FTSEurofirst 300 up 1.1 pct on the day, up 13 pct on week… Index lost 7 pct in Nov, ninth month of losses in 2008… Cyclicals hammered; defensive pharmas surge

Not every automaker CEO is down on his knees with cap in hand. Some of them are too proud to beg… and Taipan Daily won’t have to beg either with the right options strategy.

Not every auto manufacturer wants charity, you know.

While Detroit’s CEOs were up on Capitol Hill whining and begging like street junkies for a mere $25 billion to tide them over until spring, salesmen from Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati were working the floor of the Los Angeles Auto Show like madmen in an attempt to stem their stateside sales losses.

Now don’t let their $500 suits and smooth manners fool you. These guys are hurting too. Lambo’s down 15% (pretty much a match to the whole biz’ 2008 decline). And…

Short-sellers scrambling for cover sent shares of Volkswagen AG (OTC ADR: VLKAY) rocketing up more than $1,000 each Tuesday, to briefly give the German automaker the most valuable market capitalization in the world.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) shares more than doubled yesterday (Wednesday) after Singapore’s government pledged support for the completion of a local $4 billion casino project.

Demand Drops Crude; Volkswagen Races Ahead; Yen’s Strength Sinks Stocks; Verizon Dials Up Gains; Sept. Home Sales Up; Wal-Mart Scales Back; Citi Rejects Goldman Merger

Banking Shares Plummet; Crude Drops on Curbed Demand; Citigroup Stock Slumps to Inception Levels; Volkswagen Chooses Chattanooga; J&J Reports 8% Jump in Profit; SEC Restricts Short Selling; 3-Year European Closing Low; Foolhardy ViroPharma Bid?

Money Morning Investment Director Keith Fitz-Gerald is currently leading an investment trip through China, taking in that country’s scenery, as well as its investment opportunities.