Momentum Mashed:
- The stock rally has been on autopilot since last summer, but occasionally we get a week that makes us sit up and take a little more notice. Last week, the unrest in the Middle East sparked oil prices higher, and the bottom fell out of equities — temporarily. As it turned out, stocks got their reversal on late Thursday, and into Friday, and what could’ve been a miserable week (for longs) turned out to be a drop of 1.7% (on the S&P 500). No real such calmness in Treasuries ever too effect, as yields slipped lower throughout the week. Gold and silver prices rose 1.5% and 2.2%, respectively.
- On Monday, earnings season continues, but the roster quality keeps dropping below All-Star level. Economic data includes January reports on personal income and personal spending, the February Chicago Purchasing Managers Index, January pending home sales, and February agriculture prices.
OUT THERE SOMEWHERE:
- Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) tries cracking down on content farms.
- The SEC’s Madoff probe? Not cheap.
- Felix Salmon takes down Mary Meeker’s polemics.
- Considering the current population, retail sales really aren’t back yet.
- High unemployment not so great, unless you’re talking corporate profits.
- Farmers go for the higher oil prices, actually.
- With friends like these, does Twitter need the unwashed masses’ money?
- The obligatory link to Buffet’s annual letter to shareholders.
- The older set keeping the box office rolling.
- Consumers hanging on to stuff longer.
- Is it time for quality stocks to matter again?
- At this rate, it’s free Kindles by November.
