Markets are still contending with cross currents and the free-fall in commodity prices. The most recent earnings from Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) are pushing and pulling investors in different directions.

We delve into the recent move by the Bank of Japan, earnings and the latest news that are shaping the investment climate. Plus, we reveal the winning entry from our 300th Anniversary show.

Plus, we take a look at negative interest rates and the potential for the Fed to restart QE.

Click HERE for Show Notes and Links

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Results from the DHFed – No one got it exactly right – but close… (Scroll to bottom)

The Bank of Japan shocked markets last Friday with the announcement that they are moving toward negative rates. (Only for new money deposited at the BOJ and will not hurt bank profits) Yen drop 2% on the news after initially soaring. Negative rates are a really bad experiment.

Tonight, in response to the selloff in US and oil hitting $29.45 (down 23% YTD), Japan markets down 3%, Hang Seng down 3%, and futures running lower)

* Tomorrow may be ugly…. However, probably a good amount of potential bounce opportunity ahead of Friday. **

Crude oil now back to $30… Nasty fall after big move up.  markets following step-by-step. DJIA dropped 300 points today and NAZ and S&P ugly. Where to next?

Google/Alphabet (GOOG) unseats Apple (AAPL) as the most valuable company in the world. With the recent earnings announcement, Google’s market cap is larger than Apple. WOW!

– Google had more paid clicks at a lower cost per click and beat by a wide margin.

Yahoo! laying off 2,500 employees. But, is Marissa Mayer one of them .. NO!

WAIT!!! 3:30pm, some chatter about yahoo! looking for…. “Strategic Alternatives” – stock ramps (smells like desperation).

Yahoo! also announced that they are going to explain a major restructuring after the earnings announcement tonight – that led me to believe that there is the potential for a significant miss in their quarterly report. (There is also some discussion out there are lawsuits against Yahoo! regarding their stacking process for employee reduction)

Natural gas getting whacked! Below $2.00 now and off by 14% YTD, 13% in Feb. Maybe because Punxsutawney Phil sees no shadow, predicts early spring??

The 10-year Treasury is 1.87% now, the recent low was 1.5% in 2012 when the Fed was pressing rates. Does this mean that markets do not believe that the Fed will be raising rates again AND may be moving toward additional stimulus? Or something else under the surface…

BANKS: This is bad..Click to see recent performance

Click For Bank Performance

Iowa Caucus – Clinton and Cruz. WOW… Trump must be pissed.

What is with this Zika virus – really picking up steam. WHO now calling this a global emergency. (LINK)

— Report that the first spread through sexual contact in the US just hit the wires.

Comcast – Xfinity – I have service and they opened up their WiFi so wherever I am it picks it up, piggybacking off of others Wifi. Is this right?

It is starting…. Exxon Mobil profits down 58%, BP down 90% or so…..