What We're Reading

Omega Advisors Founder, CEO and Chairman Leon Cooperman discusses his outlook for the markets.  Of course he was short on time so we have no idea if he's short bonds but that would be my guess.   Hat tip Sadiq for this interview.

Wowsa!  Hat tip to GT for this one.  Maybe Americans need to pay attention? 

"A few outsiders saw what no one else could". Hat tip to sadiq. With so many big stars, I'll be watching this one.

(Edited 2:00pm)  I especially enjoy the part when the commentator withdrew his request for an interview after Schiff refused to blame everything on China.  Yes, MSM wants us to believe it's all China's fault.  Don't drink the koolaid.  Use your head.

Hat tip Ed

2015 is the year which we were supposed to be "back to the future" riding hover boards.  While it appears we're getting close and I have to wonder what venture capitalists are contributing to their ground floor as well as flying cars.  Where will they in another 10 years?  Beam me up Scotty! 

Each year I post the annual TCM remembers video and the amazing people both in front of the camera and behind the screen who entertained us for generations however this year the one I will miss most, without a doubt is Robin Williams.  His quick wit and unmatched improv skills were like no other. His ability to change mode on a dime was unsurpassed.  Such rare gifts were both a challenge for the camera man and an inspiration to the young that anyone can bring a smile to others and in doing so, endear themselves in our heart.  I find is extremely difficult, almost impossible, to pick which Robin Williams character I loved the most.  From the inspiring English teacher John Keating in Dead Poets Society, to the medical student who put patients ahead of business in Patch Adams.  It's safe to say I loved them all.  Gone far too soon with a life unfinished.  Rest in peace Robin.  What a legacy. 

With half a century in the market, whose wisdom better to draw upon than Art Cashin, Director of Floor Operations at UBS.

Lastly what Christmas holiday would be complete without Art's annual poem courtesy of BusinessInsider:

'Tis two days before Christmas

and at each brokerage house

The only thing stirring

was the click of a mouse

Down on the Exchange

the tape inches along

Brokers bargained and traded

as they hummed an old song

 

The Fed says they're "patient"

but some folks still fear

That rates they'll start hiking

too early next year

 

Frisco took the series

and Seattle the Bowl

But Tiger still struggles

to get the ball in the hole

 

Ellen D. took a group selfie

at the Oscar awards

The darn thing got retweeted

till it pulled down some boards

 

Putin scooped up Crimea

and some parts of Ukraine

But an oil plunge and sanctions

are causing him pain

 

In Europe a song contest

was won by a nun

And the song that she sang was -

Girls just want to have fun

 

In Portland a kid offered

a hug

Back in the 1990's, we as Managers were trained in racial diversity and businesses began their slow and gradual integration for the Hispanic community (Spanish calls center workers, select "5" for Spanish on automated phone services, packaging with alternate language, etc.). The CBO had already made the predictions of the shift in U.S. ethnicity and companies had to prepare. Fast forward 10 or 25 years from now now and just what will be the face of the consumer ahead?  What about job growth, income growth and how many older Americans will fall off of the economic spending gap?

Posted without commentary. What are your thoughts?

Arthur C. Clarke's first broadcast on 29 May 1974, he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that by 2001 every household will have a computer and be connected all over the world. Clarks was a British science fiction writer, science writer and futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host.  He is perhaps most famous for being co-writer of the screenplay for the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, widely considered to be one of the most influential films of all time. 

As those inventive advertisers, forever attempting to hold our attention in the first few, crucial seconds before we flip the channel or run to the kitchen to refill our drink.  At least these guys grab your attention from the get go.  Wait for it..........wait for it..........

Whether it's bypassing the traffic jam on the way to the office, visiting Mom and Dad or popping over to Las Vegas for a quick weekend getaway, yeah, you know you want one. 

The current flying car prototype AeroMobil 3.0 incorporates significant improvements and upgrades. It is now being tested in real flight conditions since October 2014. Initially certified by the Slovak Federation of Ultra-Light Flying, it now entered a regular flight-testing program.

The AeroMobil 3.0 prototype is very close to the final product. It is predominantly built from the same materials as the final product, such as advanced composite materials for the body shell, wings, and wheels. It also contains all the main features that will be incorporated into the final product, such as avionics equipment, autopilot and an advanced parachute deployment system.

Beware "Bear-Mageddon" says Mike O'Rourke, Chief Market Strategist at Jones Trading in this talk with Hedgeye's Keith McCullough.  Hat tip to StockBuz member Ed (@vette_ed) for this insight.  We miss you buddy!

I must admit, I don't particularly care for escalators when there are numerous riders (crowded and smelly) however I'd take the stairs even more often given the pleasant incentive.