Features of the week

A plunge in the Baltic Dry index may herald a global slowdown, while financial markets grow expectant of an endless parade of bailouts.

Meanwhile, Warren Buffett is cheerfully buying US shares for his personal portfolio. Why?

All this and more in our, "Features of the week".

1. Baltic Dry index at lowest since 2002, global recession fears grow.

2. Hedge funds in grip of vicious redemptions, selling cycle.

3. Buffett says "Buy American. I Am."; call gets lukewarm reception.

4. Switzerland pumps billions into UBS bank rescue plan; bank bailout angers Swiss public.

5. Markets get addicted to bailouts.

6. Taleb's "black swan" investors post gains as markets dive.

7. Financial websites see record spikes in visitors.

8. Putin may use credit squeeze to destroy oligarchs.

9. Maoxian points to interviews with stock trader Nicolas Darvas.

10. An ABC Lateline interview with investor Marc Faber.

11. Junk bonds signalling a deep recession.

12. Art: "I feel safer with Warhol than with US Treasury bonds".

13. Satyajit Das on the likelihood of a US debt default.

14. Lahde quits hedge funds, thanks "idiots" for his success.

Thanks for reading Finance Trends Matter. Enjoy your weekend.

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Clean Money - John Rubino: Book review

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