Tell me all you know about electricity markets. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 21, 2009 - 11 answers

The soon-to-be Ms. Deathalicious and I are planning to honeymoon in Mexico...in August. What are some out of the way, cool (as in tempurature), and romantic places to visit? [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on May 7, 2009 - 15 answers

Looking for source of an anecdote about social capital and trust. It involves renting a car: and apparently, in some developing countries (or possibly rural China?) where there are low levels of trust of outsiders, people at first found even the idea of renting a car implausible because they can't see why you would let a stranger drive away with your car or why you would return the car to a stranger you will never see again. [more inside]
posted by Maias on Apr 26, 2009 - 5 answers

Please help me calculate the risks and likelyhoods of the Euro rising or falling against the Australian Dollar in the next twelve months. [more inside]
posted by kandinski on Mar 4, 2009 - 8 answers

I have started dabbling in the stock market again, and I've been trying to figure out why conventional wisdom suggests that trading in round lots (usually of 100) is better than trading odd lots (<100). Can you help? [more inside]
posted by Deep Dish on Jan 28, 2009 - 9 answers

Short-the-market-filter:I have been adding to my QID position for 14 months. I've only "lost" (made less) when I got comfortable writing calls every month on half my position (Did not like getting relieved of shares at 59 at October expiration). Bought back at 65 and 75. Anyway, Am I crazy to think that the VIX (or maybe VXN?) is the best indication that it's "safe" to stay in QID? I mean, the VIX is hovering miles above where it's never been before.
posted by Rafaelloello on Oct 22, 2008 - 8 answers

Coming across this, it looks like the UK has over the past year bought $220bn in US Treasury Securities. I'm curious. Can anyone explain the reason? (or connect this to a specific political decision made by the UK government) Because I'm struggling...
posted by cgfoz on Oct 15, 2008 - 8 answers

Why do the lenders give short sellers the stock? [more inside]
posted by sophist on Sep 22, 2008 - 9 answers

What's the best way to find the best target markets for a new software product for consumers? [more inside]
posted by UMDirector on May 6, 2008 - 3 answers

Can gasoline futures be used to predict the price we will pay for fuel at the local pump? [more inside]
posted by netbros on May 6, 2008 - 8 answers

Help me find the latest information on Rembrandt's key competitors and market share in both the toothpaste and teeth whitener categories. [more inside]
posted by JaySunSee on Sep 26, 2007 - 3 answers

Finance: Where can I find streaming charts showing market indexes, plus currencies and NYMEX commodities/futures? Delayed data is ok; I'd just like good charts that update and which show the commodities/metals too. A lot of the charts I found don't update or don't have NYMEX.
posted by chef_boyardee on Sep 12, 2007 - 2 answers

WhatIf Filter - What would happen if the dollar 3/4ths of it's value? [more inside]
posted by richter_x on Sep 9, 2007 - 10 answers

Where can I buy really fresh raw seafood in DC? [more inside]
posted by borkingchikapa on Aug 20, 2007 - 11 answers

I have just spent the afternoon watching stocks around the world decline partially based on sub prime market fallout. My question is how can things be so great when the Fed is handing out stacks of cash to keep things stable (34 Billion USD and counting, not including the international bail out)?
posted by Funmonkey1 on Aug 10, 2007 - 25 answers

Can anyone help me find a bigger, cleaner version of this map? I'd like a higher-resolution image (or vector image) of the 210 US media markets. The other common image out there for this is this one, which includes county lines and makes the map a little busy. Free is best, of course.
posted by blueshammer on Jun 20, 2007 - 4 answers

TravelinginFranceFilter: I know there have been loads of questions about France. We're looking for beautiful places in the countryside, great cheap food and reasonable accommodations. I'd love to have the perfect trip that matches my favorite things: [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on May 2, 2007 - 14 answers

I don't know much about commodity markets. Please help me rectify that. [more inside]
posted by Alvy Ampersand on Apr 20, 2007 - 4 answers

EconomyFilter: I have a difficult time figuring out why the Dow Index breaking 12,000 translates into anything good for the average person on the street. Help me understand! [more inside]
posted by Funmonkey1 on Oct 19, 2006 - 41 answers

Is it against the law for US citizens or residents to trade on overseas futures markets such as TradeSports.com? [more inside]
posted by sebrenner on Jun 16, 2006 - 1 answer

What's the best way (non-spam) way to market a flash/micro fiction publication and community? (no, there are no gratuitous self-links inside) [more inside]
posted by aebaxter on Jan 26, 2006 - 1 answer

I'm going to be in San Francisco for three days at the end of the month - looking for specific shopping advice. [more inside]
posted by meerkatty on Dec 25, 2005 - 8 answers

As a fledgling investor, I'm confused about a fundamental idea behind stock investing: When I buy a stock, unless I buy it during a company's Initial Public Offering (IPO), I'm actually buying it from another investor who's willing to part with it for some price. So although I'm paying good money for those shares of company ownership, none of it ends up providing working capital for the company itself-- the money they got in the IPO is all they'll ever get from the stock market. So my questions are: What are the market forces that are supposed to keep the company's market capitalization (current share price X number of outstanding shares) in line with a company's actual value (assets - liabilities)? Why are high (or low) stock prices important to companies? Why do companies care so much about "creating shareholder value?"
posted by Ironwolf on Feb 3, 2005 - 49 answers