THE UNKNOWNS

Unknowns are are just another way of saying there might be something to lose here. It's a four-letter word people fear, Fear!  Talk about a motivator and that's what these folks are discussing.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-28/global-growth-at-risk-as-ukraine-adds-to-known-unknowns.html

NEXT MOVE UP TO MARKET

Speaking in Hong Kong today Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans said he didn't expect an interest rate hike before second half of 2015 owing to low inflation and still too high unemployment.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/feds-evans-sees-first-rate-hike-in-late-2015-2014-03-28

SIGNS

We're not sure what impending signs of an upcoming market sell-off look like and we're even less sure if anyone else does either. But here are some possible signs you might like to file away in your gray matter market data bank. http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2014/03/27/credit-suisse-weighs-in-as-permabear-warns-on-equities/

CORPORATE PHILOSOPHER

So what is a corporate philosopher? 

We'll, if you haven't been following UK banking you probably don't have an idea. If you have (There's probably a few lurking around the financial shadows here in the U.S. But we haven't seen one yet.), you're onto something.

 According to a WSJ, Barclays, the big British bank, rolled out recently new stationery embossed with the words: "Respect, Integrity and Stewardship."

Who would've thunk it anyone in the centuries-old banking industry would need to be reminded what those words mean?  Anyway, here's the link to the WSJ piece about an industry that never seems to tire of rigged bets, scandals and wayward stewards.

It makes one appreciate Voltaire's comment about bankers even more, that if you see a banker jump out of a window, it a good idea to follow 'cause there's probably a profit in it.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304418404579463122893382480?KEYWORDS=Uk+banks&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304418404579463122893382480.html%3FKEYWORDS%3DUk%2Bbanks

MORE ON THE STRESS TEST

Whenever you break down a story there are only a couple of plots. 

Most boil down to: man against the elements; man against man; man's inhumanity to man and man against himself which is just another way of saying man's stupidity or failure to learn.

Never make the mistake of limiting your definition of elements to things like waves, weather or storms. Greed is one of the most powerful elements man wages war against.

 And then there is fear. Read H.G. Wells' short story The Red Room.

Here's some intelligent comments about the folly of the Fed's newest toy, the financial stress test for banks. Part of this story centers on man against the elements, building the unsinkable Titanic. Another part is more about the DNA of bankers, do-gooders and politicians. 

http://www.dailyspeculations.com/wordpress/?p=9213

RESEARCH UPDATE

Here's an update to our recent blurb about big pharmaceuticals and their research. We're not implying anything about the researchers in this study, just getting the information to you. As always you decide for yourself.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/do-you-take-statins-if-not-you-may-have-to-2014-03-27

OXY UPDATE

When one insider purchases shares it's usually insignificant.

What most followers look for is several insiders stepping up to buy window. And we don't have a problem with that. But all insider data should be placed in context and Occidental has been much in the news lately for what many believe (including us) are positives: exiting California and breaking the behemoth up. 

http://www.minyanville.com/trading-and-investing/stocks/articles/Insiders-Buy-at-Opko-Health-Occidental/3/27/2014/id/54356

RESEARCH

There's research. Then there is research. We've mentioned before how big pharmaceutical pays researchers to produce the research the big boys crave. It's neither new nor uncommon. If anything, it's much more widespread than the mesmerizing media reveals.
http://www.propublica.org/article/double-dip-doctors-paid-to-advise-promote-drug-companies-that-fund-research

BRACE YOURSELF

US NUCLEAR PLANTS

Higher utility prices on the way?

With all the ballyhoo about energy independence and abundant natural gas supplies and the ranting against the evil duo, coal and nuclear power, one might postulate: why higher energy or utility bills on the horizon?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-26/high-utility-costs-to-linger-after-winter-s-chill-fades-energy.html

TWO SIDES OF STORY

Normally we'd post this under Voices. But this is an important read because you get the chance to decide for yourself and, as such, deserves broader exposure.

In the end, that's what investing comes down to, deciding for yourself and accepting the consequences without bickering. Some people call it doing your homework. But even that term has its oxymoron qualities: too complicated for some, too simple for others.

http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/global-markets/articles/will-China-Debt-Bomb-Trigger-US/3/26/2014/id/54329

GETTING THE MESSAGE: MORE CHINA?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/26/us-china-debt-idUSBREA2P07Q20140326