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Archive for December, 2010

Sense on Cents Halls of Fame and Shame: 2010 Inductees

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 30th, 2010 10:44 AM |

With 2010 now close to being in the rear view mirror, I am compelled to provide my accolades and derision to those who did or did not embrace Sense on Cents’ perpetual pursuit of truth, transparency, and integrity. My lists are certainly far from complete. I welcome and encourage an open, healthy debate with these selections. The numbering of my picks is based on the calendar–that is, when I referenced these individuals/institutions during the course of the year– more than on any degree of fame or shame.

I put forth the following names with enthusiasm. I would ask you to comment liberally. Do you agree, disagree, or have names you would add? Who deserves even further recognition in terms of gold, silver, and bronze medals? With no further adieu . . .

2010 Sense on Cents Hall of Fame Inductees (more…)

How Do We Get Our Economy Moving Again?

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 29th, 2010 8:44 AM |

Is there any doubt that our economy remains under severe duress or, as I have often maintained, is dealing with a serious bout of ‘walking pneumonia’? Are we supposed to merely wait this thing out? Is there little that can be done to resuscitate ‘our patient’? While there is little difficulty in identifying our economic malady, what is the cure? What mix of ‘economic medications’ may bring some life back to our national pulse?

Are we completely beholden to partisan posturing in Washington and debt strangulation in our state capitols?

What do you think should be done to get our economy moving again?

I received a recent communication from an avid supporter of Sense on Cents who shared the following: (more…)

Connecting the Dots: The US Attorney, the SEC, Art Samberg, Pequot Capital, Hush Money, Lying, and More

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 27th, 2010 12:22 PM |

This commentary and attached story are a little lengthy but very important. I hope you will take the time to read, review, and share. LD

Is it possible that our nation can experience a historic demise in our economy and markets with little if any criminal activity involved in that process? Was our economic and market meltdown largely ‘a perfect storm’?

I do not buy those who would put forth that line of reasoning. Nor do I think should you.

Does it defy logic to think that our nation has been hit with trillions of dollars in losses and untold economic pain but only a relative handful of individuals were involved in criminal behaviors connected to this turmoil? Yes, that does defy logic.

Where are the criminal prosecutions? (more…)

The True Spirit of Christmas, 2010

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 25th, 2010 8:08 AM |

I firmly believe the greatest gift of all is the ‘giving of oneself.’ In giving, the donor receives so much in return: the beauty and grace of seeing a smile on the recipient’s face; the warmth of knowing that somebody has benefited from your generosity; the satisfaction that the world is a little better place from your giving.

I hope you are able to enjoy the beauty of this day with your loved ones. While many of us are truly blessed to be home with family today, let us also remember our brothers and sisters who are far away fighting to protect our freedom and liberties. I send this message primarily to them as well as all those who have returned from duty, especially our Wounded Warriors, and I say, “THANK YOU.”

On that note, I want to return to an authentic Christmas story which, I believe, captures the true spirit of Christmas.

This story made such an impact on me last year, it is only fitting to run it again.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, or however you celebrate, Happy Holidays!!

A Christmas Tale — 1919, The Wall Street Journal, December 2008 (more…)

Doyle Holiday Cheer

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 23rd, 2010 7:58 AM |

What do you get when you put five Irish guys involved in finance around a table?

1. A lot of laughs.
2. Varied opinions.
3. Interesting insights.
4. A mix of plenty BS and zero BS depending on the topic.
5. Real bonding and true friendship.
6. ‘Sense on cents.’
7. All of the above.

Well, last evening 4 of my 7 siblings (6 brothers) and I got together with our respective families, including 16 nieces and nephews, for some Doyle holiday cheer. We covered all of the points highlighted above, plus some. Having experienced many of these get togethers over the years, I often wish that a tape recorder were running to capture the material and bantering. (more…)

Respecting Our Elders

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 22nd, 2010 9:23 AM |

Growing up in an Irish Catholic household, “spare the rod and spoil the child” was very much the order of the day. Along with that, there were many other principles that left a profound imprint on me. One of the strongest was the tenet that we ‘respect our elders.’ I believe experience is the best teacher. I also believe basic respect is a precious virtue. Combining the two, ‘respecting our elders’ is not only an admirable quality but an overriding tenet encompassing ‘sense on cents.’

On this note, I especially appreciated the following commentary written in today’s Wall Street Journal by former Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent. From Antietam to Joe Dimaggio, (more…)

Wikileaks vs Wall Street

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 21st, 2010 7:46 AM |

Will Wikileaks ‘regulate’ Wall Street in a manner that Washington never would or could?

The technological revolution over the last few decades has taken us far further and far faster than many ever would have believed. Just think of your daily regimen and the number of times you utilize technology and equipment that were mere dreams not long ago. Every lane on the ‘technological superhighway’ would clearly seem to be high-speed and E-Z pass only. As individuals travel this highway the world has gotten very small very quickly. Perhaps we could say that the world has become ‘illuminated.’ (more…)

State Budgets: Day of Reckoning

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 19th, 2010 9:09 PM |

For those who may have missed CBS News 60 Minutes this evening, there was a fabulous segment on the impending disasters within our municipal finance sector. This piece entitled State Budgets: Day of Reckoning runs for approximately 14 minutes and is a MUST SEE.

The problems embedded within a number of states and across hundreds–if not thousands–of local municipalities are not going away. Will Uncle Sam need to provide another trillion dollar bailout? Will ‘red states’ be asked to bail out ‘blue states’, perhaps starting with Illinois? Let’s navigate.

Larry Doyle

Please subscribe to all my work via e-mail, an RSS feed, on Twitter or Facebook.

I have no affiliation or business interest with any entity referenced in this commentary. The opinions expressed are my own and not those of Greenwich Investment Management. As President of Greenwich Investment Management, an SEC regulated privately held registered investment adviser, I am merely a proponent of real transparency within our markets so that investor confidence and investor protection can be achieved.

Developing a Winning Attitude

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 19th, 2010 12:06 PM |

When launching Sense on Cents in early 2009, I very much hoped that people would view this site as a resource and a welcoming place. I have often thought that if even just one person benefits from my work and writing, then my mission will be complete.

The feedback I have received from many energizes me. I have periodically highlighted some of the feedback, especially if I believe others can benefit. In that vein, my adrenaline rushed the other day upon reading a comment left by a regular reader in response to my writing Gaining the Edge.

The reader’s message and then the ‘message within the message’ speak for themselves. I am at a loss for words–which does not happen often–so will allow this comment to speak for me.

LD, here’s a speech my son wrote for school, he’s in the 9th grade. (more…)

Gaining the Edge

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 17th, 2010 7:20 AM |

What competitive individual worth his salt does not want to ‘gain the edge’? Have you ever come across successful individuals–success being a very relative term–who did not want to ‘gain an edge’ and then widen the gap with the competition? I haven’t.

I had fully intended on writing this morning about the ongoing developments in the insider trading scandal sweeping across Wall Street. ‘Gaining the edge’ is very much the common thread that runs through this story. The lengths to which selected individuals would go to ‘gain that edge’ make for interesting reading. The wearing of wiretaps by informants adds to the intrigue. Where will the story lead? Which hedge funds may be implicated? What ‘masters of the universe’ may fall while pursuing their untold riches and accompanying success?

Then I thought, why would I want to take readers into this seamy world and give attention to those who may break the rules to ‘gain that edge.’ I don’t. At least not today. (more…)






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