[expat_panama]

The article also has a nifty animation of the current stock rally but I couldn't find the codes to post it here; so click and enjoy!

[CIB-173RDABN]

In the early days of the stock market, powerful men would conspire to raise the price of stock. When all the gullible investors jumped in, they would quietly sell. At some point the artificially high price for the stocks would collapse and the gullible would lose.

Today there are laws in place that is suppose to stop this sort of thing, but as we all know now, laws are only for the “little people”. (Or, if you believe in conspiracies, the people in control over look these transgressions to keep the top money men in line.)

If you are rich enough, powerful enough, and are connected, you can pretty much do as you please.

I am not saying a person can not make money in the stock market, but only if you know what you are doing. If not, you may as well go to Las Vegas, there at least you can get free drinks and a floor show as you toss your money away.

(I know, some of you have done well in the stock market, good for you, but you also have to admit there are thousands that have lost their retirement funds in the stock market as well).

[expat_panama]

Happy New Week!   Last Friday the NASDAQ posted another distribution day darkening the clouds on our market outlook.   Still, stock index futures aren't too gloomy as they point up to a +0.29% this AM, metals are seen -0.95% --a bit of profit taking maybe as gold/silver settle at $1,232.15/$16.93.

 New Home Sales is the only major econ report today but the week ahead looks formidable; click Expect Lively Talk Ahead of Bland FOMC Statement - Richard Moody, RB for predictions.

More neat stuff:

What Is the Actual "Gender Pay" Gap? - Robert Samuelson, Washington Post
Modern Caste System More & More About Money - Nelson Schwartz, NYT
Echoes of 1999: Tech Mania and Asian Flu - Rob Arnott, Research Affiliates
Markets Are Efficient, But It Takes Some Time - Barry Ritholtz, Bloomberg
It's Dangerous In the Bond Market - Worrachate & Debnath, Bloomberg
Investment Banks Have Woken Up to the Crunch - Tim Wallace, Telegraph
Thoughts On Why U.S. Is Still Tight With Saudi - Christopher Dickey, TDB
Lifting the Oil Export Ban Is Working - Stephen Moore, Investor's Business
Demonizing ExxonMobil to 'Prove' a Theory - George Will, National Review
Uber's Big $84M Settlement May Harm the Drivers - Michael Hiltzik, LAT

[BubbaBasher]