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HomeAttention All Traders and Investors: How Are You Getting Pimped? Here’s How….
Posted by Larry Doyle on January 6th, 2012 10:17 AM |
This commentary is a little lengthy, but for those involved in the markets as a trader or an investor I believe it is a great read. Please share it. LD
The other day I received a very interesting comment and question from a regular reader and active trader. This reader’s prompt compelled me to reach out to our Sense on Cents Hall of Fame legends Joe Saluzzi and Sal Arnuk at Themis Trading for a response.
If you are an active trader or an investor, I STRONGLY recommend you read this commentary. If you merely care about our markets and economy, I also STRONGLY recommend you read it.
Is this how capitalism works now? Is this the best America has to offer in terms of free market capitalism? Excuse me while I vomit. (more…)
Sense on Cents 2011 Halls of Fame and Shame
Posted by Larry Doyle on January 1st, 2012 12:41 PM |
America wakes up this morning hopeful for a new year filled with peace and prosperity. Sense on Cents welcomes spreading our spirit of optimism.
Before we move forward, though, let’s take an accounting of 2011 and induct those most deserving into our Sense on Cents’ 2011 Halls of Fame and Shame.
Prior to our induction ceremony today, I am sure there are many in the crowd who may want to review our past award winners. On that note, I humbly submit:
Sense on Cents 2009 Halls of Fame and Shame
From the above Fame and Shame lists, I believe the top three in each Hall deserve special recognition. On that note, the medals go to the following: (more…)
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Season’s Greetings from Sense on Cents
Posted by Larry Doyle on December 22nd, 2011 8:04 AM |
The pace of financial and economic news continues at breakneck speed.
We see breaking stories of massive fines for discriminatory lending practices, continued financial flailing within the Euro-zone, and ongoing obfuscation of the truth on Wall Street and in Washington.
Three plus years and counting and we continue to encounter the burdens and stress of our steep climb along our economic landscape.
Three plus years and counting I am truly grateful to all those who have welcomed me into their lives via my writing and work here at Sense on Cents.
On that note, while our financial and economic issues are not going away anytime soon, I hope that at this time and throughout the year we can gain a fuller appreciation and direct our focus to the most important aspects of life.
I cherish my faith. I love my family. I am grateful for so many truly great friends.
I hope that everybody who reads this can stop for just a moment and focus on those within their lives whom have really made a difference and thank them. That gratitude is the spirit of the season and the gift that keeps on giving!!
I firmly believe that a focus on faith, family, and friends are not merely appropriate during this season but are critically important for our nation as a whole as we try to restore the values upon which our nation was built.
These values for me are the true meaning of the season and the essence of Sense on Cents.
However you may celebrate, I wish you all the best today, tomorrow, throughout the holiday season, and every day thereafter.
I thank you again for your support. I want to especially thank those who are serving our nation and will not have the opportunity to be with loved ones during the holidays. I salute you!!
I hope you will take a minute to enjoy this video Christmas card put forth by my Alma Mater, Holy Cross.
Navigate accordingly!!
Larry Doyle
Isn’t it time to subscribe to all my work via e-mail, RSS feed, on Twitter or Facebook?
Do your friends, family, and colleagues a favor and get them to do the same. Thanks!!
I have no affiliation or business interest with any entity referenced in this commentary. The opinions expressed are my own. I am a proponent of real transparency within our markets, our economy, and our political realm so that meaningful investor confidence and investor protection can be achieved.
Sense on Cents Poll re: Jon Corzine and MF Global
Posted by Larry Doyle on December 17th, 2011 12:41 PM |
I have no doubt that those within the senior executive suites on Wall Street along with their ‘incestuous’ colleagues in Washington and their financial regulatory ‘cousins’ would hope that the MF Global and Jon Corzine affair would fade into the sunset.
Well, those in our country who care about the virtues of truth, transparency, and integrity—along with the MF Global customers—have little interest in seeing this story go away, just like the cool $1.2 BILLION of supposedly segregated customer funds went away.
The stench of the demise of MF Global is so overpowering, but the need to determine what really happened to those customer funds is so great.
At the suggestion of a regular reader of Sense on Cents, I am compelled to launch a poll and take your pulse as to what you would like to see happen with Corzine and MF Global. (more…)
What Are the Greatest Risks?
Posted by Larry Doyle on December 12th, 2011 10:41 AM |
In the midst of all the research and analysis put forth by virtually every entity within the financial services industry, I VERY rarely see any mention of what I deem to be the two greatest risks that individual investors face each and every day.
We are fed and can read volumes about a wide array of risks, including market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, currency risk, prepayment risk, volatility risk, and liquidity risk. While overwhelmed by analysis on these risks, my ‘sense on cents‘ leads me to focus primarily on the two greatest risks of all.
What are these risks and why is it that those within the financial services industry do not highlight them? (more…)
Is Jon Corzine “Too Big to Be Indicted?” Part IV
Posted by Larry Doyle on December 8th, 2011 8:58 AM |
With most eyes and ears today fixated upon Brussels to see what version of “charades” will next be played by the European heads of state in an attempt to save their union and their euro, there should actually be a slightly more entertaining ‘show’ on Capitol Hill today.
What ‘show’ might this be?
The testimony provided by the recently humbled and one-time Wall Street titan and Democratic political bigwig Jon Corzine in the ongoing saga of MF Global.
What really happened at MF Global? Who knew what and did what? (more…)
Sense on Cents Calls on US Supreme Court to Hear Standard Chartered v. FINRA
Posted by Larry Doyle on December 6th, 2011 9:09 AM |
I first started writing about Wall Street’s not-for-profit self regulatory organization, aka the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), in early 2009.
In late 2009, I first referenced Standard Chartered v. FINRA, the case in which the plaintiff alleges that FINRA and its senior executives — including current SEC Chair Mary Schapiro — lied both verbally and in writing in the merger which formed FINRA.
Why would Mary and her friends lie? (more…)
Is Jon Corzine “Too Big to Be Indicted”? Part III
Posted by Larry Doyle on November 22nd, 2011 4:29 PM |
This commentary runs a little long, but I exhort you to read it in its entirety as it captures the sentiments of readers who are extremely close to or actually “in the MF arena.” Their messages are filled with real pain and anguish which is not found in the media. This is reality. I hope you will want to share this post with your friends. LD
As if $600 million in missing customer funds were not enough, recent news emanating from the debacle that defines the bankruptcy of MF Global puts the estimated misappropriation of customer funds at a cool $1.2 billion. Yes, billion with a B!
Those involved in the markets would easily ascertain that those manning the MF Global ship redirected these customer funds in an attempt to save the ship as it was going down. The customers themselves remain in a state of shock and bewilderment as to how this reality might ever have come to pass.
Meanwhile, the outrage in America burns while the lack of trust and confidence in the markets, the market makers, and those charged with protecting investors grows stronger by the day.
You don’t believe me? Read on and chew on these messages I recently received from people “in the arena”: (more…)
Is Jon Corzine “Too Big To Be Indicted”? Part II
Posted by Larry Doyle on November 7th, 2011 7:01 PM |
I thank all those who took the time to share with me their concerns about the seeming violation of customer accounts at the now bankrupt firm MF Global.
Without the sense and belief in the safety and integrity of deposits and assets, I firmly believe customers would pull their funds and investments from any and all institutions in a heartbeat. Runs on the bank would clearly lead to a severe economic decline.
The fact that MF Global seems to have violated the sanctity of its customer assets has justifiably shocked many on Wall Street. Anybody with a bank or brokerage account at any institution should be equally shocked and concerned. Why? (more…)
E*Trade “Heard Us” and Pays Off $100 Million ARS
Posted by Larry Doyle on October 25th, 2011 7:35 PM |
Let there be no doubt that public pressure appropriately applied can bring real results in the midst of little courage displayed by far too many in the world of financial regulation. How so?
The North American Securities Adminstrators Association recently announced a settlement with E*Trade Securities LLC in which that financial institution will return approximately $100 million to firm clients who have had their funds frozen in ARS—those supposed cash surrogate money market alternative investments—since February 2008.
This settlement is better than any other settlement I have witnessed over the last three years. The specifics include: (more…)
