Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 23

Consumer Spending in U.S. Rises for Sixth Time in Seven Months
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a0_fkVcEu4TM&pos=1

Bernanke’s Confirmation Support Runs 3-1 in Favor in Senate
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aFqZDUNtADdk&pos=4

Ten-Year Treasury Yields Near 4-Month High Before Auction Sizes
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=acH_kKJXbO6E&pos=6

Energy, Financials May Lead Rebound in Takeovers, Survey Shows
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601084&sid=a0HsgLx0hgMU

Top hedge funds bet on sharp yields rise
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/40e8a426-ef69-11de-86c4-00144feab49a.html

Buffett Sells Moody’s Shares for Sixth Time After Profit Drop
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aXF2UIjpbbDY

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 22

Greece’s Credit Rating Cut to A2 by Moody’s on Debt
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aGGVyWXuDZ6E&pos=2

Buffett Says of Burlington Deal, ‘I’d Rather Be in the West’
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ah80tRfGp4Kk&pos=5

Small-business bankruptcies rise 81% in California
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-smallbiz-bankruptcy22-2009dec22,0,3305684.story

Economy in U.S. Expanded at a 2.2% Annual Rate in Third Quarter
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=a44Bv0_vuwuo

Eight Things for Markets to Watch Out for in 2010: Matthew Lynn
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=a1xACv0_oKPQ

Bonds Are Signaling a Stronger Recovery
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704304504574609893302218278.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

Smithers: ‘There’s no reason to hold bonds’
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/22/117841/smithers-theres-no-reason-to-hold-bonds/

So I pulled Bernanke's mortgage...
http://effectivedemand.blogspot.com/2009/12/so-i-pulled-bernankes-mortgage.html

The Equity Culture Loses Its Bloom
http://www.iimagazine.com/asset_management/Articles/2359881/The-Equity-Culture-Loses-Its-Bloom.html

The Debate about Gold: Be Wary
http://oldprof.typepad.com/a_dash_of_insight/2009/12/the-debate-about-gold-be-wary.html

Ten Predictions for 2010
http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2009/12/22/ten-predictions-for-2010/

Accept Defeat: The Neuroscience of Screwing Up
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/12/fail_accept_defeat/all/1

David Einhorn's Hedge Fund Greenlight Capital Unveils New Position
http://www.marketfolly.com/2009/12/david-einhorns-hedge-fund-greenlight.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MarketFolly+%28Market+Folly%29#ixzz0aSNxlWcH

Gold Outshines All Other Assets For Past Decade
http://www.tradersnarrative.com/gold-outshines-all-other-assets-for-past-decade-3388.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TradersNarrative+%28Trader%27s+Narrative%29

3.6% of Prime Mortgages Delinquent 60 Days or Longer
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/36-of-prime-mortgages-delinquent-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MishsGlobalEconomicTrendAnalysis+%28Mish%27s+Global+Economic+Trend+Analysis%29

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 21

TIPS Give Way to Inflation as Deflation Yields Drop
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aV8CH5iI6Ztw&pos=5

Michigan wants land banks to spur redevelopment
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091221/POLITICS02/912210347/Michigan-wants-land-banks-to-spur-redevelopment

CEOs Paying 56% M&A Premium Shows Stocks May Be Cheap
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=ahPoIYY._zgQ

S&P 500 May Gain 12%, Swedbank Says: Stocks Technical Analysis
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601084&sid=as.5ZYVab.Uo

U.K. Stocks Rise, Extending Steepest Yearly Gain Since 1997
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601084&sid=aGFxi1XZnbH4

Will The Dollar Continue To Rally?
http://www.bespokeinvest.com/bespoke/2009/12/will-the-dollar-continue-to-rally.html

Spank the Banker
http://thefinanser.co.uk/fsclub/2009/12/spank-the-banker.html

Why Are Banks Holding So Many Excess Reserves?
http://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2009/rp091217.html

Sentiment Overview: Week Of December 18th, 2009
http://www.tradersnarrative.com/sentiment-overview-week-of-december-18th-2009-2-3356.html

Investor Sentiment: On Vacation
http://thetechnicaltakedotcom.blogspot.com/2009/12/investor-sentiment-on-vacation.html

Carry Trade: Iclandic Style
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/21/115971/cash-and-carry/

Best Investment Idea: NYC Taxi Medallions
http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/12/update-on-nyc-taxi-cartel.html

Stalking stocks pays off for hedge fund
http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/1948250,CST-FIN-curious20.article

Hedge Fund Service
http://www.hedgeable.com/manager/dynamicadvisor

Jeff Saut: Are We at Another Turning Point?
http://www.minyanville.com/articles/winter-solstice-2010-stocks-portfolio-market-dollar-carry-trade-turning-point-health-care-minyanville/index/a/26027

Ten Bold Predictions and Big Trades for 2010
http://www.minyanville.com/articles/stocks-oil-gold-currencies-commodities-foreign-markets-bonds-predictions-trades-2010-rally-dollar-minyanville/index/a/25839/from/home



Simply Funny
http://caps.fool.com/Blogs/ViewPost.aspxbpid=313935&t=01001329399083857736&source=itnsitlnk0000001


LEUTHOLD TURNS MORE CAUTIOUS
http://pragcap.com/leuthold-turns-more-cautious

At 281 bps, 2s10s Hit Another All Time Record Wide
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/281-bps-2s10s-hit-another-all-time-record-wide?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29

2010 Key Sovereign Themes From Moody's
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/2010-key-sovereign-themes-moodys?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29

Doug Kass's 20 Surprises for 2010: Goldman Private, Gold Tumbles, etc.
http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2009/12/doug_kasss_20_s.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InfectiousGreed+%28Paul+Kedrosky%27s+Infectious+Greed%29

U.S. property faces long road to recovery –survey
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1823824920091218

Small banks could suffer for years from bad CRE loans
http://www.portfolio.com/industry-news/banking-finance/2009/12/21/commercial-real-estate-loans-keep-dogging-banks/

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 18

Pimco’s Gross Boosts Cash to Most Since Lehman Failed
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZjZKKYfNaxQ&pos=3

S&P 500 May Climb 6% on Santa Claus Rally: Technical Analysis
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=aVKBp1t1jBAE

S&P/TSX May Stall at 13,000 on Rate Bets, Sehgal Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601084&sid=atxwLeNY8nWY

`There’s no bubble in gold,’ CIBC says
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/18/115946/theres-no-bubble-in-gold-cibc-says/

A stealth decade-long bull market
http://www.abnormalreturns.com/2009/12/a-stealth-decade-long-bull-market/

Rock-Star Hedge-Funder John Paulson May Not Be a One-Hit Wonder
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/12/john_paulson_2.html#ixzz0ZzO8ukS8

If the Cash Flows Are There, Make the Deal, Investment Manager Says
http://www.reit.com/tabid/477/News/default.aspx?type=E&ID=80

REITs For 2010
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/17/reit-outlook-property-markets-equities-citigroup.html

BIS to Phase in Capital Rules as Conditions Improve
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704238104574601711256034516.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Good Thing the U.S. is Getting Into Commercial Real Estate
http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2009/12/good_thing_the.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InfectiousGreed+%28Paul+Kedrosky%27s+Infectious+Greed%29

Bernstein’s top 10 predictions for 2010
http://www.investmentpostcards.com/2009/12/18/bernstein%e2%80%99s-top-10-predictions-for-2010/

China Asset Bubbles Will Burst on Inflation, Xie Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601206&sid=auKk5dlX_LAQ

Bullish Dollar ETF Runs out of Shares
http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2009/12/18/bullish-usd-etf-runs-out-of-shares/

Why Are Banks Holding So Many Excess Reserves?
http://www.aleablog.com/update-why-are-banks-holding-so-many-excess-reserves/

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 17

Whitney Cuts Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley Estimates
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=aViIi0NHUWMQ

Lazard’s Parr Says Banks May Need to Raise $600 Billion Globally
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=ayBJRn_183lk

Banks Will Rue Rushing to Repay Bailouts: David Pauly
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=a.I9rV5weAe8

Biggest World Risk Is Carry Trade, Credit Suisse Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=aVTOqFmLzqe8

Greenspan Says Stock Rally Means Lower Stimulus Need
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=abaDf1NY0rlg

Dollar Gains on Fed Outlook as Asia Stocks, Futures, Euro Drop
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=amqtWAtRHv0Q

All hail the Basel banking regime change
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/17/115326/all-hail-the-basel-banking-regime-change/

That yawning US yield curve
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/17/114876/that-yawning-us-yield-curve/

[Outlook 2010] Saxo’s outrageous predictions for 2010
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/17/113021/saxos-outrageous-predictions-for-2010/

Has money supply growth peaked?
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/17/114931/has-money-supply-growth-peaked/

[Outlook 2010] Chasing the rally into the New Year
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/16/114031/chasing-the-rally-into-the-new-year/

Graphic Trends: China Selling U.S. Debt?
http://www.thedisciplinedinvestor.com/blog/2009/12/16/graphic-trends-china-selling-u-s-debt/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedisciplinedinvestor%2FEBHR+%28The+Disciplined+Investor%29

Technical Talk: Sentiment still not overly bullish
http://www.investmentpostcards.com/2009/12/17/technical-talk-sentiment-still-not-overly-bullish/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wordpress%2FVYxj+%28Investment+Postcards+from+Cape+Town%29

Bob Farrell’s 10 Rules for Investing
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2008/08/bob-farrells-10-rules-for-investing/

Time Capsule Post (2010 Forecasts) — Open One Year Hence
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/12/time-capsule-post-2010-forecasts-open-one-year-hence/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheBigPicture+%28The+Big+Picture%29

Obama vs. the Banks
Why make risky loans when you can exploit the Fed-Treasury interest rate spread?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704398304574597910616856696.html

Investors look forward to solid returns
http://www.hedgefundsreview.com/hedge-funds-review/news/1566479/investors-look-forward-solid-returns

U.S. Economy Still Mired in Recession, Feldstein Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aJeX28DZ8CK0&pos=7

International Panel Proposes Raising Bank Capital Requirements
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/business/global/18basel.html?_r=1

Medical office space seen as bright spot in battered commercial real estate market
http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-us-commercial-real-estate-trends,0,5746743.story

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 16

Global Confidence Holds Near Record as Recovery Gains Momentum
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=apnonIXz1ivk&pos=2

Sentiment on S&P 500 Sinks to Five-Month Low on Debt Concern
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=acX8Gipv5ScM&pos=4

Gold Buying by Central Banks Sends Sell Signal as Past Haunts Future Price
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aSmAKY4Wzk7g&pos=6

Federal Reserve’s Bernanke Named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aha7dayF3enc&pos=9

[Outlook 2010] 10 surprises from UBS
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/16/113586/10-surprises-from-ubs/

Why Nouriel Roubini's Case Against Gold Is Wrong On Every Count
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-nouriel-roubinis-cae-against-gold-is-wrong-on-every-count-2009-12

The world’s riskiest sovereign borrower 2009
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/15/112756/the-worlds-riskiest-sovereign-borrower-2009/

Bernanke says banks stabilized, but lending still weak
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BF2BZ20091216

Will Santa Claus rally the markets this year?
http://www.watoday.com.au/business/cfd/will-santa-claus-rally-the-markets-this-year-20091215-kt19.html

2009 REVIEW & 2010 PREVIEW
http://pragcap.com/2009-review-2010-preview

Monthly Review of 2009
http://www.valueexpectations.com/blogs/november-stock-market-review-retrospect-year-almost-over12082009

Buy anything: 2010 should be a can't-lose year for investors
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/buy-anything-2010-is-forecast-to-be-a-cant-lose-year-for-inves/19276899/

The "Avalanche of Good News" Continues - Even the U.S. Dollar is Up!
http://www.navellier.com/commentary/weekly_marketmail.aspx

The rally may be running out of time
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/ContrarianChronicles/the-rally-may-be-running-out-of-time.aspx

Decidedly Speculative
http://www.hussmanfunds.com/wmc/wmc091214.htm

A Brief Look at Fed Balance Sheet
http://theburningplatform.com/groups/quinns-daily-dose-of-reality/discussions/fed-balance-sheet

Outlook 2010: The Dollar Holds the Key, Todd Harrison Says
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/388906/Outlook-2010-The-Dollar-Holds-the-Key-Todd-Harrison-Says

S&P 500 to Climb to 1,350 Next Year, Prudential’s Praveen Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601084&sid=aXxGbYY2EkDE

Bearish on bonds
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/adviser-remains-bearish-on-treasury-bonds-2009-12-15

Expected Mortgage Rates
http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2009/12/expected-mortgage-rates.html

Morningstar Reports U.S. Mutual Fund and ETF Asset Flows Through November 2009
http://corporate.morningstar.com/US/asp/subject.aspx?xmlfile=174.xml&filter=PR4448

Bad Investment Ideas for 2010
http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/article.aspx?id=319446

How to Get More "Punch" for Your Dollar?
Consider "Beta" -- a Look at Rino and Chindex
http://www.esignal.com/exchange/12_2009/money_investing.aspx

Rosenberg on Utility Stocks: ‘Where Boring is Sexy’
http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2009/12/14/rosenberg-on-utility-stocks-where-boring-is-sexy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wsj%2Fmarketbeat%2Ffeed+%28WSJ.com%3A+MarketBeat+Blog%29

A Basel breather heard ’round the world
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/16/113836/a-basel-breather-heard-round-the-world/


It's Your Life! No More B(lame) Excuses
http://www.minyanville.com/articles/index/a/25871

Buying bonds? Use caution
http://www.bankrate.com/system/util/print.aspx?p=/finance/investing/buying-bonds-use-caution.aspx&s=dls&c=investing&t=story&e=1&v=1

23 Funds That Comb the Market for Bargains
http://www.smartmoney.com/investing/mutual-funds/23-funds-that-can-comb-the-market-for-bargains/

More Craziness At Value Line: Value Line fires its legendary investment brain
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091207/FREE/912079992/1051

Stocks seen notching up more gains in 2010
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSTRE5BF2TE20091216

Global stock market rally has further to run
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5BF2TZ20091216

America’s debt burden starts to shrink*
http://blogs.reuters.com/rolfe-winkler/2009/12/14/americas-debt-burden-starts-to-shrink/

Rydex Market Timers Very Optimistic
http://thetechnicaltakedotcom.blogspot.com/2009/12/rydex-market-timers-this-is-amazing.html

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SKEPTICISM REGARDING THE RALLY?
http://pragcap.com/why-is-there-so-much-skepticism-regarding-the-rally

Crash Confidence Index
http://www.bespokeinvest.com/bespoke/2009/12/yales-crash-confidence-index.html

New Signs of Life for Collateralized Loans
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/dec2009/pi20091215_097871.htm

An Amazing Presentation from Mary Meeker
http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-mary-meekers-internet-presentation-from-web-20-2009-10

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 15

Producer Prices in U.S. Climbed More Than Forecast
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=abKbxMdRWxpw&pos=1

Wells Fargo to Sell $10.4 Billion in Stock, Repay U.S. Funds
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as1axnvhYOuk&pos=6

Regulators Resist Volcker Wandering Warning of Too-Big-to-Fail
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aDbxsIHM30H8&pos=11

S&P 500 to Climb to 1,350 Next Year, Prudential’s Praveen Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=aXxGbYY2EkDE

‘Substantial’ Bank Losses Are Needed to Fix Housing
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a3O_LxtUTnvk&pos=6

Moody’s sees sovereign states a-suffering
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/15/112331/moodys-sees-sovereign-states-a-suffering/

S&P downgrades Mexico
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/14/111846/sp-downgrades-mexico/

The Art of Pitching and Presenting
http://www.hedgetracker.com/article/Solidifying-a-Hedge-Fund-Brand-Presentation-Best-Practices

The loan dilemma
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2009/12/15/the-loan-dilemma/

Big banks get reprieve from FDIC
http://blogs.reuters.com/rolfe-winkler/2009/12/15/big-banks-get-reprieve-from-fdic/

MERRILL LYNCH’S BULLISH 2010 OUTLOOK – A BUBBLE IN PESSIMISM
http://pragcap.com/merrill-lynchs-bullish-2010-outlook-a-bubble-in-pessimism

US Equity Market Sentiment Review
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/12/us-equity-market-sentiment-review/

Importance of Stock Buybacks
http://econompicdata.blogspot.com/2009/12/on-timing-importance-of-stock-buybacks.html

THE FINAL DAYS OF THE GREAT LIQUIDITY?
http://www.capitalspectator.com/archives/2009/12/the_final_days.html

Jobs Are on the Way!
http://www.slate.com/id/2238099/

Gold
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/unbelievable-opportunity-gold

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 14

Economists Warn of Asset-Price Bubbles
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126074172673289729.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Citigroup to Repay $20 Billion of Government Bailout
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aRl1cyXWAXjs&pos=2

Treasury 2-Year Notes Are Losing Favor in Futures
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aO5JJRUqHGGU&pos=7

Eurosclerosis Is U.S. Diagnosis After Dodging Japan Stagnation
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=axaPYnuYlqbs&pos=10

Fastest Food Inflation Since Riots Means Milk Up 39%
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aBYSp0.XfXZs&pos=14

S&P 500 Rallying 11% Is Forecast of Top Strategists
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=afLRYI17ynXM

Mega merger Monday: Exxon in $41bn union with XTO Energy
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/14/111496/mega-merger-monday-exxon-in-41bn-merger-with-xto-energy/

Oil breaks
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/14/87721/oil-breaks/

Active Trader: Retracing Fibonacci's Steps
http://www.smartmoney.com/investing/stocks/active-trader-retracing-fibonaccis-steps/

10 lessons for investors from a dismal decade
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-lessons-for-investors-from-a-dismal-decade-2009-12-11

Bank Failures Tally
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/12/fdic-bank-failures/

Should the Fed be the nation's bubble fighter?
http://www.econbrowser.com/archives/2009/12/should_the_fed_1.html

10 best stocks for 2010
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/pf/0912/gallery.best_stocks_2010.fortune/index.html

Hedge funds underperform in November, Many Investors bet Long on Gold
http://www.hedgetracker.com/article/Hedge-funds-underperform-in-November-Many-
Investors-bet-Long-on-Gold

Who Cares What The Dow Did Last Week?
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/11/stocks-reits-funds-asset-allocation-personal-finance-bogleheads-view-ferri.html

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 10

CRE
CMBS: Back in Business?
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=F5F7612FF5A1D539B586E0D7E2807DD6&ref=100&iid=160&cid=4551B02CF9EBB4A3FD8AA99C29554FD4

Commercial Real Estate Loan Defaults Rise in Third Quarter
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=11F2B1986F852F08A814E6A4EB0D5DDC&ref=100&iid=160&cid=4551B02CF9EBB4A3FD8AA99C29554FD4

U.S. Foreclosures to Reach 3.9 Million in Second Record Year
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=a6aLuu9zxbcM

Bank
The Coming Wave Of Debt Defaults
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/08/coming-bond-defaults-leadership-governance-debt.html

Commodities
A Roundup of Crude Oil Predictions and Targets
http://thereformedbroker.com/2009/12/09/a-roundup-of-crude-oil-predicitions-and-targets/

Info overload on oil reserves may confuse Wall Street
http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersComService_3_MOLT/idUSTRE5B844N20091209

Globe "Overdue For a Currency Crisis"; Why Jim Rogers Is Buying Dollars
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/387796/Globe-%22Overdue-For-a-Currency-Crisis%22-Why-Jim-Rogers-Is-Buying-Dollars?tickers=gld,ewj,spy,dia,FXI,UUP,tlt&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=



Economy
The President's Job's Initiative Doesn't Measure Up
http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/12/presidents-jobs-initiative-doesnt.html


CHART OF THE DAY: IS THIS LEADING INDICATOR POINTING SOUTH?
http://pragcap.com/chart-of-the-day-is-this-leading-indicator-pointing-south


Stock Market
Q3 hedge fund launches outpace liquidations-report
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0923255420091209


Treasury Yield Curve Steepest Since at Least 1980 After Auction
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/2s30s-hits-thirty-year-wide

Fiscal aspects of quantitative easing (wonkish)
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/fiscal-aspects-of-quantitative-easing-wonkish/


Interesting Stats
Honesty and Ethics Poll Finds Congress’ Image Tarnished
http://www.gallup.com/poll/124625/Honesty-Ethics-Poll-Finds-Congress-Image-Tarnished.aspx?CSTS=tagrss

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 9

Hedge funder predicts return of the super-regionals
http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/2009/12/hedge_funder_predicts_return_o.php

Countries' Debt Woes Pose Risk to Upturn
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126027694950181771.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

First Greece, Now Spain In The Credit Ratings Crosshairs
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/09/88016/sp-revises-spains-outlook-to-negative/

Congrats to Bill Gross
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aPMoq5YbgJAY&pos=10

James Montier Recommended Reading List
http://www.mebanefaber.com/2009/12/08/james-montiers-reading-list/

Government is out of Bullets: Meredith Whitney
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2009/12/meredith-whitney-the-government-is-out-of-bullets.html

U.S. bailout fund left many problems unsolved: watchdog
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B80M320091209

Hedge fund assets climb back above $2 trillion
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLNE5B802E20091209

Investment choices seen tougher in 2010
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B64NC20091209

Hedge Fund Outflows Tapered Off Dramatically In 3Q-Lipper
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091208-709534.html

Contrarianism is the New Consensus
http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2009/12/contrarianism_i.html

Paulson Bets on Stocks
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/paulson-bets-on-stocks/

Can the Market Rally Continue in 2010?
http://www.minyanville.com/articles/yahoo-techticker-festivus-markets-rally/index/a/25826/from/yahoo

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 8

Banking
A Banking Butterfly Effect
http://www.portfolio.com/industry-news/banking-finance/2009/12/08/community-bank-failures-have-ripple-effect-on-developers/?ana=e_pft

How banks fail at foreclosure auctions
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2009/12/08/how-banks-fail-at-foreclosure-auctions/

Despite troubled RE market, multi-family interest surges
http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/othercities/boston/stories/2009/12/07/story9.html?b=1260162000^2542771&s=industry&i=banking_financial_services

Crisis in sovereign, commercial debt seen
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B64B920091207

Credit booms go wrong
http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/4349

Economy
Consumer Credit in U.S. Declined Less Than Forecast
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=af7H1B.73URs&pos=2

Small Business Owners’ Optimism in the Tank; Index Falls Again
http://www.nfib.com/nfib-on-the-move/nfib-on-the-move-item/cmsid/50299/

More Complaints on Nonfarm Payrolls
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/08/87601/more-us-non-farm-payroll-questions/

Obama to Cite Public Works, Energy for Jobs Growth
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aJPbwhVL0gq8&pos=9

Japan – And we thought US had it bad
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstPhotos/index.php?photoid=41361


Sentiment
The Next Bubble: The Looming Crisis in Books About the Financial Crisis
http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2009/12/the_next_bubble_1.html

Fed
NY Fed President Dudley: Still More Lessons from the Crisis
http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2009/12/ny-fed-president-dudley-still-
more.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CalculatedRisk+(Calculated+Risk)

Lessons Lost
http://www.portfolio.com/industry-news/banking-finance/2009/12/08/enron-lessons-lost-as-regulations-like-sarbanes-oxley-are-attacked/?ana=e_pft

Moody’s Says U.K., U.S. Aaa Ratings Relatively Weaker
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=av16pDNNrMig&pos=7

Debt Raters Avoid Overhaul After Crisis
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/business/08ratings.html?_r=1


Stock Market

TD Ameritrade CEO Tomczyk Sees Less Trading of Stocks in 2010
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=a1.ZDoTPfbDw

Dollar Rally Imperils S&P 500, Bartels Says: Technical Analysis
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=amQWSg18l504

Outlook 2010: How will analysts fare? Citi’s Analysis
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/08/87636/how-will-analysts-fare/

BofA Merrill Lynch Bullish on European Equities
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/08/87611/thundering-herd-bullish-on-euro-equities/

The Rally Apologista’s Handbook
http://thereformedbroker.com/2009/12/07/the-rally-apologistas-handbook/

Market Caps of the Fab Five
http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-top-five-companies-by-market-cap-for-the-decade-
2009-12

Ten Investment Themes For 2010
http://www.marketfolly.com/2009/12/ten-investment-themes-for-2010.html

Options
Mark Wolfinger: From Ph.D. to the Trading Floor, the Story Behind His Journey
http://www.behindthespread.com/mark-wolfinger/

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 7

Gold
Gold Can’t Beat Checking Accounts 30 Years After Peak
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=axdpxBrQ9JTg&pos=3

Dollar
Dollar Fear Trumps Greed in Guarding Against Rebound
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZuUmlXtfpcU&pos=4

Requiem for the Dollar
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704342404574575761660481996.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_RIGHTTopCarousel


Stock Market
Options Signal Stock Peril as Analysts See Profits
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aWR6YjdVs0s4&pos=6

Market Outlook: JP Morgan Bullish on European Equities
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/07/87351/jp-morgan-forecasts-20-rise-for-euro-equities/

Will investors embrace "risk" trades in 2010?
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B34OA20091204

Dollar’s data-driven rally holds back stocks
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8c516f7e-e2fd-11de-b965-00144feab49a.html


Banks
No Escape From TARP for U.S. Banks Choking on Real Estate Loans
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aaoaOoxV9AmU&pos=11

Quarter in U.S. foreclosure plan late on payments
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0517257820091205

MBA: CMBS deterioration continues
http://blogs.reuters.com/rolfe-winkler/2009/12/07/mba-cmbs-deterioration-continues/


Fed
House likely to move on regulatory reform by end of the week
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/70791-house-likely-to-move-on-regulatory-reform-by-friday

Economy improving, faces headwinds: Fed's Bernanke
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B632Z20091207

Economy
Few believers of Nonfarm Payrolls
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/07/87321/those-unbelievable-us-payrolls/

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 4

Economy
Obama Says Nation Has ‘Long Way to Go’ for Recovery
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZdxOx9RaRKY&pos=8

Job Drought in U.S. Almost Over as Temporary Help, Hours Surge
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ank4ZC8I3r6E&pos=3

Orders to U.S. Factories Increased 0.6% in October
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=ambENrAqB_GQ

NBER’s Hall Says Recession May Be Over, Precise Month in Doubt
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a4vZyoOwR6BU&pos=1

NonFarm Payrolls Estimates Before Today's Announcement - Every Firm Missed This One
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/04/87181/payroll-friday-the-goldman-take/

Stock Markets
Emerging markets aren’t a bubble
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2009/12/04/emerging-markets-arent-a-bubble/

FPA’s Rodriguez Flouts ‘Small Mind’ Investor Rules to Top Funds
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=arQR.jbVgmFE

Too Soon to Declare the End for Cult of Equities
http://www.tradersnarrative.com/too-soon-to-declare-the-end-for-cult-of-equities-3272.html

Beyond Shiller P/E Ratios
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/01/86471/beyond-shiller-the-pe/

Is Profitibility or Technicals Driving Equity Markets?
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/11/is-profitibility-or-technicals-driving-equity-markets/

Futures
Gold gets hammered on jobs data
http://blogs.reuters.com/rolfe-winkler/2009/12/04/gold-gets-hammered-on-jobs-data/

Managed Futures - The Only Way To Manage Your Future
http://www.lawrencegmcdonald.com/2009/12/managed-futures-the-only-way-to-manage-your-future/

CRE
Forecast: Construction industry weak through 2010
http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/11/30/daily44.html?ed=2009-12-04&ana=e_du_pub

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 3

Stock Market
Goldman Outlook: sees 2010 as 'exciting, with risks'
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/03/86891/goldman-sees-2010-as-exciting-with-risks/

Catch a high-flying fund - up 56%
http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/25/pf/funds/yacktman_fund.fortune/index.htm

Economy
Trim Tabs vs Bureau Labor of Statistics
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/02/86766/on-outperforming-the-us-bureau-of-economic-analysis/

What Should You Do With Your Money in 2010?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704498804574559971965355080.html?mod=dist_smartbrief


Gold
S&P Launches S&P 500 Gold Hedged Index
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/03/87001/new-sp-index-does-dollar-weakness-with-gold/

Silver Shinier than Gold?
http://etfdb.com/2009/silver-etfs-surge-a-better-investment-than-gold/

Gold hits record on hedge demand
http://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/gold-hits-record-on-hedge-demand-20091203-k6wr.html


Banks
Commercial Writedowns Loom for Banks
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10637211/1/commercial-writedowns-loom-for-banks.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN

Analysis: CRE Mortgage Defaults Tick Up, Setting 16-Year High
http://www.reit.com/tabid/477/News/default.aspx?type=E&ID=75

Banks Report CRE Exposure Risky but Manageable
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=2E0EE07DF8A56CA6B20FA7BC2ACF499F

The downfall of Washington Mutual
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/09/28/story1.html

Fed
A Study in Contrasts in Financial Overhaul
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/business/02regulate.html?_r=1&ref=business

Geithner says administration plans to wind down TARP soon
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/business/economy/03derivatives.html?_r=1&ref=business

Misc.
Is Everyone in the Newsletter/Publishing Busy Crazy? Value Line Owner
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20091129/FREE/311299993

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 2

Stock Market
Hussman: 80% Chance Of A Market Crash Over The Next Year
http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-hussman-80-chance-of-a-market-crash-over-the-next-year-2009-11

Deutsche Bank Outlook
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/02/86671/deutsche-bank-ponders-all-things-sovereign/

Morgan Stanley Outlook
http://pragcap.com/morgan-stanley-stocks-are-set-to-decline-in-2010

Tale of the Tape: Bear vs. Bear
http://www.smartmoney.com/investing/stocks/tale-of-the-tape-bear-vs-bear/

SocGen: Prepare Yourself For The Worst Case Scenario!
http://www.businessinsider.com/socgen-prepare-yourself-for-the-worst-case-scenario-2009-11


Economy
ADP Says U.S. Companies Cut Estimated 169,000 Jobs
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aoLEmvgexD_s&pos=2

Double dip warning
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/double-dip-warning/

Inflation Debate
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/02/86721/varying-perceptions/

The Real Elephant in the Room
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/12/jim-welsh-the-real-elephant-in-the-room/

Gold
Gold soars past $1,200 to new record high
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/351cbf7c-df08-11de-be8e-00144feab49a.html

Gold is Cheap!
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/12/albert-edwards-gold-is-cheap/

Banks
Bank Profit Mirage
http://www.annaly.com/blog/?p=735

U.S. credit card defaults seen testing highs: Fitch
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSTRE5B13BM20091202

How Some Near-Death Banks End Up Looking Alive: David Reilly
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aszI76S2WxYw

Fed
Fed: This Is Just A Test
http://business.theatlantic.com/2009/12/fed_this_is_just_a_test.php

Derivatives Industry Revamps Governance as Regulations Loom
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=adzko0br3qZs

Noteworthy Financial Stories for December 1

CRE
World’s Most Expensive Office Markets Get Cheaper on Job Cuts
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=ac3VGDkSkD7U&pos=11

Stock Market
Markets After Momentum Peaks
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/01/86206/markets-after-momentum-peaks

Post-Panic Recoveries
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/01/86196/post-panic-recoveries/

US Consumers Over Leveraged?
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/01/86186/false-idols-are-us-consumers-really-over-leveraged/

A Lookback at the US Bank Runs and Panics of 19th Century
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/12/01/86161/one-damn-panic-after-another/

Bonds
Pimco Says Investors to Sell Government Bonds on Record Sales
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=alrTksCTuUhQ



Hedge Funds
Hedge funds on track for best gains in 10 years
http://www.cityam.com/news-and-analysis/d4akctcy79.html

Guest Article: A Quant Bubble? More Likely a Mental Bubble
http://www.hedgefund.net/publicnews/default.aspx?story=10654

Economy
Good Bye! The Reappointment Of Bernanke Is Too Much To Bear
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/good-bye-the-reappointmen_b_374576.html

Job Cuts Loom as Stimulus Fades
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300504574568030523492914.html


Gold
Rosenberg: Gold Going to $2600 Thanks to China
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/382000/Rosenberg-Gold-Going-to-2600-Thanks-to-China?tickers=GLD,GDX,%5EHUI,ABX,NEM,GOLD,FCX&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=


John Paulson's Gold Fund: Betting Against the US Dollar
http://www.marketfolly.com/2009/11/john-paulsons-gold-fund-betting-against.html

Banks
Commercial Mortgage Defaults at U.S. Banks Reach 3.4%
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601206&sid=aaeiIiFNgSj0


Small Business
How to Connect
http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/marketing/article/how-to-connect-john-jantsch

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/the-art-of-the-list-guy-kawasaki

Sentiment
Citi: The Market Is Back In Panic Mode
http://www.businessinsider.com/citi-the-market-is-back-in-panic-mode-2009-12