The Year of the Ox Should Be A Slow But Steady One

The Chinese New Year is upon is, and that means it’s prediction time:

According to Asian astrologists (quoted by Bloomberg), given that the coming year will be changing hands from that scurrying subway demon the rat to the loveable, patient, hardworking, slow-but-steady-and-determined ox, we shouldn’t be betting on the economy to be quick and nimble in 2009; instead, “investors should be patient and position for a potential market upturn in 2010,” when the tiger takes over and then gives way to the rabbit before the hare hands over our fates over to the dragon.

In other news, President Obama gave the recently-ousted ex-Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain a slap on the wrist today for that interior design hobby of his.

Thanks a lot, JT. Now no one will be able to redecorate in ’09.