We kick off our Innovation Series with an interview with the CEO of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and his pointed concern regarding the substantial decline in the US's standing in innovation, how it will impact the global competitive position of the US, and the issues involved competing with mercantilistic economic systems (e.g. China).
My third interview with Federated Investors' Senior Vice President, Chief Equity Market Strategist, Senior Portfolio Manager includes a constructive view for a sustainable cyclical economic recovery based on a successful handoff from government spending to private sector growth, pent up US consumer demand, benign inflation (for now), and solid global growth in manufacturing. The longer-term, more secular issues related to the explosive growth in government debt and what is the right balance for regulatory reform are also discussed.
Is the bull done? "Not yet", says the Wall Street veteran and Chief Market Technical Analyst with Miller + Tabak. However, a period of an extended correction/consolidation (e.g. the late 1970s) is a good probability as is the risk of seemingly out-of-the-blue, sudden declines (e.g. January 19 to February 8 of this year). Making his fifth BTSB appearance, Phil also shares his views re the continuing absence of traditional investors in the current bull market, the recently elevated levels of investor optimism, and the importance of 4.25% in the 10 year US Treasury rate. 
Earnings season gets underway, companies don't disappoint, and stocks respond in kind. What does it mean?
If you're looking for a truly out-of-consensus view re the economy and markets, my interview with the Chief Global Strategist and Chairman–Comprehensive Asset Allocation Committee for TCW will not disappoint. The economic risks of a double dip (courtesy the slingshot effect), the uncertainty re the economic handoff (from government spending to sustainable private sector growth), and a stagflation (you read that correctly!) resistant portfolio mix are among the many interesting and challenging views expressed by my guest. 
My annual conversation with the Market Strategist/Private Client Group for Stifel Nicholas and Chief Investment Officer with Washington Crossing Advisors includes the prospects of an economic handoff to the private sector and a sustainable recovery, the risks of yet another jobless recovery, and the consequences of high corporate profitability and excess cash. 
With earnings season just around the corner, my conversation with the managing director of IncreMental Advantage provides an excellent introduction to understanding how to value intangible assets (e.g. patents), valuing emerging technologies, and identifying the most applicable methodologies to intangible asset valuations. 
