Washington Weighing on Rich – Barron’s 01-17-13

Salient to Investors: Mike Ryan at UBS Wealth Mgmt Americas said 76% of 2,056 wealthy investors surveyed are very worried about Washington, 33% are worried by volatility, Europe, and financial markets, and 36% have faith the government will accomplish more in 2013. Ryan said the investors were neither euphoric nor despondent – 56%

READ MORE...

Oil Industry Beats Buffett in Railroad Investments Surge: Energy – Bloomberg 01-14-13

Salient to Investors: North American energy companies are investing more in railroad terminals than the railroads themselves because swelling output has overwhelmed pipelines.  Domestic crude at least 20 percent cheaper than imports. Rail is more expensive than pipelines but reaches into metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and Philadelphia, where new pipes are

READ MORE...

CNN Newsroom – 01-14-13

Ben Stein says: The US is borrowing 40 cents for every dollar it spends, a terrible situation. The government has been living beyond its means for years, is spending too much money and heading for default – a real doomsday scenario. The US will have a $20 trillion deficit within 36

READ MORE...

Hedge-Fund Leverage Rises to Most Since 2004 in New Year – Bloomberg 01-14-13

Salient to Investors: Morgan Stanley said leverage among equity managers climbed to the highest level to start any year since at least 2004. Margin debt at NYSE firms rose in November to the highest since February 2008. James Dunigan at PNC Wealth Mgmt said leverage is increasing among hedge-funds. Gross leverage at hedge

READ MORE...

China to Influence Emerging Economies More Than U.S., HSBC Says – Bloomberg 01-09-13

Salient to Investors: Stephen King at HSBC said we are moving away from a US or Europe led world to a world led by China, which will make its biggest-ever contribution to global growth in 2014. King said China’s growth will rise to 8.6 percent in 2013 versus 7.8 percent in 2012, and 5.4 percent for the

READ MORE...