Alan Greenspan on why US Treasury Bonds are still safe

This is not an issue of credit rating. The United States can pay any debt it has because we can always print money to do that. So, there is zero probability of default.

~ Alan Greenspan, "the Maestro" and former chairman, Federal Reserve, MSNBC's Meet the Press, August 7, 2011

Bill Laggner on the S&P downgrade of US treasuries

We're the best house in a bad neighborhood, even though nobody has walked inside to notice the small grease fire in the kitchen.

"US downgrade a crossroad for S&P", Fortune.com, August 6, 2011

Warren Buffett says US debt deserves "quadruple A" rating

[The U.S., which was cut Aug. 5 to AA+ from AAA at S&P, merits a] quadruple A [rating].

~Warren Buffett, chairman, Berkshire Hathaway, Bloomberg TV, August 5, 2011

Warren Buffett has "confidence" in no double dip in 2011

Financial markets create their own dynamics, but I don’t think we’re facing a double dip recession. Clearly what stock markets do have is an effect on confidence, and this selloff can create a lack of confidence.

~Warren Buffett, chairman, Berkshire Hathaway, Bloomberg TV, August 5, 2011

Bearing on shorting Goldman Sachs

Goldman is nothing more than a glorified hedge fund taking massive bets with taxpayer subsidies. As more market participants realize this conflict of interest the business should contract rapidly.

"Bearing on shorting Goldman Sachs", Business Insider, Augest 20, 2010

HSBC economist looking for growth in second half of 2011

Our economists are not forecasting a recession and, indeed, are looking for U.S. growth to accelerate in the second half. Investors should look to raise equity risk gradually over the summer.

~Garry Evans, global head of equity strategy, HSBC in Hong Kong, "Strategists Sticking With 17% S&P 500 Rally by Year-End on Rising Profits", Bloomberg.com, August 5, 2011

UBS economist says don't overreact, market resilient

I’m reluctant to overreact to some shorter-term weakness, no matter how real it is, because the market has proven to be unbelievably resilient. If you would have been acting that way for the last two years, you would have gotten killed by this market.

~Jonathan Golub, chief U.S. market strategist, UBS in New York, "Strategists Sticking With 17% S&P 500 Rally by Year-End on Rising Profits", Bloomberg.com, August 5, 2011