Archive for May, 2007

The Politics of Higher Oil Prices

Monday, May 28th, 2007

May 28, 2007 – On January 23rd, at the Underground Investor, I wrote this: Steve Forbes, publisher of the noted Forbes wealth magazine, went on record at the Las Vegas Gold Show that oil prices would reach $35 a barrel in 2006. That certainly was a contrarian viewpoint at the time, and obviously, it never [...]

Asian Countries Pooling Reserves to Protect Against the Incredible Shrinking Dollar, Part II

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

May 26, 2007 – I’m sure a bigger part of the discussion about these “pooled Asian reserves” not publicly discussed revolves around China’s continuing plans to diversify out of their huge dollar denominated reserves. All participating countries in this reserve pool must wonder how this can be achieved without greatly harming the value of their [...]

More on this topic (What's this?)
Why We Need Currency Competition
Don’t Fall for This China Head Fake
China: Big Changes Coming Soon
Gold and Silver are Breaking Out
Read more on Currency, Investing in China at Wikinvest

Asian Countries Pooling Reserves to Protect Against the Incredible Shrinking Dollar, Part I

Friday, May 25th, 2007

May 25, 2007 – Recently it was reported that the finance ministers from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and China among other Asian countries would meet in Kyoto to discuss pooling some of the region’s $2.7 trillion in foreign-denominated reserves to serve as a buffer against speculators driving down the value of their domestic currencies as [...]

A Nobel Prize Winning Economist, Joseph Stiglitz, Agrees with Our Views on Proposed Chinese Tariffs

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

May 22, 2007 – In continuation of my last blog, today it was reported that Stiglitz criticized Congress for its stance on China tariffs. “We are in a mutual hostage situation, and China may hold the better cards,” Stiglitz said. The story stated that if Congress were to pass measures cutting off Chinese exports to [...]

More on this topic (What's this?)
Don’t Fall for This China Head Fake
China: Big Changes Coming Soon
Gold and Silver are Breaking Out
What China is Buying Now
Read more on Investing in China at Wikinvest

Two Months Later, the Economist Agrees with us on China Tariffs

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

May 22, 2007 – On September 25th of last year, I blogged about the close relationship of Goldman Sachs and the U.S. government and how it was more likely than not that Goldman Sachs dumping of 72.66% of the unleaded gas position in its commodities index right before the mid-term Congressional elections was politically motivated. [...]

More on this topic (What's this?)
Don’t Fall for This China Head Fake
China: Big Changes Coming Soon
Gold and Silver are Breaking Out
China Screws the World -- Again.
Read more on Investing in China, With US at Wikinvest

Future Chinese Stock Market Problems are being Created Now by its Banking Industry

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

16 May, 2007 – Here’s a story I’ve been meaning to write about but just haven’t had the time. The People’s Bank of China last month increased their Reserve Ratio Requirement (RRR) 50 basis points to 11% in an attempt to reduce inflationary measures. Although I don’t know if China actually enforces this RRR (in [...]

More on this topic (What's this?)
Don’t Fall for This China Head Fake
China: Big Changes Coming Soon
Gold and Silver are Breaking Out
China Screws the World -- Again.
Read more on Investing in China, Banking, RSC Holdings, Inc. at Wikinvest

Never Let Hope or Emotion Influence Your Options Decisions

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

16 May, 2007 – Case in point. With my GM puts, although they were up at one point 35% (my target was a 50% gain), I ended up selling out at a 40% loss when I got stopped out (normally I’ll set my stop-losses on options anywhere from 25% to 40%). Had in not been [...]

More on this topic (What's this?) Read more on General Motors at Wikinvest

The Telegraphed Nature of Marvel Put Options is Hurting it Right Now

Tuesday, May 8th, 2007

May 8, 2007 – The Marvel June 25 Puts have provided a good lesson that can be applied to making money in purchasing stocks. Again, I just dabble in options every now and then so by no means do I consider myself an expert in options. However, I do know enough to make money from [...]

More on this topic (What's this?) Read more on Marvel Enterprises at Wikinvest

Marvel Jun 25 Puts

Tuesday, May 8th, 2007

8 May, 2007 – Today will be the day that will likely determine whether or not this play works out or not. Normally, as I’ve reiterated before, I don’t like holding options through earnings announcements, but since I made the decision to buy in last week, I decided to take a chance with this one. [...]

More on this topic (What's this?)
25 things you should know about ETFs
This Could Kill the Market Rally
Getting to Know the Future You
The Illusion of Low Financing Rates
Read more on Marvel Enterprises, Chevalier Intl HLDG at Wikinvest

The Reason Why Investors Couldn’t Decide on Marvel Puts Last Week is Precisely Why They Can’t Build Wealth in Stocks

Monday, May 7th, 2007

7 May, 2007- I decided to re-write my article about Marvel Puts this week before the market opens tomorrow because there is an important lesson in my reasons for buying the Marvel June 25 Puts last week even if this play doesn’t turn out to be successful. And though I normally don’t blog about options [...]

More on this topic (What's this?) Read more on Marvel Enterprises at Wikinvest

Marvel June 25 Puts Anyone?

Monday, May 7th, 2007

7 May 2007 – I just spent an hour writing this morning’s blog entry about why Marvel June 25 puts were a compelling play last week and why I decided to buy in at $0.40 a contract last week (by the way they were at this exact same price when the markets opened this morning [...]

More on this topic (What's this?)
This Could Kill the Market Rally
25 things you should know about ETFs
Getting to Know the Future You
The Illusion of Low Financing Rates
Read more on Marvel Enterprises, Chevalier Intl HLDG at Wikinvest

Economic Reports Drive Short-Term Market Behavior, but They Hardly Present the Truth

Sunday, May 6th, 2007

6 May, 2006 – As again, top financial stories in the U.S. are led by investors waiting for economic reports to gauge whether the markets will go higher or will head for a steep downturn, such chatter is really very foolish. Though it is undeniable that such reports influence markets everywhere in the world, the [...]

More on this topic (What's this?) Read more on Investors at Wikinvest

The Death of the 3-Year U.S. Treasury Note

Thursday, May 3rd, 2007

3 May, 2007 – I came across a very interesting story yesterday that seemed to attract little attention among the mainstream media. This, out of Washington today: WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) – “The U.S. Treasury on Wednesday said it will end issues of three-year notes after reduced debt refunding auctions next week in response to [...]