“I know how good I am,” said the Greenwich Bulldog, rebuilding his book, lifting his leg, marking territory, as others downsize into year-end. “I’m good at my craft, I apply hard work and discipline to what I do,” he continued. “Not good at much else, but I’m good at this.” And I didn’t interrupt the tenacious beast, to remind him he’s a great father. A great friend too. Generous. Loyal. “Which means I’m under no ill

Hope all goes well… “You become a junkie, you want action,” said the mkt’s top equity options trader, describing what makes men’s blood race. Equity markets keep finding casual users, nervously buying street-corner dimes, quarters. But they’re not yet robbing old ladies, rolling liquor stores, buying bricks. Yeah, there’s no sign it’s near its end. “But I’ll know it when I see it,” he continued, “Cause the S&P do

“The US will end too-big-to-fail,” announced Jack Lew, Treasury Secretary for earth’s biggest economy. You see, America’s 5 biggest banks got 37% bigger since 2008. They make 42% of all loans. The biggest six hold 67% of the $14.4trln banking system’s assets. One big bank holds just $113bln of assets against $43,000bln in outstanding derivatives. Anyhow, earth’s 2nd biggest economy lifted the IPO ban in place since O

“Guess how many kids bought me a latte?” asked the leader of America’s greatest iconic brand. And I shook my head, knowing the answer was zero. You see, we were talking about young talent. And he told the story about speaking to a room of 800 college students. Who had come to hear him discuss branding, business-building. Leadership. Plus my buddy has a touch of rock-star; lighting up rooms, drawing crowds, talking TE

Week-in-Review: Mon: Iran nuclear accord, Japan rejects China Sea defense-zone, S&P “1/3 chance of Japan downgrade within 2yrs,” US pending home sales contract 5th mth, S&P -0.1%; Tue: US B52’s cross China defense-zone, BOJ minutes “downside risks to outlook,” Italian consumer confidence improves, Spain budget deficit widens (mortgage approvals/lending contract yoy), Carney “UK picking up sharply,” US home pe

Hope all goes well… Lots to be thankful for this year. A feast filled with young families, old friends. A buzzing business, a tenacious team. A world of opportunities, endless mysteries. And while I desperately wish I had more time, I’m thankful that there never seems to be enough. Hope you feel the same. Dusted off an anecdote from Summer 2012 (see below). See you next Sunday with full weekend notes. Week-in-Review:

They stood perfectly, in a line, white linen gloves pressed tightly against their outer thighs. And bowed deeply. I returned the earnest gesture. Rather awkwardly. And stepped through the entrance, marveling at this sublime charade. You see, I’ve long since discovered how utterly insignificant I am. It’s the one thing we all have in common. And what a gift. Because with every bow, every small act of kindness, of resp

Hope all goes well… “Show me something hairy, disgusting, distressed,” he said to Singapore’s top real estate deal-maker. And I laughed, having always wondered how my buddy conducted meetings. He runs one of America’s greatest family offices. And we travelled across Asia for 2wks, searching for investment themes, cheap assets, insights, talent. “Nothing’s underpriced,” answered the deal-maker. So I asked if it felt l

“Open Sesame,” commanded Ali Baba; The Den of Thieves magically opened, revealing a treasure trove. Like all great tales, this one’s been told in every language. Anyhow, Alibaba broke its own 24-hr record by 80%, registering $5.75bln of online sales. You see, it was Chinese Valentines Day, and in a nation of frisky fellas with too few females, nothing says Open Sesame like a cheap tchotchke. Alibaba’s IPO arrives in

Hope all goes well… Spent the week in Singapore. Hong Kong. Tokyo too. And as China’s communist plenum, petrified by distorted demographics, loosened their lonely-only policy, Mara flew out for an impromptu Asian rendezvous. Escaping the consequences of our free-market four-child policy. So we’re heading out now to have a gander at Ginza. Explore a nation in reflation. I’ll see you next Sunday with full wknd no