The statistical case for the January Indicator is weaker than it seems. (Marketwatch.com)

The market is now (70%) betting on a recession. (Bespoke Investment Group)

Why isn’t the VIX higher? (VIX and More, Daily Options Report)

Kass likes Citigroup (C). (TheStreet.com)

The bond market is focusing on “economic ills” not inflation at the moment. (Capital Spectator)

Is the crowd morphing into an “ugly mob“? (Big Picture)

“When Blackstone announces that it is going private, it will be the signal the credit crunch is over.” (Bloomberg.com)

A strong yen is not good news for anyone — including the Japanese…” (FT Alphaville)

“One of the reasons that foreign buyers get taken is that good deals can almost always be closed domestically.” (naked capitalism)

Which is riskier: hedge funds or index funds? (Market Movers)

How do hedge funds play the anomaly game? (CXO Advisory Group)

“So it appears that the prime brokers are fashioning themselves as a sort of turn-key hedge fund industry – able to provide everything but the fund management itself.” (All About Alpha)

Geography can affect hedge fund performance. (Alea)

2007 was another record year for hedge fund asset growth. (Marketwatch.com)

The historical state of the commodities rally. (FT Alphaville)

How does bank size affect credit risk? (Alea)

“(T)he problem of perverse incentives is the biggest single problem facing capitalism today.” (Accrued Interest)

Intellectual capital is like mercury, Mr. Wolf: very hard to contain and control.” (Epicurean Dealmaker)

An interesting look at a “faux flat tax.” (Crossing Wall Street)

The Apple (AAPL) “growth story” is still intact. (Silicon Alley Insider)

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