Category: Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Rest of the World

 

  • Aflac Wins Wider Access to Japan Post?s Insurance Sales Network http://t.co/IDyLX4dR7c Looks like a win 4 all sides. FD: + $AFL $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Echoes of the Asian Crisis http://t.co/ZzDbO9TtFV India, Turkey, Brazil, South Africa? all r running substantial current-account deficits $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Measuring Mario Draghi’s Promises 1 Year On http://t.co/HTs9YDuBXp Mario gambled & won so far. Have the banks used this calm time well? $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • China risks deflation trap as true GDP crumbles http://t.co/5UnQRRi340 Whole economic sectors that recently drove growth have stalled $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Boring But Important: ECB Relaxes Collateral Rules http://t.co/K4wOPXivpW ECB is wiling 2take less creditworthy collateral, aiding growth $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Egypt?s Vanishing Currency Black Markets http://t.co/t8FNvy09Ow The military has brought temporary calm, but can they run the economy? $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Ma Says Taiwan People Override Missiles in Meeting Xi http://t.co/ziCaK6rCFN Taiwan & China might get along, were it not for old grudges $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Japan Prices Rise Most Since ?08 in Boost for Abe: Economy http://t.co/1Fyej1sMMp May seem 2b a boost, but wait till interest rates rise $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Moody?s Sees Local Default as $21 Billion Matures http://t.co/63ThxfEOT1 How China deals w/defaults will have a long term market impact $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • An American General Warns the Israeli Right?http://t.co/st9ByUkiyz Arabs either get their own state, or they get Israeli political rights $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • No Menstrual Hygiene For Indian Women Holds Economy Back http://t.co/ToN7a7iYts Be grateful that you don’t live in India if u r a woman $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • Egypt General Stokes Protest http://t.co/DFcjL1Rc9L U.S. Suspends Planned F-16 Delivery as Military Chief Calls for Anti-Morsi Rallies $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • Pope Calls for More Just Society http://t.co/JLrQ4GWtPb Airy-fairy, what do you mean by just? Eliminating crony capitalists & socialists $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • China Coal-Fired Economy Dying of Thirst as Mines Lack Water http://t.co/kvQnHgtqfE China can command projects 2b done; can’t make water $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Troubled Currencies http://t.co/2jGEw6om6f Iran, North Korea, Argentina, Venezuela, Egypt & Syria. Dig the stats: http://t.co/GR9V3YsvNc $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Mandela?s Wealth-Sharing Dream Fades in South Africa http://t.co/nRroLnSyoI Black elite replaced a White elite, little change 4 most $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Record Downgrades Foreshadow First Onshore Default http://t.co/cF5fse1yI3 Reaction 2a default in China will b interesting $$ #willtheyletit Jul 21, 2013
  • China Communist Party Fate Seen Resting on Farmer Rights http://t.co/GWstYr2R10 Will Communist Party grow up & recognize property rights? $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • ‘Desperate’ Cuba voyage is latest scrape for North Korean fleet http://t.co/ET7Y0n1DdE Interesting story on how bad NK merchant marine is $$ Jul 20, 2013
  • Hitting China?s Wall http://t.co/BIU1vF563V Late to the party, Krugman realizes that China’s economy has to rebalance 2 more consumption $$ Jul 20, 2013

 

Detroit

 

  • Detroit?s Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know http://t.co/8Y3SFcRIFA Nice summary of how most of the major parties r affected & process $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • How Detroit Drowned in a Sea of Troubles http://t.co/l2aMlTRApk Most disasters result from a series of small bad decisions $$ #detroit #FTL Jul 26, 2013
  • Now That Detroit?s Gone Bust, Is Your City Next? http://t.co/3C9sPJNqAw?s-gone-bust-your-city-next Consider San Diego, doesn’t fit model $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • How Detroit Affects Muni-Bond Investors http://t.co/FhAnmighaI If Detroit forces losses onto bondholders, other municipalities will mimic $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Detroit Bankruptcy Judge Rhodes Is Ponzi-Law Scholar http://t.co/VgdMDjfTAD Sound like a bright, no-nonsense guy; rules over big problem $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Detroit Bankruptcy Likely to Spark a Pension Brawl http://t.co/pJybP68iHo How much will benefits b cut4active, deferred & retired workers $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Pension Payouts May Turn on Whether State or Federal Law Prevails http://t.co/fnTcOfO0i3 If State Law, then defined benefits r protected $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Moody’s: Detroit bankruptcy filing credit negative http://t.co/2BTQBZ71FI Will b interesting 2c which classes of bonds recover $$ well Jul 20, 2013

 

Obamacare / PPACA

 

  • Bobby Jindal and Scott Walker: Unworkable ObamaCare http://t.co/8IDiKwfzye Opaque rules, big delays & rising costs: The chaos is mounting $$ Jul 26, 2013
  • Will Obamacare Kickstart Health-Care Revolution? http://t.co/E3rffobd6G More likely to boost overall spending until we scrap & start over $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • Obama’s New York Model http://t.co/qn9dtCQ7Km How NY state destroyed its insurance market using ObamaCare rules. PPACA now deregulates $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Union Fears ?Destructive Consequences? From Obamacare http://t.co/liizu2UBnf Overly complex laws often r attacked piece-by-piece $$ Jul 20, 2013

 

Pensions

 

  • US States And Local Pensions Deficits Still in the Red Zone? http://t.co/absZaz1TRM Big issue. Govts didn’t put in $$, stretched assumptions Jul 26, 2013
  • Corporate Pension Plans Start Return Toward Fully-Funded Status http://t.co/6ay0QU03ep Yields up, risk assets up, DB pension funding up $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • David Skeel: Facing Up to America’s Pension Woes http://t.co/jIVvhQqa7B If you have a public pension, your income will b cut, get ready $$ Jul 25, 2013

 

Energy

 

  • Crack spread 101 http://t.co/aBScYANDQk For a primer on how crude oil refiners make $$ , start here. FD: + $VLO $PSX $MPC Volatile beasts Jul 26, 2013
  • Pimco Prepares for Life After Bill Gross http://t.co/PzFgWZZxRK The key mind that built Pimco; how will it survive without him? $$ #notwell Jul 26, 2013
  • Is Your College Going Broke? http://t.co/D0xoknDZRd Forbes rates 925 schools on financial strength. Scores here 4 free; c who will live. $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • Global Oil Supply Shock? http://t.co/QO1jcw8hjk Special report on Crude covering the US, Canada, Russian Supply, & global demand factors $$ Jul 22, 2013

 

Monetary Policy

 

  • Fed Chief Choice Shapes Up as Race Between Summers, Yellen http://t.co/zXurDGlmMY Sad that it comes to this, neither is competent $$ #FTL Jul 25, 2013
  • Bernanke Seen Slowing QE to $65 Billion in September http://t.co/roO9X8TQFb Y r we listening 2 economists? I don’t c QE tapering in 2013 $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Fed Criticized on Oversight of Bank-Owned Commodity Units http://t.co/6S07xD8quN Fed has never used its role as lead bank regulator well $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Biggest Banks Face Fed Restoring Barriers in Commodities http://t.co/daCEcXpwYM Asset allocations to commodities drove financialization $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Gonzalo Lira: The Democrats Finally Embrace Money Printing http://t.co/hgnJcw3m6F Democrats realize the larger QE is, they can spend more $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Right now, Larry Summers is the front-runner for Fed chair http://t.co/Gajh9jbKHR Reverse psychology 2 scare us 2 beg Obama pick Yellen $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Why Fed Has Failed to Lower US Unemployment http://t.co/c7HxlBAoEP Main reason:monetary policy can’t solve unemployment, regulatory issue $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Janet Yellen for Fed Chair http://t.co/zXW8cR9nKD @calculatedrisk makes a good case 4 Yellen; I would prefer someone more skeptical $$ Jul 20, 2013

 

Daily Journal

 

  • If $DJCO is managing >$100 million in stocks, then y aren’t they filing a 13F-HR w/the SEC as other managers do? http://t.co/nMRJMwC2TL $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Munger Triples Publisher?s Value With Panic-Era Stock Bet http://t.co/AOAnQdJyun Cagey Munger times the bottom w/quality companies $$ $DJCO Jul 24, 2013

 

Financials

 

  • Easing of Mortgage Curb Weighed http://t.co/2dsxUG9cPy The Apostles of ez debt underwriting preach their gospel 2 regulators in DC $$ #FTL Jul 24, 2013
  • Americans Gambling on Rates With Most ARMs Since 2008 http://t.co/WUIyZLyRQt Proving again that u “Can’t teach a Sneech.” $$ #FTL Jul 24, 2013
  • Athene’s James Belardi, a Controversial Player, Gets Into the Annuities Game http://t.co/FFnKBzJPv3 Regulate him 2 the strictest degree $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Nontraded REIT Pulls In Bundles Of Cash http://t.co/e51BfrLHhX Avoid any illiquid investment where the promoter knows far more than u $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Housing Recovery Increasingly Prices Out First-Time Buyers http://t.co/LPInUpbjmJ A good thing; ppl need 2 save&make bigger downpayments $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Commodities and banks, a recap http://t.co/SerwTZVNTj @izakaminska gives a primer on the financialization of commodities $$ Good read $STUDY Jul 23, 2013
  • Resigned to reform, Wall Street tries a different tack in DC http://t.co/sEANnYTqET Look at the insurance industry, it’s better regulated $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Gorilla Flipping Homes as Rebound Revives Rapid Trades http://t.co/Z0V3aBPtlL Interesting niche: w/scale buys worst homes, rehabs/flips $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Mortgage applications fall as refinancings dry up, big opportunities for REITs http://t.co/R5q7RXcJJT REITs can issue private mortgages $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Prudential Hits Back on Risk Status http://t.co/I2B3ZawBJy $PRU right & FSOC wrong, problem isn’t size, asset quality, but liab liquidity $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • In other words, unless a life insurer is writing biz that is immediately or contingently terminable, they don’t go bad in a crisis $$ $PRU Jul 22, 2013

 

Politics & Policy

 

  • Letters About 401(k) Plan Costs Stir Tempest http://t.co/mFQnQ8k59A problem is that is hard 2 service small account & give them advice $$ Jul 25, 2013
  • Uncertainty and the Slow Labor Market Recovery http://t.co/IvXzr0Dt6l SF Fed estimates that policy uncertainty has held back employment $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Feeling the heat on climate change http://t.co/MFMu4gUghd Climate is like markets; unpredictable, constantly varying, makes fools of us $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Parents Shell Out Less Money for Their Kids’ College http://t.co/BD3WIz4bhp Fewer will attend college, instead they will enter trades $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Reining in the audit industry’s reality distortion field http://t.co/8d6Uakd1p6 Acctg stds 2 flexible & auditors 2 chummy w/cos need chg $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Tax break that corporate America wants kept secret http://t.co/0si0ts8gpG Not secret, corporations have negotiated taxes w/IRS 4a while $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Warren?s Mistake About Wall Street Risk-Taking http://t.co/qY6jsau0Lg Crisis came b/c too many financed illiquid assets short-term $$ Jul 22, 2013

 

Market Impact

 

  • It’s Possible to Graduate Debt-Free. Here’s How: http://t.co/GsypSp77mo Scholarships, online courses, use your skills 2make $$ & summer job Jul 24, 2013
  • Three Big Money Mistakes You Could Be Making Right Now http://t.co/lysIFIkV6o Simplified: B careful what you spend; ez 2 waste $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Gold futures hiccup indicates demand outpacing supply http://t.co/mF13t0jDaE Too much paper gold chasing too little gold; take delivery $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Investors, Analysts See End of Commodity ‘Supercycle’ http://t.co/SEddMlCxug Probably true intermediate-term, but not long-term $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Investors Struggle With Cash Conundrum http://t.co/qgTjBIegEy Cash is unique & useful, preserves value when inflation or real rates rise $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • SEC?s White Takes on Two Billionaires in One Day to Make Mark http://t.co/o9F6N9fdoz I like the current aggressive posture of the SEC $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Junk Bonds Jump as Bonds Boom http://t.co/RA46qT8g8A Yield lust resumes as bonds begin to rally more generally amid new issuance $$ Jul 21, 2013

 

Other

 

  • Advances That Regrow Babies’ Hearts http://t.co/rDJ7c3sEih “Our theory is that a newborn heart has amazing growth potential…” $$ #Cool Jul 23, 2013
  • Does it matter if students can?t write? http://t.co/b8txYKVd0K Yes! Ability 2 write is a proxy for ability 2 analyze qualitative data $$ Jul 24, 2013
  • Wrong: How an Introvert Can Be Happier: Act Like an Extrovert http://t.co/cGEZEr6xu4 B what u like 2b & you will b happy; don’t force chg $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • Duchess Casts Midwife Tradition Aside for Royal Birth http://t.co/EX1mfFiiae 4 normal births midwives r the best, they give better care $$ Jul 23, 2013
  • SIM Cards Have Finally Been Hacked, And The Flaw Could Affect Millions Of Phones http://t.co/hKQbe2x2zp Watch yr cell phone bill 4 chgs $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Forget campfires, more kids heading to entrepreneur camp http://t.co/6KwzH0rv0J Interesting idea, maybe I’ll send one of my kids $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • Burger Binges at Red Robin Fuel Hospitality Hiring Spree http://t.co/ri97tWIuBd Optimistic sign 4 job growth on the low end of wages $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • What happens to entrepreneurs after their one-hit wonder falls from favor? http://t.co/yYpIqHrsyU 4 examples: what happens after hot->not $$ Jul 22, 2013
  • A Buffett Fortune Fades in Brooklyn http://t.co/bCvLZYVSaw An unscrupulous charity invades the principal of an endowment & fails badly $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Rise of the Warrior Cop http://t.co/f9vCdBjBiu Cops become more like soldiers, trampling on rights of Americans 2 life, liberty & virtue $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Fifteen Years After Autism Panic, a Plague of Measles Erupts http://t.co/N7UmpedzYi The measles return after 15+ years of low vaccination $$ Jul 21, 2013
  • Germiest Places – 8 Ways to Protect Yourself in Restaurants http://t.co/BDDbA4i9p3 U may never again feel the same about ketchup bottles $$ Jul 21, 2013

 

Comments, Replies, & Retweets

 

  • Planning would be better http://t.co/eoCliTfLP2 Jul 25, 2013
  • @JLGull1 It applies to Berkshire Hathaway, Perry Corp, Markel, and many other holding companies Jul 25, 2013
  • @kaylatausche Honored to have you following me. Keep up the good work at CNBC; you do it well. Jul 24, 2013
  • @chadstarliper What I saw was fwd rates 5 years out move up pretty hard, and not move back, much Jul 24, 2013
  • @chadstarliper I agree w/ that, though in the short run, most don’t look at the fwd cv. But didn’t the fwd cv move when BB said “taper?” Jul 24, 2013
  • @chadstarliper But it does affect the yield the debt is offered at vs the open market Jul 24, 2013
  • @srochetrading thanks Jul 24, 2013
  • @chadstarliper QE is buying ~50% of US debt issuance, Democrats would like that to continue. Jul 24, 2013
  • @srochetrading I don’t know GL that well, would @ProfSteveKeen talk 2 me if I asked him? Jul 24, 2013
  • I just left a comment in “Warren Buffett sidekick Munger creates a mini-Berkshire at Daily Journal” http://t.co/T4S7rdjHVp Jul 24, 2013
  • I just left a comment in “Warren Buffett’s long-term stock picks – MarketWatch” http://t.co/1DB0TniNTu Jul 24, 2013
  • I just left a comment in “Stagflation: The Fed?s worst nightmare – Irwin Kellner – MarketWatch” http://t.co/cHFQluVzPY Jul 23, 2013
  • @Bonjubs Yes, being a Christian, a Libertarian, a loving father & husband, adopting 5 children & having 3, are all crimes against humanity Jul 22, 2013
  • @Bonjubs Rebellion is almost always a mistake. It has not helped most of the Arab Spring. Most long-lasting change comes via peaceful means Jul 22, 2013
  • RT @StevStiffler: ????? s??? p??? o? ?uo?d ?no? u?n? o? ???? ?up?p no? ?? ??????? Jul 21, 2013

 

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Energy

 

  • US fuel export surge gives refiners surprise summer blockbuster http://t.co/8d3WbY7xZg We need free trade in energy & end corn ethanol $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • US approval of Enbridge pipeline plan irks some oil shippers http://t.co/4YYisxzgFH Limited pipeline capacity versus supply raises rates $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Deadly derailment won’t stop oil on trains http://t.co/gb7u6riA6S Rail allows 4 flexibility at a higher cost and lower safety $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • The danger of too much ethanol http://t.co/huUzLpgvDX We would b a lot smarter 2 buy ethanol from Brazil, or drop ethanol in entire $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Surging Gasoline Prices Push CPI Inflation Higher, But Weak Core Fuels Taper Uncertainty http://t.co/0Z5zXMjvlJ Inflation rising, note it $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Senators Grill Refiners Over High Prices Amid Oil Boom http://t.co/j0jhNhkXSF There is cheap crude in the center of the US, not at coasts $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • US ethanol credits soar to fresh high http://t.co/1gUVMm5O3u Perhaps allow the importing of Brazilian ethanol; that would improve matters $$ Jul 16, 2013

 

China

 

  • China Loosens a Key Control Over Banks http://t.co/AS6hzeD9vY Not sure this is big; eliminating floor interest rate allows 4 lower rates $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • China’s Zhu Changhong Helps Steer Nation’s Currency Reserves http://t.co/WcjpJD4YiC Aligns China’s interests more tightly w/the US $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • China Keeps On Gobbling Up Treasurys http://t.co/4gOipjltfJ Meet the Fed’s competitor 4 acquiring Treasury bonds; forced buyers both $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Wealth Products Threaten China Banks on Ponzi-Scheme Risk http://t.co/BB8162405P Chinese banks will b threatened by runs in a few years $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Police Say Sexual Favors Spur $1.5 Billion Glaxo China Sales http://t.co/hrPhrJjGkb China sells itself cheap if this is true $$ #SAD Jul 17, 2013

 

Central Banking

 

  • Curse of the front-runner a bad omen for Fed contender Yellen? http://t.co/CabkT1vGRV We need someone other than a neoclassical economist $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • The Summers or Geithner nightmare http://t.co/oltKKRvRMC They benefit from not being Yellen. Otherwise, no reason to consider them. $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Bernanke Says Unwinding of Risky Bets Boosts Borrowing Costs http://t.co/QVVmtUPUnq Interesting argument, given his prior encouragement $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Bernanke: Three Reasons Interest Rates Have Risen http://t.co/AJ7fVb2Csp Stronger economy, ‘fraidy cat markets, & leverage unwind $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Hilsenrath: What Bernanke Means http://t.co/riIsNWgsCq When you have a poor communications strategy, a lot of people r needed to explain $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Four Factors the Fed Faces on Bond-Buying Exit http://t.co/nDpYsdDKef Fed does not get labor market, inflation, & fiscal concerns $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • 3 reasons why Larry Summers should not b next Fed chairman http://t.co/kS6d0VcThG Many reasons y da conceited fool should not b Fed chair $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Bernanke Boom Signaled by Yield Surge as Market Recalculates http://t.co/H7miGoHpoI Watch rates fall again on economic weakness $$ Jul 16, 2013

 

Rest of the World

 

  • Female Footballers Covered Head to Toe Inflame Islamists http://t.co/WWTPU4EIqu No matter how hard u try, some people won’t b happy $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Honda?s Fujino Readies ?Flying Acura? to Challenge Cessna http://t.co/fAaOQ7Oq3v Honda pours lotsa $$ into a long-shot small plane venture Jul 19, 2013
  • Honda Builds ?World?s Fastest Lawn Mower? http://t.co/WpCe7DciTf Can go 130MPH, or 15MPH when it is cutting grass. All bragging 4 rights $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Rudd Home Sale Thwarted as Canberra Market Slows Pre-Vote http://t.co/uts4KwqXru Housing prices fall as economy slows & govt shrinks $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Abe Unleashed After Vote Seen in Biggest Risk Drop http://t.co/mKuANJSeKL Social-security costs r already 31% of government budget $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Payday Looms on Dictator?s Defaulted Bonds in Peru http://t.co/0gDmQGzGu5 Expropriation in the 70s demands repayment 4 those that lost $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Ahmadinejad Departure in Iran Means Moving Desk Down Hall http://t.co/Iiv0lTr3nI Never underestimate the staying power of a bad idea. $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • International Paper’s Big Pulp Bet Hits a Frosty Siberia http://t.co/zOv3fPyKC9 Cheap Timber & transport stymied by Russian bureaucracy $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Merkel?s Unseen Power Beate Baumann Misses No Chancellor Details http://t.co/G23npBa7qF Baumann works behind scenes on policy & politics $$ Jul 16, 2013
  • In Egypt, the ‘Deep State’ Rises Again http://t.co/GEXtZ1kR63 Collusion between Army & Opposition parties against Muslim Brotherhood $$ Jul 13, 2013

 

Market Impact

 

  • A portfolio for all seasons? http://t.co/GZle4jAj2U If Harry Browne’s idea were more widely adopted, the price of gold would fly. $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • The 100 Best Finance Blogs: All The Internet?s a Stage http://t.co/6nUipa6mbv Aleph Blog is pleased to make the list @ # 48. Great blogs $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Red Bull-Fueled All-Nighters Put Fortress Fund on Top http://t.co/VhA7FTlNNJ Diminishing marginal returns 2 scale; time spent late poor $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Excellence Hurts Returns in US Stock Study http://t.co/IgN41lyuUA Stock performance mimics bond performance; junk stocks & bonds do well $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Judge Slams S&P’s Defense in US Lawsuit http://t.co/PP9FNRlGGj Puffery: lousy argument 4a rating agency 2make b/c ur supposed 2b honest $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Meet the Man Who Has Worked at Goldman for 80 Years http://t.co/JsQTRY20Vl Alfred Feld is still plugging away for clients @ $GS at age 98 $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Eminent Domain Plan Decried by DoubleLine Sees New Life http://t.co/h78U7z5i5i Myth: ordinary people were innocent in housing bubble $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Biggest Muni Sale of 2013 Set to Price for Texas Roadway http://t.co/VYTI7TAqH2 There is demand 4 muni deals; this is a prime example $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Should You Invest in the New Wave of IPOs? http://t.co/CSBOFQYpIa When IPOs r many, often the quality is lower. B careful w/IPOs here $$ Jul 13, 2013
  • Senators Introduce Bill to Separate Trading Activities From Big Banks http://t.co/2ig1nWw4hH There r better reforms that need 2b made $$ Jul 13, 2013
  • The Yankees parking lots that went bankrupt, skipped city payments and took city land http://t.co/aIylgsyrmf Read; fascinating tale $$ Jul 13, 2013

 

Other

 

  • Three Ways to Unlock Great Insights http://t.co/wNpdgGcwp5 Consider anomalies, new perspectives,& desperation $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • South Carolina Psychiatric Patient Stuck 38 Days in ER http://t.co/ublh93VwXe Eats up a lot of hospital resources, but what to do? $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • For His Next Trick, the Cronut Maker Reinvents the S?more http://t.co/dyMYB1V6BO I am into cooking, but this sort of stuff makes me blink $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • The Cronut Maker Reinvents the S’more http://t.co/AqIfdAtEyo If you add enough calories to any recipe, it will be delicious. $$ Jul 18, 2013
  • Smartphone Upgrades Slow as ‘Wow’ Factor Fades http://t.co/G1dKzoe1Zm Every trend fades. Exponential goes linear, linear goes logarithmic $$ Jul 17, 2013
  • Health Insurance Shoppers Put Low Price Above Other Options http://t.co/qBBuCCvHXV People want basic coverage 4a moderate price $$ Jul 16, 2013

Wrong

?

  • Wrong: China’s Flying Propaganda Weapon Will Blow Your Mind http://t.co/OtBvBMFKle Will b an ez target, given RF signature & 4 turboprops $$ Jul 19, 2013
  • Wrong: Consumers Most Penny-Wise in Almost 50 Years http://t.co/LTuUGB3eEW A high correlation doesn’t mean a beta of one $$ #studystatistics Jul 19, 2013
Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Bond Markets

 

  • Pimco Sells Canadian Provinces After Worst Rout Since ?94 http://t.co/POYIjfboYV Fascinating 2c everything hit after shift in Fed Lingo $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Fund Manager Ducks Mortgage Trouble?at His Peril http://t.co/SX3sFQ0jX5 When Krsnich can’t find mtges worth investing in, he gives $$ back Jul 05, 2013
  • Wealthy Americans Benefit From Banks Hunting Jumbos http://t.co/FJbeZimpim Jumbo 5/1 ARMs 0.09% under prime, 30Y fixed 0.16% over prime $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Gross Caught in TIPS Trap Gundlach Sidestepped in Tumble http://t.co/aT1cJZv0wh Until 2 months ago, TIPS had expectations 4a rising CPI $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Bond Market’s Memo To The Fed: This Is Not A Misunderstanding, This Is A Blow-Up http://t.co/jLBbFDT7f1 Expect short rates 2 rise: Boom! $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Bernanke’s Misfired Shot Heard ‘Round The World http://t.co/AlsbrOpGht The bond market understands the Fed; Fed doesn’t get the bond mkt $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Who Goes to Cash Shows Extent Bonds Will Become Bear Market http://t.co/atkAmUbJoK Worries over a self-reinforcing rout a la 1994 $$ Jul 01, 2013

 

Rest of the World

 

  • Obama Call for Muslim Brotherhood Role Overtaken in Egypt http://t.co/eJquVIdGED Democracy is only as good as marginal person who votes $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Few Roads Leading to China Tell Tale of Mongolia Fears http://t.co/O9KIR9lc5i Long article on Mongolia/China frictions & opportunities $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Mobius Weighs Private Equity as Way to Access African Growth http://t.co/m3D1CKiFeF The world has changed, if Africa is investable $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Toronto?s soaring condo market ignites fears of a US-style crash http://t.co/LYnhx5dK8l That is what u r facing a US-style crash, sorry $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Britain’s baby boom will affect our economy more than anything Mark Carney does http://t.co/ti8aiU4jFX Demography is destiny, no doubt $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Lottery Raided as $115 Billion Hole Filled http://t.co/vvyH4CE6pN Appreciate the growing Argentine Kleptocracy 4 what it is, a failure $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • The US Should End the Cuban Embargo http://t.co/aU6562c3BM The ability 2 trade w/the US will increase demand 4 more freedom in Cuba $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Emerald Thieves Brave Dogs to Sap Zambia?s Gem Revenue http://t.co/4TKAKutxxP People will take many risks in order 2 take care of family $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Mursi No Longer Egyptian President After Military Action http://t.co/VuyzxXCU8s Now 2c how much public & Brotherhood supports military $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Loan Practices of China?s Banks Raising Concern http://t.co/QdOVNNx1q8 Lure depositors into illiquid nonguaranteed products w/high yields $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Portugal Resignation Rocks European Markets http://t.co/v3bEhcXwrW Foreign minister resigns, Yields Rise Sharply, Stocks Fall in Europe $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Looking abroad for better investment http://t.co/ayUAUFNU5l Not only investment, but a better place to live. Well-off Chinese try2leave $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Chinese Malls Waive Rents as Vacancies Loom http://t.co/lpWb0yQV75 How do the malls stay afloat in the long run? Banks will loan 2 them? $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Unrest Roils Egypt as Army Deadline Moves Markets http://t.co/mddmYI82I7 Stocks rally; in some nations, stability of army rule is prized $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Give Us Your Real Dollars for Our Fake Dollars: http://t.co/ioBcU1N2U7 Argentine govt attempts to soak up USDs held by citizens 4 itself $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Syria?s Annual Inflation Hits 200% http://t.co/QsqIPNc52G Wars, especially civil wars r ripe to create inflation, even Sun Tzu knew that $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • EU Leaders Set to Slow Support for Ailing Banks http://t.co/yrwTgNbqor ?Banking union is, to all intents and purposes, dead.” $$ Jul 01, 2013
  • Tempers fray in France as drastic cuts loom http://t.co/l8EPQPKCQ4 Eurozone will end with France withdrawing, it is too big to bail out $$ Jul 01, 2013
  • After the liquidity crunch http://t.co/sAp85eE4GH Keeping inter-bank interest rates stable – a key to $$ policy – is not yet a policy target Jul 01, 2013

 

Companies & Industries

 

  • Why Are California’s Businesses Disappearing? http://t.co/CdRcmrWZ6s The right Q is “Why Do Any Businesses in California Decide to Stay?” $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Answer: Clumps of talented people & industries that would b difficult to relocate. Network effects that would b tough 2 duplicate $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • & a bunch of clever people built their biz there, & don’t want to leave their poorly-run home state, same as MD http://t.co/3Bm0REbYGc $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Inland US refiners hit by collapse in Brent-WTI oil spread http://t.co/79yEHqYvLt Adequate tankcars send gas prices down in CA up Midwest $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Truckers Are Losing Sleep Over 70-Hour Workweek Limit http://t.co/aXRhVvq6er It pushes trucking costs up, causes industry to complain $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Samsung Slides Equivalent of Sony as S4 Sales Disappoint http://t.co/aae6GoUdPe Smartphones become a commodity business; multiples drop $$ Jul 01, 2013

 

US Health Insurance

 

  • Health-Law Employer Mandate Delayed by US Until 2015 http://t.co/f4waOST0ax A small boon 2 employers who hire many unskilled workers $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Long-Term-Care Insurance Gap Hits Seniors http://t.co/QkWlGDfCdA No surprise. Long-term care is not insurable. Companies lose $$ ;prems go ^ Jul 02, 2013
  • Health-Insurance Costs Set for a Jolt http://t.co/C4B8c2FzUj For the Healthy, Rates Will Soar Under New Law; Sicker Consumers 2c Relief $$ Jul 01, 2013
  • Obamacare 1.0: States brace for Web barrage when reform goes live http://t.co/1YU4Bey8ZL Biggest unforced policy error inflates premiums $$ Jul 01, 2013

 

US Politics & Policy

 

  • Elizabeth Warren Tackles Wall Street http://t.co/3HjkAZcuNY Article begins about Warren, ends w/complaints about the unaccountable Fed $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • 10 things Social Security won?t tell you http://t.co/G7JIC1fK68 Small error: SS benefits will be cut in 2026, not 2033, but a good piece $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Exclusive: Edward Snowden’s father suggests son’s leaks may be protected by Constitution http://t.co/1ZOiwHqKYj Sad 2c a father lose son $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • How Not2Misunderstand Scalia http://t.co/HETEmoM4yd Some ethics r not in Constitution; Congress makes sum unethical laws constitutionally $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • IOW, Scalia looks2 original intent of Constitution; where it is silent, that means Congress has power to act, & can lead 2 unethical laws $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • The Criminal NSA http://t.co/mK1wulNL0t 4th Amendment obliges government 2demonstrate probable cause b4 conducting invasive surveillance $$ Jul 01, 2013
  • FBI?s Data Mining Needs Scrutiny, Too http://t.co/eeuDaL6IYK We need to move back 2 limited government & realize terror is a small threat $$ Jul 01, 2013
  • Simons Strategy to Shield Profit From Taxes Draws IRS Ire http://t.co/vKAKFfbQja Another reason why investors should be taxed as traders $$ Jul 01, 2013
  • Last tweet: it also helps explain y all income should be taxed at the same rate, with no ability to defer income taxes $$ Jul 01, 2013
  • Uninsurable Risks http://t.co/ezcqpSiYmt I’m not worried about climate, that’s cyclical, but abnormal $$ policy is running into the wall Jul 01, 2013
  • US Economy:7 Critical Indicators of Potential Recession Flashing RED http://t.co/sSTItHGd6J YOY declines 4 7 indicators:hi recession odds $$ Jul 01, 2013

 

US Monetary Policy

 

  • How Fed?s 7% Jobless Avoids Deterring Bondholders Is Mystery http://t.co/tcqXDr1KBt It confuses & it raises the path of forward rates $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • How Sensitive we are to Interest Rates: A Scary Picture? http://t.co/Re8aDixkFf Central banks will do all they can to keep rates low $$ #FTL Jul 02, 2013
  • Sizing Up Bank Risk Using VAR Is a Stab in the Dark http://t.co/wi3ZJsod1u Only long-term stress testing is adequate 2 manage risk $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Fed Voting to Bring US Capital Rules in Line With Basel http://t.co/BiCBh3Y4MR Basel offers 2much flexibility 2mgmt teams 2 shape result $$ Jul 02, 2013

 

Other

 

  • Doug Engelbart Delivered the Mouse and Other Large Inventions http://t.co/jxo6H50Xk2 Died @ 88, made a lot of $$ 4 others, changed computers Jul 05, 2013
  • Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom http://t.co/Sc3J3oj1QX True 4 men 2; employers pay less to those who won’t sacrifice home 4 work $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Single-Father Households Are Growing Much Faster Than Single-Mother Ones http://t.co/B1kUluZxxt Still, the real problem is female poverty $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Cheating Wives Narrowed Infidelity Gap Over Two Decades http://t.co/6VhGcyBDPl We can make women bad, but we can’t make men good $$ #sad Jul 02, 2013
  • Ellison Speeds Up America?s Cup With Flying Cats in Spectacle http://t.co/uqD71IjSkU He has remade the America’s Cup, & made it hi-tech $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Gold Traders Seeking Floor After $66B Rout http://t.co/s0xwQdqtx2 Not much different than any market fallen hard: where’s the bottom? $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • Of course, what’s new with gold is all of the derivative activity going on around ETPs, the facility of trading paper gold, etc. $$ Jul 02, 2013
  • The Cost of Cashing Out Your Life Insurance Policy http://t.co/4hra2qGlMK Selling a policy 2a third party has tax and other implications $$ Jul 01, 2013

 

Wrong

 

  • Wrong: Odds you?ll save enough to retire? 50/50 http://t.co/cMPTzPiESe Sorry, but the odds are lower. The writer does not understand. $$ Jul 05, 2013
  • Wrong: Warren Buffett: More myth than legend http://t.co/SJZEmEc9MW Buffett runs so much money he can’t run it like a value index fund $$ Jul 03, 2013
  • Wrong: Fed Ready for September Taper After Shocking Market, Meyer Says http://t.co/M70XlUXbNP Fed will find it very difficult 2 taper $$ Jul 03, 2013

 

Replies, Retweets & Comments

 

  • RT @JamesGRickards: Just in case you think the #Fed has any idea what they are doing, this graph will cure you of that delusion. http://t.c? Jul 05, 2013
  • @OccupyWallSt @JamesGRickards Given that most babies born @ 20 weeks, aided by technology would survive, abortion after that is infanticide Jul 04, 2013
  • . @davidmanheim I’ve known too many truckers & I would b loath 2 take bread from them; bankers r another matter & should b regulated tightly Jul 03, 2013
  • . @davidmanheim Could b… 1 of the few professions that works as long & hard as investment bankers (w/externalities). Hey Comparable Worth! Jul 03, 2013
  • . @ProForexCourse Nothing has intrinsic value; it’s all a question of how much u r willing to exchange of A for B at a given moment in time Jul 03, 2013
  • @wggm Macro plays a role in my bond investing, not so much with stocks Jul 03, 2013
  • @wggm I think the Fed will find that it can’t reduce the flow of policy accomodation without violent reactions like this w/weak economy Jul 03, 2013
  • @marcmakingsense @ballenmo Still, the amount of gold used 4 industrial purposes is piddly compared to uses 4 jewelry, bars & coins Jul 01, 2013
  • . @stockbets I am sorry but I have seen many cases where arithmetic averages r put into simulations as if they r geometric averages $$ Jun 30, 2013
  • . @davidmanheim BP’s sloppy safety record is the main issue, but this article is about grifters wanting to score when they weren’t hurt $$ Jun 30, 2013
  • . @ballenmo You are right, gold does nothing, & that is why it is valuable http://t.co/pojnNG1fkE Gold is anti-financial repression $$ Jun 30, 2013
Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Wrong

 

  • Wrong: A Hawkish Signal Bernanke Didn’t Send stks.co/sISp No, Fed misunderstood the markets, & what their “transparency” said $$
  • Slow-minded: Fed Presidents Say Dodd-Frank Failed to Dispel Too-Big-to-Fail stks.co/fbLA No, duh. U r only realizing this now? $$
  • Wrong: Pension funds may see the silver lining on the interest rate cloud stks.co/gbLA As interest rates rise, assets go down $$
  • Wrong: The Last Mystery of the Financial Crisis stks.co/aZl7 Shallow analysis that does not take account of regulatory needs $$
  • Wrong: Long Live Synthetic CDOs – Bloomberg stks.co/ianr Levering up risky debts exacerbates the credit cycle; should b ended $$

 

Market Dynamics

 

  • Traders Trapped in Scandinavia Discover No Easy Sell stks.co/tIUb Low-liquidity currencies, big moves when all rush 2the exit $$
  • Why ?average? returns aren?t good enough stks.co/fbLB Arithmetic avgs r less accurate than geometric averages & more $$
  • Royal Bank of Canada Gains by Putting the Brakes on Traders stks.co/qIXh Over the long haul they will prosper vs HFT $$
  • Billionaire Ron Baron: The Dow?s A Double stks.co/cZbY He’s delusional, and does not get how stretched prices are vs book/sales $$
  • Holding bonds today is a disaster in the making stks.co/iatP I think the economy will b weaker than Fed expects, could c rally $$
  • Closed-End Funds Bite Back stks.co/garg Leverage Juiced Returns When Rates Were Moored; Now It Is Magnifying Losses $$ #BlameDaFed
  • Apollo Fueled by $9.6 Billion Profit on Debt Beats Peers stks.co/pI7U Strength of investing across capital structure evident $$
  • State Street Temporarily Stops Cash Redemptions For Muni-Bond ETFs stks.co/pHnc Dealers can’t presently swap ETF shares 4 cash $$
  • Billionaire Fisher Says U.S. Still in Middle of Stock Rally stks.co/hanR He is stuck in a mindset of a low debt world $$
  • Housing Seen Shrugging Off Loan Rate Rise as Banks Loosen stks.co/jaQY Easier financing returns, tho Tsy yield rise undoes more $$
  • Treasury Yields Surge Most Since 2003 as Fed Previews Tapering stks.co/sHeT When cheap forward financing ends, prices go south $$

 

Metals

 

  • Gold-Price Decline Uncovers Mining Companies’ Debt Woes stks.co/tIUa Debt in cyclical industries is always a problem in a bust $$
  • Gold Drops to 34-Month Low as Precious Metals Slide on Fed View stks.co/cZdI All risk assets have been hit since Fed meeting $$
  • Gold Bear Market Hits Hardest in South Africa Mines stks.co/eZl1 Mines r high cost per ton, no surprise they r affected early $$
  • Bottom Falling Out of Copper Prices stks.co/jbDz When Dr. Copper speaks, we can sense the pulse of the economy, getting weaker $$
  • Gold Miner Writedowns at $17 Billion After Newcrest stks.co/aZDq Beginning of a process reconciling dud mining assets $$

 

Monetary Policy

 

  • Risk of 1937 relapse as Fed gives up fight against deflation stks.co/ibLa Deflation is inevitable given present policy $$
  • 2 Fed Presidents Emphasize Stimulus 2Persist After QE Taper stks.co/cZ7b & stks.co/aZHK Fisher & Kocherlakota obfusc8 $$
  • BIS fears fresh bank crisis from global bond spike stks.co/eZGv Banks r mismatched long; will have trouble in run on liquidity $$

 

China

 

  • Credit Warnings Offer World a Peek Into China?s Secretive Banks stks.co/cZdL & more extreme: stks.co/dZdV Bad future $$
  • China breaks silence on cash crunch stks.co/fasu Nation’s lenders approach crisis point as part of crackdown on shadow finance $$
  • China?s alarming credit crunch stks.co/sHxk This could have been exacerbated by a reversal of a popular yen-yuan carry trade $$
  • China Loses Control of Its Frankenstein Economy stks.co/faqF Things r likely 2b shaky in China’s short-tern lending markets $$
  • Financial reform cannot wait stks.co/jaiU But the Party, is it ready to give more freedom to its people & transparency 2 banks $$

 

Energy

 

  • How BP Got Screwed on Gulf Oil Spill Claims stks.co/tISo Free $$ brings out the worst in people | FD: +$BP
  • Frack Music Attracts Halliburton to Submarine Spy Tool stks.co/hb7I “The hills r alive, w/the sounds of fracking…” $$
  • In Moving US Oil, ‘Flexible’ Rail Bests Pipelines stks.co/pI7j Railroad tank cars:low fixed, high variable costs, more flexible $$
  • New Pipelines to Bring Landlocked Oil to Texas-Coast Refineries stks.co/jakj Pipelines: high fixed cost, low variable cost $$

 

Insurance

 

  • Berkshire?s Tracy Britt In, Lynn Swann Out at Heinz?s Board stks.co/bZh0 Whiz Kid gets 1st board seat $BRK.A M&A | FD:+ $BRK.B $$
  • Regulators put chill on US private-equity insurance deals stks.co/dZbX Those who might undo the conservatism should not buy $$
  • $HIG to Sell Unit to Berkshire stks.co/pIb8 I do not get how $BRK.B benefits from this; its worse than the $CI transaction $$
  • 7 Annuity Mistakes to Avoid stks.co/sHxj Illiquity, wrong payout type or guarantees, switching, w/d 2much, taking buyback, etc. $$
  • Misjudged Annuity Guarantees May Cost Life Insurers Billions stks.co/rI1Z Why I don’t invest life insurers w/much variable biz $$

 

Other

 

  • Working Poor Losing Obamacare as States Resist Medicaid stks.co/dZdW A rare case where states avoid Federal $$ | avoiding a trap
  • Four Reasons Non-GAAP Metrics Are Exploding stks.co/cZbX Non-GAAP measures r an attempt to make acctg reflect free cash flows $$
  • Another shameful day for Europe as EMU creditor states betray South stks.co/pIb9 Germany crams down on Greece & euro-fringe $$
  • Holder Says US Seeking More Disclosure on Surveillance stks.co/aZ10 U can disclose it now; U r a bigger threat than terrorism $$
  • Sorry, but Do You Speak English? stks.co/pHna Not surprising; cultural differences drive differences in English dialects $$

 

Full disclosure: long BP, BRK/B

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Bernanke press conference (reverse order)

  • It’s over!
  • FOMC Participants Central Tendency of PCE inflation @ Year-End 2013-5, LR 1.22% 1.68% 1.88% 2.00% change -0.33% -0.07% -0.05% 0.00%
  • Bernanke gives an odd answer to Nikkei reporter, particularly given the Fed’s adoption of failed Japanese economic & monetary policies $$
  • Yeah, weird answer. RT @Matthew_C_Klein: “Volatility is linked to the BOJ’s efforts. Seems logical.” Um…
  • BB shows his ignorance on the topic of money market funds, a floating NAV will destabilize, and lead to runs on funds
  • FOMC Participants Central Tendency Unemployment Rate @ Year-End 2013-5, LR 7.23% 6.60% 6.02% 5.57% Change -0.12% -0.17% -0.19% 0.00% $$
  • FOMC Participants Central Tendency Change in GDP @ Year-End 2013-5, LR 2.40% 3.14% 3.19% 2.43% Change -0.13% -0.03% -0.07% 0.00% $$
  • BB, markets do not care about the past, they care about the future. Stock levels of bonds r the past, future behavior affects markets now $$
  • FOMC Participants Target Federal Funds Rate at Year-End 2013-5, LR 0.26% 0.58% 1.78% 4.01% Change from prior -0.03% 0.03% 0.47% 0.00% $$
  • Overview of FOMC participants’ Appropriate Timing of Policy Firming central tendency shrinks by 2 months to 2.3 years
  • Bernanke questioned on MBS holdings, denies that the Fed is having a big effect on the market. If so, why buy there for policy reasons? $$
  • BB is confused think that holding securities will keep rates low; yields react to changes in expectations of future actions $$
  • Cutting off asset purchases at 7% unemployment further clouds the market view of Fed policy; the Fed is far more flexible than that. $$
  • BB also refuses to talk about his future at the FOMC, after being asked by a Washington Post reporter. $$
  • Bad question from Bloomberg reporter suggesting that the unemployment trigger should be lower. BB gives no much of an answer. $$
  • Good question on the rise in real rates from the FT reporter. BB says that he doesn’t get why that happened. $$
  • Question on long term interest rates — BB says that is is an improving economy. Points to housing again (the dead cat bounce) $$
  • Hilsenrath asks a decent question on punk economic growth. BB responds with housing and State govs & 2 small of a deficit (!) $$ #pleasego
 

Companies & Industries

 

  • Validus Plunges, Credit Suisse Cites Cat-Bond Threat stks.co/sHbj Cat bonds, ILTs r useful, but no threat 2 reinsurers FD:+ $VR $$
  • Warren Buffett Bought This Stock. Should You? stks.co/rHeV $YHOO has2 get a technical analyst 2find someone 2disagree w/Buffett $$
 

Market Impact

 

  • Credit market rout may force US IG issuers to do more legwork stks.co/jaNp This is normal for Wall Street; this is not news $$
  • Gold Trade Most Bearish Since ?10 as Fed Spurs Drop stks.co/rHeI The juice comes out of every risk asset w/end of QE hint $$
  • Nobody Is Paying Attention To Junk? stks.co/ia6G As I have argued before, yields r better indicators of risk than spreads. $$
  • Honeywell CEO: Boomer Retirement ?Will Crush the System? stks.co/sH90 Duh, it took you this long to figure it out? $$ #FTL
  • Risks of Too Much Oneness stks.co/dYNb If assets bundle into risky and riskless, it is usually time 2 reduce risk $$
  • stks.co/cYAf Bank Everbright defaulted on an interbank loan 10 days ago amid wild spikes in short-term “Shibor” borrowing rates $$
  • Income hunters: Bank on this dividend stock play stks.co/iZpo Feels like a tired bunch of large cap blend stocks $$ #noedge
  • With a Month to Go Before Dell’s Buyout Vote, Eyes on Proxy Firms stks.co/qGyq Q boils down2 what %age of $DELL is held by arbs $$
  • Missing the Target stks.co/rGpy Target date funds should b called asset allocation funds with varying levels of volatility $$
  • The Intelligent Investor: Why the Markets? Latest Stumbles Are Good News @jasonzweigwsj stks.co/sGm7 Areas 2consider investment $$
Rest of the World

 

  • Brazilian Revolt Claims Second Life as Violence Erupts stks.co/pHkL Tensions spread partly due 2 easy $$ pushing EM inflation
  • Moody’s warns on China’s local govt debt stks.co/dYmW China’s debt crisis will be a national crisis b/c China won’t let cos die $$
  • PBOC Said to Inject Cash After China Money Rates Jump stks.co/iaQe Like the US in 2007, where insolvency hid behind illiquidity $$
  • Abe?s Arrows of Growth Dulled by Japan?s Three Principles stks.co/dYhU Flexible labor markets r an aid 2 growth in any economy $$
  • China Banking Stress May Come Faster on Cash Crunch, Fitch Says stks.co/pHI7 Interbank market failures plague Middle Kingdom $$
  • G8 three Ts: trade, tax and transparency stks.co/fa2Z Stem tax leakage from corporations & individuals, & maybe trade freely $$
  • Cracks Appearing on the Great Financial Wall of China – Remember 1997? stks.co/fZnQ Interbank lending market skittish over Fed $$
  • Chinese Consortium, $AIG Extend Deadline on Deal for Plane-Lease Unit stks.co/ha1q Makes 10% downpayment, financing rest shaky $$
  • In Japan, Reform Plan Faces Troubles With Mergers stks.co/sGm3 Some cultures r averse 2change, even if there r gains 2b made $$
  • Friendships Die Hard for Hezbollah Angering Gulf Over Syria stks.co/cYAq Increasingly a Shia-Sunni proxy war, raising tensions $$
  • Rohani Wins Iran Presidential Vote in First Round stks.co/dY2Z Now 2c what he can do vs the mullahs that hold economic power $$
  • The Cracks in China’s Shiny Buildings stks.co/fZgu Adjusted 4 quality, China is not the 2nd largest economy in the world $$ #GIGO
  • Ancient Roman Concrete Is About to Revolutionize Modern Architecture stks.co/jZaF Roman cement had lyme &volcanic ash: enduring $$
  • Obama Says Bernanke Has Been @ Fed ?Longer Than He Wanted? stks.co/cYOk Long than we wanted, rather, but who wants Yellen? $$ #yuk
 

Illegal Spying by the Government

 

  • Booz Allen, the World’s Most Profitable Spy Organization stks.co/faUn Almost nothing gets done in DC w/o a contractor $$
  • NSA Surveillance Leaks Startle Privacy Board Back to Life stks.co/haI3 Weak privacy board brought to attention by whistleblower $$
  • It’s OK For The NSA To Spy On Americans, But Don’t Monitor A Mosque stks.co/jZiD Profiling is controversial, but it saves $$
  • Phone Metadata Proves a Powerful Tool 4 NSA, Police stks.co/cY4A If fewer crimes get solved thru lack of metadata, that’s fine $$
 

Central Banking

 

  • Bernanke Makes Life Even More Difficult for the Euro stks.co/iaWC All risk assets r getting hit; the Euro has its own problems $$
  • Bullard’s Unusual Dissent stks.co/tHci Unworthy of the St. Louis Fed. Time to find a new president who believes in sound money $$
  • ?Central Banking at a Crossroad stks.co/rHcO Agree w/Volcker on monetary policy, but not on all aspects of regulation. Good read $$
  • Tapering 101, Courtesy of Japan stks.co/qHbB Bernanke needs to learn from Japan; the biggest item is that QE did not work $$
  • Market Calls Fed’s Bluff stks.co/eYWn Fed is now tied into the markets; they have lost the freedom to jolt markets w/o cost $$
  • ?This was really eye-opening for me?: Fed?s Raskin shocked@ low quality of work @ local job fair stks.co/aYWN Utter Lightweight $$
  • Obama Says Bernanke Has Been @ Fed ?Longer Than He Wanted? stks.co/cYOk Long than we wanted, rather, but who wants Yellen? $$ #yuk
?

US Politics

 

  • Case Closed? Far From It. stks.co/faTx Whatever Rep. Elijah Cummings says, the opposite is usually true. $$ #endtheMDgerrymander
  • IMF calls on government to reduce wage and firing costs even further stks.co/eYvg Deregulation is the only economic free lunch $$
  • Pension Fund Takes Neighborly Advice stks.co/tHWe Jack Bogle advises his county pension fund to index & they do so $$
  • Jefferson County Debt Plan Is Costly stks.co/cYOi Presence of capital appreciation bonds increases the debt load $$ cc: @munilass
 

Financial Companies

 

  • Reason: banks have short, callable liability structures and insurance companies generally don’t. Insurance is better regulated than banks $$
  • US Weighs Doubling Leverage Standard 4 Biggest Banks stks.co/faTm Insurance companies have ~10% capital, banks should have more $$
 

Other

 

  • Sodomy Hazing Leaves 13-Year-Old Victim Outcast in Colorado Town stks.co/qHbF Rape of any sort should be automatic expulsion $$
  • A Few Voices Warn of US Energy Revolution ‘Hype’ stks.co/sH8y Depletion is the issue here, $ fracked wells tend 2 deplete fast $$
  • Impossibly Efficient stks.co/sH8w Good note on EMH, points out how EMH needs people who don’t believe in it to make EMH work $$
  • The Curious Case of Doug Kass and the Twitter Haters stks.co/rHCF I don’t know; a man as stalwart as @DougKass will return $$
  • A Warning Shot on Management Buyouts stks.co/sH8v Basically a slap on the wrist that might expand 4 future violators $$ $REV #FTL
  • Wrong: Even Pessimists Feel Optimistic About American Economy stks.co/ha2y These r economists being interviewed, biased views $$
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Surge Is Investor Guessing Game stks.co/qH0U It pays 2 delay final cleanup, radiation levels fall $$
  • Meh: LinkedIn Builds Its Publishing Presence stks.co/iZqP I guess it works for some, but I rarely find their publishing useful $$
  • Rupert Murdoch Files 4Divorce From Pie-Deflecting Wife stks.co/tGox Who will protect him now? He doesn’t have 2 worry about her $$
  • Wrong: Detroit Looks to Pay Less to Bondholders stks.co/hZuv Bold words from a man whose city will lose in court vs creditors $$
  • Bloomberg Reporters? Practices Become Crucial Issue for Company stks.co/rGpZ Q: Is this disclosed in the subscriber agreement? $$
 

Replies, Retweets, and Comments

  • @TheStalwart QE Increases debt. In a situation where there are too many debts, deflation comes b/c ppl think that debts will not b $$ good.
  • Join me in calling on the NSA and the US government to #stopwatchingus. Sign this now: stks.co/qGtB Stand up & b counted $$
  • @c_c_saunders I would prefer John Taylor, Lacker, Plosser, Warsh, Fisher, Hanke, James Grant, etc. I would even take the challenge, & win $$
  • “We’re down 4% since BB started talking. Markets are discounting mechanisms; you know that well?” ? David_Merkel disq.us/8dow0x $$
  • @ReformedBroker Knew she was a lightweight; this just confirms it. I thought the Fed was exempt from diversity requirements…
  • Except through M&A, IPOs, etc., money doesn’t really enter or leave markets. That said, relative?” David_Merkel disq.us/8dmh20 $$
Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Data Privacy

 

  • Many in Media Claim Bradley Manning’s Leaks Had Little Value?Here’s Why They’re So Wrong | The Nation stks.co/jZXy Who knew? $$
  • Congress grills intelligence officials on data-gathering practices stks.co/qGqB Issue doesn’t divide neatly by political party $$
  • Noonan: Privacy Isn’t All We’re Losing stks.co/hZsF “…you can’t give up your own liberty and your own freedom.” $$
  • US Agencies Said to Swap Data With Thousands of Firms stks.co/gZcv Not paranoid? That doesn’t mean they aren’t coming 2get u $$
  • How Rand Paul Can Take On the NSA stks.co/pGjI We need to rethink the conditions under which the govt may do surveillance on us $$
  • Pardon Edward Snowden wh.gov/liZnR I support this petition at whitehouse.gov $$
  • US Relies on Spies for Hire to Sift Deluge of Intelligence stks.co/aXgm I have many friends involved in this; they keep quiet $$
  • Booz Allen Grew Rich on Government Contracts stks.co/qGMz Thus all the radio advertisements you hear if you live near DC $$
  • Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations stks.co/pGCi Rare person who put US ahead of self $$

 

Rest of the World

 

  • Korean Tiger Moms Scrimp for Tutors in Blow to Spending stks.co/bY3b The solution is home schooling, should it b legal in SK $$
  • Italian showdown with Germany over euro looms closer stks.co/bXwF A halt2fiscal & monetary contraction, or full-blown reflation $$
  • Southern Europeans Flee to Germany: OECD stks.co/tGdg If the jobs won’t come to the people, the people will go to the jobs $$
  • On Iran?s Inflation Bogey stks.co/gZQP Iran’s inflation rate may be over 100%/year $$
  • What Abenomics tells us about the great bond market asset bubble stks.co/jZFc Japan is a bug in search of a windshield $$
  • Consumer Price Inflation Slows in China stks.co/gYzR & so does the rest of China’s economy, rebalancing will b painful $$
  • Denmark Seeks to Pass Too-Big-to-Fail Bank Laws in Parts stks.co/jYj7 SIx large financial companies will require more capital $$

?

Companies & Industries

 

  • Surge in US oil-by-rail suffers first slowdown as spreads slim stks.co/qGqK Start of a new trend, or just a blip? $$ #blip #trend
  • Lampert Uses $393M in AutoNation for Redemptions stks.co/gZcw Future historians will wonder why Lampert received attention $$
  • Comcast Is Turning Homes Into Public Wi-Fi Hotspots stks.co/sGaQ Gateway transmits 2signals; separate SSIDs 1 public, 1 private $$
  • Berkshire to Provide More Insurance Cost Details stks.co/bXuO All of this data is already freely available, ask4statutory files $$
  • Cisco plans to double the speed of the Internet stks.co/iZXI | FD:+ $CSCO Fascinating new technology will increase net capacity $$
  • Freeport Declares Force Majeure on Grasberg Copper Shipments stks.co/gZTc Rare 2c Force Majeure invoked; reveals supply issues $$
  • Insurers Inflating Books, New York Regulator Says stks.co/iZTl My response: stks.co/fZQE How do I contact DealBook? $$
  • Insurers Inflating Books, New York Regulator Says stks.co/sGPY Life insurers do this 2 strip out extra conservatism in reserves $$
  • A Rising Star Emerges at Berkshire stks.co/pGYd Bright lady Tract Britt takes over David Sokol’s old role @ Berky $$ FD: + $BRK.B
  • Anglo American Miner Slogs Ahead in Brazil stks.co/rG6r Rare people walk away from bad sunk costs; no walking away here $$ $AAUKY
  • Google to buy Waze for $1.3B stks.co/aXV7 Improves $GOOG ‘s maps capability, while denying the same asset to $AAPL & $FB $$

 

Market Impact

 

  • Price Benchmarks Said to Be Rigged in the Foreign Exchange Market stks.co/sGjl Should not b surprised; humans try2rig markets $$
  • Regulators Question Banks on Business Lending Risks stks.co/fZV2 Perhaps regulators r being more active this credit cycle $$
  • US Banks Margin Under Tremendous Pressure stks.co/rGeA Few safe places to lend at any significant spread over funding costs $$
  • Banks Get Reprieve on New Swaps Rule stks.co/jZPA Get 2 more years 2 place derivatives in special subsidiary 4 close regulation $$
  • The trick to bank profits stks.co/tGZB Sadly, reserves r not forward-looking but suffer from driving via the rearview mirror $$
  • Wrong: Interest Rates are Headed Higher. Are You Ready? stks.co/eXy4 This is a consensus view; global economy is weakening $$
  • Earnings Roundup: Second-quarter Earnings Guidance Among the Most Negative on Record stks.co/jZFb Could mean positive surprises $$
  • Fear of Missing Out Sparks Covenant Light Lending; ‘Return of the Silly Season’ stks.co/pGYc Credit cycle boom is getting late $$
  • These CDO Names Don’t Cry ‘Wolf’ stks.co/hZCu Doesn’t matter *what* you call them, CDOs lever up credit risk til next bear mkt $$
  • Intelligent Investor: What?s Eating Munis? stks.co/iYsP @jasonzweigwsj tells us 2 beware getting gouged on muni bond trading $$
  • Hulbert on Investing: Why ‘Boring’ Stocks Beat ‘Exciting’ Ones stks.co/dXCa Long-term, low vol has been a winner. Short-term?? $$

 

Monetary Policy

 

  • Fed Likely to Push Back on Market Expectations of Rate Increase stks.co/tGmK Gives the Fed 2much credit; they don’t have a clue $$
  • The Fed’s other trillion dollar problem stks.co/pGjZ Will b challenging 2 lower the amount of excess deposits @ the Fed $$
  • The Trapdoors at the Fed?s Exit by Nouriel Roubini stks.co/cXNh Will b difficult 4 Fed 2 remove policy accommodation $$

 

US Politics & Policy

 

  • White House Aims to Loosen Grip on Government-Held Wireless Spectrum stks.co/hZsO As it should b, govt has 2much spectrum $$
  • Camp Warns Against Cap on Charitable Break in Tax Rewrite stks.co/cXsG Private charity can do things govt can’t &more effective $$
  • FCC hopes to avoid ‘end of world’ for cell phones stks.co/cXrm Allocation of more bandwidth 2 mobile data would help $$
  • Urgency on debt issue fades, but underlying danger remains stks.co/qGAq W/deficit declining, the need to agree declines as well $$

 

Other

 

  • Larry Ellison’s Fantasy Island stks.co/iZhG Lanai benefits from the benevolent dictatorship of Larry Ellison $$
  • Blimps Morph Into Cargo Haulers as Maker Sees Revolution stks.co/fZdT Engineered concept of variable buoyancy; goes up/down $$
  • Hire Economics: Why Applying to Jobs Is a Waste of Time stks.co/aXwB Networking is more important than job boards, etc. $$
  • Drinking Water Runs Low as Drought Drags On stks.co/gYoc Weather isn’t fully random; correlated in short-run, thus droughts $$

 

Comments, Replies & Retweets

?

  • @dpinsen Pipelines – high fixed, low variable costs. Railcars – high variable, low fixed costs. Getting pipelines over mountains is tough
  • @Undertherock3 I’m a skeptic on $GNW. I don’t trust their reserving, underwriting, etc. Low ROE justifies the low P/B.
  • @Undertherock3 Are you talking about Genworth? $GNW
  • @AlephBlog The best is “there is no way to get rich quick (eg Kyosaki). Snake oil salesman will always exist, learn to identify them & avoid
  • “This deal will get done after it is sweetened a little” ? Merkel disq.us/8die83 $$ $DOLE DeJa Vu: Murdock Wants to Go Private Again

?

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Market Impact

  • Old-School Stock Picker Weitz Struggles With Index Craze?stks.co/gYnx?Weitz has a really good long term track record, good guy $$
  • High-Yield Companies Cash In on Dividend Deals?stks.co/cXCJ?W/the rise in interest rates, junk corporations move 2 refinance $$
  • IRS Reconsiders What Qualifies for REIT Status?stks.co/jYiU?There should b1 tax law for all things like corporations in the US $$
  • New Revenue Recognition Rules Arriving Soon?stks.co/rFvA?I’m afraid the new rules will b less clear than current GAAP rules $$
  • How the Robots Lost: High-Frequency Trading’s Rise & Fall?stks.co/gYk9?Every investment strategy has a capacity limit, even HFT $$
  • Sam Zell says sell?stks.co/rFr3?1 month old; he also thinks that efforts by corporations 2 manage single family homes will fail $$
  • Banks will take hit on mortgage refi buststks.co/pFwq?This may true 4 whole industry, but some banks will profit via MSRs, ALM $$
  • FASB?s Seidman: Americans Prefer Rules to Principles?stks.co/pFpb?We should stick w/GAAP & ditch IFRS convergence. We know GAAP $$
  • IFRS Makes Progress Around the Worldstks.co/tFir?Incomparable Financial Reporting Standards r less converged than many realize $$
  • 401(k)s Are Doing Great Except For A Few?stks.co/eX9U?Fine,except 401(k) users don’t put enough away 2 care 4 their retirements $$
  • Why Low Volatility Is Losing Its Alphastks.co/cX0J?Any strategy can be overfished. Monoculture rarely leads to good results $$
  • “Any strategy can be overfished. Monoculture is a recipe for disaster. How many analogies do I?” ? David_Merkeldisq.us/8dev71?$$
  • Money-market fix is a flawed compromise?stks.co/dWtx?My proposal was cleaner and far better:?stks.co/dWty$$
  • Bet on CDOs Returns to Wall Streetstks.co/bWy4?Synthetic CDOs take the field again, just in time to fleece anxious yield hogs $$
  • Bruce Berkowitz Places Bet on Fannie, Freddie?stks.co/jYCL?A lot of this rides on political future of F&F, w/Berkowitz unsure $$
  • Don?t Sell Your Soul for Yield, Pimco?s Simon Says?stks.co/qFRi?He retires @ 52 2pursue philanthrophy & fun; bond risks high $$
  • Rise in US Bond Yields Jolts High-Dividend Stocks?stks.co/qFIa?If they r used as bond substitutes, will trade more like bonds $$
  • Brokerage firms debate value of Certified Financial Planner title?stks.co/dWU1Interesting 2c firms asking CFPs to decertify $$
  • The 100% Stock Solution?stks.co/sEyrOnly the stoutest souls should try this; best time to start is after a meltdown, if u can $$
  • The Intelligent Investor: How Funky Is Your 401(k)? by?@jasonzweigwsjstks.co/dWKf?Unusual bond funds not recommended 4 novices $$
  • Why Hedge Funds Aren’t Worth the Money?stks.co/iXxM?Double-alpha & leverage r great in theory; in practice they don’t work well $$
  • ‘?@Matthew_C_Klein?@felixsalmon?But I disagree:?blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2??Cov-lite loans r a sign of general credit degradation $$
  • Interesting argument by?@felixsalmonthat cov-lite bonds are good because they give borrowers greater flexibility:blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2?

 

US Politics

  • The NSA Doppelganger?stks.co/jYiY?Govt has been collecting records on every phone call made in the US ever since Patriot Act $$
  • Will New Health Insurance Be Too Expensive 4 America’s Lowest-Paid?stks.co/rFvF?Law of unintended consequences teaches $$ lessons
  • Trading Dollar Bill for Coin Big Savings, No Small Change?stks.co/iYrY?This could makes sense if we eliminate the penny as well $$
  • Fed Hurdle of 4 Straight 200,000 Payrolls Sets Bernanke View?stks.co/iYrW?I don’t think the Fed has a coherent policy response $$
  • An Insider’s Guide to Obama’s Summit With China’s Xi?stks.co/sFp7?Makes me think that nothing much will come out of this summit $$
  • Start Your Engines: NatGas Revs for Transportation?stks.co/hYwm?This is more complex than it looks b/c liquification low temps $$
  • Obama’s Civil-Liberties Record Questioned?stks.co/qFu9?Obama is not a change agent; he is merely Bush-plus & we r the losers $$
  • US declassifies phone program details after uproar?stks.co/hYwd?Terrorism is an unlikely threat – doesn’t justify the snooping $$
  • Alan Greenspan’s Epic Incompetence: Another Shoe Drops?stks.co/jYXF?This piece provided the link 4 the last tweet $$#greenspan
  • How Elite Economic Hucksters Drive America?s Biggest Fraud Epidemicsstks.co/eXA3?Of course fraud should b a crime, it’s theft $$
  • NSA seizes phone records of Verizon customers?stks.co/jYXC?Shouldn’t a warrant b required 4 such indiscriminate investigation? $$
  • Jefferson County, AL, Reaches Bankruptcy Deal?stks.co/gYbR?$JPMloses most, then taxpayers. “gross incompetence, waste, graft” $$
  • Debt Deal in Alabama Will Cost JPMorgan?stks.co/aX7U?Sewer rates rise. Everyone loses except the speculators who bot debt cheap $$
  • Warplanes to Tankers Delayed by Contested US Contracts?stks.co/gYUYLosers contesting contracts is now normal & slows things $$
  • FHA Losses Could Hit $115 Billion in Extreme Scenario?stks.co/gYLJ?4 political reasons, FHA guaranteed lousy loans, losses come $$
  • Jefferson County Paves Way for Bankruptcy Exit?stks.co/cWky?The biggest losers r taxpayers, but then they elected the schmoes $$
  • Mistake:?$AIG,?$PRU,?$GE?Named Systemically Important by Panelstks.co/jYCN?Focus should b: financing long assets w/short loans $$
  • The Real Scandal at the IRS?stks.co/sFMf“…larger threat of abusive behavior by a fearsomely powerful government agency.” $$
  • ObamaCare Bait and Switchstks.co/jYCG?Obamacare was never meant 2 make healthcare affordable 2all, only 2 those w/o insurance $$
  • It really annoys me, because the key of financial safety is asset/liability mgmt & all of new regulations do not tighten this up $$
  • Risk that the Feds should care about is the toxic mix of illiquid assets funded by liquid liabilities; long liability structures r safe $$
  • Feds close to picking ?risky? non-banksstks.co/iY88?Really looks like the Feds r going2goof again & call non-risky firms risky $$
  • Overstated: Risk-Averse Culture Infects US Workers, Entrepreneursstks.co/eWev?Generally moderate risk-taking leads2best result $$
  • Little Cause for Inflation Worriesstks.co/jXms?Far better 2 use median or trimmed mean CPI, than the more doctored core PCE $$

 

Europe

  • France demands emergency EU summit over China’s wine tax threat?stks.co/dX8ATrade wars have 2 start somewhere, however small $$
  • Moody?s Casts Doubt Over Nordic Havens Amid Housing Risksstks.co/bXCh?Rest of world adopts bad monetary policy of US, EZ&Japan $$
  • Central Banks Put More Scandinavian Currencies in Reserve?stks.co/jY4tEnables the Nordic countries to import asset inflation $$
  • Swiss Seen Passing US Bank-Tax Law to Avoid Worse Fate?stks.co/qFJY?Most compromises r better than seeing many banks die $$

 

Companies & Industries

  • Tyson CEO Says Smithfield Deal Could Aid Pork Exports?stks.co/iYnc?Many Chinese might like 2 buy high quality American food $$
  • $COST?CEO Craig Jelinek Leads the Cheapest, Happiest Company in the World?stks.co/gYk1?Investing in workers vs cheap workers $$
  • Wells Fargo Will Benefit From Interest-Rate Increase, Sloan Says?stks.co/eX42Could just b brave words, few give up income $$
  • Fannie Shares Seen as Worthless Surging in Disconnect?stks.co/dWtw?The politics of the situation r in flux; no margin of safety $$
  • Goldman Wants You to Forget About Too Big to Fail?stks.co/gYUx?There is a subsidy to the big banks, not as large as some think $$
  • Like Berkshire, Markel thrives on buy&hold?stks.co/rFbN?Thomas Gayner, like Buffett is a compounder w/underwriting float $$?$MKL
  • Alcoa Junk Downgrade Is Rare Trauma for Dow Stocks?stks.co/iYYW?Time2 modernize & create News Corp Indexstks.co/gYUZ?$$
  • Whale of a Trade Revealed at Biggest US Bank With Best Control?stks.co/iYYVLong but definitive article on?$JPM?credit trade $$
  • Scor to Buy Generali Reinsurance Unit for $750 Million?stks.co/tFMQ?How do u say “Scottish Re” in French? “Scor”?$RGA$$?#spitspit
  • Apple Saves $724 Million With Well-Timed Sale?stks.co/qFCo?20-20 hindsight, but?$AAPL?timed their debt sale well $$
  • Kinder Morgan Cancels $2 Billion Pipeline Plan?stks.co/iY7O?Sending crude via rail costs same & does not require LT contract $$

 

Asia

  • Hedge Funds in Japan Ride Small-Cap Rally on Abenomics Boost?stks.co/eX41Be wary here, because there is no clear macro path $$
  • The Wonk With the Ear of Chinese President Xi Jinping?stks.co/qFfh?A modernizer who wants the Communist Party 2 keep control $$
  • Topix Profits Percentage Increase Tripling World Even in $400 Billion Wipeout?stks.co/qFUz?Wait. Weak yen also has bad effects $$
  • Poultry-Plant Fire in China Kills Dozensstks.co/jXzF?Sad, but it is common 4 firms that hire low wage workers 2 cut corners $$
  • Muddy Waters to Jupiter Seek Profit as Risk Rises?stks.co/eWeV?Convoluted financial systems can’t handle as much debt b4 crisis $$
  • Heard on the Street: Let Me Not See Old Age in China?stks.co/qFCr?Elderly poor who live away from the coasts suffer in China $$

 

Other

  • Co-hosts of radio show ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ commit suicide togetherstks.co/sFhK?Happiness pursued as its own end fails $$
  • Harvard Humanities Fall From Favor Among College Students?stks.co/rFgfThere is no one more unrealistic than a humanities prof $$
  • To Catch a Thief: Banks Try Using Big Data?stks.co/jYPf?The banks try 2 detect correlated behavior among fraudsters & succeed $$
  • How Retirees Pay Zero Taxesstks.co/eX3v?If you r older & have little wage income there r often ways 2 reduce your taxes $$
  • Bermuda With Ireland Targets of Tax Vigilantes, Minister Says?stks.co/hYTPThey were really surprised when NATO blockaded them $$
  • Marriage Advice: Sharing a Hobby Is Good for Your Relationship?stks.co/tFMwOur hobby is raising kids, will have2find a new one $$
  • Meredith Whitney?s ?Great Migration?stks.co/fYHh?Disliked by genuine muni experts?@catelong?&Joe Mysakstks.co/gYGr?$$
  • Government 2 Hold Back Growth for Years?stks.co/qFJ0?Balancing the budget may have far less drag than most suppose, lowers risk $$
  • Vatican says Pope Francis got it wrong, atheists do go to hell?stks.co/iY8I?Adults @ Vatican correct Pope’s wishful thinking $$
  • Wrong: Smartest Decision Ever Made by Bill Gates, Warren Buffett?stks.co/rFAj?If u raise your children right, they can handle $$
  • Behind the ‘Internet of Things’ Is Android?and It’s Everywhere?stks.co/tF9hAmazing how 1can change the world on lo profit mgns $$

 

Finance

  • Has BIS Found the Solution to Too Big to Fail??stks.co/fYcY?Has issues, but much better than what was done in 2008. Worth a try $$
  • The rise of the real collateral ?mining? business?stks.co/bX4T?Overproduction of commodities feeds the shadow banking system $$
  • What is the opposite of helicopter money??stks.co/eX43?Negative interest rates suck liquidity, as people seek stores of value $$
  • World Chasing U.S. Yield With 25% Deal Jump: Real Estate?stks.co/hYUF?Enough inventory 2 pick from & seems 2b recovering $$
  • A World Awash in Credit with Much Work to Do?stks.co/gYHW?Increasingly hard to find safe yield; EM still seems promising,but… $$
  • i’d like to see: zip code level correlation between house price growth from 2011 to 2013 against absentee purchase share during same period.
  • Hedge Funds Boost Gold Bull Bets Most in Two Months?stks.co/jY4r?Makes me a little edgy for gold prices $$
  • Mortgage Investors Get Blindsidedstks.co/pFMV?Bonds Backed by Subprime Loans Had $1B Previously Undisclosed Losses $$?#surprise
  • Emerging-Market FX Gets Ugly. Very Ugly.?stks.co/qF1e?Yeah, I feel it, just look at the chart in?$EDD?of which I am long $$

 

FWIW

  • My week on twitter: 51 retweets received, 58 new followers, 34 mentions. Via:20ft.net/p

 

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Europe

?

  • Risk of Bank Failures Rising in Europe, E.C.B. Warns?stks.co/iXnFdgzCpNK1ctKk7ijN/w&pagewanted=all&pagewanted=print Bad scene $$
  • New BoE chief Carney will devalue sterling, Pimco warns?stks.co/sEin?It’s useless but everyone has 2try2 “beggar thy neighbor” $$
  • The French Economic Maginot Line: A Very Weak Strongpoint?stks.co/cVlX French economy weakening; 2 big 4 Germany 2 rescue $$
  • Greek Economy Optimism Seen in Yield-Curve Switch?stks.co/aVsv?Perhaps they r doing better, but what of France & Germany? $$
  • Hungary Cuts Policy Rate to Record Lowstks.co/sENf?Another nation sucked into the march to global ZIRP; what will break first? $$

?

Asia

?

  • Asia’s Huge Debt Growth Problem: Remember 1997??stks.co/sEsy?Graph on this page is worth a look; could b another Asia crisis $$
  • Aging Chinese Face a Bleak Picturestks.co/cWG6?This should b no surprise; it is the logical outcome of the 1 child policy $$
  • China Failure to Grow With $1T Is Warning to Li: Economy?stks.co/jXddNegative Marginal productivity of capital in China $$?#FTL
  • China’s Xi Comes Calling on Americasstks.co/rEua?Interesting to see the Chinese need 4 products in the Western Hemisphere $$
  • China Failure to Grow With $1T Is Warning 2 Li: Economy?stks.co/dVzl?10 years from now, they’ll wonder y we worried about China $$
  • China-Based Cyber Attacks Rise at Meteoric Pace?stks.co/sEco?This is not news. Practice safe computing, & you will be safe. $$
  • Japanese Housewives Cooling on Aussie Uridashi?stks.co/sEcn?The strong yen is gone,& small investors realize there is no gain $$
  • Tokyo Shares Down Sharplystks.co/bW4G?Japanese stocks get hit, why should anyone be surprised? BOJ engaged in voodoo economics $$
  • Japan?s Bond Market Wants BOJ to Purchase More Short-Term?stks.co/gXRpTraders off-balance as BOJ stops giving them easy profit $$
  • China’s Shuanghui to Buy Smithfield Foods?stks.co/pEdZ?A wise addition to the strategic pork reserve; let the pigs flow west! $$
  • Japan plays down concerns bond price spike could hurt recovery?stks.co/fXGZKuroda thinks 3% higher interest rates won’t hurt?! $$
  • Fears over US stimulus highlight Japan?s fragility?stks.co/aVlz?Japan is reaching the limits of what monetary policy can do $$

 

Rest of the World

  • Sudan Threatens to Close Pipelinestks.co/cVvE?Two corrupt regimes arguing over oil – a lose/lose situation $$
  • Bank of Israel Lowers Rate Again After Surprise Mid-May Cut?stks.co/eVoS?Many fringe economies import low rates 2 aid exporters $$
  • Despite Detractors, Don’t Buy Talk of Dollar’s Demise?stks.co/cVeU?The US is in good shape compared to Japan, Eurozone & China $$
  • Fringe economies are forced to absorb loose monetary policy, or let exports suffer while hot money tries to get yield in their countries $$

 

Central Banking

?

  • Simon Johnson: Choosing the Next Head of the Federal Reservestks.co/bWEQ?No doubt that Dick Fisher would b a lot better $$
  • Is the Fed Right to Calibrate Asset Purchases to Economic Data?stks.co/fXYR?Coarse data doesn’t allow 4 fine policy precision $$
  • US Banks Looking Solid As Bernanke Keeps The Juice Flowing, But Perils Of Financial Crisis Loom?stks.co/pEdg?Low rates will end $$
  • Fed?s 100-Year Roots Grew From Virginia Congressman?stks.co/sEWJ?Puff piece of secular hagiography fawning over Carter Glass $$
  • Kuroda Struggles W/Communication as Japan Rates Rise?stks.co/eVkQ?Most central bankers don’t know forces w/which they r toying $$
  • Also, strong communication skills at central banks r a weakness, not a strength; better 2 move back to the pre-87 era, operate in shadows $$
  • The more communication a central bank puts out, the more markets become “tightly coupled” w/the CB, thus limiting the effects of policy $$
  • Stephen Poloz: Top 10 headaches BoC chief faces right off the bat?stks.co/qEKO2 much debt amid a mortgage bubble germinates $$

 

Market Impact

 

  • NYC Pension Chief Seeks $500,000 Managers to Cut Out Wall Street stks.co/eWPZ?Insourcing looks easy; u need bright mgmt 2do it $$
  • Contrarian Investing in Quality Franchises?stks.co/dWEz?It is not enough 2b contrarian, u have 2b right $$?$STUDY
  • James DeMasi on Overcoming Adversity to Start and Grow a Value Investment Management Firm?stks.co/eWPVIntelligent stuff $$?$STUDY
  • Pension-Fund Swings Make Case for Cutting Risk?stks.co/tEuZ?Much as I like ALM, probably the wrong time 2 trade stocks 4 bonds $$
  • Junk Bonds Having A Bad Week (Down 0.96%) Amid Broader Pullbackstks.co/bWEV?Yet this is small & we need it 2 persist 4 weeks $$
  • Evaluating 3 Bullish Argumentsstks.co/dW9s?PR better than logic, but he is right that the market is overvalued $$
  • Sallie Krawcheck: Big Banks Still Don?t Have Enough Capital?stks.co/rEou?No 1 knows how large the ultimate catastrophe could b $$
  • Morgan Stanley to Downsize Fixed Income?stks.co/dVzj?I think this is a mistake. Wall Street exists 2 sell debt$MS?$$
  • Record Cash Sent to Balanced Fundsstks.co/eVv4?Hail the humble balanced fund, which has the virtue of keeping panic away 4most $$
  • SEC Refocuses on Accounting Fraud stks.co/gXI1?With Crisis-Related Enforcement Ebbing, SEC Is Turning Back to Main Street $$
  • A hedge fund for u & me? Best move is 2 pass?stks.co/eVoW?Sage advice from @ritholtz?| survivor & reporting bias & fees 2 high $$
  • Goldman Sachs Buyback Orders Reach Highest Level of Year?stks.co/bVkE?Are buybacks part of the voting or weighing machine *now* $$
  • Margin Debt Hits a Record, Showing Confidence?stks.co/fX96?Confidence or froth, amid a market influenced by aggressive $$ policy?
  • Beware of ‘Bargain’ Stocks?stks.co/hXKKI disagree for now; look4 strong companies in industries under stress that will survive $$
  • Defaulted Manhattan Complex Rewards Patient $$?stks.co/iXCC?Sadly, equity & mezzanine were wiped out, patience pays only4 snr debt

 

Insurance

 

  • MetLife cuts 2,500 advisers seen lacking chance of success?stks.co/dWF0?Retail chief says productivity ‘way up;’ costs way down $$
  • Regarding the prior tweet, I have wondered 4 ~25 years when something like that would happen; has long been needed @ most life insurers $$
  • $PRU?Takes On?$AFL?in Benefits After Health Law?stks.co/fXpO?Much easier2 “enter” a market than create a sales force $$ FD: +?$AFL
  • $ENH?CEO steps down, replacement named?stks.co/iXML?Sudden. Former CEO of?$AXS?picked, owns ~1.5%, will own ~4% as comp; FD: +$ENH
  • The former CEO of?$AXS?was pushed out by his board; he built Axis, but was a bit of a prima donna. What will he do to $ENH?? | FD: +?$ENH?$$
  • One more note: the competent former CFO of?$PRE?is now CEO of?$AXS?, having been passed over for the CEO job @?$PRE?$$?#musicalchairs

 

US Politics

 

  • Pelosi: ?We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it.? The more we find out, the less sense it makes.stks.co/pF0S
  • GOP senators want IG probe of Sebelius’ ‘Obamacare’ fundraising?stks.co/dWA5Obama administration is more corrupt than Nixon $$
  • Bible Class in Texas Schools Faulted as Unconstitutional?stks.co/iXnP?Look in the comments 4 bigoted ideas that aren’t American $$
  • Obamacare Competition Has Roots in Economist?s Passion?stks.co/dW9n?If you believe in neoclassical economics u r deluded $$?#loser
  • Regulators Want Better Financial Datastks.co/gXjV?Well, duh, but there are costs involved & the government does not bear those $$
  • When Chinese Walls Come Crumbling Down?stks.co/rEot?There r still conflicts of interest on Wall Street. Be aware & defensive $$
  • Deposits Guaranteed Up to $250,000?Maybe?stks.co/pEdo?Congress transfers insured deposit risks to the taxpayers & depositors $$
  • Liberty Reserve Joe Bogus Account Said to Reflect Evasion?stks.co/jXKv?Money laundering goes high-tech; Feds take action $$
  • Obama Accepting Sequestration as Deficit Shrinks?stks.co/gXIj?Whaddaya know? A policy no one liked actually isn’t that bad $$
  • Health Law Critics Seek to Gut It by Attacking Exchanges?stks.co/rEO6 Exchanges will only attract sick, will b high costs4all $$
  • The US Federal Government Spending: a Huge Fiscal Drag http;//stks.co/iXMS Cutting less useful spending it may help, not harm $$
  • Hollywood Loses Blockbusters as ?Iron Man? Finds Subsidy?stks.co/gXIX?Like building stadiums, except u have to keep doing it $$
  • Obama Nominates 2 Senate Aides for S.E.C. Posts?stks.co/fX8w?A team 2 assure continued incompetence & weak enforcement $$
  • Banks’ Lobbyists Help in Drafting Financial Bills?stks.co/pEJH?Basic goals: min capital reqs, max flexibility, weaken regs $$

 

Other

 

  • Cord Cutters Lop Off Internet Service More Than TV?stks.co/hXwv?You can cut your costs, but what does that do to your life? $$
  • Online Course Providers Reach Out2 Wary Professors?stks.co/jXde?Better to ask the question, “Where is new revenue coming from?” $$
  • Victor Davis Hanson: Why Some Wars Are So Savage?stks.co/bW4K?Evenly matched wars that take a long time lead to barbarism $$
  • Mary Meeker is Back With Her 2013 Internet Trends Report Slidesstks.co/pEfP?A lot of interesting information $$ Things change
  • European Sunscreen Roadblock on U.S. Beaches?stks.co/tENx?If you sunburn like me, maybe European sunscreens will help u $$
  • Dear Grads, Don’t ‘Do What You Love’ stks.co/hXVe?The solution is 2love what u do; working 4 $$ helps other priorities in life
  • Death Jolts Texas Investorsstks.co/aVsN?Since his body was found 2 weeks ago, investors say they lent him millions of $$?#badodor
  • Common Core Education Is Uncommonly Inadequate?stks.co/sENHNational curriculum standards tend 2b dumbed-down; local better $$
  • Science Can?t Pin Powerful Tornadoes on Global Climate Change?stks.co/eVoUA rare fair article on climate @ Bloomberg. Who knew $$
  • Noahpinion: Bets do not (necessarily) reveal beliefs?stks.co/dVdu?In which Noah Smith arbs Brad Delong & Patrick Chovanec $$?#FTW
  • Immunology Gets Turned On Its Headstks.co/jX4P?Discovery may aid vaccine design&begins2explain y gene therapy runs in2 trouble $$
  • Is This Google X’s Plan to Wire the World??stks.co/hXKJ?Solar powered balloons dot the skies, could last 5 years & upgrade $$

 

Companies

 

  • Buffett’s Safe Bet on Vegas?stks.co/gXjUThe Maestro does it again, takes a marginally profitable company, & refinances it $$
  • Goldman Upgrades Defense Contractors?stks.co/gXjT?My but how contrarian; won’t there b less cash flowing to defense companies? $$
  • Berkshire Hathaway Unit to Buy NV Energy for $5.6B?stks.co/dVzk?Another wise move by Buffett; utility earnings make $$ vs funding
  • Alcoa Cut to Junk by Moody?s as Aluminum Price Declines?stks.co/pEkEAnother sign of economic weakness, but Alcoa will survive $$
  • Payday Lenders Evading Rules Pivot to Installment Loans?stks.co/eW4q?I like people to have choice, but not 1 that leads2a trap $$
  • Empire State Building IPO Plan Is Approved?stks.co/fXUM?”The second-largest IPO for a U.S. real-estate investment trust” ever $$
  • BHP Halts Coal Expansion?stks.co/dVthDownturn in the global economy & thus steel makes demand fall for metallurgical coal $$?$BHP
  • Newsweek for Sale: IAC Seeks Buyersstks.co/jXKo?The internet changes everything; say goodbye to a dinosaur $$
  • Utilities Weigh Entering Rooftop-Solar Business?stks.co/sEWA?Sounds dumb; it’s a very different biz in almost every way $$?#FTL
  • Samsung, Sony Court Indians as Subsidies Fund Factories?stks.co/gXIgIndia gives 25% subsidy4capital costs2setup tech plants. $$

 

Energy

 

  • As US Oil Booms, an Unlikely Word Rises: Depletion?stks.co/dVl5?Wells created by fracking have shorter production profiles $$
  • U.S. Oil Boom Divides OPECstks.co/pEUQ?Those most dependent on oil revenues want others in OPEC 2 cut, so that they can cheat $$

 

Replies, Retweets & Comments

  • I just left a comment in “Energy stocks down, look to end week higher – Energy Stocks – MarketWatch”on.mktw.net/18DiBrm
  • “I have read both. Buffett made mistakes that cost him, but never such that he could not bounce back?” ? D_Merkeldisq.us/8da393?$$
  • Commented on StockTwits: Old tweet deleted, new tweet out?stks.co/iXMe
  • “Don’t forget his purchase of 83% of CVR Energy. Equally good. FD: +$CVI ” ? David_Merkel?disq.us/8d9jmi?cc:@refomedbroker?$$
  • @AlephBlog?Growth and the Market. Useful piece to help people make sense of seemingly over-valued equity market:wp.me/p3nd6r-4s
  • Sets up future losses $$ RT@tomkeene: ?Cov-lite? loans soar in dash for yield -?FT.com?on.ft.com/12daxfK
  • @kurtgodeldabomb?I like your name. Yes, that’s y I said it; I think its the voting machine 4 most companies, & weighing machine 4 a few
  • “Until the strategy fails, and he asks you to leave.” ? David_Merkeldisq.us/8d97f5?$$
  • @pope_stephen?Sadly, monetary policy was much better run under Volcker & Martin, & they were not going out of their way 2 explain the Fed $$

 

FWIW

  • My week on twitter: 42 retweets received, 2 new listings, 60 new followers, 37 mentions. Via:?20ft.net/p

 

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Market Dynamics

 

  • Gold, backwardation and the ?time cost of money? http://t.co/AauT82dWoE Many players want 2 make $$ off gold financing but conditions shift May 04, 2013
  • The sultans of swing http://t.co/rItrBNwPej Short vol pays income & loses in bad times, long vol loses income & wins in bad times $$ May 04, 2013
  • Public Pensions Underreporting Liabilities?? http://t.co/IdEnrkdcXc Milliman is incented 2 make things look good, or they would lose biz $$ May 03, 2013
  • It?s Time to Fight the Fed http://t.co/rAnFWIwctu Makes the case that stock market has decoupled from economic reality $$ cc @MicroFundy May 03, 2013
  • JPMorgan Caught in Swirl of Regulatory Woes http://t.co/RFuywRTw0s When finance gets complex there r many opportunities 4 mischief $$ $JPM May 03, 2013
  • Why is Doug Kass bearish on Buffett?s Berkshire? http://t.co/aCQVRoxEzv My challenge is2ask original questions that have never been asked $$ May 02, 2013
  • High-Speed Traders Exploit Loophole http://t.co/aMdRBW72x3 Y can’t the same data feed be provided to all participants? $$ May 02, 2013
  • Treasury Is Readying Floating-Rate Debt http://t.co/d2ybajZWWO First new Treasury debt product in years. Wonder what the index will be… $$ May 02, 2013
  • Don’t get me wrong, QE is bad policy. Rather than having a short sharp recession that clears the way 4 growth, Fed traps us in malaise $$ May 02, 2013
  • When Defensive Stocks Plays Offense http://t.co/aF6MIrTzyQ @ReformedBroker describes effect of $$ flowing in2 low vol stocks, erasing safety May 01, 2013
  • Gold Rush From Dubai2Turkey Saps Supply as Premiums Jump http://t.co/2I3a2B5npH True in the US too: http://t.co/AmkUqn639p $$ #takedelivery May 01, 2013
  • Canadian banks r largely shielded from effects of housing downturn b/c government-owned Canada Mtge & Housing insures 64% Canadian mtges $$ May 01, 2013
  • Meet the man who’s selling Canada short http://t.co/HqStfr9CCe Shorting bank common stocks, & the Loonie. Market prices / rent – high $$ May 01, 2013
  • My Edge and the Crossroads http://t.co/KfcVQUCCjc @ReformedBroker gives us a glimpse of how he synthesizes disparate market data $$ May 01, 2013
  • The Great Gold Debate Continues, And It’s Serious http://t.co/Xwtar2rlWE As central banks debase fiat $$ ,gold standard gets more attention Apr 29, 2013
  • Big Number: Revenues Missing a ‘Beat’ http://t.co/IwTCtzSUZS Only 44% of companies have beaten revenue estimates, rally could slow down $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Gold Climbs as Higher Physical Demand Counters Decline From ETPs http://t.co/2c6WAxC5Yn Negative real cost of carry favors gold here $$ $GLD Apr 29, 2013
  • Gold Bears Defy Rally as Goldman Closes Short Wager http://t.co/WRNWV4MayC Demand 4 physical gold continues while ETPs c outflows $$ $GLD Apr 29, 2013
  • Market?s $20T Yielding 1% Shows Austerity Mistaken http://t.co/NnEbi5SshB Monetary policy papering over budget deficits aids stagnation $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Stock Analysts Tell All! http://t.co/I4ixQlTBeU Follow the $$ | C how analyst comp affects their actions; hedge funds matter, retail doesn’t Apr 29, 2013
  • The Mind of Jeffrey Gundlach http://t.co/aLmhR5gEuB @eddyelfenbein takes us on a brief tour of how Gundlach came 2b a clever contrarian $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Oil demand at lowest level since Oct http://t.co/X6qhQnYOS8 More signs of global sogginess $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • When Safe Havens Become Bubbles In Disguise http://t.co/XTPtp4jgGa Good article if you view the investing alternatives @ end skeptically $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Gold Rout for Central Banks Buying Most Since 1964 http://t.co/Zzkd0slUS8 Gold overshot, but negative real cost of carry favors a rise $$ Apr 28, 2013
  • Bank-Loan Funds Pose New Risks http://t.co/V0F6rX4TSV This is a minor mania — expected future returns are low to negative. Avoid. Avoid $$ Apr 27, 2013

Other

 

  • Cicadas, the Wedding Crashers Who Can Jitterbug http://t.co/jcnOqeJeY0 Will b going2an outdoor wedding in late May, should be a scream $$ 😉 May 03, 2013
  • Note, Shodan can be used positively 2 identify security flaws in your own systems 😉 $$ http://t.co/PmMo1IWcrp May 03, 2013
  • SHODAN – Computer Search Engine http://t.co/5stvEHa6Js Why be the last person on your block w/o ability to unprotected computer networks? $$ May 03, 2013
  • NO PIZZA FOR YOU!!! http://t.co/6BxRJtamn2 Mayor Bloomberg runs into his “Personal Slice Limit,” & has to go to another pizza purveyor $$ May 03, 2013
  • 5 Twitter tools to Unfollow Inactive Users http://t.co/o467OjGtgA Interesting utilities cc: @carney @reformedbroker $$ May 02, 2013
  • Billionaires Flee Havens as Trillions Pursued Offshore http://t.co/Lbmk1sofQC Politicians interested protecting tax havens 4 their owners $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Run or walk: Why science hasn?t determined which exercise is best http://t.co/nFB6BgCPzf Equal expending of calories -> similar results $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Texas Town?s Blast Crater Shows Risk From Patchwork Zoning Laws http://t.co/LHYMiBq3l7 Necessary dirty industry has 2 go somewhere $$ Apr 28, 2013
  • Can You Get a Refund From a Bad Hedge Fund? http://t.co/VO3AsaooVO If your hedge fund has lost $$, u may be able 2 rescind your purchase Apr 28, 2013
  • Are Bachelor’s Degrees Worth It? http://t.co/AxAWgZmWge Bachelor’s degrees may not b worth it, but community college can bring a return $$ Apr 28, 2013

 

Rest of the World

 

  • Too-Big-to-Fail Danish Banks Seek Bailout Text in Sifi Law http://t.co/jRJigpfsW1 Overleveraged housing sector & banks challenge Denmark $$ May 03, 2013
  • Chinese Way of Doing Business – In Cash We Trust http://t.co/pGEcUDgMTa More corrupt ur nation is, the more u want 2do cash transactions $$ May 02, 2013
  • Denmark Exhausts Stimulus Avenues as Housing Losses Persist http://t.co/MjtLztxIeg Denmark is the poster child 4 mtge excess, then Canada $$ May 02, 2013
  • Japan household spending surges as Abenomics gains momentum http://t.co/9wehqDMxde Inflation genie comes out of the bottle, what next? $$ May 01, 2013
  • Where the Chinese credit is going? http://t.co/lYHxHMCNeZ “financial distress is another reason why credit expansion has not worked well” $$ May 01, 2013
  • Why the China Dream Might Be a Mirage http://t.co/hO4YupHbJl Economic change w/o political change will not work much longer in China $$ Apr 30, 2013
  • Factories to face headwinds from enlarged TPP http://t.co/dbPXgxlqzr Chinese businesses build factories elsewhere 4 cheap labor $$ #surprise Apr 29, 2013
  • European Leaders? Softening on Austerity May Accelerate http://t.co/VnLL4Npykr Ending austerity is one thing; sharing losses is another $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Silvercrest’s Patrick Chovanec http://t.co/H2RgxU16Kq Excellent interview w/ @prchovanec on the difficulties w/old Chinese growth model $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Japan’s ‘wall of money’ proves elusive for global markets http://t.co/l9d8RVnqks So far, most of the credit inflation recycled in Japan $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • The hole the mutual fund industry has dug for itself http://t.co/MEYDxqJgy5 Huge mutual fund fees in Canada shortchange investors $$ #Wow Apr 29, 2013
  • Europe: Aging deepens debt-laden region?s economic woes http://t.co/jWqDYPaDSO Economic growth relies on a population not shrinking $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Danes as Most-Indebted in World Resist Credit http://t.co/PPfvdn12tT Denmark is the poster child 4 what happens w/2 much mortgage debt $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Japan’s Abenomics New Export By-Product: Deflation! http://t.co/0YMovyM2Br Growth does not come as more reserves build up in the banks $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Japan’s Yen Unintended Consequences – Fukushima and the Yen – Hara-Kiri http://t.co/TRqa9gjIUs Higher fuel costs begin 2 bite in Japan $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Europeans Are Thinking the Unthinkable: That Debt Defaults Might Make Sense http://t.co/BQdfWoGknw Only if u can stiff foreign creditors $$ Apr 29, 2013

 

Companies & Industries

 

  • Buffett Bets on Business Insurance ?Big Time? http://t.co/tlcMeszcWJ Rounding out underwriting book; more conservative version of $AIG $$ May 03, 2013
  • Quite a first day of trading for CST Brands, Inc. Common Stock Finance http://t.co/nFzrkovLWN Spun off from Valero | FD: + $CST & $VLO $$ May 02, 2013

?? Endurance Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results http://t.co/VC4x9cUQBh I have never seen an earnings beat this big b4 | FD: long $ENH May 01, 2013

  • How Wall Street Defanged Dodd-Frank http://t.co/FzgwKpOvBh Long, worth a read, describes financial industry’s strategy 2 kill Dodd-Frank $$ May 01, 2013
  • I don’t like D-F b/c it’s weak in areas that matter, & strong in areas that don’t matter. &, study committees shouldn’t have lotsa power $$ May 01, 2013
  • I was serious on that last comment. Actuaries serve as honest, semi-neutral advisors to the regulators, & have a significant ethics code $$ May 01, 2013
  • That makes insurance regulation significantly more brainy than banking regulation. Also tougher, b/c harder 2 co-opt 50 state regulators $$ May 01, 2013
  • New Ajit Jain Signals in the Berkshire Hathaway Tea Leaves http://t.co/k5sikoCKGM Is Ajit preparing 2b CEO or retire? FD: long $BRK/B $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Apple doesn’t deserve top credit rating: Fitch http://t.co/ardXsKVuoB Problem is that the $$ is overseas & the debts r in the US $AAPL Apr 29, 2013
  • Tech Stocks Are Cheapest in Seven Years http://t.co/InmrCkKmVw Question should b how sustainable revenue streams r in a soggy economy $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • States Object to ‘Payday’ Lawsuit Lending http://t.co/ZL7vvCz3GQ This looks like a good market 2 avoid; 2 much risk from legal changes $$ Apr 29, 2013

 

US Economic Policy

 

  • Deflation, not inflation, could bedevil markets http://t.co/seyOKKmSZV Watch global weakness weigh on the US, also inventory drawdowns $$ May 03, 2013
  • US Economy : 6 Critical Indicators of Potential Recession Flashing RED http://t.co/32jNZ3SNrC A stroll through the bearish economic view $$ May 03, 2013
  • A possible step towards numerical guidance for QE? http://t.co/fjNXmEMPPk Volume/Clarity of Fed communications doesn’t matter $$ #deadend May 03, 2013
  • Fed weighs tighter cap on bank leverage http://t.co/oLiw2XZdqf Maybe adapt well-designed RBC formula life insurance industry uses $$ #noway May 01, 2013
  • Obama to Name Congressman Mel Watt to Housing-Finance Post http://t.co/LClhqyLnij This seems like a mistake; Zandi would have been better $$ May 01, 2013
  • There Will Be Haircuts http://t.co/uGuDijhW7d @pimco gives 4 ways govt will fleece us: negative real rates, inflation, default, cap ctrls $$ May 01, 2013
  • Roubini: Money supplies holding back economy, but run could last 2 years http://t.co/kaoOK1Nd41 Monetary policy is weak in a liquidity trap Apr 30, 2013
  • Powerful Union, Upstart Battle Over Shrinking Pie http://t.co/z5N7DME5sT Another sign that unions are a thing of the past. Good riddance $$ Apr 30, 2013
  • Ebbing Inflation Means More Easy Money http://t.co/32RIuQeX1f Fed’s new job is 2 push the marginal productivity of capital to zero $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Wall Street is full of ‘crooks,’ Jeffrey Sachs told Philadelphia Fed audience http://t.co/V8LhcyX8qg Evidence would help, many assertions $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • US Growth comes Mostly from Inventories http://t.co/WJnRbUGfiJ The current expansion is not robust, IMO will not persist at rates >1.5% $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • The Federal Financial Triangle http://t.co/tc8vEvK7QP The Fed, the Treasury, & GSEs have mispriced financial risk -> deeper US deficits $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Are You Ready for the New Investment Tax? http://t.co/yDSIkClF5H Make a lot of many from investments? This tax could surprise u in 2014 $$ Apr 28, 2013

 

Fixed Income

?

  • DoubleLine’s Gundlach seeks more risk in new closed-end fund http://t.co/EaBoKhCGCv I like the strategy, wonder when will get 2 crowded $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Fitch US High Yield Default Insight ? March 2013 http://t.co/8KnB3v1uN7 Lots of good data on the stretched junk bond market $$ $HYG $JNK Apr 29, 2013
  • Junk Bond Daily Yield Snapshot: 5.289% (Yes, Another Record) http://t.co/1GiDYWac74 Further price gains should b incremental due 2 calls $$ Apr 29, 2013

 

At the Bloomberg Washington Summit

  • Bloomberg Washington Summit http://t.co/t1pgPaRBRg The videos from the event can be found here. 5.5 hours of video #BBwash $$ May 03, 2013
  • At the Bloomberg Washington Summit, Part 5 http://t.co/k3a3maTPST Alan Krueger (Chmn Council of Economic Advisers) & Other Stuff #BBwash $$ May 03, 2013
  • At the Bloomberg Washington Summit, Part 4 http://t.co/lQVo1drGbc Economics, US Postal Service, Lunch & China #BBwash $$ May 03, 2013
  • At the Bloomberg Washington Summit, Part 3 http://t.co/i3KmSxbKmz Infrastructure, Corp Tax Reform, Dodd-Frank, & Garry Gensler $$ #BBwash May 03, 2013
  • At the Bloomberg Washington Summit, Part 2 http://t.co/6m43ZgCm8X Unemployment, Healthcare Spending, & the State of the states $$ #BBwash May 03, 2013
  • At the Bloomberg Washington Summit, Part 1 http://t.co/Rjgb8zY60u US Budget, Sequester, dysfunctional politics & economics #BBwash $$ May 03, 2013
  • Back home from #BBwash, watch for a summary post later tonight at http://t.co/HQR2bRfS06 Thanks 2 @bgov, @BoozAllen, @Visa, @Bloomberg Apr 30, 2013
  • Final panel optimistic about tax reform over the next 2 years Prob over 50%. Can’t say I’m that optimistic #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • John Rogers of the CFA institute asks Q on differential taxation of dividends/interest, of course panel goes 4 ending dbl taxation #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Take back my last tweet. Panel agrees on every corporate tax cut, but shies away from anything that might affect their interest #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Final Panel at #BBWash on corporate tax reform, the significant disagreements of panelists indicate y reform will b tough Apr 30, 2013
  • Last tweet made 2 counter what the VA Governor said about his budget being balanced, along with the rest of the states #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • States only balance on a cash basis. Various pension, healthcare and other liabilities r not fully funded all states in the Union #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • VA Gov McDonnell speaking of the US “Don’t you know we are broke?” Then goes on 2 talk about our unfunded public benefit liabilities #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • VA Governor makes case that sequestration cuts r unfair b/c they disproportionately affect VA. But VA benefited when spending rose #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • #hello still waiting on sequestration’s effect on Virginia #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Waiting 2 get 2 the main topic w/the VA governor on sequestration, interviewer still grilling on perceived conflict of interest #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • @cate_long Cool, if you were here, I would say “hi.” Instead, I type “hi.” Apr 30, 2013
  • Gov McDonnell of VA speaking @ #BBWash about sequestration, Instead, gets grilled by interviewer on perceived conflicts of interest Apr 30, 2013
  • @cate_long Are you here at BBWash or watching on television? Apr 30, 2013
  • Ravitch says the threat of BK can make all of the parties focus; biggest state risk is confiscatory tax levels, not reduced benefits #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Rendell makes case 4 telling truth & shared sacrifice. Ravitch: Muni Bankruptcy is an admission that democracy has failed #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • RT @cate_long: Rendell “If city goes bankrupt cant borrow again” BBG’s Glasgall “Orange County went bankrupt and can still borrow” #bbwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Moderator makes point about the frenzy in the junk muni market, Ravitch says cities & states have no choice but 2 have access 2 mkts #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Ed Rendell makes case 4 a single payer health system. Same point can be made for no health insurance, which would lower costs more #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Pension & OPEB panel @ #BBwash is making the case that we are in deep trouble, w/little way out Apr 30, 2013
  • @cate_long Thanks, useful… Apr 30, 2013
  • @cate_long Thanks, just puzzled by the moderators comments on OPEB at this panel at #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • @cate_long Cate, most corporations don’t reserve OPEB, b/c they can walk away from it, Governments can’t do the same? Apr 30, 2013
  • @CescaAntonelli Could be, I think she is the leading candidate as well, but I don’t like her seemingly reflexive dovishness Apr 30, 2013
  • Never happened b4 2 VC RT @CescaAntonelli: Yellen has right of first refusal at Fed, Meyer says at @BBGlink #bbwash http://t.co/Qwn6MvlmVP Apr 30, 2013
  • Krueger suggests that people have to adjust their definition of fairness. Trouble is there is no fairness, it is all based on trade #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • @tomkeene brings up corporate tax code given $AAPL bond deal, Krueger says a deal can be done if the base can b broadened #BBWash #notlikely Apr 30, 2013
  • Krueger goes on talking about inequality, has few solutions; education is slow if it works, throwing $$ @ it hasn’t worked recently #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Krueger spending a lot of time criticizing the sequester, suggests there is a way to do smart cuts. When have we ever done that? #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Krueger suggests that fixing infrastructure has the highest payoff. Problem: haven’t *ever* done it, & the budget 2 deep in deficit #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Kreuger implies Stockman’s opinions r not worthy of consideration #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Delicious food & good conversation @ #BBwash lunch. Sat w/ @tomkeene & @steve_hanke Apr 30, 2013
  • @pattersonscott In my opinion, that comes down to misregulation of inv banks & AIG , they should have regulated derivs as if on B/S #bbwash Apr 30, 2013
  • @pattersonscott & I argued 4 ring-fencing the derivative counterparties, & let the holding companies fail, but had 2 have mtges fail 1st Apr 30, 2013
  • @pattersonscott derivatives did crater some companies taking one side of the mortgage trade, but mortgages had to go bad first Apr 30, 2013
  • @pattersonscott for every winner on a derivative, there is a loser. nets to zero — on the original loan there are real loan losses #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Appreciate CFTC Chairman Gensler’s sense of humor, even if it burns time… #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • #BBwash Gensler says that we will move away from Libor. Me: Any benchmark not based on trades will b gamed, as well as those based on trades Apr 30, 2013
  • @pattersonscott Some were tied to the mortgages, but the real losses came from the mortgage underwriting, which came first #bbwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Utterly mistaken RT @cedwaddell: #BBwash Gary Gensler, chair of CFTC, says 8 million jobs lost since 2008 due to unregulated swaps market Apr 30, 2013
  • Gensler traces the crisis to the derivatives markets when it was really due to bad mortgage lending #BBwash #FTL Apr 30, 2013
  • @PeterCCook Ask him why derivatives are not regulated like insurance, and require insurable interest #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • @PeterCCook Ask him why derivatives are not regulated like insurance, and require insurable interest Apr 30, 2013
  • RT @cate_long: “I believe that the role of the Post Office is universal service and overnight delivery is part of that” Sen Cardin #bbwash Apr 30, 2013
  • USPS CFO thinks there is a long-term solution, needs regulatory changes, allowing delivery of alcohol, etc. wants more independence #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • CFO of $UPS talks about two scenarios for rises in interest rates: good: improvement in productivity, bad: stagflation #BBwash #duh Apr 30, 2013
  • If business were already agreed on tax policy, tax policy would have changed already #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Mistaken concept that the business community has 1 clear goal in tax policy, one man’s tax expenditure is more valuable than others #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Eclectic panel Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Kurt Kuehn, CFO UPS & Joseph Corbett, CFO & EVP, USPS — don’t think this goes far #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • PA gov Corbett leaves benefits/fees of fracking to local governments where it is needed #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Corbett wants to be the “Texas” of Natgas, TX ain’t what it used 2b #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • 1 in 6 people in PA on Medicaid would b 1 in 4 under Obamacare, according2 Tom Corbett, PA 2nd highest in Medicaid b/c optional covs #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • @fbonacci @incakolanews @felixsalmon Easy come, easy go, little high, little low… nothing really matters, anyone can see… Apr 30, 2013
  • At #BBwash , Tom Corbett talks about selling the state liquor stores, when it barely moves the needle in terms of the NPV of the liabs Apr 30, 2013
  • John Rogers of the CFA Institute asks Engle why we should invest in a new bubble created by the Federal Reserve? Engle waffles. #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • @incakolanews Galileo, Galileo, will you let me go? Apr 30, 2013
  • Engle correct in noting that the tea party has made washington a 3-party game, which creates a complex blocked situation #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Gotta give Scaramucci credit for getting on this #BBWash panel, he has said some notably odd things Apr 30, 2013
  • Federal Reserve less independent since Dodd-Frank, & not in a good way, it supports the US financial sector & government #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Pitt: if I were a college professor, I would give Congress an “F” 4 Dodd-Frank #BBWash Apr 30, 2013
  • Humorous panel w/Harvey Pitt, Robert Engle, and Anthony Scaramucci — Engle is clueless, thinking Fed policy can b easily removed #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • Wargaming in economics is impossible; there is no way to predict next economic crisis, writ small. Overlevered systems r risky #BBwash $$ Apr 30, 2013
  • Too much discussion over bailing out the system. Too little discussion over how to limit overall debt and debt complexity #BBWash $$ Apr 30, 2013
  • Good discussion @ #BBwash where they describe how more complex laws & regulations make markets more complex rather than clear $$ #worse Apr 30, 2013
  • Panel on Dodd-Frank arguing about bank capital, arguing that higher capital isn’t so bad. #BBwash $$ That said, liquidity is more important Apr 30, 2013
  • Panel on Dodd-Frank arguing about bank capital, arguing that higher capital isn’t so bad. #BBwah $$ That said, liquidity is more important Apr 30, 2013
  • Really disappointed in the lack of reasoning from Larry Meyer, not disappointed in Chris van Hollen, nothing to expect there $$ #BBwash Apr 30, 2013
  • At the Bloomberg Washington Summit: definitely a liberal bias to first two panels, saying that the current deficits must continue #BBWash $$ Apr 30, 2013

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Wrong

  • Wrong: Fed Seen Slowing Stimulus With QE Cut by End of This Year http://t.co/h2ckgPDc3e Sorry, but the Fed will increase its QE in 2013 $$ May 02, 2013
  • Wrong: Europe?s New Path: Austerity with a Human Face http://t.co/HXzbWFx2v9 Real austerity hasn’t been tried yet, only debt monetization $$ Apr 29, 2013
  • Wrong: ?Peak Fossil Fuels? Is Closer Than You Think: BNEF – Bloomberg http://t.co/XoKYF1qoEW No way; governments of world won’t cooperate $$ Apr 28, 2013
  • New York Times Moves Toward Netflix Model as Ads Tumble http://t.co/rHrbxxAe8e I think $NYT is eventually a zero as the internet eats it $$ Apr 28, 2013

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Replies, Retweets & Comments

  • 5.5% annualized growth $$ RT @EddyElfenbein: Nominal S&P 500 earnings are expected to be roughly double this year compared with 2000 May 03, 2013
  • @EddyElfenbein http://t.co/FvBzLDzuGI On the IBM Industrial Average, where I propose the News Corp Industrial Average May 03, 2013
  • @H_X_S Thanks, Janetter looks interesting. May 03, 2013
  • Liked the old Tweetdeck better $$ RT @danprimack: Does Twitter know that some of us probably would have paid to keep tweetdeck alive? May 03, 2013
  • @AndreCimini It’s all a part of the current “race to the bottom” monetary policy game. Trying to figure out how this one blows up May 03, 2013
  • @fsmontenegro Thanks, missed that, relied on a friend May 03, 2013
  • ‘ @JayLeonard No doubt, & realize these are marginal rates, which few pay because of the Swiss cheese nature of the corp tax code $$ May 03, 2013
  • @alestuma I get that — that’s y some investors co-locate servers at the exchanges. But not getting the same feed initially is different May 02, 2013
  • ‘ @WarrenBuffett Good 4u, Mr. Buffett. We all await your wise counsel, especially me, a student of yours & a shareholder. $$ FD: + $BRK.B May 02, 2013
  • @TheStalwart I don’t think much happened overnight, but I did publish a five piece set of articles on the Bloomberg Washington Summit May 02, 2013
  • @notgunnamatta Yes May 02, 2013
  • @dpinsen There r no good solutions in the bust. The only sane thing is to try to prevent booms from getting out of control, a la Martin $$ May 02, 2013
  • @CardiffGarcia If I had the data, would be interesting to try a parabolic fit, & look at the coefficients, looks like it would flop May 01, 2013
  • @rubicon59 @PlanMaestro @SajKarsan I think I was the only one that did public analyses of the 3 Maiden Lane trusts, but I was wrong there 2 May 01, 2013
  • @rubicon59 @PlanMaestro @SajKarsan Yes, I did; I presumed that the really junky assets that they had would default far more than they did May 01, 2013
  • Cool $$ RT @jasonzweigwsj: our great Fed-speak comparison machine: see how the FOMC’s statements change over time http://t.co/CubyVqQ6KL May 01, 2013
  • @Matthew_C_Klein Next in line r colonialists who exploited Belgium/Congo, Germany/SW Africa, Spanish in the new World, Black Slavery $$ May 01, 2013
  • @Matthew_C_Klein Historically, it is fascinating how many attempts at forced collectivization led to massive deaths, Ukraine, Cambodia $$ May 01, 2013
  • His rhetoric usually leaves me cold $$ RT @TheStalwart: Some folks asking who, exactly, Krugman has persuaded. Fair question. May 01, 2013
  • @Matthew_C_Klein I’ve seen higher estimates on the deaths c book “Hungry Ghosts;” the statistics r hard 2 come by; most don’t want 2 talk $$ May 01, 2013
  • “Any anomaly can be overfished. The low volatility anomaly was one of the more durable ones, but?” ? David_Merkel http://t.co/syjdr5nHDU May 01, 2013
  • @CFAevents Honored that you would mention me. Thanks. Osband’s book was one of the best I have read on the topic. May 01, 2013
  • @djoalpha11 @tomkeene What flash crash? Apr 30, 2013
  • @csissoko But most of the issuance of bad mtges were prime, not subprime — the issuance of Fannie & Freddie were more responsible 4 crisis Apr 30, 2013
  • @csissoko Yes, the lust for yield drove willingness to enter into CDS, taking risk, receiving premium, which led some issuance of bad mtges Apr 30, 2013
  • @Nonrelatedsense I read otherwise in an article yesterday… but thanks for the correction Apr 30, 2013
  • Apologies, you are right RT @Nonrelatedsense: @AlephBlog DSL is absolutely a Closed End Fund. Prospectus: http://t.co/vXcUpTEZi9 Apr 30, 2013
  • @Nonrelatedsense It’s an ETF, not a CEF Apr 30, 2013
  • Also leads 2 creation of more shares, grows the fund $$ RT @vzban123: Per doubline website, IPO price is almost 5% premium to NAV. Apr 29, 2013
  • Yeh, saw that. Just another symptom of yield lust. $$ RT @vzban123: @AlephBlog Per doubline website, IPO price is almost 5% premium to NAV Apr 29, 2013
  • It’s a great job if you have the skills to get it; it’s even better if you have business skills as well… http://t.co/ji5jgSLPA9 Apr 29, 2013
  • @aneiro Any stats on what %age of the market is trading to call, rather than maturity? Apr 29, 2013
  • @codywillard I suspect there r a lot of games going on w/ETPs, certainly in Europe, regulation is tighter here, collateral issues & arb Apr 29, 2013
  • @codywillard I was against the bailouts dear friend; what I puzzle over is how many games r *presently* being played on Wall Street Apr 29, 2013
  • @EddyElfenbein model 2 minimizes the sum of squared ratios between actual & modeled prices. Model 2 more reliable, IMO, though fits worse Apr 29, 2013
  • @EddyElfenbein model 1 minimizes the sum of squared differences between actual & modeled prices. Apr 29, 2013
  • @Jesse_Livermore Emerging Market Government Bonds, maybe Long Treasuries — it is a deflationary environment, kinda, maybe, sorta, meh $$ Apr 27, 2013

 

FWIW

  • My week on twitter: 47 retweets received, 48 new followers, 89 mentions. Via: http://t.co/cPSEMLXpb8 May 02, 2013

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Sorted Weekly Tweets

Sorted Weekly Tweets

Market Impact

  • Gold Buyers Throng Indian Stores for Second Week on Rally http://t.co/ilkuosl43D Physical gold is receiving much attention, futures not $$ Apr 26, 2013
  • Renaissance Funds Take a Tumble http://t.co/U3x0uboqPA Hedge Funds in aggregate r2 large &2 similar. They r an inferior way 2 invest. $$ Apr 26, 2013
  • Investors Say No to Sallie Mae Bond Deal http://t.co/ZOmyJpDWJL Another sign of bad credit building up $$ Apr 26, 2013
  • Silver ? The Poor Man?s Gold Crossing Wall Street http://t.co/CTWhiJTXNX @eddyelfenbein retells the attempted corner on silver story $$ Apr 25, 2013
  • Cleveland Fed leads in measuring stress http://t.co/sdL7KsNSax Aggregate financial stress gauge measures current risks daily $$ #kicksthevix Apr 24, 2013
  • Emerging-Market Returns Unhinge From Developed http://t.co/Ml8iBjGkPy Perhaps a sign that the risk trade is getting past the peak $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • TradeBots, Social Media Form Volatile Combination http://t.co/QTiRnL6ZKt U mean u can’t trust everything u read on Twitter? $$ #scandal Apr 24, 2013
  • Watchdog: Banks R Still Too Intertwined http://t.co/8hkaUWCJyg TBTF not solved, mortgage assistance may have harmed more ppl than helped $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Pimco?s Rising Stars Pull in Money for Future After Gross http://t.co/Xda08qQ8U4 Pimco is a quant bond shop; not reliant on 1 person $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Hulbert on Investing: How to Time the Market http://t.co/QfH1yd8J70 Value Line’s Median Appreciation Potential is 50%; yellow/red light $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • Hedge funds: Launch bad http://t.co/tLk5swElr7 Breaking into the hedge-fund world is harder than before, fees coming down, game 2 tough $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • Apollo-to-Goldman Embracing Insurers Spurs State Concerns http://t.co/uMylWdF9pE Newcomers to life insurance invest more aggressively $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • Reminds me of bad old days of life insurance investing, thinking the old rules don’t apply, using novel capital structures & investments $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • BTW, the bad old days were 1982-2002. Other similarities r the use of too much leverage & scrimping on actuarial/other specialty talent $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • Why Does Financial Innovation Sometimes Make System Riskier? http://t.co/WbEHfNyiUc something new to wager on, can amplify bets elsewhere $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • Other reasons ? regulatory arbitrage, relief frm accounting rules, tax advantages, agency problems (heads I win, tails the company loses) $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • JPMorgan Said to Plan CMBS Deal With Sales at Post-Crisis Peak http://t.co/elhMy69Q2O If u could borrow @ ~4%, u might buy commercial RE2 $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • Lurching Gold ETF Veers From Metal Most in Year Amid Selloff http://t.co/8CyKR7Ptsr Less of a factor now, as $GLD is trading near NAV $$ Apr 21, 2013
  • Gold slide flashes warning signs for global economy http://t.co/x5w7HWaZ1s Significant but just one sign, Long US Tsys have also rallied $$ Apr 21, 2013

 

Rest of the World

  • Japan?s Investment Banks Once Ugly Sisters Turn Into Cinderellas http://t.co/GuRw6T3LLG When finance is expanding, it is not prosperity $$ Apr 26, 2013
  • The Poverty Lie: How Europe’s Crisis Countries Hide their Wealth http://t.co/F3OikdTHs6 Germany getting restive over requests 4 bailouts $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • After the Flash Crash http://t.co/elcHKBo6hX Andy Xie bullish on Agriculture & Gold, bearish on Japanese monetary policy $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Xinhua: Overcapacity troubles Chinese economy, reform needed http://t.co/UU2Guow1M5 2 much investment in heavy industries 4 export $$ #Japan Apr 24, 2013
  • Bernanke Peer Quits in Sweden as Inflation Targeting Tested http://t.co/uM6zq4Gjw0 Apostle of salvation via inflation finally quits $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Spain’s population falls as immigrants flee crisis http://t.co/aNHDMURxqq Foreigners came in good times, now leave in hard times $$ #byebye Apr 24, 2013
  • China alert to debt risk fears http://t.co/BjyjB1rEXw Local governments keep borrowing $$ & selling land; how will it get paid back? Apr 24, 2013
  • Greece’s great fire sale http://t.co/X6LXA5Wbhd Selling pristine beaches to palaces, entire islands & its London embassy $$ #regretitlater Apr 24, 2013
  • Inside Merkel’s Bet http://t.co/uNdfdGUR0U Merkel pushes dirty work to the Troika, stays popular in Germany resisting bailouts 4 fringe $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Japan’s population suffers biggest fall in history http://t.co/I48upsEBQM Japan, Germany, China, Russia lose vitality as populations drop $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Why the US is looking to Germany http://t.co/OtxDy8W5g0 With their labor market, the US is suffering from a rising case of ?German envy? $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • China?s cooldown: Charting a new path for commodities http://t.co/L5aFpZ8jml Feels like the global economy is slowing, debt-heavy $$ #soggy Apr 22, 2013

 

Companies

  • Jim Grant on the Most Undervalued Stocks http://t.co/xz9K18lKbo Someone must have given him a double-shot of espresso b4 this lively chat $$ Apr 25, 2013
  • Few $1-Salary CEOs Make a Buck as Ellison Gets $96MM http://t.co/9HisNA97zH Avg comp 4 S&P500 CEO is $1.1MM, which sounds low $$ #avoidenvy Apr 25, 2013
  • Verizon-Vodafone Chatter Picks Up Again – Corporate Intelligence http://t.co/cFu4NsKLYI $VZ should buy $VOD , &sell off what it doesn?t want Apr 25, 2013
  • Last tweet full disclosure: long $VOD Apr 25, 2013
  • Apple, the Fed and the financial fallacy http://t.co/FdjDLxLoEt @jamessaft compares the Fed’s & $AAPL ‘s willingness2dabble in fin’l mkts $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Illinois Tool Works’ Plan Faces Major Test http://t.co/aF3lEsa1x5 Probably being done 2 meet management ROE incentives $$ $ITW #wouldnotdoit Apr 24, 2013
  • Netflix Shows It Pays to Buy Index Flotsam – Focus on Funds http://t.co/3aRurKK4bw Index departees often rally hard after forced selling $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • He?s Not Short: Dude Likely Cheered On IBM Plunge http://t.co/CQLhwgusLn Warren the wonderful has $$ 2 reinvest, likely buying more $IBM Apr 24, 2013
  • U.S. Aid Drove Fisker to Overreach http://t.co/X4hrc1quB9 It would b cheaper 4 the Govt 2 finance alt energy research, no companies $$ #duds Apr 24, 2013
  • Hewlett-Packard and Its Obstinate Director http://t.co/WCqgabIayk Easier 2 toss out a sitting congressman than a public company director $$ Apr 22, 2013
  • More than 90 pct of NY, NJ Sandy claims settled -trade group http://t.co/cvnVlJLEwo 3rd largest loss event in real $$ terms v Katrina,Andrew Apr 22, 2013

 

Wrong

  • Wrong: Health Insurance Actuaries In the Hot Seat On ?Rate Shock? http://t.co/HQDkLjzfF4 Actuaries r generally honest, unlike politicians $$ Apr 25, 2013
  • Wrong: Boston and the Un-Bush http://t.co/AuUBsA1zTH Obama is Bush-plus. That doesn’t make it right. Free societies take losses $$ Apr 25, 2013

 

US Politics & Economics

  • It’s A Bit Early To Declare A Winner In The Economic Debate http://t.co/5NAAQJbI8F High debt levels do slow growth; they create uncertainty Apr 26, 2013
  • Bombing Victims Get Millions as Internet Redefines Giving http://t.co/mgy3peyEmA It works 4 now, b/c it’s new. Donor fatigue will set in $$ Apr 25, 2013
  • Americans Paying Up Wherever They Reside Beseech Congress http://t.co/h9QPtCgpw5 Congress forgets expatriates, IRS remembers $$ #youlose Apr 24, 2013
  • Rand Paul Tries to Transform a Moment Into a Movement http://t.co/PbAV8wu4JK Libertarianism rarely wins in the US; here goes another try $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Deflation – A Three Act Play http://t.co/0VvU2Qi8E1 Fed’s lengthy battle w/deflation 2 weaken the $$ & rejuvenate inflation expectations Apr 24, 2013

 

Other

 

  • If u want 2learn best tonality 4 your voice, sing the highest note u can clearly, then the lowest note, best tone is 25% from low 2 high $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Changing the Sound of Your Voice http://t.co/xh2ABsnKfw The quality of your voice affects how people perceive u; retraining can help $$ Apr 24, 2013
  • Chili Peppers Seen Helping 36 Million Migraine Sufferers http://t.co/RSg5Zk0iHU This is the next hot idea in pharmaceuticals $$ #sorryihadto Apr 22, 2013

 

Replies, Retweets & Comments

  • Thx 4 realspeak $$ RT @jckhewitt: but you don’t understand man. They made a spreadsheet error. Infinite debt is infinity plusgood now. Apr 26, 2013
  • Not surprising, almost all fail for lack of volume $$ $MKTX RT @Alea_: BlackRock Crossing Bond Platform KAPUT http://t.co/U7Thmd1API Apr 25, 2013
  • @AppFlyer Capital needed to escape one’s country during times of panic to obtain a safe life in the US Apr 25, 2013
  • @VCEO_Vision I am a life actuary by training. Living benefits r not adequately reserved, & r improperly priced; regulators should ban them Apr 25, 2013
  • “Not only was it short, it was small.” ? David_Merkel http://t.co/rI3NOhOD2w Regarding the twitter “Flash crash” Apr 25, 2013
  • ‘ @timmelvin @TimABRussell MD searches 4 $$ , then 4 a justification; more imperial overreach in the People’s Republic of MD #raintax Apr 24, 2013
  • ‘@dpinsen @EddyElfenbein Here’s my article on the topic: http://t.co/HkHilkN5rV At the end I conclude that 1.5x growth is the outer limit $$ Apr 23, 2013
  • Owners of bank common stocks RT @MattGoldstein26: This CSFI, Cleveland financial stress index, is fascinating stuff. So who is shorting it? Apr 23, 2013
  • @kyith I would never buy a dread disease policy; typically the claim pmt/premiums ratio is low. People overestimate incidence Apr 22, 2013
  • @fundmyfund My wife says @theEconomist always tries to save money on pictures by using funny captions $$ “Plan B for finding seed capital” Apr 22, 2013
  • RT @Galrahn: One terrorist had over 1,000,000+ Americans across 100+ square miles hiding in houses for safety. Boston is how not to do Home? Apr 22, 2013

 

FWIW

  • My week on twitter: 22 retweets received, 4 new listings, 67 new followers, 25 mentions. Via: http://t.co/cPSEMLXpb8 Apr 25, 2013

 

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