Everybody thinks we're at the top of interest rates. The rates have peaked and the rate rise is over. There's lower rates to come and the stocks you want to own are the ones that do well in the lower rate environment.

The numbers relieved some fear of the Fed tightening interest rates. For how long, I don't know. But for the time being they have.

This year's mild winter, healthier inventory levels and steady climb in interest rates have made for a busier than normal early spring market.

no direct or indirect ownership interest in Amici.

I think their real interest is using the partner bank in China to distribute financial products and services that would be very difficult for them to do on their own. If you view the stake as the cost of obtaining access to the client base, it could be worthwhile in the long term as long as those joint ventures turn out to be profitable.

The fall-off in interest really happened in the mid to late 90s. I think the lemon was pressed with Kerrigan and Harding. I'm sorry about that because I missed out on the big money. But on our tour, the audiences have been up 15 per cent from last year.