Have Gun, Will Travel

French financial strategist is very concerned about gun ownership in America. He might want to visit Normandy, located in France. You’re welcome.

http://www.businessinsider.com/albert-edward-i-just-got-back-from-america-and-boy-is-it-horrible-2011-11

Dead Volt

These little peaches cost taxpayers $7500 per vehicle, does that math work for you?

http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/28/autos/volt_fire_probe/

Silicon Valley High

“I’ve worked in the private sector. They expect results.” Dr. Ray Stantz

http://uncrunched.com/2011/11/27/startups-are-hard-so-work-more-cry-less-and-quit-all-the-whining/

The Boss Is A Turkey

This just about covers it. Have a great Thanksgiving!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/three-types-of-bosses-that-should-be-fired-20111122.html

Bank of Charlie Brown

Bank of America just can’t seem to kick that football, good grief.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bofa-warned-regulators-stronger-report-034041598.html

Apocalypse Frau

Deutsche Bank says the end is near if Germany refuses to back the ECB. In related news, shovel futures soaring.  

http://www.businessinsider.com/deutsche-bank-if-merkel-doesnt-change-our-investment-advice-is-to-dig-a-hole-in-the-ground-and-hide-2011-11

France the problem ???

Interesting comments from Jack Albin CIO of Harris Bank ....

For the past months, investors have been fixated on Greece, Italy and Spain. All the while we've been pointing to the rising spread between AAA rated French Bonds and AAA rated German Bunds. We've contended that this is truly ground zero in the euro crisis because France is suppose to be one of the healthy eurozone members that can “fix” the problems of the aforementioned troubled southern periphery countries. As the second largest contributor to the bailout fund (EFSF), France's AAA rating is vital to the bailout fund's creditworthiness. While Standard & Poor's stated that it “mistakenly” issued a downgrade to France on November 10th, we think that release was likely an unintended precursor to a future action. Unknowingly, French President Nicolas Sarkozy revealed how vulnerable he felt the country's rating was in early October when he suggested using the EFSF to recapitalize France's banks rather than use direct government interjection.

We have long held that the euro is a flawed construct in need of structural fixes. The problem is we don't think Europe knows whether it wants to make the necessary changes. We firmly believe that the bond market vigilantes will continue to hammer away until Europe is forced to decide. Longer term, this appears to be binomial decision. Either it is 1) full fiscal integration or 2) let the currency union break up. In the short to intermediate term, we assume other avenues will be explored to extend this decision. Unfortunately for Europe, this action requires cash which they have yet to find. While the Germans remain opposed, it currently appears that the only "solution" that provides the necessary firepower to stem the rising rates would be for the European Central Bank (ECB) to buy these troubled bonds in an unsterilized manner. Yes, that means revving up the printing presses.

The market is voicing its opinion that a break-up is a rising probability. If these countries are going to go their separate fiscal ways, wouldn't it make sense for the market to judge their creditworthiness on their own valor, rather than as a combined Europe? Kicking the can down the road has become a derided term over the past few years. However, one of its benefits is that it allows an event that would have otherwise been a shock, to be lessened in severity as market participants adjust to the now known realities. While Europe could certainly still unwind and cause market turmoil, we believe valuations in markets ex Europe are compelling enough to begin nibbling. We'll keep some dry powder just in case S&P decides to issue another downgrade.

50 Ways To Leave Your Broker

Fusion colleague Josh Brown explains why risk should always be priority one for your adviser.  

http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2011/11/17/market-volatility-and-the-priorities-of-an-adviser/

Green Monster

As the fallout from Solyndra continues, another politically charged taxpayer shakedown surfaces.

http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=687702

Road To Nowhere

According to Financial Sense, the United States is falling apart. It’s hard to disagree.

http://www.financialsense.com/contributors/ron-hera/2011/11/11/how-the-u-s-will-become-a-3rd-world-country-part-1

Fishing With Dynamite

Gingrich paid $1.6-1.8 million by GSE’s? You can’t make this up.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-16/gingrich-said-to-be-paid-at-least-1-6-million-by-freddie-mac.html

Off The Mark

The New Yorker finds 80% of hedge funds miss their benchmark, but you won’t see that reflected in 80% lower fees.

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/On-Retirement/2011/10/13/why-hedge-funds-wont-make-you-wealthy

Tax Payers Unplugged

Chevy Volt catches on fire during safety test, please send your $7500 check in right away.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/11/chevy-volt-battery-catches-fire-in-nhtsa-lab/

Angels And Demons

Can Bank of America be redeemed? The writer believes it can, we agree to disagree.    

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bank-of-america-fallen-angel-or-demon-2011-11-11

Social Media 101

Schwab feels Social Media has some value for advisers. We happen to agree.

http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20111103/BLOG02/111109971&issuedate=20111109&sid=TECH

Kool-Aid And The Gang

JP Morgan analyst Tom Lee expects a 20% year-end rally. Really? Whose interests are being served here?

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/expect-20-end-market-rally-says-jpm-tom-131844848.html

2010 vs. 2011, The Market Ticker

Prediction scorecards at about 50%, meaning not much has changed. That isn’t positive.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=176132

The Road Less Traveled

According to The Motley Fool, signs point to improvement next year. Well, it’s hard to fall off the floor.

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/11/08/fuel-building-for-an-economic-recovery.aspx

Young And Restless

Heirs rarely stay with the family adviser, connection timed out.

http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20111106/REG/311069982/-1/INIssueAlert01

Boiling Point

Unemployment at 9% isn’t the whole story, it’s actually much worse.

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daniel-gross/october-jobs-report-deja-vu-over-again-130357751.html

Another Tricky Day

This is no social crisis, just a zombie apocalypse. Hat tip, Roger Daltrey.

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/why-u-set-join-zombie-club-nations-pento-131916534.html

McMystery

McDonald’s iconic sandwich, low on quality, high on restructure.

http://consumerist.com/2011/11/whats-a-mcrib-made-of.html

Help Not Wanted

Bank of America employees jumping ship, unfortunately the life boats are full.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/BofA-employees-flood-banks-rb-4170693021.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=6&asset=&ccode=

Shale Whale

Higher production than originally expected from several U.S. basins, improving the domestic energy outlook.   

http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/3-Energy-Companies-Raising-Production-Growth-For-2011-SWN-NBL-CNX-RRC1031.aspx?partner=YahooSA#axzz1cYWS5GGH

Bank On The Run

Bank of America backs off $5 debit card fee, or was this really a just a marketing stunt?

http://beta.finance.yahoo.com/news/bank-america-drops-5-debit-154433487.html

Dazed And Confused

MF Global meltdown sends everyone running for cover.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/45117121