By sucking the air out of energy prices and sapping private investment, the financial crisis submarined solar energy last fall. But a silver lining has emerged around the dark cloud that has blanketed the sector for so long.

Risk Assets soar! …  What’s behind this stock rally? … Charts and fundamentals…  Aussie Consumer Confidence Drops…  And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Venezuela’s oil production is already below 1997 levels, but could fall significantly lower as the country’s president, Hugo Chavez, has alienated oil service companies by refusing to pay their fees, and in some cases, seizing their assets.

More bad news for housing… one chart shows the bottom could still be far away…Credit crunch slams entitlements… demise of Social Security, Medicare now years closer…Stocks suffer… Bill Jenkins on the “surprise” data behind today’s sell-off…Jim Nelson shares one of “the world’s most exciting growth industries”…Plus, Byron King’s taking profits… a sector worth selling, right now

Jobs Jamboree results…  A double whack for Treasuries…  The loonie is stealth like…  Oil on the rise…  And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Another sure sign that inflation is a clear and present danger is the recent rise in oil prices. Wednesday, crude oil set its 2009 high at $54.83 in New York intraday trading.

Is it the prospect of global recovery or the prospect of inflation that’s driving oil prices higher? Adam Lass says you don’t have to choose – the opportunity for profit is there either way.

Currencies back off… More problems for BOA? More on China…Aussie Retail Sales rebound… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Happy days are here again! Enjoy them while they last… “Optimism builds,” says a headline in the Financial Times. As predicted, the world markets are enjoying a bounce. People who had no idea there was anything wrong with the world financial system two years ago, now say the problem has been fixed.

A Huge currency rally… The games people play now…RBA leaves rates unchanged…Brazilian real is the daily winner! And Now… Today’s Pfennig!