Happy Birthday

On this day, when the century was new,
The internet stock bubble blew;
And just one year ago
The Dow Jones hit a low,
So happy birthday, Bull Market - who knew?

In- / De- cisive Analysis

Said Bernanke, stroking his beard,
"This '-flation' is worse than I feared;
All the research I see 
Is pointing to 'de-';
It's the 'in-' crowd that strikes me as weird."

Midnight Maintenance

This blog post is only a test
To keep search engines suitably impressed,
Though its pointless appearance
Has conspiracy theorists
Distracted, intrigued and obsessed.

Micro-Skepticism 101

Adam Smith saw the Wealth of the Nations
In the market's benign machinations,
But belief in the Hand
Which, Unseen, guides as planned,
May show irrational expectations.

Overheard on a CDO Desk

"When wall street was frothy and cheery, 
We practiced the greater fool theory:
We bundled the crap
To sell to some sap, 

But now buyers are wiser and weary."

(Thanks to guest contributor Andy Golub)

Mr. Papandreou's Siren Song

"Greek austerity plans are a winner,"
Said George P., as he sang for his dinner;
With Frau Merkel to shore up
Support within Europe,
He warbled, "Ich bin ein Berliner."

The Gentleman from Kentucky Has Yielded

When Senator Bunning demurred
On the jobs bill the Senate conferred,
His friends on the right
Slowly backed out of sight,
'Til at last the poor Senator concurred.

Couldn't Put 2 + 2 Together

"The SEC's catching Madoff was hopeless,"
Says his nemesis, Harry Markopolos.
'mongst the agency's ills?
"Computational skills
Below those of the general populace."

Letter to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders

Says Warren Buffett, the Omaha Oracle,
"I've found bargains that may prove historical.
'Mid the market's great pains,
I bought some toy trains,
If I may be a tad allegorical."