Normally at the beginning of a bull market you would want to be in the economically sensitive stocks, and that's not what's running at the moment.

The euphoria we saw at the beginning of the year about the world experiencing a synchronized cyclical recovery has disappeared. While it doesn't feel like a recession is around the corner, fund managers are clearly less confident that the recovery can be sustained.

I feel as though I am swimming in an ocean of knowledge with but a teaspoon to consume it.

One of the things that stands out about this project is how it was funded.

Pounding the pavement, standing up long hours at events, the kinds of things you have to do in a campaign ... It's definitely disappointing and frustrating. But we'll live to fight another day.

Higher energy prices have taken their toll of hopes for top-line growth. 'Cost-cutting' as a driver of earnings is back on the radar screen.