When oil prices moved to over $30 a barrel in the mid 1980s, it was considered a significant event. It also signaled the birth of small ethanol companies in the Midwest. Many of them managed to hang around long enough to get a second wind when Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War pushed oil prices past $40.

When oil prices moved over $30 a barrel in the mid 1980s, it was considered a significant event.  It also signaled the birth of small ethanol companies in the Midwest. Many of them managed to hang around long enough to get a second wind when Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War pushed oil prices pushed past $40.

If you want a real look at what’s headed this way, ask Hideko Toyotomi.

Japan’s exports were cut nearly in half last month as the global downturn crushed demand for the country’s electronics and automobiles, a development that increases the odds that the Japanese yen could be poised for a tumble.

China Development Bank, one of China’s largest state-owned enterprises, has agreed to lend $10 billion to Brazil’s Petrobras (PBR) in exchange for a long-term supply of oil – the latest illustration of how Beijing is using the global downturn to further its domestic agenda.

Texas Financier Stanford Charged With Fraud; Trump Casinos File for Chapter 11; Amex and Capital One Defaults Rise; WalMart Beats Expectations; Blackberry Execs Pay Back $2.2 Million; Oil Prices Fall Below $35

Can the Chinese “dragon” save us from the worst recession in 70 years?

It’s an important question for any investor if they plan on making any long-term investment decisions during this global downturn.

Capital flows to emerging markets are likely to plunge this year. And countries with low domestic savings or wide external deficits will suffer badly. Martin Hutchinson picks the five best emerging market etfs to hold in 2009.

A new labor report by an agency of the United Nations indicates that Asia could be the best place for investors to wait out the global recession. While the report does not indicate abundant opportunities in Asian regions, it does show that Asia could be more resilient and consequentially return potential longer term gains.

The Obama ‘mega stimulus’ is making its way through the Senate. Chris Mayer says this is good news for infrastructure firms. He picks five ’shovel ready’ companies set to benefit from the injection of public funds this year.