Seemingly under the radar, China’s Shanghai Composite Index has risen 17.7% since Nov. 1. Specifically – and not coincidentally – the index began its rise Nov. 10, the day after Beijing announced an ambitious economic stimulus plan that will pour $585 billion into housing, water-and-energy projects, airports, disaster relief and railroad construction over the next two years.

Tribune Files for Bankruptcy; Dow Cuts 5,000 Jobs; Pay Cut for Morgan Stanley Execs; Sen. Reid Scolds Thain’s Bonus Request; AB InBev to Cut 1,400 U.S. Jobs; China Offers Petrobas $10 Billion Loan; McDonald’s November Sales Soar

Take our quiz: Is the market even close to normal anymore?… Credit freeze continues to thaw… Mayer and Denning on what companies need to rebound… Home prices fall again, consumer confidence crashes, but market rallies? … Eric Fry on when this global financial trauma will come to an end… Plus, want a DVD copy of I.O.U.S.A.? Get the details below…

From Bloomberg:

A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into credit-rating companies found the firms improperly managed conflicts of interest and violated internal procedures in granting top rankings to mortgage bonds.

In the energy market Thursday, crude for July delivery headed for the moon, rocketing heavenward to close at a record $138.54/barrel, up $10.75. July reformulated gasoline shot 21.8 cents higher, to $3.548/gallon, marking a two-day gain of nearly 11%.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke came out in support of a stronger U.S. dollar today (Tuesday), indicating the Fed would remain on pause at its next meeting.

A recent full page advertisement in the Financial Times caught my eye. “Ethics”, it screamed in bold print. And then went on to say, “When someone has achieved the CFA designation, make no mistake he, or she, is well aware of ethical responsibilities.

A recent full page advertisement in the Financial Times caught my eye. “Ethics”, it screamed in bold print. And then went on to say, “When someone has achieved the CFA designation, make no mistake he, or she, is well aware of ethical responsibilities.

At a time when Europe and the United States are shedding jobs in the financial sector, one financial center is only adding to its ranks: Hong Kong.

Scaring the false capitalists…Valuing the real capitalists.