Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Good Times Are Here... your govt says so.

Just a thought, but if things are so encouraging, so improved, why did the Senate just pass an extension on job benefits and new home sales credits this morning? This is one reason (among many) that I'm shorting into this rally.

WSJ reports the Senate passed legislation that would give tax breaks to big companies hit by the recession and expand a credit for homebuyers, while raising other corporate levies, particularly for multinationals. The proposed tax increases are aimed at offsetting the cost to the government of the breaks, making the exact impact on individual businesses and industries difficult to judge. But business leaders worry that the measure could be a sign of more taxes to come, as lawmakers seek ways to pay for new measures without adding to the gaping federal deficit. "We clearly are going to have tax increases going forward," said Bruce Josten, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce... The new tax break for businesses, estimated to cost about $10.4 billion over the next decade, would give large companies bigger refunds to make up for recent losses. Specifically, it would let large firms claim cash refunds on taxes they paid going back nearly five years, to offset current losses. Previously, the carry-back period for large firms was two years. Similar carry-back rules already apply to small businesses.

Since the socialists are playing it very close to the vest (read "you'll never know") market participants just place bets these days as opposed to a little fundamental analysis. It doesn't matter, does it Timmy G.?