A simple explanation of what’s wrong with the global economy, and why it’s getting worse.

Sheila Bair, known for her tenacity and contrarian tenure as chairwoman of the FDIC, has a message she wants everyone to learn:Don\’t buy an inflatable moose head for your wall.

Latest financial market news: • FTSE 100 up on decent Asian showing overnight • More M&A excitement with Avis takeover • Glencore and Tesco release results • UK inflation (CPI/RPI) numbers in line with expectations • Investors looking to plentiful US economic indicators data this afternoon, including US retail sales

Stock Market and Economic forecast using common sense analysis and decision making techniques. Focus is on the US Dollar, Commodities (CRB Index), Bonds (10 Yr. Treasuries), and the Stock Market (DJIA 30). Gold, silver and oil are often discussed when relating to commodities. How to Turn 000 into Million or Collapse Trading Stocks! Stocks trading in this portfolio started out at k 1/28/10. Each week the worst stock is sold and a new stock is added. Stock performance will be compared to the buy and hold stock strategy at the end of 1 year. Stocks covered this week include: Tempur Pedic, Continental Resources, El Paso Pipeline, Endo Pharmaceuticals, and Speadtrum Communications. One stock will be sold and a new stock will be bought!

cxpromo.com — Top Calculator Choices Casio FX-115MS, a very good calculator I have been a faithful user of the HP 48G since 1995. However I needed a calculator that is permitted on the EIT exam. Since I am comfortable with Reverse Polish Notation entry format, my first inclination was to look for a HP product that is approved for the exam. However after reading the reviews on-line and seeing the price of the HP33S, I decided to look for an alternative. The TI 30XIIs and the Casio fx-115MS were viable options at a better price. I bought both of the TI and the Casio for comparison. Both calculators are about the same size, approximately 6″(T)X 3″(W)x1 The feel of the buttons/keys on the TI was a bit dull when pressed. The Casio keys had slightly more engaged-feel when depressed. The engaged-button feel helps when I am keying numbers without looking at the screen to know whether the calculator took the string of digits and operators correctly. The color scheme employed for button labeling on the TI does not make the “2nd” functions stand out. This is made worse by the shadow cast by the tall buttons, which make the lettering for the “2nd” functions harder to read. The Casio uses fairly distinctive colors for lettering and function schemes. This makes it easier and faster to find the correct key. I find that for engineering problems, Casio had more built in buttons. Thus I don’t have to always use “shift” or “2nd” functions. I also liked the layout of the buttons on the …

European markets positive as investors await key US non farm payroll figures out at 1.30pm (GMT)

Corporate earnings news overshadows events in Egypt, and the UK service sector joins manufacturing in showing good growth for Janaury.

Fears over events in Egypt are cast aside by rising commodity markets and corporate earnings, giving UK markets a boost.

The UK economy retracts in Q4 2010 and knocks the markets, cooling fears of a sudden interest rate hike.

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