The Brian Sullivan Blog

Is The Real Unemployment Rate 17.5%?

Brian Sullivan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:36:53 +0000

The unemployment rate is technically defined by people who are in the labor force - i.e. still looking for a job - but can't find one. The 10.2% official rate is bad enough, but the real figures may be worse. According to the BLS, the number of 'discouraged workers' rose to 2.4 million. 1.6 million of [...]

Breaking: Unemployment Rate Rises to 10.2%

Brian Sullivan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:41:08 +0000

Unemployment rate rises to 10.2%, more than expected. Watch for push for "stimulus 2" ... Administration will likely use this to make a drive for more government spending. We need to get manufacturing going again in America and if that requires a "buy American" provision of some kind it is time to give that serious consideration. We [...]

Breaking: Fannie Mae To Rent Back Homes

Brian Sullivan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:18:48 +0000

This breaking now ... Lot of questions on first glance. 1) Is this a Fannie Mae bailout in disguise? Fannie selling as help for homeowners, but given Fannie's precarious (and taxpayer owned) financial position, renting homes back may allow Fannie to delay the write downs that are inevitably coming and drag out the hit to what's [...]

Wednesday Stories: Intel Sued; Gold Soars Again; The Dead Vote

Brian Sullivan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:58:07 +0000

Stories I'm reading this Wednesday... Intel smacked with antitrust lawsuit Fears of a new global bubble Gold, gold, gold ADP report shows continued layoffs Virginia cuts unemployment benefits California stealin' Bill Gates buys more AutoNation While Buffett sells Moody's The "new" Japan Apparently even the dead can vote Toyota latest to pull out of Formula One

Breaking: NY AG Cuomo Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Intel

Brian Sullivan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:33:24 +0000

Breaking on Intel ... but one wonders what the motivation is for Cuomo to file a lawsuit against a California company and non New York-based computer makers.. -------- New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed antitrust charges against Intel Corp. (INTC), alleging the company threatened computer makers and paid huge kickbacks to stop them using [...]

Gold Marches Higher

Brian Sullivan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:29:24 +0000

Gold continues its march higher, setting new records again. Here is the GLD gold ETF, which broke through the previous resistance at $98 and now appears to be using that as support.

Tuesday Stories: Buffett's Rail Bet; Break Up The Banks?; Overweight AND Depressed

Brian Sullivan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:37:24 +0000

Stories I'm reading this Tuesday: Buffett/BNI deal: "All in wager on the economy" My take: big bet on coal, too Evercore beats the big banks for the deal Factory orders rise in September Get ready for middle class tax hikes Break up the big banks? Housing nightmare: Paid $559,000, now worth $360,000 China rushing toward a Japan-like bubble Barrons: Biogen's a buy GMAC's lifeline is [...]

Warren Buffett's Big Bet on Coal

Brian Sullivan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:16:13 +0000

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway did its biggest deal ever today, buying the rest of Burlington Northern Sante Fe that it doesn't already down. It's a nice 31% premium to BNI's stock price. While Buffett said he's making an "all-in wager on America" and its economy with the deal, he may also be making a big bet [...]

Today's Graphic: Pending Home Sales

Brian Sullivan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:50:18 +0000

Homebuilders rising, but not to level of the rebound in pending home sales

President Endorsing Weaker Dollar Policy?

Brian Sullivan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:52:06 +0000

In the taped comments from his economic recovery board, the President said America needs to do more with an "export, manufacturing led economy." While not expressly endorsing a weaker dollar ... certainly comments about expanding export-led manufacturing can be viewed as endorsing a weaker dollar.