Finally ... an analyst who doesn't like Buffett

After months of lobbying, one analyst is suggesting that First Quantum Minerals Ltd. has finally been granted access to the data room at Inmet Mining Corp. First Quantum made a $5.1-billion hostile offer for Inmet back in December, but Inmet rebuffed all of its efforts to enter friendly negotiations and view confidential data on the company’s giant Cobre Panama project. Since then, Inmet has opened its data room to other potential bidders. Desjardins Securities analyst John Hughes believes First Quantum now has access as well.

For a long time, it seemed Canadians were pretty indifferent to shopping on the Internet. But more-robust-than-expected online sales on both Black Friday and so-called Cyber Monday, coupled with strong sales on Canadian retail websites and a slew of new entrants, suggest that has changed.

By Brian Nichols:A couple of weeks ago I spoke with Brinson Patrick Securities analyst, Vernon Bernardino, after reading his analyst report on NeoStem Inc (NBS). The analyst offers a very bullish outlook, but also backs up his opinions with solid fundamental and macro analysis in a project that took him many months to complete.

By Michael Collins: BlackBerry Z10 UK Pricing Remains at a Premium, Despite Misleading Analyst Report

Shoppers are finally coming back to JCPenney.

By Tom Lydon: Gold miner stocks are underperforming bullion prices to a degree seldom seen in the past three decades. Essentially, the spread between gold miner shares and spot gold prices is near a 30-year low.Gold has been stifled over the last two months and even dropped below its $1,600 threshold, with miner stocks and exchange traded funds closely mirroring the movements. However, miners surged Wednesday on heavy volume, lifting hopes that producers may finally catch up to the record run in precious metals.

Warren Buffett consistently advocates for higher taxes. Recently, he called for higher taxes on people making $250k+/year. Is Warrent Buffett a swell guy? Is it enlightened self-interest? This post had an interesting quote.