AMAZON - Amazing what you can purchase & at great prices too! Links to Amazon UK and Canada

And for those in the US - Amazon Shopping

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Silver and Palladium time to buy

Jim Rogers Sees Opportunity in Silver and Palladium ~ market folly

UN - Dollar as Global Reserve Currency to be Abandon

UN: Abandon Dollar as Global Reserve Currency

Monday, June 28, 2010

RBS tells clients to prepare for 'monster' money-printing by the Federal Reserve - Telegraph

Hey! Conventional investment advisors are now warning us....Central Banks will be printing money.  What have you done to get ready?  Personally, it looks like first a collapse (debt deflation/depression) follow quickly by government printing.  Economies and finances will be in a mess.     
RBS tells clients to prepare for 'monster' money-printing by the Federal Reserve - Telegraph

A Business Journalist Turned Anti-Banker

From NYT - Mr. Ratigan, previously a business journalist with CNBC, is now an outspoken opponent of too-big-to-fail banks and the politicians whom he calls their servants. Now Mr. Ratigan, rails against the “vampire” banks who “have assumed control of our government.”  The new US government financial regulations is the proof, the the Omaba government is providing protection to the Banks like Goldman.
A Business Journalist Turned Anti-Banker - NYTimes.com

Buy US Banks

Buy US Banks, US government in their new regulations are helping the banks again.

Big government helps their big business partners.
Bove: Public to Pay as Banks Will Dodge New Rules

G-20 Nations Agree to Cut Deficits

Good to see some sense with governments. They are all agreeing, except the US, that reduction in government spending and deficits are required. Omaba is on the other side thinking his policies of high spending and more debts will fix things.
G-20 Nations Agree to Cut Deficits by 2013 - NYTimes.com

IS DOW 5,000 REALLY POSSIBLE?

David Rosenberg thinks Dow 5,000 is possible
DAVID ROSENBERG: IS DOW 5,000 REALLY POSSIBLE? PRAGMATIC CAPITALISM

Repent at leisure | The Economist

From the Economist....companies, people and governments are beginning to wake up and realize the more is a big drag on the economy. About time I say.

A special report on debt: Repent at leisure The Economist

Sunday, June 27, 2010

There Will Be War - Forbes.com

From Forbes, war looks likely with Iran.
There Will Be War - Forbes.com

Merrill Lynch forecasts further upside for gold and silver

Mineweb.com - The world's premier mining and mining investment website Merrill Lynch forecasts further upside for gold, silver prices for 2010-2012 - SILVER NEWS Mineweb

Gold's ever-so-brief new high

Contrarian take on gold's prospects Mark Hulbert - MarketWatch

15 Inspiring Home Offices

15 Inspiring Home Offices

Best Stock Screening Tools on the Web

Best Stock Screening Tools on the Web

Encana takes on Chinese partner for Canadian Energy

China's investment into Canadian energy
Encana takes on Chinese partner for Horn River, Montney prospects

Oilpatch worker shortage forecast

Oilpatch worker shortage forecast in energy industry survey

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Islam at the gate because of the collapse

The West is at its watershed, the collapse of the West is not because Islam is at the gates. Islam is at the gates because of the collapse of the West.
The collapse of the West, with Islam at the gate

The Hard Truth About Residential Real Estate | Oil Price.com

Like the last paragraph...what's a poor homeowner to do? Don't ask me. I sold everything in 2005 when my research threw up these numbers, and have been happily renting ever since. And, if the toilet blocks up, I just call the landlord.
The Hard Truth About Residential Real Estate | Oil Price.com

Econ Gangs of New York

This is what it is down too....
Econ Gangs of New York The Reformed Broker

Monday, June 21, 2010

A great Interview Question

From the Kirk Report a great interview question:

Namely, after 6 hours of interviews and 2 hours of debate today, we finally agreed who will join the mentorship group next quarter. It was a tough call. Really tough. But, as things go, one of the questions I like to ask applicants in the phone interview turned pivotal.


So, what was the question? Very simple – what is currently on your bucket list of things to do before you die?

If you ever really want to know who you are dealing with in an interview or social setting, that question works better than anything else. It is amazing what people say is on their list and a terrific way to really get to know what another person values.

Gold in the Mainstream

Frank Talk - Finding Gold in the Mainstream

Thursday, June 17, 2010

San Diego Bankruptcy?

San Diego Urged to Consider Bankruptcy

BP's Hayward Slammed by Lawmakers

Of couse Hayward would not know the details as to various decisions made on this well.  However, it's a cultural thing at BP that caused this spill.  They were trying to make their "numbers".
Hayward Slammed by Lawmakers as Stonewalling on Spill (Update1) - Bloomberg.com

Jim Chanos Shorts Oil Majors

Jim Chanos Shorts Oil Majors, Ford Shares, Hasn’t ‘Played’ BP - Bloomberg.com

U.K. Scraps FSA,

Wow!
U.K. Scraps FSA, Reversing System Set Up by Brown (Update2) - BusinessWeek

What can you get for $5 ?

Freelance services....pretty reasonable.
Website offers $5 jobs as source of freelance income - MSN Money

5 Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires

And one of the secrets is to stop spending money, live within your means. Simple, but very effective.
5 Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires on Shine

What is a Trading Plan – and Why You Need One? | The Cyber Blogger

What is a Trading Plan – and Why You Need One? The Cyber Blogger

Top 10 Trading Rules To Follow

JohnWelshPhd, John Welsh Top 10 Trading Rules To Follow

BP considering debt financing options

BP considering debt financing options - Yahoo! Finance

Soros Warns European Recession Is 'Almost Inevitable' Next Year

Soros Warns European Recession Is 'Almost Inevitable' Next Year

Oil Spill Conflict of Interest: Matt Simmons Is Shorting At Least 8,000 BP Shares | zero hedge

This explains the conflict with what Matt Simmon is saying and what his firm is doing. Also interesting to note that Matt Simmon is resigning as Chairman at the end of the month. Hmmm.....big conflict of interest Matt.

Oil Spill Conflict of Interest: Matt Simmons Is Shorting At Least 8,000 BP Shares zero hedge

Monday, June 14, 2010

Print baby, print ... emerging value

Print baby, print ... emerging value and the quest to buy inflation - John Mauldin's Outside the Box - InvestorsInsight.com | Financial Intelligence, Advice & Research / Investment Strategies & Planning for Individual Investors.

Why This Bull Market Is FINISHED

From the Business Insider, 12 Charts that show why this bull market is finished.

12 Charts That Show Why This Bull Market Is FINISHED

Waxman Letter to Hayward Cites BP 'Shortcuts' - WSJ.com

If this is true, then it will not be very good for BP.
Waxman Letter to Hayward Cites BP 'Shortcuts' - WSJ.com

Dr. Doom of the Gulf Coast spill

Matt Simmons, a bit of an oil expert, believes BP will be heading for Chapter 11 within the month given that the oil spill is much larger than most think.

However, Matt Simmon's investment banking company,  Simmons & Co, has changed its rating on BP to outperform from neutral.   Hmmmm..... 

Matt Simmons, Dr. Doom of the Gulf Coast spill - Jun. 9, 2010

Friday, June 11, 2010

Soros Says ‘We Have Just Entered Act II’ of Crisis (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

Soros Says ‘We Have Just Entered Act II’ of Crisis (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

Taleb: 999,000 Economists, and the World is Getting Worse

Taleb: 999,000 Economists, and the World is Getting Worse

BP’s Mess, and Wall Street’s - What do they have in common?

What does BP and Wall Street have in common?

It is the ability to take on too much risk without consequences.

I do not think more government regulation solves the problem. However, if there was the personal liability or risk then managers would make different decisions. Wall Street investment banks were around for decades, through very difficult time when they were organized as a partnership. However, when they converted to a corporation, then these formerly successful banks' management took on hugh additional risks in order to reward themselves.

BP’s Mess, and Wall Street’s - Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

Some home truths on oil for a president showing the strain

From the UK's Financial Times.....a view on how Omaba is handling the Gulf oil situation

InfoViewer: Some home truths on oil for a president showing the strain

Solar Power Getting Cheaper

That would be great if solar would become economical.   A new photovoltaic solar cell.

Solar Energy May Soon Get Much Cheaper | Oil Price.com

Big Foreclosure Wave Builds as Home Repossessions Hit Record High

No US housing recovery yet

Big Foreclosure Wave Builds as Home Repossessions Hit Record High

U.S. asset managers worried Obama could confiscate gold

Be careful where you have your gold. It was once illegal for US citizens to own gold. Do not think it could not happen again. There is a risk of owing gold.

Mineweb.com - The world's premier mining and mining investment website U.S. asset managers worried Obama could confiscate gold - POLITICAL ECONOMY | Mineweb

Bullish On The Euro

And Now Bob Prechter Is Bullish On The Euro

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Why value value?--Defending against crises

I thought this was pretty good short article by McKinsey on Value, Bubbles, the Financial Crisis, Leverage, the Equity and Credit markets and fundamental flaws by governments, managers, and investors.

Solution - It is to get back to the basics of adding value - increasing cash flows. It is not financial manipulations or engineering.

I think there has been and continues to be a misallocation of capital into the financial markets. The financial markets are not what they should be. It is now a casino. For example, Goldman is making its money by trading. That by definition, does not add value to the economy.

Why value value?--defending against crises - McKinsey Quarterly - Corporate Finance - Valuation