Market Talk

Newswires Max Murphy writes:

Sirius XM (SIRI), hoping it has Adonis DNA of its own, launches “Tiger Blood Radio” to tackle all things Charlie Sheen starting at 6:00 am EST Saturday.

Channel will discuss the latest twists in the simultaneously tragic and hilarious public meltdown of the playboy actor, and feature interviews with some of the, well, ladies who have made Sheen’s acquaintance.

No word from Howard Stern, SIRI’s most popular talent, who wanted to give Sheen an open mic on his SIRI channels. SIRI clearly can’t wait because it’s busy, “Duh, winning!”

(Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.)

- Economic fears prompt risk takers to take day off. “With investors and traders suddenly looking for shelter, the old standby – the dollar – is the day’s big winner,” Tom Petruno says.

- “News that is good (but not great) is sold in an overbought market while news that is bad (but not horrible) is bought in an oversold tape,” Minyanville’s Todd Harrison notes. It’s the reaction that counts.

- Apple (AAPL) speculation is running rampant ahead of its special event. The much-hyped tablet is expected to be unveiled, but could Apple announce a new phone compatible on Verizon Wireless?

- While we’re talking about Apple speculation, don’t expect a deal between Time Warner’s (TWX) Time Inc and Apple by next week when Apple’s expected to launch the tablet, MediaMemo blogger Peter Kafka says. But Time still remains “intensely interested” in the device.

- Scott Brown’s Senate victory in Massachusetts should be viewed as another indicator of increasing outrage over the state of the economy, the Pragmatic Capitalist says.

- Inflation fears aren’t warranted in the short-term. “But what we need is a convincing commitment from the government to both near-term stimulus and longer-term fiscal responsibility in order to be assured that it’s not a concern over the next decade,” James Hamilton says. “And that’s not what I’m seeing from the US Congress.”

- Sirius XM (SIRI) looks to be heading in the right direction. Between positive free cash flow for 2009 and a higher-than expected subscriber count in 4Q, “the winter holidays were particularly kind to Sirius,” John Paczkowski says.

- Stocks return to normalcy after the Massachusetts election rally. “It’s back to economic reality and an earnings season that is mediocre so far relative to expectations,” writes Miller Tabak equity strategist Peter Boockvar.

- Obama slows the health bill, telling lawmakers not to attempt to pass it until Massachusett’s new GOP senator takes office.

- BofA and Wells Fargo posted improved 4Q results, joining some of their other banking peers that have also performed better a year after the depths of the financial crisis.

- Oracle of Omaha isn’t a fan of Obama’s bank tax. ““I don’t see any reason why they should be paying a special tax,” said Warren Buffett. Supporters of the plan to tax the banks “are trying to punish people,” he said. “I don’t see the rationale for it.”