The fiscal cliff has been one of the main focuses of financial and many commodity markets since U.S. elections when President Obama won another term and Republicans kept a majority in the House of Representatives, prompting worries about another stalemate over U.S. fiscal policy.

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During both periods there were strong cyclical bull markets every few years, followed each time by a cyclical bear market that kept the market moving sideways, unable to break out into a long-term uptrend.

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Republicans kept control of the House for a third consecutive term in the 1998 elections, but won fewer seats than expected.

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Only a series of short-term extensions has kept funds flowing to the states.

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Meanwhile, Belgium's national airline, Sabena, in which Swissair is a big investor, is likewise being kept aloft by short-term government loans.

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Woodrow Wilson's illnesses were kept secret, and he only reluctantly gave up the idea of standing for a third term.

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The worst kept secret in golf was confirmed today when Nike announced the signing of Rory McIlroy to a long-term endorsement deal that covers apparel and equipment.

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They are typically short-term investments that banks market as a high-yield alternative to bank deposit rates, which are kept low by the government.

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