2011 Scorecard, 2012 Global Market Predictions

Someday, someone will fund an academic study identifying the crevice in the human brain that craves year-end predictions for the coming 12 months. Wherever it resides, it is undeniably strong and far more prevalent among the populace than the craving for news about, say, the “fiscal cliff” or the New York Jets’ quarterback saga.

By John Nyaradi:Stocks stagger into year end on last trading day of 2011. Major U.S. stock indexes faded late on a quiet day to end the year mixed and on a weak note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSEARCA:DIA) declined -0.6% on the day but finished 2011 with a 5.5% yearly gain.

The chart above shows the annual inflation rates for: a)

For the third year in a row (since the crisis) average pay at private companies in China surge by greater than double digits - far outstripping GDP growth.

By Dividendinvestr:Stocks of companies that boost dividends at high rates of growth tend to outperform stocks of companies that raise dividends at low rates of growth. Dividend increases usually represent favorable earnings and cash flow dynamics that enable companies to boost payouts. They also represent a greater commitment to increasing shareholder value through higher dividend payouts.

NEW YORK — Hormel Foods apparently has a hankering for a peanut butter and bacon sandwich. The company primarily known for Spam and other cured, smoked and deli meats said Thursday that it’s buying Skippy, the country’s No. 2 peanut butter brand, in its biggest-ever acquisition.

By David Pinsen:Bruce Berkowitz and Bank of AmericaWhen Bruce Berkowitz, portfolio manager of the Fairholme Fund, gave his presentation to the Association of Individual Investors in New York, in June ("Beat the Back by Breaking from it,") he spent more time talking about one of his fund's holdings, Bank of America Corporation (