Earlier this week I made an across the board swap that is worth talking about. I sold China Mobile (CHL) and then replaced it with Partners Communication (PTNR).

From the top down this does not change the exposure to equities or to the telecom sector but it does mostly eliminate China and increases Israel (we've held Teva (TEVA) for years now). We still have a little China as embedded in some of the ETFs we use.

Tighter Requirements for FHA Loans Loom - It's about to get tougher to qualify for a FHA mortgage. The FHA is adding more-stringent lending requirements and higher fees borrowers must pay to get the federally-insured loans. Beginning this spring, the FHA will raise mortgage insurance fees that borrowers must pay, cap the amount of cash that sellers can contribute for closing costs and require higher down payments for the borrowers with poor credit scores.

The Dow Jones Industrial average lags as the NASDAQ and Russell 2000 continue their dominance.  Lagging the NASDAQ and Russell 2000, the Dow Jones Industrial average continues to be a weak spot in the market.  Today was no exception, but volume on the NYSE jumped.  Pushed by trading in Citigroup and AIG volume rose on [...]

Another Day of Gains as Volume Ends Mixed

The market is slightly lower this morning, though its already well off its earlier lows. Senator Corker just gave a press conference that a financial reform bill is likely to be unveiled Monday, even though it will not be a bi-partisan effort. It appears Sen. Dodd is under some pressure to get a bill out, even though it may not be ready for primetime. The uncertainty around this issue is likely an overhang on the financial sector today.

Now Pres. Obama is coming on TV to make some comments, and his appearances have never helped push the markets higher.

On Sunday we had a little over a foot of snow fall here. After a day off on Monday we had a little less than a foot of new snow on Tuesday. The area behind where we park one of cars (at the top of our very long and steep driveway) has over four feet of snow accumulated; this is a spot that does not get much sun.