China is developing fast and, even though it has some issues with human rights, pollution and corruption, people have been speculating that it could be the next global super power.

China has a population of 1.3 billion, which is four times the U.S. population of 308 million. Simple math dictates that if four Chinese people can match one U.S. person in productivity, China will surpass the U.S. in production.

McDonald's (MCD) shares dropped a whopping 1.29% Friday on news that Paris Hilton is setting aside her fast-food habit in exchange for a bikini-ready body. Paris is quoted by Starpulse.com as stating: "I've been really working out. I'm not eating fast food anymore. No more McDonald's. (I'm) getting my bikini body, so I'm about that." This must come as a serious blow to McDonald's.

Well okay, perhaps Paris Hilton's declaration isn't really all that important to McDonald's shareholders, but the truth remains that MCD shares are again showing signs that they have peaked. The question is why? The company's share price is currently hitting strong resistance in the range of $71, and the three key reasons are fierce competition, international monetary exchange instability, and operating expense volatility.

At times, a set of complex factors come to bear on a country's currency; sometimes these factors are seemingly illogical. Such is the case of the Japanese yen. The Japanese economy, along with the rest of the world, is getting weaker; the Japanese stock market is falling; exports are dropping; and the Bank of Japan warned this week Japan's economy probably will contract this year.

So then, why is the yen so strong? Well, first, Japan did not suffer large losses from the sub prime crisis, leaving Japanese banks in relatively good shape. Second, Japanese investors are deleveraging their overseas investments, creating large cash inflows into Japan. Third, the yen is now seen as a "safe haven" currency.

When trading against the dollar, the yen reached a thirteen and a half year high. It reached a seven year high against the euro. The downside of the yen's strength is that it is hurting Japanese exports. There is talk in Japanese banking circles that the Bank of Japan may intervene to curb the rise of the yen. While this move is not imminent, there could be action taken by this March.

Would you buy the Japanese yen?