NYT : FGC BOLSA -FGC FINANCIAL MARKETS , MY ALERTS

February 28, 2010

 

My Alerts 

 

Alert Name: FGC BOLSA - FGC FINA
February 28, 2010 Compiled: 6:14 PM

BUSINESS / GLOBAL BUSINESS

British Firm Said to Consider $30 Billion Deal With A.I.G.

By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN and MICHAEL J. DE LA MERCED (NYT)

Prudential P.L.C. was discussing a deal to buy A.I.G.’s American International Assurance division, people briefed on the talks said.

More Articles On This Topic »

GATA DISPATCHES:

CME to change Comex gold, silver settlement procedure

Submitted by cpowell on 10:14AM ET Sunday, February 28, 2010. Section: Daily Dispatches From Dow Jones Newswires
via The Wall Street Journal
Monday, February 22, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100222-710684.html?KEYWORDS=CME+go...
NEW YORK -- CME Group Inc. will switch the procedure for settling Comex gold and silver futures to a method based on average price and volume rather than a specific price point, the exchange said Monday.
As of Friday, staff will settle the most-actively traded month of each contract at the volume-weighted average price -- which skews toward more heavily traded lots -- of outright trades on the CME Globex electronic trading platform. This is a change from the current method of settlement, where the lead contract month for gold and silver are settled to the midpoint of Globex trades during the settlement time range.
The settlement time periods are 1:29 p.m. ET-1:30 p.m. for gold and 1:24 p.m.-1:25 p.m. for silver.
If there are no outright trades during the settlement periods, the settlement price will be the best bid or offer in the expiring contract at the close of the market that is closest to the last traded price.
If there is no bid or offer in the expiring contract at that time, the settlement price will be implied from the bid/offer in the active spread at the close of the market, at the price that is closest to the last outright trade price in the expiring contract.
Contract months other than the active month will be settled by staff in conjunction with market participants based on spread relationships on CME Globex and the trading floor.
The greatest weight will be given to spreads traded in larger volumes later in the trading day, either on the trading floor or on CME Globex. In the absence of trading activity, spread bids/offers actively represented either on the floor or Globex will determine the settlements.
If there is insufficient activity to make the calculations, staff may rely on earlier data or other available market information to determine an appropriate settlement price.
If staff determine that anomalous activity yields results that are not representative of the fair value of the contract, staff may determine an alternative settlement price.
The changes will likely have little, if any impact on the market.
"It certainly doesn't seem like any big shake for speculators or users of the market," although it may have some bearing for commercial or other participants who take delivery of the metals, said Frank Lesh, broker and futures analyst with FuturePath Trading. Most participants do not take delivery from futures contracts. Rather they tend to roll positions they want to hold into farther forward contracts.

* * *
Support GATA by purchasing a colorful GATA T-shirt:
http://gata.org/tshirts
Or a colorful poster of GATA's full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal on January 31, 2009:
http://www.cartserver.com/sc/cart.cgi
Or a video disc of GATA's 2005 Gold Rush 21 conference in the Yukon:
http://www.goldrush21.com/
* * *
Help keep GATA going
GATA is a civil rights and educational organization based in the United States and tax-exempt under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Its e-mail dispatches are free, and you can subscribe at:
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To contribute to GATA, please visit:

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"NYT: State of Catastrophe" After Chile Quake

Taken From The New York Times Today?s Headlines

‘State of Catastrophe’ After Chile Quake
By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO and LIZ ROBBINS
The earthquake ripped apart buildings and bridges across Chile, and more than 300 people were killed.

Money Norning: This Market Manipulation is Legal- For Now....February 28,2010

February 28, 2010
This market manipulation is legal - for now
Most investors recognize that the markets are manipulated... But don't understand to what degree. Fact is, the next 1,000-point down day has practically been scripted and assigned a date. Knowing how this works can produce some outrageous gains - legally. At least for now. Renowned analyst Jon Markman has the details here.

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Is it Time For Investors to Beware of the Bear?
[Editor's Note : In the following article, Money Morning Contributing Writer Jon D. Markman examines whether U.S. investors are facing a new bear market.]
By Jon D. Markman, Contributing Writer, Money Morning

With U.S. stocks down about 5% from their 2009-2010 rally peak, investors basically want to know one thing: Is this just a correction, or are they looking at a potentially long bear market?
That's no small question. U.S. stocks could be experiencing one of three scenarios at present. They could be:
* Undergoing a short-term "correction" of its 2009 gains.
* Beginning a multi-month "pause."
* Or starting a new bear-market cycle.
These aren't just arbitrary labels. For instance, a typical "correction" lasts but a month or two, with average declines of 8.5% to 10% on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. A multi-month pause, by contrast, could last eight to 15 months, and involve an S&P 500 decline of 10% to 18%.
But a new bear market is an entirely different animal. A bear-market cycle could last as long as two years and could be marked by a decline of 20% or more.

Read Full Article
[Editor's Note : As this bear-market analysis demonstrates, Money Morning Contributing Writer Jon D. Markman has a unique view of both the world economy and the global financial markets. With uncertainty the watchword and volatility the norm in today's markets, low-risk/high-profit investments will be tougher than ever to find.
It will take a seasoned guide to uncover those opportunities.

Markman is that guide.

In the face of what's been the toughest market for investors since the Great Depression, it's time to sweep away the uncertainty and eradicate the worry. That's why investors subscribe to Markman's Strategic Advantage newsletter every week: He can see opportunity when other investors are blinded by worry.
Subscribe to Strategic Advantage and hire Markman to be your guide. For more information, please click here.]

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Pocket Fast 2,840% Gains... Starting 24 Hours From Now
Our research team has unearthed an opportunity to begin pocketing as much as 2,840% gains... before the next market correction. It has to do with one tiny mining company - and one enormous discovery. The company has found an estimated $49.2 billion worth of the most strategic metal on earth today. It's not gold or uranium. But the Daily Mail calls this substance "a wonder."
Bottom line: The discovery could help to replace $10.4 trillion in oil profits, while powering the global economy of the future.
To find out how soaring demand from the U.S., China, Russia and others is about to send shares of this obscure company soaring... please go here now for the full report.

---

It's Time to Tackle Government Pay
By Martin Hutchinson, Contributing Editor, Money Morning
It's fairly well known that the U.S. public sector is paid more than the private sector. What's less well known is that the gap between federal-employee pay and benefits and private-sector pay and benefits is increasing - by about 18% over the last decade.
Given the current level of U.S. unemployment and the size of the budget deficit, it would appear that some economies could be made. In short, it's time to tackle government pay.
After all, if Greece can economize, so can the United States...

Read the Full Story Here

MarketWatch: The Week's top Videos, February 27th, 2010

Weekly Roundup

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

The week's top videos

By MarketWatch

In case you missed them, here are the top 10 videos that appeared on MarketWatch for the week of Feb. 22-26:

More troubles ahead for U.S. banks

Despite signs the economy is stabilizing, the U.S. banking industry continued to struggle in the fourth quarter. Lisa Lee has more in an interview with Kelsey Hubbard.
 Watch Video Report.

Kevin Costner debuts album

Actor Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, debut their new album "Turn It On" to a packed audience in Madrid.
 Watch Video Report.

Bull market for bonds is ending

Bond investors enjoyed stellar gains for several years but that's about to end, says Kurt Brouwer, chairman of Brouwer & Janachowski and editor of MarketWatch's Fundmastery blog. He talks with Money & Investing Editor Jonathan Burton.
 Watch Video Report.

Why former Olympian Carl Lewis loves curling

U.S. track and field gold-medalist Carl Lewis chats with Geoffrey Fowler about his love for curling.
 Watch Video Report.

Kim Yu-Na breaks figure-skating record

Vancouver Winter Olympics Day 13 opens with Kim Yu-na breaking a figure skating record, a match pitting Julie Mancuso against Lindsey Vonn and Canada facing off against Russia in hockey. Plus, Norway hits a medal count benchmark with 300 wins.
 Watch Video Report.

Apple Daily animates Gordon Brown

Hong Kong's Apple Daily Newspaper has created a CGI animation of alleged bullying by the British prime minister Gordon Brown.
 Watch Video Report.

Emerging markets hit speed bump

Financial troubles in Southern Europe and unrest in Turkey threaten investors in developing markets, says David Riedel, president of emerging-market analysts Riedel Research. Jonathan Burton reports.
 Watch Video Report.

Two seats as a first-class alternative

Middle Seat columnist Scott McCartney joins the News Hub to discuss a new trend in flying -- getting a second seat.
 Watch Video Report.

New doubts about daily aspirin use

Medical experts say some people should think twice before taking aspirin daily. Anna Mathews discusses these new findings with Kelsey Hubbard.
 Watch Video Report.

Strategies for retirement saving

Putting away the money from the first or second hour of wages earned can be one way to systemize savings, according to Nathan Dungan of Share Save Spend, who also says that communication is critical to reaching financial goals. Jonathan Burton reports.
 Watch Video Report.

See the week's Top 10 news and analysis stories.

See the week's Top 10 videos on MarketWatch.

The Economist Video: Michael gold on the Space Business

MarketWatch: This week's top Personal Finance stories

Personal Finance Daily

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

This week's top Personal Finance stories

By MarketWatch

In case you missed them, here are the top 10 Personal Finance stories from MarketWatch for the week of Feb. 22-26:

The top 10 places to retire

Where do you want to live in retirement? Most folks age in place. But there are those who spend their golden years in dreamy locales. Where are those places?
See Robert Powell.

Strategies for retirement saving

Putting away the money from the first or second hour of wages earned can be one way to systemize savings, according to Nathan Dungan of Share Save Spend, who also says that communication is critical to reaching financial goals. Jonathan Burton reports.
 Watch Video Report.

Credit card offers abound, but terms have changed

For the first time in three years, credit-card issuers are ramping up their mailbox solicitations, but don't expect to see your father's credit-card appeals. Variable interest rates, higher annual fees and a host of new charges will be hidden in the fine print of these offers.
See Consumer Watch.

Tough choices in a plummeting housing market

I have always been and still am a financially responsible and socially conscious taxpayer with a good credit score who lived in Michigan for years. I purchased this property in 2006 as my primary residence in Troy for $330,000. I had to move to Arkansas for work in late 2008. I have tried to refinance, rent and sell my Michigan house for months but I have not been successful because of the extremely depressed real-estate market. Where did I go wrong?
See Realty Q&A.

11.3 million homeowners underwater on mortgage

More than 11.3 million homeowners -- nearly one-fourth of all Americans with a mortgage -- owe more on their loan than their home is now worth, according to a report released Tuesday by FirstAmerican CoreLogic.
See Real Estate.

The top tax breaks you can get without itemizing

By 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects a 1 million shortfall of full-time equivalent nurses. To fill the need, Hayley quit her job last year to go back to nursing school at her local hospital. But when you read IRS's rules for deducting education expenses, it turns out her hospital is not among the "eligible educational institutions" because it is not signed up with the government to receive federal funding. Can't she get any tax benefits?
See Tax Watch.

Don't give up on tech stocks just yet

Judging from the round of fourth-quarter 2009 earnings reports, this is a good time for leading technology companies. It just isn't a good time to be a tech-stock investor.
See Weekend Investor.

Bond ETF buyers, beware

Investors seeking safety have been pouring cash into bond funds -- but when it comes to exchange-traded funds they run the risk of limiting gains or magnifying losses.
See Fund Watch.

Coverage for treating kids' obesity gets more comprehensive

Parents of overweight and obese children face a heavy burden in navigating a complex health-care system that does little to help them change their kids' course. But a growing number of employers and health insurers are trying to make it easier to get such help.
See Vital Signs.

Few used-car bargains in wake of Toyota recalls

Toyota cars, long known for their quality and reliability, are just about holding their own in resale value despite the massive recall of vehicles for sudden-acceleration problems and other issues.
See Cars.

See the week's Top 10 news and analysis stories.

See the week's Top 10 videos on MarketWatch.

NYT: Business Afternoon Update

  Business Aftternoon  Update

Germany’s Export Prowess Weighs on Euro-Zone By JACK EWING Thousands of small German exporters are giving a shot of growth to the E.U., but their success makes it harder for neighbors with high deficits to adjust. Sharp Drop in Existing Home Sales in January By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ Sales of existing homes fell 7.2 percent; analysts had expected an increase. Meanwhile, the first revision of G.D.P. for late 2009 shows that the economy grew at a 5.9 percent annual pace. ‘Shutter Island’ Got Plenty of Gold From the Olympics By BILL CARTER The movie made $41 million in its first week, a career best for Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, thanks largely to its ad campaign. A.I.G. Reports a Loss and Increases Its Reserves By MARY WILLIAMS WALSH The insurance giant attributed most of its $11 billion loss for the year to a fourth-quarter charge taken to reflect that its bailout had been restructured. Citi to Reshape Its Board as 3 Directors Stand Down By DEALBOOK Citigroup on Friday said it planned to reshape its board, nominating Ernesto Zedillo, a former president of Mexico, as a director as three others declined to seek re-election.

• More Business News

From The Desk of Nick Nicolaas

As every  Friday, our friend Nick Nicolaas  has sent us  Adam Hamilton's  Zeal Intelligence Newsletter on  the Mining Interactive Website

Fernando Guzmán Cavero

Dear Friends:

Scott Wright, Adam Hamilton s business partner, has posted his weekly Zeal Intelligence Newsletter on the Mining Interactive Website. Click here:

http://www.mininginteractive.com/releases/zeal/zeal20100226.pdf

Have a great weekend and - - - Stay Tuned!!

Regards,

Nick L. Nicolaas

Mining Interactive Ahead of the Pack

Nick L. Nicolaas
President & CEO
Mining Interactive Corp.
www.mininginteractive.com

Direct 24/7: +1 (604) 657-4058
Main Office: +1 (604) 569-0800
Fax: +1 (604) 569-0758
Skype: nicknicolaas
nick@mininginteractive.com

Vancouver Stock Exchange Building (1929)
Suite 818 - 475 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2B3

MarketWatch: Weekly Roundup

Weekly Roundup

FEBRUARY 26, 2010

MarketWatch's top stories Feb. 22 - 26

By MarketWatch

U.S. stocks ended the day pretty much flat and the week with small declines. Investors seemed unable to make up their minds about the news, first driving stocks one way, then the other as the week progressed.

The week limped to a close, with New York trading hit by a sharp snowstorm that blew into town on Friday that kept many at home and volume low.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) rose 4.23 points on Friday, a tiny percentage gain, to close at 10,325.26. For the week, the index is down 0.7%. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.COMP) rose 4.04 points or 0.2% on the day to close at 2,238.26 while dipping 0.3% for the week. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index (.SPX) climbed 1.6 points or 0.1% on Friday to close at 1,104.49. For the week the index was down 0.4%.

Click on through to MarketWatch this weekend for all the news you need to manage your life and your portfolio. Our weekend features include a look at five gadgets that are changing the face of technology stocks and an examination of how badly the euro currency has been hurt by the financial crisis and the sovereign debt crisis roiling Europe.

Also, please take a few moments to have a look at our weekly preview videos.

 Europe's Week Ahead: Banks and Airlines Report

 Asia's Week Ahead: Australia Rates, Japan Data

-- Christopher Noble, assistant managing editor

Blue Dogs and progressives unite?

President Barack Obama needs House Democrats to pass health-care reform. But can fiscally conservative Blue Dogs worried about cost, liberals disappointed by the lack of a public option and anti-abortion lawmakers concerned about federal funding for the practice unite to pass a bill? Read MarketWatch's story about health care reform.

Coke adds bottles

Coca-Cola's purchase of fundamentally alters a century-old relationship with its bottler and puts the company on the hook for risks it has long shied away from. Can Coke be a success at running a low-return, capital intense business? Read MarketWatch's story on Coca-Cola buying its bottler.

The top 10 places to retire

Where do you want to live in retirement? Most folks age in place. But there are those who spend their golden years in dreamy locales. Where are those places?
See Robert Powell.

Credit card offers abound, but terms have changed

For the first time in three years, credit-card issuers are ramping up their mailbox solicitations, but don't expect to see your father's credit-card appeals. Variable interest rates, higher annual fees and a host of new charges will be hidden in the fine print of these offers.
See Consumer Watch.

Self sabotage

The United States, lulled by power, wealth and a sense of invincibility, is on the road to financial ruin, write Paul Farrell. Just like great powers in ages past, eventually, U.S. dominance led to arrogance and a state where greed consumes the country and gambling has replaced real work. Can America pull itself back from the brink? Read Paul Farrell's column on the death of Capitalism.

Can Palm save itself?

The mood at Palm Inc. is darker than at any time in its recent history. Last year Palm bet its future on WebOS, a new smartphone operating system that wowed analysts and tech reviewers. But sales have not followed. After the company warned its revenue would fall short of expectations, investors are openly discussing whether Palm can continue as an independent concern. Read MarketWatch's story about Palm.

Danger, inflation ahead.

The recovery may appear hesitant. Unemployment may be high and business may have a lot of spare capacity. But inflation is back and the Federal Reserve should be looking at taking steps to rein in price increases, says Irwin Kellner, chief economist for MarketWatch. Read Irwin Kellner's column.

His name on every car.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda told Congress this week that he was "deeply sorry" for the accidents suffered by drivers of his cars and said he took the problems at the company seriously. He told members of Congress he took full responsibility. He also said he believed there was no problem with the electronic throttle system that some have blamed for the sudden acceleration experienced by some drivers. Read MarketWatch's story about Toyoda's appearance in Washington.

Damaged goods?

The euro is tarnished. It's been dented by the financial crisis and the debt crisis that followed. The currency's weakness has revealed the shortcomings of European economic and monetary union and raised questions about whether the single currency can survive. Read MarketWatch's story about how the debt crisis has affected the euro.

Strikes rattle Greece

Protesters and police clashed this week in Athens as Greeks took to the streets to demonstrate their unhappiness with planned austerity measures the government says it has to take in order to lower its debt and bring its spending under control. The austerity moves follow revelations that Greece's national debt and deficit were higher than previously thought and highlight spreading sovereign debt problems in several euro zone countries. Read MarketWatch's story about strikes in Greece.

CFTC : Enforcement Press Releases, February 26th, 2010

The following Enforcement press release has been published:

• 5784-10, CFTC Charges Virginia Resident Ronald W. Smith, Jr., Doing Business as Safeguard 3030 Investment Club, in Forex Fraud Scheme

See the CFTC News Room for the latest news and events or News Room Archives for previous releases.

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RTTNEWS : Forex Market Update, February, 26,20120

Forex Market Update

Fri Feb 26 09:07 2010

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Economic News

Feb 26, 2010 New Zealand Logs NZ$269 Mln Trade Surplus In JanuaryNew Zealand had its best January trade surplus as a percentage of exports in two decades, figures released by the government show. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 U.K. Consumer Confidence Improves For Second MonthBritish consumer confidence improved for the second month in February, the results of a closely watched survey show. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Japan Industrial Output Up 2.5% On Month In JanIndustrial production in Japan was up a seasonally adjusted 2.5 percent on month in January, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Friday, climbing for the 11th consecutive month. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 India Pegs Budget Deficit At 5.5% For Next Fiscal YearIndian Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, while presenting his budget of the United Progressive Alliance or UPA government for the year 2010-11, estimated lower fiscal deficit over last year. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 South Korea Manufacturers' Confidence Hits 7-Year HighMorale among South Korean manufacturers boomed to a seven-year high heading into March, figures released by the central bank show. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Spain HICP Inflation Rate Eases To 0.9% In FebruarySpain's harmonized index of consumer prices increased for the fourth straight month in February, a flash estimate from the Madrid-based statistical office INE showed on Friday. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 U.S. GDP Increases By Revised 5.9% In Q4U.S. economic activity in the fourth quarter expanded by more than previously expected, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday, with the upward revision partly due to a smaller than previously expected drop in inventories. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Swiss Feb KOF Economic Barometer Highest Since 2007 The KOF leading indicator for Switzerland rose to its highest level since 2007 in February. The KOF economic barometer that indicates the strength of the economic recovery in the coming months reached 1.87 points in February, up from January's revised reading of 1.81. It beat forecast for a reading of 1.80. The indicator gathered increasing momentum after bottoming out in April 2009. Full Article

Forex Top Story

Feb 26, 2010 Japan January Core CPI Falls 1.3% On YearCore consumer prices in Japan declined 1.3 percent on year in January, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday, declining for the 11th straight month and reinforcing deflationary fears. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Indian Economic Growth Slows More Than ExpectedIndia's economic growth slowed more than expected during the December quarter despite strong performance by the manufacturing sector. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 U.K. House Prices Fall For First Time In 10 Months Amid Icy WeatherAfter recording nine months of consecutive increases, British house prices fell in February as icy weather cooled demand. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 U.K. Q4 GDP Grows Better Than EstimatedThe British economy recovered from recession at a quicker than estimated pace in the fourth quarter mainly due to an upward revision in service sector output. Still, the outlook remains uncertain. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Eurozone Inflation Rises Moderately In JanuaryEurozone inflation rose at a very slow pace in January, giving reasons for the European Central Bank to hold its key interest rate at a record low. Full Article

Political News

Feb 26, 2010 U.S. Rejects Iranian Claims Of Jundallah LinksThe Pentagon has rejected Tehran's accusations of aiding and abetting the outlawed Jundallah (God's soldiers) Sunni insurgent outfit prior to the arrest of its leader Abdolmalek Rigi by Iranian authorities earlier this week. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Swiss Mulls Law To Disclose Tax Evaders' Details To U.S.Switzerland may enact a special law to enable it to hand over bank account details of alleged American tax-evaders to the U.S. authorities. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Closeness Between Syria And Iran Undermines Damascus' Position: USThe United States Thursday said growing closeness between Syria and Iran witnessed during Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Syria was undermining Damascus' position in the Middle East. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 U.S. Willing To Talk To N. Korea On Peace Treaty: Special EnvoyThe United States is prepared to hold talks with North Korea on establishing diplomatic ties and signing a peace treaty if Pyongyang returned to the Six-party talks, Washington's special envoy Stephen Bosworth said in Seoul Friday. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Gaddafi Urges "Jihad" Against Switzerland Over Minarets' BanLibyan leader Muammar Gaddafi Thursday called for a "Jihad" (holy war) against Switzerland over the Swiss vote banning construction of minarets on mosques. Full Article

Analyst Currency Comments

Feb 26, 2010 Risk Appetite Returns In Asian Markets – Westpac Westpac analysts noted that Asian markets generally traded higher on Friday and the U.S. equity futures rose modestly despite weak closes by Europe and U.S. stock markets yesterday on dismal U.S. jobless claims report and concerns over Greece rating downgrade. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Danske Bank Sees Increasing Risks In SEE Currency MarketResearch firm Danske Bank said Friday that risks are on the rise in the South East European currencies, and in particular, the Romanian leu and Hungarian forint on the back of contagion from the Greek crisis and political tensions in Turkey. Full Article

Currency Alerts

Feb 26, 2010 Australian And New Zealand Dollars Climb On Most Asian Stocks RallyThe Australian and the New Zealand dollars strengthened against their major opponents on Friday morning in Asia as a rally in most Asian stocks fueled investors' risk appetite. Full Article

Feb 26, 2010 Dollar And Yen Falls As Most Asian Stocks AdvanceFriday morning in Asia, the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen slipped against their major counterparts as a rally in most Asian stocks reduced demand for safe-haven currencies. Full Article

Energy

Feb 26, 2010 IMF Sees Substantial Rise In Consumer Fuel Subsidies In 2010Petroleum product subsidies have started to rise again after falling during the financial crisis and a "substantial" increase is expected this year, the International Monetary Fund says. Full Article

General News

Feb 26, 2010 Several Killed In China Starch Plant ExplosionMore than 19 persons were killed and five others reported missing after a huge explosion at a plant in northern China producing starch, state media said Friday. Full Article

FDIC : Financial Institution Letter Regulatory Capital Standards, February 26, 2010

Financial Institution Letter

Regulatory Capital Standards Clarification of the Risk Weights for FDIC Claims and Guarantees

FIL-7-2010 February 26, 2010

Summary:

The federal banking agencies (the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Office of Thrift Supervision) are clarifying the risk weights for claims on or guaranteed by the FDIC for purposes of banking organizations' risk-based capital requirements.

Distribution:
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
Complete Financial Institution Letter: http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2010/fil10007.html

Forbes .com : Intelligent Investing

Features

	Intelligent Investing JPMorgan: Too Big Not To Buy The Volcker Rule isn't even a rule yet and much less a law, but already it looks like JPMorgan Chase is challenging it. With David Serchuk
	Intelligent Investing Applying Murphy's Law To Retirement If you can envision all that might go wrong with retirement planning, you can take steps to reduce your risk. With Liz Davidson

Video: Intelligent Investing With Steve Forbes

Intelligent Investing With Steve Forbes Stiglitz Lambasts Out Of Control Risk Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz chronicles how risk-taking got out of hand. Wesbury Says Mark To Market Was The Problem > Lou Dobbs: Too Big To Fail Is Nonsense >

Real Clear Politics: Friday26, 2010

Real Clear Politics Friday

Big Political Challenges in Passing Health Legislation - Kim Strassel, WSJ
Afflicting the Afflicted - Paul Krugman, New York Times
Health Care: Hiding Spending Doesn't Reduce Spending - Rep. Paul Ryan
No Thaw Yet in Frozen Health Debate - Michael Tomasky, The Guardian
Time Has Come for Confrontation - Bob Shrum, The Week
Why Mitch Daniels is on the Short List for 2012 - Mona Charen, NRO
Eminent Domain as Central Planning - Nicole Gelinas, City Journal
A Better Way to Invest in Education - Arne Duncan, Washington Post
Impossible-to-Fire Teachers - John Stossel, FOX Business
How Will the Fed Exit? - Michael Bordo & John Landon Lane, Financial Times
Climate Data Under Scrutiny - Jeffrey Ball & Keith Johnson, Wall St. Journal
Bring Sheik Mohammed's Trial to D.C. - Thomas Jackson, Washington Post
Brutal, Yes; 'Torture,' Probably Not - Stuart Taylor, National Journal
Falklands Shows Administration's Cluelessness - James Corum, Telegraph
Has Pakistan Turned on the Taliban? - Steve Coll, The New Yorker
Carter: How Not to Defend Your Legacy - Jeremy Lott, RealClearPolitics
Toyota and the Price of Modernity - Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post
Politics Nation: Texas Showdown, Polls / 2010 Polls: NC,NV,MA,SD,IL,DE
RCP Blog: Paterson Won't Run For Re-Election

Editorials

The Way Forward on Health Care? - Los Angeles Times
Obama Needs to Cut a Deal With GOP - Christian Science Monitor
Defining ObamaCare Down - Wall Street Journal
Health Care: Smaller, Bipartisan Fixes Could Make Progress - Oregonian

Political News & Analysis

Obama Plans to Use Federal Contracts to Lift Wages - New York Times
Supreme Court to Define Reach of Gun-Control Laws - USA Today
GOP Cries Foul Over Amendment to Intel Bill - The Hill
Republicans Talk Up Daniels for 2012 - Politico

Transcripts & Speeches

Obama's Remarks to the Business Roundtable - Barack Obama
Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress - Ben Bernanke
Interview with Senator Judd Gregg - On the Record
Panel Previews the Health Care Summit - Special Report w/Bret Baier
Geithner's Testimony to the House Budget Committee - Timothy Geithner

Best of the Blogs

What the Summit Taught Us - E.J. Dionne, Post Partisan
A Fiscal Disaster - Allahpundit, Hot Air
Taxing Investment Income - Kathryn Nix, The Foundry
Summit Winners and Losers - Chris Cillizza, The Fix
In Closing - Kate Pickert, Swampland

Real Clear World

America Needs a Drone Doctrine - Roger Cohen, New York Times
The Gospel According to Dave Cameron - Simon Heffer, New Statesman
Kashmir Peace Needed to Defeat Taliban - Con Coughlin, Daily Telegraph
What Is Britain's Role in the World? - Adrian Hamilton, The Independent
India, Pakistan Talk for America - M K Bhadrakumar, Rediff

Real Clear Markets

How Will the Fed Exit? - Michael Bordo & John Landon Lane, Financial Times
Stocks Neither Cheap Nor Expensive Now - Mark Hulbert, MarketWatch
Interview with Madoff Hunter Harry Markopolos - James Bandler, Fortune
How to Clean Up the Impossibly Messy Tax Code - Bruce Bartlett, Forbes
The Reality About 'Green Job' Creation - Sunil Sharan, Washington Post

Real Clear Sports

Kim Yu-na Delivers Performance for the Ages - L. Robertson, Miami Herald
Rochette Skates Through Pain to Bronze - Rosie DiManno, Toronto Star
Why U.S. Has Owned the Podium - Christine Brennan, USA Today
Great Atmosphere During and After Women's Game - L. Olson, FanHouse
Ruggiero, U.S. Women Savor Experience - Steve Kelley, Seattle Times

Health Care Summit

• Obama on Passing HC With No GOP Votes
• Krauthammer: Summit Was About Setting The Premise For Reconciliation
• McCain: "Cataclysmic Effects"

• How Steve Friedman Made a Bundle
• How Will the Fed Exit?
• Let's Give the FOMC Pessimists a Listen

More Video Highlights

• Obama to McCain: "The Election's Over"
• Harry Reid's Opening Remarks
• Ryan: Bill's Funding is a Ponzi Scheme
• Alexander on Opposing Reconciliation

• America Needs a Drone Doctrine
• The Gospel According to Dave Cameron
• Kashmir Peace Needed to Defeat Taliban

Delaware Governor Jack Markell

Markell leads the Democratic Governors Association into the 2010 Elections.

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Politics & Election Videos

Sen. McCain: Reconciliation Will Have "Cataclysmic Effects"

Rep. Miller On Using Reconciliation To Pass Health Care

Rep. Weiner: Health Bill "Watered Down" By Vote Minimum

Sarah Palin Reacts To Health Care Summit

Jake Tapper Breaks Down The Health Care Summit

Rep. Kucinich, Bachmann On Health Care Summit

O'Reilly: Bloviating Gone Wild

Krauthammer: Health Care Summit Was About Setting The Premise

For Reconciliation