How simply coining the term ‘BRICs’ has “redrawn powerbrokers’ cognitive map.”  (FT via Clusterstock)

Two looks at the scope of the current market rally.  (The Pragmatic Capitalist, Discipline Approach to Investing)

What is a reasonable expectation for net-net-net (of inflation, expenses and taxes) returns?  (WSJ)

Steven Sears, “In a crisis, the first reflex is often panic. Better to devise a plan while markets are calm.”  (Barron’s)

Equity market sentiment at week-end.  (Trader’s Narrative)

Two stocks Bruce Berkowitz of the Fairholme Fund is buying.  (Barron’s)

When an analyst trade analysis for rank speculation.  (Big Picture)

Taking this whole farmland thesis to a whole other level.  (The Money Game, Telegraph via alea_)

Brett Steenbarger, “The lesson to be learned is that risk of ruin jumps astronomically when one’s edge is eroded and when one’s variability of returns expand. ”  (TraderFeed)

File this under the power of compounding.  (Fund My Mutual Fund)

Another example of how Goldman Sachs (GS) always wins.  (Jeff Matthews)

For an investment bank not every counterparty is a client.  (Financial Crookery)

With microscopic money market yields 2010 is going to be a tough year for conservative savers.  (NYTimes)

What will happen when it comes time for the Fed to fight inflation?  (NYTimes also Capital Spectator, Carpe Diem)

Why is this recession so deep?  (EconLog)

Tim Duy, “Incoming data continue to support expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold rates at rock bottom levels for the foreseeable future – likely into 2011.  But interest rates should not be the focus of policy analysts.”  (Economist’s View)

Don’t reach too much into the blip in 4Q GDP.  (Calculated Risk)

Gregor Macdonald, “So, when exactly did the Coal Age end, and the Oil Age begin?”  (Gregor)

On the failure of economics to account for the problems plaguing our economy. (Aleph Blog)

Corporate boards of directors have done a lousy job.  (Big Picture)

On the parallels between the steroid era in baseball and the bubble era in the American economy.  (The Reformed Broker)

Atul Gawande on the use of checklists in finance.  (FT via Simoleon Sense)

John Cassidy interviews Kevin Murphy and Raghuram Rajan.  (Rational Irrationality, ibid)

You cannot have truly free markets without the free flow of information.  (Slate)

The New York Times is apparently planning to start charging for web access.  (Daily Intel)

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