April 2009

Stories I'm reading this Monday: Report: bank TARP repayments may be subject to conditions One step closer to full on nationalization? Geopolitical focus is now on Latin America Another day, another pharma/biotech deal Pepsi bids $6 billion for its two largest bottlers Blodget: Home prices finally approaching fair value Yet another one: here comes the online sales ... read more

Stories I'm reading this weekend: Stock rally stretches into 6th week The President ready to go after credit card fees This is the best idea yet - our rail system is a joke Brooking Institution on the bank stress tests Last call for Big 3 in NYC? Are homes shelters or merely economic burdens? Fox Biz' own Eric Bolling, Esquire ... read more

Let's talk taxes and basic math.    There seems to be a lack of understanding of both by many in Washington and in my own industry.   The claims and the numbers don't add up. But before I get to that, one quick point.   For the life of me I cannot figure out why so many news and media outlets are upset about the tea party protests, to the point that they make fun of the ... read more

The "middle class tax cut" talked up for 95% of Americans should now begin appearing in paychecks. Given the level of publicity this is receiving, I am trying to follow the story and make sure the impact is actually happening and people are seeing more money.   One viewer told me she noticed $9 extra in her check this week. So if any of you notice less Federal withholding taken from your ... read more

What I'm checking out this Wednesday Tax day Why politicians love the tax code Alexis sits down with Larry Summers Top paid & free iPhone applications eBay plans IPO for Skype If we could just get cell phone jammers on the trains... IBM's big push into business ... read more

Stories I'm reading this Tuesday: Goldman posts profitable first quarter Goldman set to pay back TARP, pay its people what it wants Hecklers hit the auto show GM recalls 1.5 million cars due to potential engine fires Wind energy bringing jobs to Michigan Pirates hit 3 more ships One company is really unlikely to prosper under Obama Oregon v. Oppenheimer in 529 ... read more

Lots of talk about taxes these days.   Wondering where your Federal tax dollars go?   Here is a nice chart from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities And here's the same chart, for state spending ... read more

Stories I'm reading this Monday: Excellent op/ed on the real tax burden in America Report: GM told to prep for possible bankruptcy filing Retail sales in focus this week Anecdotal signs of a more positive economic story Good "round trip" analysis on one California home in the housing boom Foreclosure activity up 75% "Middle innings" of the housing ... read more

This weekend a friend of mine took his son to California to look at colleges.    Hearing so much about how bad the economy is, he sent me an email saying that he was shocked that all of his flights were full, hotels were full in both LA and San Francisco, restaurants were full and a few of the admissions officers at the colleges they looked at reported applications were higher than last ... read more

History does repeat itself... Thanks to the always interesting Barry Ritholtz for finding this fascinating political cartoon from a 1934 issue of the Chicago Tribune. "Blame the capitalists" sounds familiar. ... read more