Weekend Linkfest

An up week for the major indices -- the first one of the last three for the Dow and S&P 500. The key driver? Barron's Trader column said it was "DEALS, LOTS OF THEM" -- some real, some rumored. Profits are high, as are cash balances, while interest rates are low.

The takeover talk has been centered on banks. Citigroup is rumored to be spinning off or selling units. There's been lots of talk about a management shuffle. Merrill Lynch says Bank of America is "very interested" in scooping up Barclays. Barron's noted: "From banks to industrial companies to airlines, it seems no sector, cyclical to staples, escaped the speculative gaze of potential buyers in a world awash with money. A short seller's nightmare, in other words."

As someone who plays on both sides of the Street, I can attest to that: Selectivity in shorting (specific catalysts, small short interest, tight stops) is the key to not getting carried out on your shield.

All that gets shoved aside, as this is a Fed week (and I think everyone knows the FOMC will give us a big "nuthin' done"). ...