8/13/07

Economics

protectionism (Free trade is a major positive for world and US economic growth.).

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/08/free_trade_will_past_trump_fut.html

fiscal profligacy (Government spending as a percent of GDP is too high and the looming explosion in entitlement expenditures will make it worse. There is no good solution save spending discipline.). The latest on earmarks.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/

Politics

Domestic

A look at the Canadian health care system:

http://abducens.townhall.com/

International War Against Radical Islam

The Market

Technical

An interesting (and bullish) article on insider trading:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/business/yourmoney/12stra.html

Fundamental

Cramer’s take on the sub prime problem:

http://nymag.com/news/businessfinance/bottomline/35813/

News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

ASTA Funding (Aggressive Growth Portfolio) reported its third fiscal quarter earnings per share of $1.03 versus $.80 reported in the comparable quarter of 2006.

EPS: 2006 $3.23, 2007 $3.57, 2008 $4.00; DVD: $.16 YLD 0.4%

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=ASFI

More Cash in Investors’ Hands