Coast kept many traders home. The rest of the week may be rather quiet unless there are some major domestic or international headlines. See you After Hours. Major averages are lower in lackluster trading Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped at the open after a three-day break on news China's Central Bank … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – EUR/USD Up During The U.S. Session Posted: 27 Dec 2010 11:15 AM PST Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Monday. EUR/USD was trading at 1.3154, up 0.30% at time of writing. The pair was likely to find support at 1.3056, Thursday's low, and resistance at 1.3181, Wednesday's high. Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.52% to hit 0.8538 and EUR/JPY rising 0.19% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

CEMIG Issues Promissory Notes Posted: 27 Dec 2010 11:05 AM PST Brazil-based integrated electric utility, Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais(NYSE:CIG), known as CEMIG, announced the third issuance of its commercial promissory notes amounting to R$350 million. The public distribution of the notes will involve issuance of thirty five R$10 million worth notes maturing on December 18, 2011. Interest will be paid at rates corresponding to 105.5% of the DI Over Rate, calculated and published by Cetip S.A. – the Organized Over-the-Counter Assets and Derivatives … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

GM To Recall Almost 100,000 Vehicles Posted: 27 Dec 2010 11:05 AM PST General Motors (NYSE:GM) announced that it would recall about 100,000 vehicles in order to fix problems with their airbags and rear axles. The recalled lineups will include Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. The first set of recall involves 96,000 units of Cadillac CTS of model years 2005 and 2007. The vehicles suffer from problems with their passenger-side airbags, leading to its non-deployment and increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. The second set of recall impacts 1,200 units of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

LATAM Merger To Close In 2011 Posted: 27 Dec 2010 11:05 AM PST The merger between LAN Airlines S.A. (NYSE:LFL) and TAM S.A. (NYSE:TAM), announced on August 2010, is expected to close by the mid of fiscal 2011. The merger is christened  as LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (LATAM). On conclusion of the merger, LAN will become the parent company with a 73% stake in TAM and shareholders of TAM will receive 0.9 shares of LATAM for each share of TAM. It will be an all-stock transaction of approximately $2.7 billion. The merger is expected to provide annual synergies of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

CRA International Year-end Changes Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:35 AM PST A leading global consulting firm CRA International Inc (CRAI) recently announced that it is changing its accounting year end from November 30 to December 31, effective 2011. The new accounting year will begin from January 2, 2011 and end on December 31, 2011. Under the new reporting year, all the four quarters will be for 13 weeks whereas previously, the first, second and fourth quarters comprised 12 weeks each and third quarter was a 16-week period. The third quarter period will now be … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

SunPower Sells 44 MW Solar Plant Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:35 AM PST SunPower Corp. (SPWRA) recently completed the sale of its 44 megawatt Montalto di Castro solar park to a consortium of international investors that include MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET), Fondo PPP Italia and Voigt & Collegen. The Montalto di Castro solar park, located in the Lazio region of Italy near Rome, was designed and built by SunPower. The company said it will continue to provide ongoing operations and maintenance services to the new owners. With the completion and sale of this 44 megawatt … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – AUD/USD Down During The U.S. Session Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:35 AM PST Forex Pros – The Australian Dollar was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday. AUD/USD was trading at 1.0039, down 0.07% at time of writing. The pair was likely to find support at 0.9951, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 1.0066, Thursday's high. Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar was down against the Euro and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/AUD gaining 0.28% to hit 1.3091 and AUD/JPY falling 0.13% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Warming Up To Heating Oil Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:19 AM PST Today’s Idea The daily chart for February Heating Oil shows strong support near the 2.4500 area. With the market's bias favoring the bulls, some traders may wish to explore selling Heating Oil put options with a strike price below the chart support area. For example, with February Heating Oil futures trading at 2.5515 as of this writing, the February Heating Oil 2.35 puts could be sold for about 0.125, or $525 per option, not including commissions. The premium received would be the maximum … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Diverse Bullish Strategies Detected In Oil Company Call Options Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:17 AM PST Diverse bullish strategies detected in oil company call options Today’s tickers: PBR, DNR, V & M Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NYSE:PBR) – The oil producer popped up on our scanners today after one options strategist initiated a bullish butterfly spread using February 2011 contract calls. Shares in the Brazilian oil company are currently up 0.70% this morning to stand at $34.52 as of 11:40am in New York. In the final trading day before the Christmas holiday last week, PBR said it found evidence of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) To Sail High? Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:10 AM PST On December 6, Aboitiz Equity Ventures or AEV in the Philippine Stock Exchange disclosed that it would push through with the sale of its transport unit, Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) to Negros Navigation Co. (Nenaco). Aboitiz Equity Ventures is selling 1,889,489,607 common shares, representing 77.24% of ATS' outstanding common shares. The proceed of which will be used by AEV to finance new investments in power, food, and banking. As previously mentioned, the purchase price for 100% of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Fil-Estate Land (LND) Soared As Alliance Global Buys 50% Stake Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:08 AM PST It was a jolly Christmas indeed for the holders of Fil-Estate Land or LND in the Philippine Stock Exchange as its shares zoomed from PHP 1.03 to close 26.09% higher at PHP 1.16 last December 23. News that Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI), the holding firm which also owns Megaworld Corporation, is buying 5 billion additional shares at PHP 5 billion in cash sent the LND soaring through the roof. This transaction would increase AGI's stake in Fil-Estate to 60%. In a report disclosed in the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Reiterate Outperform Rating On DATATRAK (DATA) Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:05 AM PST Ken Nagy, CFA DATATRAK International, Inc. (NASDAQ:DATA) is a global technology and services company delivering electronic clinical (eClinical) solutions to support clinical research. Its software suite and service offerings are used to collect, review, report, store and submit to regulatory agencies clinical trial data electronically. While the competition uses an integrated heterogeneous solution (information silos), DATATRAK uses a unified system. The result is seamless communication, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Data From Dynavax For HBV Candidate Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:05 AM PST Recently, Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:DVAX) reported data from an early-stage study (phase Ib) of its candidate DV-601 which is being developed to treat patients suffering from hepatitis B. The dose escalation trial (n=14) evaluated the safety and the immunologic and virologic responses of the candidate in patients infected with the chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). Data from the phase Ib study revealed that Dynavax's HBV candidate was safe and generally well-tolerated across all … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Neutral On Eni SpA Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:05 AM PST Our Neutral recommendation for Eni SpA (E) remains unchanged despite management's growing confidence on the company's upstream delivery potential on the back of a continuous flow of new fields coming into its board with solid strategic rationale. While Eni is looking cheap relative to its European peers and the underlying value of its assets, we continue to see better opportunities elsewhere in the sector. However, Eni is gaining traction with the favorable outlook on its exploration and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

It’s Your Money- Manage It! Posted: 27 Dec 2010 09:45 AM PST Too often accepting responsibility for you money isn't easy to do. Over the years I have joked with investors that the number one reason they hire an advisor, is to have someone to blame. Take the time to think through this process. How much time do you spend involved in the process of managing your money? How often to you meet with your advisor? Do you understand the strategy by which you are managing your money? First you have to make a decision to accept the responsibility of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Outlook 2011: China Says No More Cars, Down Goes The Auto Industry Posted: 27 Dec 2010 09:45 AM PST While the world is still unwrapping the surprise Christmas gift from China in the form of a interest rate hike of 25 basis points, this other piece of news with ample implication to the auto industry seems to have gone largely under the radar–The City of Beijing will limit the number of new license plates issued in 2011 to 240,000 to help control traffic congestion. Xinhua reported that car buyers in Beijing will have to draw lots before obtaining a vehicle license plate. Beijing – An … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

DELL To Acquire InSite One Posted: 27 Dec 2010 09:35 AM PST Round Rock, Texas-based PC maker Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) announced its intention to acquire medical storage solution provider InSite One Inc. The financial details of the deal were not divulged. We think that the acquisition could bolster Dell's position in the health care industry. InSite One provides data archiving, storage, and disaster-recovery solutions to the health care industry, which help organizations to easily retain data as well as share and transfer images. These cloud-based solutions … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Hormel Upgraded To Outperform Posted: 27 Dec 2010 09:35 AM PST We upgrade our recommendation on Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) from Neutral to Outperform based on the expectations of an increase in market demand and food prices in future. The gradual market recovery, which has been witnessed in fiscal 2010, is expected to show significant results in the coming years. Hence, the first quarter and fiscal 2011 Zacks estimate went up to 85 cents and $3.19 per share, respectively. Moreover, stock-split, which is going to take place in fiscal 2011, is also … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

GE To Sell Mexican Mortgage Business Posted: 27 Dec 2010 09:35 AM PST Headquartered in Mexico City, GE Capital, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), entered into an agreement to sell its consumer mortgage business in Mexicoto Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico. The business to be sold comprises GE's consumer mortgage portfolio worth $2 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2011, subject to regulatory approvals. The companies did to disclose the financial terms of the deal. GE Capital has been providing consumer mortgages in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Connecting The Dots: The U.S. Attorney, The SEC, Art Samberg, Pequot Capital, Hush Money, Lying And More Posted: 27 Dec 2010 09:22 AM PST This commentary and attached story are a little lengthy but very important. I hope you will take the time to read, review, and share. LD Is it possible that our nation can experience a historic demise in our economy and markets with little if any criminal activity involved in that process? Was our economic and market meltdown largely 'a perfect storm'? I do not buy those who would put forth this line of reasoning. Does it defy logic to think that our nation has been hit with trillions of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Repsol To Offload YPF Stake Posted: 27 Dec 2010 09:05 AM PST Spain's largest integrated oil and gas company Repsol YPF, S.A. (NYSE:REP) announced the disposal of 3.3% of its Argentine unit, YPF, to Capital and Eton Park investment funds in private transactions worth $500 million (nearly $39 per share). The divestiture plan is a part of the company's strategic move to realign its asset portfolio and thereby to reduce its holding in Latin America. The funds took 1.63% interest each. However, Eton Park was granted an option to acquire an additional 1.63% … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Chinese Rate Hike Lifts Risk Aversion Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:46 AM PST 12/27/10 With China lifting its interest rates for the second time in two months, investors have stayed away from higher-yielding currencies to start the trading … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

FX Levels And Outlooks 12.27.2010 – USD/CAD AUD/USD Gold Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:42 AM PST USD/CAD – Near-term target of 1.0100Resistance 1: 1.020; R2 1.0260 Support pivot 1: 1.0150; S2: 1.0100 - There is not much new development in the USD/CAD except a higher low in the 1H chart. There might be a near-term bullish attempt, but that is limited to 1.0110. A break above this pivot suggests a test of 1.0150. This also requires a break above the declining channel resistance. - The market is very choppy, but does have a bit of a bullish bias in the short-term. Confirmation is a break … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

RLI To Acquire Contractors Bonding Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:35 AM PST Through an acquisition of its holding company, Data and Staff Service Co., RLI Corp. (NYSE:RLI) will acquire Contractors Bonding Insurance Company. RLI Corp. will pay a cash consideration of $137 million. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011 subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings of RLI Corp. in the first year. The company also expects the acquisition will also provide new market and product expansion opportunities. The … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

FedEx: Earnings Scorecard Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:35 AM PST FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX), the world’s second-largest package delivery company, reported second quarter 2011 results on December 16, 2010. FedEx earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31. Though the company's third quarter and fiscal year 2011 outlook is encouraging, they are below the Zacks Consensus Estimates. Second Quarter Review The company's adjusted earnings of $1.16 per share were below $1.10 in the year-ago quarter. Higher pension, higher aircraft maintenance expenses … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: GBPUSD Moves Below 200 Day MA And Continues Drift Lower Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:25 AM PST The GBPUSD has fallen below the 200 day MA at the 1.5394 level and has drifted lower. Earlier the price fell below trendline support, then was able to stay below the floor from Friday's trade (see hourly chart below).  This put the bias to the downside for the pair, and the price obliged by testing and falling through the 200 day MA key support level. Now that the 200 day has been breached the next target is the 1.5355 level which was the low from last week.  Staying below the 200 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: EURUSD Not Backing Down Much In Quiet NY Trade Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:21 AM PST The 1.3169 level is the 200 hour MA target. Looking for willing profit taking seller against that level on first look at … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Australian Dollar: Under Pressure Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:20 AM PST Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Canadian Dollar: Rebound In Sight Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:20 AM PST Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – Dollar Mixed Vs. Rivals In Thin Trade After China Interest Rate Hike Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:18 AM PST Forex Pros – The U.S. dollar was mixed against its major rivals on Monday, in volatile, holiday-thinned trade, after China unexpectedly raised interest rates over the weekend in an effort to curb inflation and cool its rapidly growing economy. Over the Christmas weekend, the People's Bank of China announced on its website that it increased its benchmark deposit and lending rates by 25 basis points for the second time since mid-October. The unexpected move was aimed at reining inflation, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

H&K To Acquire Global Tanitim Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:15 AM PST Advertising titan, WPP Group Plc's (NASDAQ:WPPGY) wholly-owned operating company, Hill & Knowlton entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the major stake holding in Global Tanitim Halkla Iliskiler Arastirma ve Ozel Egitim ve Danismanlik Hizmetleri A.S. in Turkey. Global Tanitim is a public relations consultancy based in Istanbul. The company employs over 28 people and reported total revenue of TL 4.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2009. Gross assets approximated TL 2.0 million. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Edison Unit’s New Wind Project Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:15 AM PST Energy utility Edison International (NYSE:EIX) announced that its unit Edison Mission Group has started commercial operation of its 150 megawatt (MW) Cedro Hill wind project in southern Texas. This project utilizes 100 General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE) turbines with a generating capacity of 1.5 MW each to produce the wind energy. Prior to the Cedro hill project, the unit of Edison International had already stepped into Texas with two operational wind projects. These are the 161-MW Wildorado Wind Ranch … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

PetroChina, Shell Drill Fushun Well Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:15 AM PST As elucidated by China National Petroleum Corporation, its subsidiary PetroChina Company Limited (PTR) along with Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.B) have started to drill the first evaluation well in a shale gas block in China. This joint exploration agreement was announced and signed in November 2009. Located in the Sichuan province of southwestern China, the well is drilled at the Fushun block spreading across approximately 4K square kilometers. Assessment work on the block started in January … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

STZ Sells Two Wine Businesses Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:15 AM PST Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ ),  the world's leading wine company, has inked a deal with a private equity company in Sydney named as Champ to sell 80% of its Australian and U.K business (Constellation Wines Australia and Europe or CWAE) for A$290 million. The company hinted that it would retain a 20% interest in the business and will accept cash proceeds of $230 million, subject to closing adjustment. Constellation mentioned that the cash proceeds received from the transaction … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Jo-Ann To Be Acquired For $1.6B Posted: 27 Dec 2010 08:15 AM PST Jo-Ann Stores Inc. (NYSE:JAS), the fabric and craft retailer announced that it will be purchased by an affiliate of private-equity firm, Leonard Green & Partners LP for $61 per share, or $1.6 billion, in cash. The offer price was at a 34% premium to Wednesday's closing price of $45.63. The deal has been accepted by the Jo-Ann Stores board. However, the completion of the deal is subject to regulatory and shareholders' approval as well as other customary closing conditions. The merger deal … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – GBP/USD Falls To 2-day Low Amid Thin Trade Volume Posted: 27 Dec 2010 07:55 AM PST Forex Pros – The pound was down against the U.S. dollar on Monday, falling to a fresh 2-day low amid thin trade volume, after industry data showed U.K. house prices declined for the sixth consecutive month in December.     GBP/USD hit 1.5394 during early European trade, the pair's lowest since December 23; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.5407, slumping 0.20%. The pair was likely to find support at 1.5356, the low of December 22 and a 3-month low, and resistance … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Opening Bell Market Monitor: DAL Posted: 27 Dec 2010 07:43 AM PST 12/27/10 The latest in news, commentary, and information on what’s moving the US equities markets. Watch this broadcast LIVE at 9:30 am EST daily @ … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Crude Slides After Nearly Reaching $92 Posted: 27 Dec 2010 02:41 AM PST 12/27/10 Front month crude prices took a slight hit this session following an overnight rise near … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – EUR/USD Re-approaches 3-day High In Holiday-thinned Trade Posted: 27 Dec 2010 07:39 AM PST Forex Pros – The euro was up against the U.S. dollar on Monday, re-approaching a 3-day high in choppy, holiday-thinned trade as news that China unexpectedly raised interest rates over the Christmas weekend had a muted effect on currency markets.    EUR/USD hit 1.3169 during early U.S. trade, the pair's highest since December 22; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3151, jumping 0.30%. The pair was likely to find support at 1.3054, the low of December 23, and short-term … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Europe Leading Index:Continued Expansion In 2011 Posted: 27 Dec 2010 07:19 AM PST The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the Euro Area increased by 0.7% in November to 114.3, following a 0.3% increase in October and no change in September. Said Jean-Claude Manini, The Conference Board senior economist for Europe: "The LEI for the Euro Area reaccelerated in November and points to a continued expansion in economic activity during the first half of 2011. But, the strengths have not been very widespread. Downside risks still dominate the outlook, and the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Does China’s Rate Hike Point To A Sell Of AUD/USD To Start 2011? Posted: 27 Dec 2010 07:04 AM PST The decision by the Chinese central bank to hike rates was interesting in that it came later than expected – speculation had swirled to its highest a few weeks ago when the central bank moved up its release of CPI data. China instead decided to wait until Christmas to hit markets with the news. It's the second time that China's central bank raised rates in just over two months, and it could mean more action by monetary authorities could be on the way. The Chinese authorities are … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Balancing The Budget Requires Spending Restraint And Pro-Growth Policies, Not Higher Tax Rates Posted: 27 Dec 2010 06:53 AM PST Scott Grannis has a great post about the pro-cyclical pattern of federal tax revenues, illustrating graphically above the huge increase in tax revenues recently due to the economic rebound.  Historically, tax revenues as a share of GDP have been fairly constant, despite large variations in the top marginal tax rate, see the chart below.  This analysis leads Scott to conclude that: “There is every reason to think that federal (and state and local) revenues will continue to grow at … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Mix Of “Risk-ON, Risk-OFF” Follows Chinese Central Bank Rate Hike Posted: 27 Dec 2010 05:40 AM PST 1. China Hikes Interest Rates, Mix of "Risk On-Off" Trading – Risk sentiment remained positive in Asia to start the week, despite the Chinese central bank hikes rates by 25 basis points. A move by China's monetary authorities has been rumored the past few weekends, and so the surprise of the move, when it finally happened, was lackluster. Stock markets in Japan and China were higher. WORLD FOREX: Euro Up, Buoyed By Robust Asian Share Markets "Many in the currency market expected … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

This Time Is Different Posted: 26 Dec 2010 05:37 PM PST “This time is different”.  It really, really is.  Trust me.  It’s true.  Those famous 4 words of investing that should have you running the other way and that should be relegated to the trash bin of investing along with such phrases as “stocks climb a wall of worry” and the “stock market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent” are as true today as any time in the past 10 years. Why is “this time different”?  Take a look at the Rydex Buying Power … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

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