By Daily Crux Editor Brian Hunt:

My friend and colleague Dan Ferris just sent me an e-mail I'd like to share with you.

Dan has a unique gift for reading through financial news... then sorting out the crap to deliver the "crux" of the story. His take is often far different than what the headlines indicate.

Below are some of Dan's comments on four major financial headlines of the past week. The actual headline is underlined. Dan's comments follow underneath. Let us know what you think of this feature... we may do more of it at the request of our readers. You can send comments to cruxposts@gmail.com.

Asian markets rise on improving economic data, strong earnings

COMMENT: China's central bank can unleash credit just like the Fed, plus it can force its banks to lend. Don't forget China ain't a free country. Jim Rogers didn't move to China; he moved to Singapore. The Chinese have been lying about their growth for decades.

Hershey Co. expects Y09 EPS to be slightly above it objective of 6-8% growth

COMMENT: Makes sense. People buy Hershey bars instead of vacations now.

Ford posts Q2 profit of $2.3B led by $3.4B gain related to debt restructuring

COMMENT: PHONY PROFITS, accounting legerdemain; REALITY = $1 BILLION CASH BURN on 29% drop in sales.

New York Times Co.'s 2Q net rises 84% on tax benefit, lower operating costs

COMMENT: This is becoming a familiar story: profits up on cost cuts and one-time gains having nothing to do with earning more operating revenue/income.

Crux note: Dan Ferris is the editor in Extreme Value. For serious long-term investors, it's one of the most useful advisories you can buy for any price. Learn more about Extreme Value here...

More posts from Dan Ferris:

2nd stage of Atlas Shrugged strikes Maryland...

This safe, dominant stock could easily double in the next year

Dan Ferris on a huge potential financial disaster around the corner...