Text size [+][-] Thursday March 18 2010GLOBAL EDITION
Home > Breakingview TV
A top aide to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd traded financial stocks during the crisis. The trades were apparently allowed, but look dodgy. With so much market-sensitive activity going on in Washington, it's time to toughen up Capitol Hill's investing rules.
The generic drugs leader has won the auction for the German group with a $4.95 bln cash bid. The deal gives Teva the number two spot in the world's second-largest generics market. The price may look toppy at 11.7 times EBITDA, but Teva can squeeze out more savings.
The boss of the UK's FSA has hit out at the notion that more liquidity in financial markets is always good. Some of his arguments and proposals have merit. But some of his solutions -- especially leverage controls on hedge funds and Tobin-style transaction taxes -- are misguided.
February’s flat CPI index stemmed from a price dip for energy and the stronger dollar. Global stimulus and a rising U.S. trade deficit should reverse both soon. Wages are still under pressure, but higher costs for commodities, energy and capital will keep inflation ticking up.
by Rolfe Winkler
The iconic motorcycle maker’s shares revved up on talk of a leveraged buyout, with KKR one name mentioned. The cyclical business model and a price tag of at least $8 billion would be no easy ride. But Harley could take on plenty of debt, meaning the idea isn’t totally hog-wild.18 Mar 2010
by James Pethokoukis
A top aide to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd traded financial stocks during the crisis. The trades were apparently allowed, but look dodgy. With so much market-sensitive activity going on in Washington, it's time to toughen up Capitol Hill's investing rules.18 Mar 2010