SP 500 and NDX Futures Daily Charts - 'Better Than Expected' For 'Rally Tuesday'

The Consumer Confidence number from the Conference Board came in 'better than expected' as well as the volatile durable goods and new housing prices.

Interesting that good news was not interpreted negatively as it has been of late. Maybe that was because it is 'rally Tuesday' today.

NAV Premiums of Certain Precious Metal Trusts and Funds - Comex Option Expiry - Bazinga

Just another Comex option expiration.

There are two things that are fascinating at the moment.

The first is watching the declining inventory of registered gold at the Comex. Although keep in mind that there is a much larger store of eligible bullion there that could be switched to registered and available for sale at the right price.

And the second is the worldwide manhunt for Edward Snowden. It is fascinating, especially if you can watch it from some objective distance and see the propaganda campaign that goes with it.   Why is the great reformer possessed by an almost Nixonian desperation for secrecy?

Curiouser and curiouser.

The Search for Edward Snowden

The Daily Show Does the US Ratings Agencies

The Daily Show does the ratings agencies, CNBC, and the opera buffo of the financial markets.

The credibility trap doesn't explain everything, but it does cover quite a bit.

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."

Upton Sinclair

h/t Matt Taibbi