Liam Denning, “Above all, phrases like peak gold should trip alarms. Investors buying into similar arguments for oil in 2008 suffered big losses.”  (WSJ)

The yield curve is really steep.  (FT Alphaville, Research Puzzle)

The best way to hedge long bets.  (OptionsZone)

The equity put-call ratio has flatlined.  (VIX and More)

Why support and resistance work.  (Sentiment’s Edge)

Are zero-fee ETFs a good deal?  (IndexUniverse)

The twenty riskiest countries.  (The Pragmatic Capitalist)

Hedge funds are pretty long equities.  (market folly)

KKR has Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) envy.  (BusinessWeek)

How well is TCW managing the high-profile departure of a key manager?  (Money & Co., Felix Salmon)

The Build America Bonds program has had a profound effect on the muni market.  (Economist)

The stock market and economy can diverge for extended periods of time.  (Felix Salmon)

Goldman Sachs (GS) throws the world a bone on executive compensation.  (Deal Journal, DealBook, The Stash, Curious Capitalist also Aiki14, John Gapper)

Would the US ever embrace a surtax on banker bonuses?  (Deal Journal, Atlantic Business, Fortune)

Banks (and bankers) respond to incentives.  Expect a reaction to moves to curb pay.  (Epicurean Dealmaker)

“(I)f you think discouraging speculation in liquid equity or forex markets is going to somehow prevent another crisis, think again.”  (Ultimi Barbarorum)

Has “Barack W. Obama” sold out to Wall Street?  (Big Picture also Credit Writedowns)

“It appears retail sales have bottomed, and there might be a little pickup in final demand.”  (Calculated Risk also EconomPic Data, Capital Spectator)

The weak US dollar is changing the way the world views the US as a manufacturing home.  (The Money Game)

America’s “debt binge” is slowing.  (The Money Game)

Is a VAT the ultimate plug to the hole in the federal budget?  (NYTimes also 24/7 Wall St., Ezra Klein)

Eric Falkenstein, “Most things come down to probabilities, and learning to slant them in your favor is part of an intelligent life.”  (Falkenblog)

James Hamilton, “I therefore suggest that the primary purpose of the [proposed college football playoff] system is not so much to determine “the” best team as it is to bring enjoyment and satisfaction to the fans.”  (Econbrowser)

Forget Google (GOOG) vs. Microsoft (MSFT).  Google vs. Apple (AAPL) is the battleground in the next decade.  (WSJ)

Secret elite frequent flier programs:  “Skull and Bones” of the skies.  (NPR via Qn magazine)

Abnormal Returns was named “Favorite Blog of the Week.”  (The Davian Letter)

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