Morning Journal--Dodd Frank--too convoluted to succeed

News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

            Mastercard does 10 for 1 split, raises dividend and buyback (short):

            http://seekingalpha.com/news-article/8420631-mastercard-s-board-of-directors-announces-capital-actions?source=email_wsb&ifp=1

Economics

   This Week’s Data

            The International Council of Shopping Centers reported weekly sales of major retailers fell 1.6% versus the prior week but rose 1.5% versus the comparable period a year ago; Redbook Research reported month to date retail chain store sales down 1.5% versus the similar time frame last month but up 2.6% on a year over year basis.

            October wholesale inventories rose 1.4% versus expectations of +0.4%; unfortunately, sales were up only 1.0%.

            Weekly applications for both mortgages and purchases rose 1.0%.

   Other

            Household net worth at a record high (medium):

            http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/12/us-household-net-worth-increased-to-a-new-record-high-of-77-3t-in-q3-fueled-by-stock-market-and-housing-gains/

            More on student loans (short):

            http://advisorperspectives.com/dshort/commentaries/Federal-Government-Assets-and-Student-Loans.php

Politics

  Domestic

Dodd Frank---too convoluted to succeed (medium/long):

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-viewpoint/120913-682247-dodd-frank-did-nothing-to-end-too-big-to-fail.htm?p=full

Minimum wage versus the earned income tax credit (short):

http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-eitc-is-better-than-minimum-wage.html

Wednesday morning humor (short):

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-12-10/tuesday-unhumor-selfies-funeral