By Daily Crux Editor Brian Hunt:

Back by popular demand... Extreme Value editor Dan Ferris parses the world's financial headlines.

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 from what the headlines indicate.

Below are Dan's comments on four major financial headlines of the past week. The actual headline is underlined. Dan's comments follow underneath.


Tax-Cheat Showdown: Fess Up or Stay Quiet?

Comment: Do you ever wonder if the Wall Street Journal is actually on the government’s payroll? The term tax cheat is on par with “enemy combatant.” They’re not “tax-cheats.” Investors are merely trying to protect what is theirs. If the Wall Street Journal had a spine, it would characterize what’s going on as increased government asset seizures and emphasize the gross invasion of privacy perpetrated by the U.S. and other governments.

Skinflint Consumers Pressure Retail Sector

Comment: This headline should have said, “Spendthrift Americans economically bludgeoned into spending less,” or something like that. This report by Naroff Economic Advisors buys unquestionably the wrongheaded notion that prosperity = spending. When folks are carrying too much debt – like they are now – spending less is a wonderful development.

Global confidence level jumps to a 22-month high on signs recession is easing

Comment: Let’s just re-write this one. “Masses believe Geithner’s BS; go shopping”.

As John and Jane Consumer Goes, So Goes Wal-Mart: A sales decline at the world's largest retailer suggests reluctant retail spending

Comment: Wal-Mart’s same store sales fell in absolute terms…but rose in currency-adjusted terms. In other words, people spent the same or more, but their money bought less. The headline isn’t really about Wal-Mart. It’s about what the government is doing to your money, which is devaluing it.


Crux note: Dan Ferris is the editor of Extreme Value... and he's currently recommending one of the safest and most lucrative investments you can make in the gold industry—yet it has nothing to do with mining stocks... or gold mutual funds... or gold bullion. Learn more about Extreme Value here...

More from Dan Ferris:

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

Dan Ferris on one of the biggest accounting scams in America

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