“Peter Schiff predicted a collapse of the U.S. financial system. The bust-up he didn’t foresee was the one that made mincemeat of investors who took his advice in 2008.”  (WSJ.com, naked capitalism)  The response.  (Clusterstock)

The 10-year Treasury note is at a crucial juncture.  (Bespoke also ETF Trends)

A contingent bet on gold prices as it nears $1000/ounce.  (World Beta)

The IPO market has been in a historic slump.  (Trader’s Narrative)

What to make of Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRKa) equity index put option positions.  (Morningstar.com)

Is it foolish to invest in a Motley Fool mutual fund?  (Marketwatch.com)

10 questions with Michael J. Panzner.  (Kirk Report)

The value and momentum effects tend to show up primarily amongst distressed firms.  (SSRN.com)

Value vs. glamour in the world of bond performance.  (SSRN.com)

The soon-to-trade Market Vectors Pre-Refunded Municipal Index ETF (PRB) expands the scope of the muni ETF marketplace.  (IndexUniverse.com)

“What if nearly half of U.S. banking assets turn out to be bad?”  (WSJ.com)

Should the government ban bank dividends?  (Marginal Revolution)

Bankers should give back their bonuses, but don’t hold your breath waiting for it to happen.  (The Big Money also breakingviews.com, 24/7 Wall St.)

4Q GDP was bad, just not as bad as expected.   (EconomPic Data, Bespoke, Capital Spectator)

It seems simple, but the economy needs firms to earn real profits.  (Crossing Wall Street)

Does the economy needs a placebo?  (Free exchange)

Is hyperinflation a real possibility?  (FT Alphaville)

“The loudest, most broken funnel of noise and misinformation is CNBC. I quit CNBC finally, but it’s obvious that both smart and dumb people continue to watch for a variety of reasons.”  (Howard Lindzon)

Can any one remember a case of government working so expeditiously?  Blagojevich out as Illinois governor.  (ChicagoTribune.com, Time.com)

Is an offline Gmail going to kill Outlook?  (Slate.com)

On the future of Going Private.  (Going Private)

Have we overlooked an interesting post in the investment blogosphere? If so, feel free to drop Abnormal Returns a line.