When Things are Nuts
When Everything is Strong When Everything is Strong, Redux It Would Have Happened Already It Would Have Happened Already, Redux Four recent posts of mine. They warn against assuming that trends will continue. This...
Read MoreAuthor: David Merkel
How to Shrink the Deficit
It annoys me that Republicans argue against elimination of special tax benefits for anyone, calling it a tax increase. Let’s get things straight here: tax increases are things that affect...
Read MoreOn Systemic Risk
There are five factors for systemic risk. Here they are: Asset size of the institution, including synthetic exposures. Degree of leverage of the institution, including synthetic exposures. Asset-Liability mismatch,...
Read MoreWhy Amateurs Should Invest in Common Stocks
There is a benefit to investing directly in common stocks as an individual. I’ll let Buffett help me explain this: “I am a better investor because I am a businessman and I am a better businessman because I am...
Read MoreMost People are not Better off Buying Common Stocks on their own
Human nature is not changeable. If people do significantly less well managing defined contribution assets on average than a comparable index fund, then they should not be managing their own assets, much less concentrating...
Read MoreRegarding David Sokol, Part 4
As I did last time, I would like to start this with the public counterarguments from Sokol’s attorney: “David Sokol is deeply saddened that Mr. Buffett, whom he considered a friend and mentor, would disparage him as...
Read MoreThe Jeans for the Scene — In, Out, or Ob?
I was minding my own business, doing research when I saw an ad that showed a back view of a woman in very tight jeans, with the text: “If you think I’m hot you should see this stock! OBJE” Remember my rule,...
Read MoreRegarding David Sokol, Part 3
I would like to start this with the public counterarguments from Sokol’s attorney: I am profoundly disappointed that the Audit Committee of Berkshire Hathaway would authorize the issuance of its report to the public...
Read MoreRedacted Version of the April 2011 FOMC Statement
March 2011 April 2011 Comments Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January suggests that the economic recovery is on a firmer footing, and overall conditions in the labor market appear to be...
Read MoreIt Would Have Happened Already, Redux
I went to a set of presentations at Towson University this evening and heard two panels on the investment outlook — one domestic, one international. What fascinated me was the relative unanimity of opinion. All...
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TraderPlanet’s Quick Guide to Candlesticks
