In a new report, Morgan Stanley's global equity strategy team identifies 20 U.S. companies with the most attractive and sustainable dividend yields. Take a look!

Americans, don't think for one moment that the crises in Europe are irrelevant! This past April the U.S had the largest monthly decline in exports to Europe in the past 7.5 years and this trend will only get worse - much worse - as the crises spread and linger. Exports to Europe are now down 2.7% from April 2011, the first yearly decline since February 2010. The chart below says it all.

I am amused by the Shadow Weekly Leading Index Project which claims the probability of recession is 31%. I think it is much higher....Let's take a look at why. >Michael "Mish" Shedlock< (http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com) Words: 530

"The entire financial system is in collapse. It’s not about the Greeks, Spanish, Italians, English, Americans, the Chinese, it’s about everybody. That’s what we’re looking at, and...I believe a tidal wave entrance into gold will happen when there’s a real collapse and catastrophe that they can’t paper over anymore. When does the crash point happen? No one can tell, but all of the cards are in place for the house of cards to collapse.”

"Ben Bernanke is trying like mad to stimulate credit and lending but to no avail. It's an uphill battle because of demographics, student debt, and lack of jobs. [Frankly however, given such an environment,] prospects for family formation are fundamentally very weak and overall economic fundamentals are very weak as well" [and that certainly does not bode well for housing coming back anytime soon. Let me explain.] >Michael "Mish" Shedlock< (http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com)Words: 650

"The most important issue in this year's election is the economy. Unfortunately, this topic has now been "politicized," which means that you can't talk about it without being instantly cheered or jeered by fans of each respective political team...[the truth of the matter, however, is that] the economy is much more important than this year's election or either political team....The first step is getting past the political blame-game and understanding what's wrong.... Let's go to the charts."

The global market turmoil in the European Union with Greece, Spain and Italy and the slowing growth in China and other Asian markets has been monopolizing the headlines lately....You could very well have the attitude that it doesn't directly affect you. Like it or not, however, the United States is tied to other economies....and, since the financial markets facilitate trade and business all over the world, problems in other countries can severely impact your investments, your job and even how much you pay for everyday items. Therefore, you cannot afford to ignore the health or strength of other countries' financial systems and their banks. [Let's take a look.] Gene Kirsch > www.moneyandmarkets.com

Gold is not a solution to investing problems. It is an insurance policy against an inflationary explosion. The higher the probabilities of inflation, the more gold I hold. [Let me explain.] "Monty Perelin" - www.economicnoise.com

Global consumption of natural graphite has doubled in the last 10 years and will increase even more so in the next decade due to a) the continuing modernization of China, India and other emerging economies given the strong demand from traditional end uses such as the steel and automotive industries and b) the advent of new applications for graphite such as lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and nuclear and solar power. As a result of such increased demand prices for large flake, high purity graphite (+80 mesh, 94-97%C) have more than doubled making the mining of such a minerals increasingly profitable. Learn even more by viewing the infographic below.

Take a look at how many tabs and programs you have open on your computer. Odds are you multi-tasking. As technology becomes more and more a part of our lives, most Americans are learning to do several things at once but, unfortunately, all our multi-tasking can be anything but - and it can have some serious consequences. [Let's take a look at the infographic below for a better understanding of the place of online technology in our lives today.]