MF Cuts Global Outlook; Brazil Hedge Fund Sells Banks, Homebuilders; February Home Prices Up 0.7%; Home Prices in Dubai Could Fall 70%; Apple Tops Forecasts; Feds Search Siemens’ Offices; Freddie Mac CFO Found Dead; E-Bay Beats Street

It’s time to call the global crisis what it is: the worst financial collapse since 1929. That’s no surprise to subscribers of The Casey Report, who have been amply warned over the last five years. But now even government officials, after trying to ignore the facts on the ground for the last couple of years, are admitting the truth of the matter.

The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that sales of existing homes fell to their lowest level in almost 12 years, as prices also fell and are now near their six-year lows.

Pending home sales rose 6.3 pct in December… Merck gains after beating expectations… SanDisk sheds 23 pct, limits Nasdaq gains… Dow up 0.6 pct, S&P up 0.5 pct, Nasdaq 0.2 pct…

Investors should prepare for a “green friendly” government says David Fessler. One of Obama’s first steps will be to make American homes and offices more energy efficient. And that means big gains for three companies directly involved in producing energy saving devices…

China: bigger, faster, stronger…the world’s up-and-comer does have some trouble on the way. More and more people competing for the world’s resources. The Chinese work their way up the ladder, as Americans work their way down…and more!

At their two-day meeting that starts today, Tuesday, U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers will have to grapple with a moral choice that is well beyond the pay grade of central bankers – choosing between the financial stability of U.S. homeowners and world hunger.