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Libor Scandal: Deutsche Bank Went ‘All In’

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 10th, 2013 8:51 AM |

“Investment capital goes where it’s welcome and stays where it’s appreciated.” Maine governor Paul LePage

The more information one holds, the better positioned he is to take increased risk. If that information were to include the ability to influence if not outright manipulate a game/market, then one’s risk profile —that is, the size of one’s position — is likely to really increase.

Can you imagine if you were playing the tables in Vegas and you had knowledge as to what the dealer held and what he was likely to pull, what would you do?  Read the rest »


Maine Governor Paul LePage’s ‘Sense on Cents’

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 9th, 2013 9:19 AM |

“Investment capital goes where it’s welcome and stays where it’s appreciated.”

Do you ever get the sense that many a politician believe that issues are too complex for the general public to understand? I would turn that around and maintain that basic economics are often not understood by the politicians themselves.

I would go one step further, though, and state that many issues are unnecessarily complex because the payoffs and cronyism embedded in the issues need to find a home in the legislation.

What does America need? Read the rest »


Would You Buy a Used Car From Lloyd Blankfein?

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 8th, 2013 8:41 AM |

America awakes this morning with another 20 billion reasons not to trust those running our major financial institutions, our regulatory agencies, or those in Congress ultimately charged with overseeing them.

Wall Street’s merely paying of fines for activities (mortgage fraud) that by any measure would be defined as part and parcel of racketeering only serves to further erode what little trust the American public might still hold in these aforementioned entities.

Trust….what price does trust trade at? What value does it hold? Would you know it if you ‘saw’ it? Read the rest »


Let’s Go Fightin’ Irish!!

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 6th, 2013 4:33 PM |

Every now and then, I like to take a sidetrack with my blog to express support for personal passions. Today is one of those days.

There is little doubt that in America circa 2013 all too many corners of our nation’s social fabric are littered with institutions and industries that compromise values and principles in pursuit of profit and victory. I will not burden you by listing off the names of individuals, companies, and other pursuits that live in this cesspool.

I will share with you the name of one institution and one team that stands out by pursuing victory while elevating its principles rather than subjugating them. What institution and what team?  Read the rest »


JP Morgan Holding Back Madoff Documents

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 4th, 2013 11:57 AM |

Four years after the fact and America still does not know what really transpired within the Madoff scandal. Who knew what? Who did what?

Are we supposed to believe that only Bernie and a few other miscreants within his web perpetrated this scam unbeknownst to others on Wall Street and within the halls of our financial regulators? That premise would take the definition of naivete to an exceptionally elevated level.

What other entities benefited from feeding off Bernie Madoff? Well, if we needed to rely on the likes of JP Morgan, we will seemingly never learn that info and likely more. Why is that?  Read the rest »


Congressional Child Care Now in Session

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 4th, 2013 7:06 AM |

How low can we go?

The crowd that might pretend to be governing our country atop Capitol Hill garners very little respect, admiration, or approval from an overwhelming percentage of American citizens. With good reason. Given the pathetic drama and woefully deficient outcome recently displayed in the fiscal cliff negotiations (??), those in Washington earned the distinction as a collective JOKE that I bestowed upon them last week.

The folks at Bloomberg Businessweek go a step further in defining the clowns in Washington as little more than a pack of whiners. If it were not called Congress and situated atop Capitol Hill, one might think this gathering of bed wetters is little more than the occupants of a child care located in any town in America.  Read the rest »


Comparing Holiday Sales: 2008 vs 2012 . . .

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 3rd, 2013 10:38 AM |

Did Santa’s pack look a little light this year?

Is it just me or do you also seem to think that many analysts are quick to dismiss the fact that Santa’s pack (i.e overall holiday sales) was decidedly light this year? Well, overall holiday sales are projected to have risen a disappointingly .7% year over year.

While sales may have risen, why is it that little focus is put on total sales revenue comparative analysis? With ‘discounting’ now a core part of our economy, comparing total sales revenue is a topic not often discussed. That said, let’s navigate and instead of merely comparing holiday sales in 2012 vs 2011, let’s go back and compare sales in 2012 vs 2008. Why 2008? Read the rest »


Fiscal Cliff Averted, Fiscal Crisis Looms Ever Larger

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 2nd, 2013 11:18 AM |

Now what?

With Congress having passed legislation to avoid going headlong over the fiscal cliff, what lies ahead for our nation’s fiscal situation and our economy?

The show we saw play out in Washington over the last few months and culminating in pathetically dramatic fashion late last evening strikes me as little more than a preliminary to the main performance and much more substantive issues that are scheduled for late February and into March. What topics will cross our headlines then?  Read the rest »


Sense on Cents 2012 Halls of Fame and Shame

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 28th, 2012 12:06 PM |

As I reflect on the year 2012 I am compelled to bring honor and fame on many individuals who brought real distinction upon themselves while upholding and promoting our prized virtues of truth, transparency, and integrity. This year’s inductees into the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame is obviously incomplete.

I remain eternally hopeful and optimistic for our nation knowing that there are individuals such as these in our midst who are willing to stand up and speak out for virtues all too often overwhelmed by those more driven by self-interest and cronyism. For those whom I consider more an embodiment of these character traits, the doors to the Sense on Cents Hall of Shame are also opened today and we will find a special spot for them inside.

I do find it particularly interesting that much of the fame is relegated to individuals, while the shame is often directed at organizations and institutions. I link to prior year’s inductees at the end of this commentary. On that note and with no further adieu, let’s commence with the induction ceremonies:  Read the rest »


The True Spirit of Christmas

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 24th, 2012 10:39 AM |

I so love a Christmas story that was published in The Wall Street Journal in 2008 that I welcome posting it as an annual tradition here at Sense on Cents.

To those who celebrate the birth of Christ and the blessings He brought to the world may you enjoy this season  in all its glory. To those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another traditional form of worship may this season also bring you peace and happiness.

To all those who visit Sense on Cents, I thank you. I hope you feel your visits here are time well spent.  I am especially grateful to those who give the greatest gift of all, that is the giving of one’s self, in terms of your comments, insights, and perspectives. I wish everybody who reads this a blessed holy day, holiday, and joyous time spent with family and friends. On that note, I hope the following story makes as much of an impact on you as it has on me. Enjoy and share. Read the rest »


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Larry Doyle

Larry Doyle A Wall Street veteran's views and instincts on the markets, economy, and all things financial.







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