#134: ASUS Transformer Prime'

Black Box Update for 12/29

Wedging on the $QQQ…

#133: Audioboo/Podcast on Top News of the Day

Show Notes!

• Stocks up for the year - barely! 
• Gold down 5 days in a row 
• Europe, Europe, Europe! 
• Online gambling! 
• Netflix! 
• Iran threatens Strait of Hormuz 
• Oil prices and the US Economy, how to invest in oil 
• Companies reluctant to hire! 
• Sears! 
• Android activations soar! 
• Movie theaters lagging 
• Must read financial blogs 
• Most admired list includes Obama and Bush

#132: Undead Elves! Payroll Tax Cut, Keystone Oil Pipeline, Matt Barkley, Santa Claus Rally

SP500 YTD (Picture)

Here is the picture from CNN:

SP500 on the Brink of Breaking Even

I know we entered 2011 with higher expectations than breaking even. Considering the wild volatility you would think we would have turned decisively in either direction.

But maybe this is stock market gridlock. Europe can't break into the clear. The US debt situation grows exponentially as our politicians dither. The US economy slithers along at a 2% growth rate while the employment situation remains stagnant.

But if it took the NBA until christmas to get going, maybe the same is true for stocks.

Hopefully the market doesn't tear a ligament these last few days, Kobe.

It's the Oil Prices, Stupid

I still think high energy prices are a big reason for the economic malaise.

When holiday travel is over, the typical American household will have spent about $4,155 filling up this year, a record. That is 8.4 percent of what the median family takes in, the highest share since 1981.

Gas averaged more than $3.50 a gallon this year, another unfortunate record.

Link

That is a big dent in folks' disposable income.