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Just what is JPMorgan Chase (JPM) getting in its $2-a-share purchase of Bear Stearns (BSC)? That question??is bugging Roger Ehrenberg, the former Wall Street exec who writes the Information Arbitrage blog. Sure, JPMorgan gets a solid securities clearing business and a nice new midtown headquarters building for much less than they’re worth. But it also gets a balance sheet full of things that could blow up - which isn’t exactly what you want in a market that seems to grow sicker by the day.

Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Sony Corp ADR (SNE), Electronic Arts (ERTS), Activision Inc (ATVI)

As I've said before, I love reading the monthly videogame sales stats from marketing research outfit NPD. February was yet another nice month for the industry. Software continues to move off retail shelves at a robust clip; sales in this department were up 47% year-over-year last month.

Filed under: Consumer experience, General Electric (GE), Time Warner (TWX), Walt Disney (DIS), Viacom (VIA), Sony Corp ADR (SNE), News Corp'B' (NWS)

Filed under: Boeing Co (BA), Northrop Grumman (NOC)

The Associated Press reports that John "Freedom Fries" McCain employs former lobbyists for EADS, the parent of Toulouse, France-based Airbus, on his staff. EADS and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) recently won a $100 billion contract to build refueling tankers for the Air Force, edging out Boeing Inc. (NYSE: BA) which has filed a protest.

Filed under: Deals, Rumors, Rants and raves, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), Washington Mutual (WM), Wells Fargo (WFC)

Yesterday I heard one of many rumors about what might happen to Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM) and this one concerned "my pal Warren" having an interest in acquiring a position in the bank. At first I paid no attention but then I thought about how beautiful that would be. For Warren Buffett, it would elevate business to an art form, something he is admired for the world over.