European Markets and U.S. Futures Rise on Good Earnings Reports
Brazil Seeks To Control Business Through The Ousting of CEOs; It starts With Vale
Japanese Companies Lower Guidance and Cut Dividends
Bahrain’s Police Recruitment Strategy Adds To Religous Tensions
Municipal Debt Problems May Hinder Building Projects
S&P Warns Big Banks to be Cautious on Raising Dividends
with things getting better and banks in a “healthier position” why the warning ? Can you say insolvency without the fed punch bowl…
Comments »Oh Big Brother: The Gov’t Wants to Track and Tax Miles Driven
How long before a trip to the 7-11 costs more in taxable miles than a trip to say, a GM dealership?
“The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) this week released a report that said taxing people based on how many miles they drive is a possible option for raising new revenues and that these taxes could be used to offset the costs of highway maintenance at a time when federal funds are short.
The report discussed the proposal in great detail, including the development of technology that would allow total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to be tracked, reported and taxed, as well as the pros and cons of mandating the installation of this technology in all vehicles.”
Read the rest here.
Comments »U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Soon to Be #1
American Businesses Falling Behind while Policy Stands Still
Washington, DC, March 11, 2011-The U.S. corporate tax rate will soon become the highest in the industrialized world, and is already in its 20th year of being above the average for similar economies, according to a new analysis by the Tax Foundation. As other nations enact reforms and rate cuts, the U.S. corporate rate will continue to stand out as a hindrance to economic growth and competitiveness unless lawmakers move to lower the tax burden for businesses.
The combined federal and state rate of 39.2 percent of corporate profits is exceeded only by Japan, whose rate stands at 39.5 percent. When Japan enacts planned cuts next month, however, the United States will have the highest rate of all of the economies in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the group of 34 advanced countries with economies most comparable to the U.S.
“Of course, OECD nations have not been the only countries reducing their corporate tax rates to remain competitive,” said Tax Foundation president and study author Scott A. Hodge. “Since 2006, some 75 nations have cut their rates, many multiple times.”
Read the rest of the article here.
Comments »Crack Spreads Smokin’
Crack spreads are up another 2.4% to $23.44. This follows today’s 10% upside reversal, putting today’s net gains just north of 8%.
Comments »South Korean Consumer Confidence Falls
Private Investors May Not Help Capitalize Spain’s Banks Over Transparency of Real Estate Losses
Panel Blocks BP and Rosneft To Explore For Oil in the Arctic
A Fannie Mae Internal Report Hinted at Improper Foreclosures in 2006
Oracle Reports A Monster 78% Rise in Profits
S&P Cuts Portugal’s Debt Rating
RIMM Beats The Street; But Gives Horrible Guidance
Research In Motion prelim $1.78 vs $1.76 Thomson Reuters consensus; revs $5.6 bln vs $5.64 bln
Research In Motion sees Q1 $1.47-1.55 vs $1.65 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees revs $5.2-5.6 bln vs $5.64 bln
Research In Motion sees FY12 EPS in excess of $7.50 vs $6.81 Thomson Reuters consensus
Comments »Flash:Oracle beats by $0.04, beats on revs
raises quarterly dividend 20% to $0.06
Comments »CRACK SPREADS ARE GOING FULL RETARD TO THE UPSIDE
Nymex first month crack is now up a staggering 5.82% to $23.34.
Stocks to watch: WNR, TSO, VLO, HOC, DK, ALJ, MRO, SUN
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