The U.S. economy is all about finding alternatives. You can have Coke or Pepsi. Want to buy a car? You’ve got two-doors, fours-doors, SUVs, pickups and station wagons. Looking for something besides Jersey Shore to watch? There are at least 500 other cable channels to choose from. So even though it has taken a while, it’s not surprising that “alternative” assets have become popular in our    .. more …

Trian Fund Management, L.P. (“Trian” or “Trian Partners”), whose investment funds and accounts managed by it currently beneficially own approximately 3.3% of the outstanding shares of State Street Corporation (“State Street”) (NYSE: STT), today made public a letter it has sent to the State Street Board of Directors setting forth its views as to why State Street has continued to significantly    .. more …

Although many economists continue to believe that another recession can be avoided, my gut instinct tells me a downturn is more likely than not. At the very best, we can expect a period of slow growth.That’s why I have been advising caution on new equity purchases. There will always be investment opportunities, of course, but you have to be very selective and exercise price discipline. Will    .. more …