Investing icon Warren Buffett took his own advice Tuesday - getting “greedy when others are fearful” - when he ignored the banking-sector bonfire and slapped down a cool $5 billion for a stake in Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS).

Jason Simpkins in Money Morning says the crude-oil sell-off that sparked a stock-market rally over the last four weeks may not last. What Big Media has failed to notice is that OPEC is already gearing up to cut production….

The recent buyout of Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (ANR) by Cleveland Cliffs Inc. (CLF) could ignite more than $50 billion worth of M&A deals in the U.S. coal industry over the next few years as Mainland China rushes to solve a major energy shortfall.

Is it time to consider investing in so-called “Frankenfoods?” Jason Simpkins in Money Morning thinks so...

Steelmakers throughout Asia cringed earlier this week when they heard the news that Aussie mining giant Rio Tinto PLC (ADR: RTP) had secured a 97% price increase for its iron-ore. But getting Rio out of the way was only half the battle, because now steelmakers are forced to confront BHP Billiton Ltd. (ADR: BHP) and its chief executive, Marius Kloppers, who may not be so easily placated.

The deal comes at a time when corn prices are soaring amid a run-up in global demand. Corn prices have surged about 75% over the past year and 17.5% since early June when flooding throughout the Midwest lowered the outlook for this year’s crop yield.

China used to be thought of as the world’s factory floor - a haven of cheap labor and minimal regulatory oversight for large multinational companies. The result was a massive influx of foreign investment and rapid gross domestic product (GDP) growth. But the country has outgrown this model and is shifting from low-skill, labor-intensive industries to a higher standard of living.

Data released this week show that China is still flying in the face the global economic slowdown. Retail sales there soared 21.6% year on year in May, despite a devastating earthquake and stock market slump. Exports for the same month surged 28.1%, even as demand in major western markets faltered.