I can't say what effects these leaks may/may not have, but it strikes me as unlikely that the information contained within would shock any of the named entities. Reflecting back on my own experiences (and perhaps being a bit existential in the process), I would submit that in most cases where someone feels it is necessary to say disparaging things about others, the feeling is more or less mutual. That said, I suppose there's always the odd chance that one of the people involved will have a psychotic reaction to being called "Stupid" or "Dummy" and start World War III....

Anybody remember the movie "Johnny Dangerously," where the Joe Piscopo character says, (paraphrasing) "My mother called me stupid once... ONCE!"

He should have his assHangeD

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout...dwide-attention



Speculation that the bank is BoA (Buttholes of America)

Goldman Sachs probably put out a strong buy recommedation and then turned around and shorted BoA.

You guys are almost spot on.

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/goldman-reveals-first-5-its-top-trades-2011

Pay particular attention to Item #2.

"2. Long US large-cap Commercial Banks (BKX), at 44.76, target of 57, expected potential return +25%

The improvement in the US economic outlook in 2011 and 2012 is one of the most important shifts in our global macro view. The combination of incrementally more growth acceleration, with still accommodative policy is a very friendly one for equities, underscored by the US Portfolio Strategy team’s 1,450 target for the SPX in 12 months’ time. Not only are top line GDP growth expectations more robust, but a faster-than-previously-expected repair of the US consumer balance sheet has also led to a more robust view of real consumer spending growth and domestic demand more broadly. We believe being long US banks via the BKX index (there is also an ETF, the KBE, for those so inclined) is an attractive way to gain exposure to a more constructive domestic US story.

After performing in line with the overall US equity market index for much of the past two years, the BKX has significantly lagged through most of the ‘QE2’ rally. On price action alone, the BKX stands apart from other potential implementations of our stronger US domestic demand view, such as consumer discretionary stocks, which outperformed the overall market in 2010. Our 57 target for the BKX suggests about 25% upside and would only bring the banks back to the levels of April earlier this year. Of course, the price action reflects in part sector-specific headwinds that cropped up repeatedly in 2010. But, apart from pricing at a significant discount, the macro backdrop looks increasingly favourable. First, a more robust real GDP growth profile and, critically, stronger consumer spending ought to help spur loan growth—year-on-year loan growth should turn positive early next year and grow steadily through 2012—as Richard Ramsden and the US banks team have recently highlighted. And the large cap banking sector is particularly geared towards consumer activity, with relatively less exposure to construction and commercial real estate activity. Second, the decline in the unemployment rate should lead to further declines in credit losses. And, third, although the front end of the yield curve will likely remain anchored for some time, we expect 10-year yields to gradually drift higher, with a steeper yield curve also benefiting these stocks.

The possibility of additional ‘headline risk’ is a clear challenge for this sector even if the macro outlook turns out to be correct. But many of these concerns are likely already priced-in to a degree and the sector does not seemto be ‘over-owned’ here. We believe it is reasonable to question if banks can generate the return on equity that they did in the recent past and if multiples can revert towards historical levels given the new regulatory backdrop. But we think a more robust US economic outlook should still provide support for earnings and book growth, even if the market pays a bit ‘less’ for these shifts than it has in the recent past."

Look as if they believe the "headline risk" is already baked in the cake. Whatever is on the horizon be sure they have advance knowledge.

They may not have come out directly in favor of BofA but a buy recommedation on the BKX might as well be the same thing although in a more diversified way. Probably just covering their ass or pumping in a manner that leaves them cupable deniability when the SHTF.

Nothing on Wall Sreet surprises me anymore.



http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Madoff-tru...set=&ccode=

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/WikiLeaks-...set=&ccode=


WikiLeaks is under attack

The geenie is out of the bottle.

All that nonsense won't stop the flow of the information that's already been leaked. If people want to know than the info will find them.

Thought provoking statement I heard yesterday. With all these people calling for Assange's head on a pike, what do these same people say about the media companies who publish the cables that are sent to them by Wikileaks?

Funny thing about secrets. They usually don't stay that way for long.

No but I don't think any of this is going to change human nature, if anything security will just become tighter and the average citizen will just be further out of the loop.

See there's a reason for everything

1. Someone with access leaks the stuff to Assange.
2. Assange publishes some of it on WikiLeak.
3. Journalists re-publish it.
4. We read it, or see it on the news, and then re-publish it here...again.

Where in that list do the players go from being treasonous horrible people that need to be executed to the innocent self-righteous pricks that get to call for the executions?

Fish on...

Todd

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technol...1201-18g69.html


Speaking of pussies/pricks

So what some here are saying is leaking sensitive government documents is treasonous, and should warrant the death penalty.
What would the appropriate punishment be for blowing the cover of a CIA operative?

It isn't treason since he is isn't a US citizen....just doesn't meet the definition.

It could be espionage or terrorism but it ain't treason.

No hijack Hank, just wanted to know what was a capital offense and what wasn't.
Or do you have a problem killing your own?

It is now.

You can't commit treason against a country that you aren't a citizen of...in spite of what Palin and McCain like to say...it's a pretty basic part of criminal procedure, but grasping the basics isn't always either of their strong suits.

The CIA leak is treason...by any and all easily understood definitions...but strangely enough...not...those calling this treason and calling for his head were and continue to be perfectly willing to allow it to slide when it was Cheney and Libby doing it for purely political reasons.

Hypocrisy at it's finest.

Fish on...

Todd

They want Assange's head because he published embarrassing stuff about them...so they either should not do embarrassing stuff, or keep tigher security on it when they do.

In the end, it's their fault for either doing the embarrassing things or failing to keep a lid on it.

Fish on...

Todd

Wow. Cheany was guilty of treason?