Beijing has launched a firework safetyindex during the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays that advises against setting off fireworks and firecrackers in poor weather conditions, China Daily reports.
This thriving trade in man-made body parts has enriched shareholders of device makers: An index of 11 such stocks is up 43% in four years, while a drugmaker index has fallen 2%, hurt by the Vioxx safety scandal and other travails.
Of course the markets were devastated in 2008 with a 38% decline in stocks, but the flight to safety produced 17% total returns for the 7-10 Year Treasury index.