Blizzard

Winter in the Northeast was particularly brutal this year, but not enough to account for the likely record prices. Blame crude oil's recent price jump for that. But the chills could become even worse if Obama's proposed cut in low-income energy subsidies passes.

This season's series of colossal storms have cost millions of dollars for states, municipalities and businesses. But companies in these six industries are finding that the rough winter's snows are a gift from the weatherman.

It's hard to fathom that something as mundane as weather could affect employment statistics. But it clearly does. And it also has big impact on how much work actually gets done. And beyond the snows of winter, there's distractions like the Super Bowl that keep worker from their duties.

Among Wednesday's top online stories for investors: Why did Warren Buffett invest in BYD? How does the market usually fare on a blizzard day? And what I learned from working with Jim Cramer.

Jersey residents voted in 2005 to give their state a lieutenant governor. Still, with Gov. Chris Christie vacationing in Florida while his state got pounded by a blizzard, there's a leadership vacuum in Trenton because Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno is away on vacation, too.

Geoff "iNcontrol" Robinson is one of America's top pro-athletes. His game -- Starcraft. His earnings playing the popular video game and, more significantly, coaching other gamers give him a lifestyle he loves.

Says one economist: "We will probably lose 0.3% from real GDP growth during the quarter, maybe a bit more depending on lost productivity." Travel and entertainment -- and consumer spending overall -- are likely to suffer. But small businesses probably face the worst of it.

How does the market typically behave around Presidents' Day? __________ A simple system I've been using for years to beat the hedge funds. __________ I'm sick and tired of the anger regarding the bailouts. Why the bailouts saved my life and yours. __________

Ski resorts are loving the winter storms that have pounded the East Coast. In industry lingo, "Backyard Syndrome" means people are overtaken by a desire to ski or snowboard if they see snow around their homes.

Mother Nature's fury this winter has left a path of fiscal destruction that will linger far after the record-breaking snowfall starts to melt -- and she's not done yet. But for some businesses, blizzards mean opportunity.