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Asian markets flying like Eagle! TWII up 4%...
Markets must have heard good news on McPalin poll numbers. Go McPalin! Fly like Eagle! :)
McCain pulls ahead! Go Mc Palin!
http://www.gallup.com/poll/110050/Gallup-Daily-McCain-Moves-Ahead-48-45.aspx
DJ WSJ: Treasury Nears Plan To Backstop Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
By Deborah Solomon and Damian Paletta
Of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The U.S. Treasury Department is close to finalizing a
plan to help shore up mortgage giants Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE),
according to people familiar with the matter.
Precise details of Treasury's plan couldn't be learned. The plan is expected
to involve a creative use of Treasury's new authority to make a capital
injection into the beleaguered giants.
The plan includes changes to senior management at both companies, according
to a person familiar with the plans.
An announcement could come as early as this weekend.
(This story and related background material will be available on The Wall
Street Journal Web site, WSJ.com.)
On Friday, a series of high-level meetings were planned between Federal
Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, the chief
executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the companies' new regulator, the
Federal Housing Finance Agency.
The Treasury Department has been working with bankers at Morgan Stanley to
use its newfound authority, granted by Congress in July, to devise a way to
prop up the mortgage giants, which have been pummeled by investors in recent
weeks.
The two giants are vital cogs in the U.S. housing market and their financial
woes have threatened to increase the damage from the bursting of the housing
bubble.
"We are making progress on our work," said Treasury spokeswoman Jennifer
Zuccarelli. She declined to comment further on Treasury's plans.
XBD flying on LEH buyout rumors again. How many times can play this card?
It is BKX vs. SOX which one telling truth?
Financials propping SPX. ABK is acting like Tobias on drug up 100% in 8 days. It is like nut for McBurnaky to go on propping up same old bubbles...
Fed drains $26 Billion ~ REJOICE!
http://www.gmtfo.com/reporeader/OMOps.aspx
Maybe McBurnaky stopping crazy pumpings actions...
Apple's `Let's Rock' Event Fuels New IPod Speculation
More iPods for wasting brains...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=acypX5IByVXM&refer=home
"Apple's `Let's Rock' Event Fuels New IPod Speculation (Update4)
By Connie Guglielmo
Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. plans to host a special event next week, feeding speculation that it may release updated models of the iPod media player to spur holiday sales.
An invitation for the Sept. 9 event in San Francisco, sent today, is entitled ``Let's Rock'' and shows a silhouetted dancer holding an iPod below a ``playing soon'' banner. Apple shares fell 2 percent after a Thomas Weisel Partners analyst trimmed his sales and profit estimates for this quarter.
Lower prices, smaller models and more storage may bolster Apple's product line in the December quarter, its biggest sales period. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs has held events each September for the past four years to introduce new iPods, which play music and videos. A year ago, Jobs introduced the iPod Touch, a touch-screen model that surfs the Web.
``It's critical that they introduce the latest and greatest'' to stimulate holiday orders, said Gene Munster, an analyst with Piper Jaffray & Co. in Minneapolis. ``We just thought it was going to be an updated version of the iPod Touch, but they may have something even more interesting to show.''
Jobs, 53, may offer higher-capacity versions of Apple's slim Nano players and cut the price of the 8-gigabyte iPod Touch to $199 from $299, said Munster, one of 27 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg who recommend buying Apple's shares.
IPhone Price
The $199 price would match the cost of Apple's new iPhone 3G, released in July. While the Touch has the same screen as the iPhone, it can only access shorter-range Wi-Fi networks, rather than mobile-phone connections. Apple also sells an iPod called the Classic and the low-priced Shuffle, which starts at $49.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, fell $3.34 to $166.19 at 4 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. The shares have declined 16 percent this year.
Thomas Weisel analyst Doug Reid cut his profit estimate for the company by a penny, saying retail sales are slowing. The New York-based analyst now expects Apple to earn $1.08 a share in the fiscal fourth quarter, which ends in September. Reid trimmed his sales estimate to $7.9 billion from $8 billion.
The iPod accounted for 22 percent of revenue last quarter, with Apple's Macintosh computers and the iPhone making up most of the rest.
`Product Transition'
Analysts have predicted price cuts and new products since July, when Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer forecast lower gross margins this quarter than in the previous period. He cited back-to-school promotions and an unspecified ``future product transition.''
``My guess is: new iPods at lower prices, given the cost of an iPhone is as low as $199,'' said investor Romeo Dator, when asked about next weeks's event. He owns Apple shares as a portfolio manager for the All American Equity Fund at U.S. Global Investors Inc. in San Antonio.
``Some sort of price cut has to be coming to make the iPod Touch, Classic and Nano make sense relative to the iPhone,'' Dator said.
Apple currently offers a 4-gigabyte version of the Nano for $149 and an 8-gigabyte model for $199. The device has a 2-inch color display. An 80-gigabyte version of the Classic that can hold up to 20,000 songs costs $249.
While the invitation suggests that next week's announcements will be music-related, Apple also is expected to update its MacBook notebooks before the end of the year, Munster said. The Mac computer accounts for almost half of sales.
Do you see this?
http://www.gmtfo.com/reporeader/OMOps.aspx
This is Ungodly manipulation. McBernanke is Pure Evil >:(
Obama Biden only 4 letters different than Osama Bin Laden. Is this weird Illuminati mind games???
Bernanke declaring war on US Econ with deceitful debt pumps bloating up markets.
It's more disgusting immoral attacks with Green Bombs. Never ending Bubble/Crash swindling is evil plot. Bernanke must be in with Greenspan/Bush/NWO Swiss Account to steal wealth from many...
Bernanke is proving as Scamster with Green Bomb attacks same like Greenspan... It is Sin to keep attacking markets with Debt Bombs to create more Bubble/Crash. Disgusting!
Hopefully Bernanke will not again with Green Bombs attack as it is looking like this morning...
It is just more Bubble/Crash swindling. Dropping green bombs on markets like old Greenspan tricks. Bernanke needs to stop green bomb attacks and just let markets get washed if we are ever to have healthy econ again. More green bombs and more debt drugs won't help.
No Limit to Greenspan's Once-In-A-Century Events
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aQDn.ZYPabIg&refer=columnist_baum
" Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Alan Greenspan has presided over more hundred-year events in the last 20 years than the rest of us do in a lifetime.
As chairman of the Federal Reserve from August 1987 through January 2006, the Maestro was ahead of the pack when he sniffed out a secular increase in productivity growth, the result of a ``once-in-a-lifetime' technological boom.
Of course, if he was right about productivity, he was wrong about the policy prescription.
``Prices should have fallen' as companies are able to produce more with less, said Paul Kasriel, chief economist at the Northern Trust Corp. in Chicago. ``He fought it tooth and nail. The money had to go somewhere. It went into Nasdaq stocks.'
The burst tech-stock bubble exposed a rash of corporate malfeasance and accounting scandals. An ``infectious greed seemed to grip much of our business community,' producing a ``once-in- a-generation frenzy of speculation that is now over,' Greenspan told Congress on July 16, 2002.
Even as he was declaring an end to that generational frenzy, another one was already unfolding. Millions of condo flippers were riding ultra-low interest rates to ultra-high profits, extracting equity from their homes in the process. Now many homeowners find themselves owing more than their house is worth.
Of course, Greenspan argued against the idea of a ``bubble in home prices for the nation as a whole,' conceding only ``signs of froth in some local markets.' At the time, home prices were rising at a 15 percent annual rate.
Bubble Radar
Interspersed with the big bubbles in stocks and residential real estate were some singular events for which the cure was always lower interest rates.
Following the near-collapse of hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management in the fall of 1998, Greenspan cut the funds rate by 75 basis points to address the ``seizing up of financial markets.'
Once again, he misjudged the seizure's effect on the economy, which didn't miss a beat. The Nasdaq was the beneficiary of the Fed's largesse, rising 86 percent the following year.
Greenspan's ability to identify asset bubbles -- by his own admission, impossible when he was at the Fed -- improved markedly in the last two years. Everywhere you turned he was identifying a housing bubble, handicapping recession odds, spouting the wisdom gleaned from half a century of following the U.S. economy.
``He's like the forensic pathologist brought in as an expert on how to fix things when in fact he played a large role in causing the problems,' said Bill Fleckenstein, president of Fleckenstein Capital in Seattle, and author of ``Greenspan's Bubbles.'
Conflict of Interest
Last month, Greenspan showed up on CNBC with Maria Bartiromo and Paul McCulley, managing director at Pacific Investment Management Co. in Newport Beach, California. Pimco happens to be one of Greenspan's three main consulting clients, a relationship that was never disclosed to the audience.
It was positively quaint to see Greenspan and McCulley talking shop -- discussing the likelihood of U.S. recession, slowing global growth and concerns about solvency -- for the benefit of bond investors, er, the viewing audience. All that was missing was a phone number on the bottom of the screen: Call 1- 800-4PIMCO.
And yes, the solvency crisis is a ``once-in-a-century phenomenon,' according to Greenspan.
Last week, Greenspan showed up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal -- just like old times -- with a forecast for a bottom in housing.
``Home prices in the U.S. are likely to start to stabilize or touch bottom sometime in the first half of 2009,' Greenspan told the Journal.
Qualified Forecast
Lest he be too clear, the master of garblements qualified his forecast, saying ``prices could continue to drift lower through 2009 and beyond.'
``It's a flexible bottom,' said Tim Iacono, who devotes a blog to ``The Mess That Greenspan Made.'
What doesn't seem to have dawned on Greenspan or those who interview him is the thread that connects all these disparate events: Greenspan himself.
He presided over two bubbles, one bust and lots of little easy-money rescues. In a stroke of impeccable timing, Greenspan left the Fed in January 2006, a month that holds the once-in-a- century record for single-family housing starts.
Greenspan was widely criticized, inside and outside the Fed, for his tasteless appearance at a private Wall Street function for big investors one week after leaving the central bank.
A year later, I defended his right to earn a living after 18 years as a public servant. My point was that Greenspan can talk all he wants. You can choose not to listen.
Word of Advice
It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. So here goes.
There is something unseemly about Greenspan's conduct. Former presidents don't criticize U.S. foreign policy during times of war, Jimmy Carter notwithstanding. The same unspoken rule should apply to economic policy.
Unlike his predecessor, Paul Volcker, Greenspan cannot leave the global stage or the media spotlight. Ben Bernanke may be the new Fed quarterback, but Greenspan is still calling in plays (or commenting on them) from the sidelines.
The juxtaposition of Greenspan's frequent TV and print appearances with the economic and financial fallout from his policies isn't helping his reputation. There's enough blame to go around for what started as the subprime crisis, but surely Greenspan, the country's chief economic policy maker for 18 years, must shoulder the lion's share.
So here's my advice, Mr. Greenspan. Give speeches for $150,000 a pop and share your wisdom with your key clients, who must pay you handsomely.
When the press calls, just say ``no comment.' This is an acquired skill, but I'm sure you'll catch on.
As an economist, surely you appreciate scarcity value.
``I'm reminded of the song by Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks,' Kasriel said. ``How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away?'
McCain with COBRA...
Markets are totally corrupt now like big Casino. Goldman/Bernanke/Bush is Pit Boss.
Thanks! Wow premium sellers really got smoked this month.
1_Best, do you know what is Max Pain for QQQQ Option Expiration?
TIA,
Zen
Looks like Slim Jim on hourly QQQQ.
Cobra Attack
Are You As Bullish As Wall Street?
http://www.cnbc.com/id/26181021
Evil Cobra leading Sheepsters to Slaughters...
Cobra needs to be struck down!
AAPL is like Putin/Goldman cabal dropping bomb on sheepsters. We need a cease fire...
Steve Jobs LSD drugged nut...
The Marketing of Evil.
"Book Description
Americans have come to tolerate, embrace and even champion many things that would have horrified their parents' generation—from easy divorce and unrestricted abortion-on-demand to extreme body piercing and teaching homosexuality to grade-schoolers. Does that mean today's Americans are inherently more morally confused and depraved than previous generations? Of course not, says veteran journalist David Kupelian. But they have fallen victim to some of the most stunningly brilliant and compelling marketing campaigns in modern history.
The Marketing of Evil reveals how much of what Americans once almost universally abhorred has been packaged, perfumed, gift-wrapped and sold to them as though it had great value. Highly skilled marketers, playing on our deeply felt national values of fairness, generosity and tolerance, have persuaded us to embrace as enlightened and noble that which all previous generations since America's founding regarded as grossly self-destructive—in a word, evil.
In this groundbreaking and meticulously researched book, Kupelian peels back the veil of marketing-induced deception to reveal exactly when, where, how, and especially why Americans bought into the lies that now threaten the future of the country.
For example, few of us realize that the widely revered father of the "sexual revolution" has been irrefutably exposed as a full-fledged sexual psychopath who encouraged pedophilia. Or that giant corporations voraciously competing for America's $150 billion teen market routinely infiltrate young people's social groups to find out how better to lead children into ever more debauched forms of "authentic self-expression."
Likewise, most of us mistakenly believe the "abortion rights" and "gay rights" movements were spontaneous, grassroots uprisings of neglected or persecuted minorities wanting to breathe free. Few people realize America was actually "sold" on abortion thanks to an audacious public relations campaign that relied on fantastic lies and fabrications. Or that the "gay rights" movement—which transformed America's former view of homosexuals as self-destructive human beings into their current status as victims and cultural heroes—faithfully followed an in-depth, phased plan laid out by professional Harvard-trained marketers.
No quarter is given in this riveting, insightful exploration of how lies, both subtle and outrageous, are packaged as truth. From the federal government to the public school system to the news media to the hidden creators of "youth culture," nothing is exempt from the thousand-watt spotlight of Kupelian's journalistic inquiry.
In the end, The Marketing of Evil is an up-close, modern-day look at what is traditionally known as "tempation"—the art and science of making evil look good."
Yes it is Rotten Green Apple Monster. Totally disgusting...
Apple Balloon filled with Helium LOL!
Crazy AAPL Blimp... It's disgusting!
It is like nut dropping Bubble Bombs LOL!
LOL! More like Goldman and Bernanke Green Attack dropping AAPL bomb...
AAPL insane pump.
Evil greedsters hyping up balloons for Bubble/Crash swindle. It's disgusting...
It's like crazy Green Attack LOL!
More of same Bubble / Crash markets.
Hyperbolic volatility. It's disgusting.
I.O.U.S.A.
Reid, Dorgan introduce oil speculation bill
By Laura Mandaro
Last update: 3:28 p.m. EDT July 16, 2008Comments: 6
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- A group of Democratic senators said Wednesday they had introduced a bill targeting speculation in oil markets. Among other measures, it would require the U.S. futures regulator to allow only those companies that buy or produce petroleum to be considered legitimate hedgers, a distinction that could cut into the ability of large investment banks to use exchange-traded futures to offset swaps with financial investors such as pension funds. The Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008, introduced late Tuesday by Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., would also give the Commodities Futures Trading Commission more resources and authority to demand data from large traders. Reid, speaking from the floor of the U.S. Senate, said he had spoken to UAL Corp. CEO Glenn Tilton several times about the need for such changes. On July 15, 2008, Senators Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Dorgan, and Murray introduced S. 3268, the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008. This legislation, developed after consultation with consumer advocates, oil market analysts, and experts from the financial and airline industries, seeks to reduce the amount of excessive speculation in the oil markets. Specifically, the legislation would increase the resources and authority needed by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to detect, prevent, and punish price manipulation and excessive speculation and give the CFTC emergency authority needed to rapidly implement the legislation. S. 3268 would also strengthen the amount and quality of information available to the CFTC so that the Commission can better regulate all aspects of the energy futures markets. In addition, the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008 would provide better transparency in the trading of energy derivatives by closing the "London Loophole" so that oil traders using a foreign exchange cannot manipulate the price of oil in the United States. Finally, the legislation would require the CFTC to implement position limits to restrict excessive speculation that would still allow for reasonable trading for price discovery, liquidity, and legitimate hedging purposes.
Greenspan doesn't expect more market bubbles
LOL!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080530/bs_nm/greenspan_canada_bubbles_dc_1
Greenspan lunatic raving, he is total Nutcase...
"Greenspan urges focus on banks' capitalisation
By Krishna Guha in Washington
Monday May 26 2008 17:40
Central banks should be wary of trying to deal more aggressively with future asset price bubbles in case they suppress innovation and growth, Alan Greenspan has warned.
"If we want rapid growth in productivity, innovation, standards of living, we may have to accept that there will be periods of turmoil," the former chairman of the US Federal Reserve told the Financial Times.
Rather than try to suppress bubbles, he said, policymakers should ensure that financial institutions were well enough capitalised to withstand the hit from bursting bubbles as well as other shocks."
http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto052620081849401679
Gov't discloses investigation of crude-oil market
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/29/america/Oil-Markets-Investigation.php
Britain's Brown calls for global action on oil price.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2827371320080528