Filed under: Major Movement , Competitive Strategy , Barrick Gold (ABX) , Commodities , Federal Reserve Back in the late 1970s, the Hunt brothers from Texas tried to corner the silver market . That drove prices to $48 an ounce. Now, 31 years later, silver is shooting higher again. The March silver futures contract closed at $32.296 per ounce , up 72 cents. Since gold is expensive, investors are turning to silver to hedge against inflation. Many fear that the Federal Reserve will not be able to control the spike in commodity prices. The Fed is buying $600 billion of treasuries and keeping interest rates near zero. Continue reading Silver Near a 31-Year High Silver Near a 31-Year High originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Market Week Wrap-up
– Leading global equity indices continued floating upwards this week while the inflation drumbeat just kept getting louder. In the US, the January y/y CPI figure hit +1.6%, its highest level since last spring, and some analysts were alarmed by higher food prices creeping into CPI data sooner than expected. China’s January CPI report was lower than expected at +4.9% y/y, but markets panned the figures as heavily massaged by basket revisions. In the UK, the BoE said CPI would likely continue growing at a 4-5% clip over the short term. The World Bank released a report indicating that food prices were up 15% since October 2010 and are now only 3% away from record highs hit in 2008. Commodities moves complicated the story somewhat. While silver has pushed out to 30-year highs, there were signs that inflated soft commodity prices were beginning to unwind, with cotton and grain prices both below recent highs. Crude and gold prices have been impacted by reports that Iran is sending warships through the Suez Canal and bloody protests in Bahrain (next door to Saudi Arabia), although WTI futures were well below recent highs seen in early February. The Obama Administration unveiled its $3.73T budget proposal for 2012, including an all-time high deficit of $1.65T, reflecting the tax-cut agreement reached with Republicans in December. For 2012, the administration sees the imbalance declining to $1.1T, giving the country a record four straight years of one trillion-plus deficits. Bond prices held steady after the details were released, and Congress sharpened its knives for a budget fight. The Feb Empire Manufacturing survey hit its highest level since last June, indicating that the US manufacturing expansion seen over the last several months is continuing. On Friday there was plenty of commentary out of the G20 conference, where leaders tried mightily to achieve some concrete steps in reforming the global monetary system. Fed Chairman Bernanke took a swipe at the Chinese in his policy address to the G20, warning that nations which keep currency values low create imbalances, while the PBoC’s Zhou continued to push for a higher profile for the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). For the week, the DJIA rose 1.0%, the Nasdaq gained 0.9% and the S&P500 was up 1.0%. – John Deere crushed earnings and revenue targets in its Q1 report and nearly doubled its guidance for FY11 equipment sales. The firm hiked its sales guidance for its key agriculture and construction units as well, and said its Q2 revenue would blow out consensus estimates. Later in the week Caterpillar released very favorable dealer metrics for the month of January, with North America machinery sales up a whopping 58% y/y in the month. – Iron ore miner Cliffs Natural Resources reported very strong Q4 profits on a big y/y gain in iron ore pricing. The company expects global steel production to continue to grow in 2011, although it warned that spot iron ore prices are unsustainably high. Reliance Steel also blew out earnings estimates, and said pricing would remain strong at least through the first quarter of 2011. – In tech, Dell’s profit was way ahead of the consensus in its Q4 report, thanks to a big improvement in margins. The company said it believes the corporate IT…
Market Wrap-Up for Feb.18 (JWN, CF, DLR, SWK, EOG, WTW, more)
We’re saw a gradual rise for the DOW as other indices remained fairly flat, finishing what has been a generally solid week for the averages. We added a new yield-focused name to our recommended list today, while also removing three growth names from our list as well. Be sure to check out Dividend.com Premium for those stories if you did not read the e-mail alerts we sent out earlier today. Elsewhere, earnings results are lifting shares of Digital Realty Trust ( DLR ), a recent addition to our recommended list. Nordstrom ( JWN ) bounced off of earlier levels and closed higher following the company’s earnings report, as well as news the company was buying a private sales e-commerce company. Wall Street upgrades pushed several stocks higher, including Stanley Black & Decker ( SWK ), EOG Resources ( EOG ), and Raytheon ( RTN ). On the downside, fertilizer play CF Industries ( CF ) sold off after reporting better-than-expected results. Weight Watchers ( WTW ) also gave back just a smidgen of yesterday’s huge gains. The speculation in the venture capital space continues to rage on as we continue to hear about huge rounds of money being raised at ever-climbing market valuations. Mark Cuban just came out with some comments that echoed what I have been saying about the “game” that is going on, where eventually regular investors get burned with the usual late invitations to participate (post-IPO after the insiders have already cashed…
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM): Tech Turnaround
Filed under: China , Newsletters , Stocks to Buy “Taiwan’s economy and its stock market should post solid growth in 2011; we also see warming relations between the island of Taiwan and mainland China,” suggests global specialist Yiannis Mostrous . The editor of The Silk Road Investor explains, “Technology should be a major beneficiary of these near-term themes and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( TSM ) is our favorite stock for exposure to the technology turnaround. “Demand for notebook computers remains solid and mobile phones are expected to sell strongly during the Chinese New Year holiday this week, which will lead to inventory restocking. Continue reading Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM): Tech Turnaround Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM): Tech Turnaround originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments
Market Wrap-Up for Feb.17 (WTW, DPS, CLF, WMB, KO, LO, SJM, more)
It was an overall steady day for the markets, along with a decent number of dividend payouts coming over the wires. Earnings boosted several dividend names, but the biggest winner of the day was Weight Watchers ( WTW ) after the company just stunned analysts with the size of its 2011 earnings estimates. Shares of WTW rallied over $20 this morning on that news. Other earnings plays that had a good day included recently-recommended name Dr. Pepper Snapple Group ( DPS ). Cliffs Natural Resources ( CLF ) and J.M. Smucker Company ( SJM ) traded in the green as well following earnings results. Williams Co. ( WMB ) was up on news the company will be splitting in two. The company also announced a dividend boost. Late in the morning, beverage giant Coca-Cola ( KO ) announced a 7% increase in its dividend payout. Tobacco play Lorillard ( LO ) announced a 16% increase in its dividend payout to lift shares almost 2%. We had removed shares of Lorillard from our recommended list recently on concerns we have surrounding the coming FDA judgement/opinion on use of menthol in cigarettes, which accounts for the majority of Lorillard’s sales. I have to admit, I am a big fan of American Idol. My kids and I really enjoy the whole “dreams can come true” mindset for the contestants. Last night was another episode of “cut-downs” as singers needed to perform as part of groups. It’s always interesting to see the type of friction this can cause as egos are clashing everywhere you turn. What amazes me is that often times the individual performers that we thought were amazing on their own, begin to crumble when taken into a different situation. They lose sight of what needs to be done to get through to the next rounds. You see some completely unravel and throw the opportunity they had once cherished right down the drain. This phenomenon isn’t unlike the investing world in that many individuals know what needs to get done to build wealth, but for some reason or another, can not seize the moment. Whether it is just putting some extra coin to the side every month, spending some money to find quality research and investment ideas, or swallowing their pride when an investment idea doesn’t pan out, investors consistently make big mistakes. I know the market continues to move higher and some people may be waiting for a pullback. There is nothing wrong with doing so, but don’t skip your monthly investments you can be making because of that. There are plenty of good yield plays that you can still find to put money to work in, even after the nice run the market has had. Taking financial responsibility and knowing what you can afford to do is the key. I talk about investing in quality dividend-paying stocks as a great way to build up your future income, but if you are spending like there’s no tomorrow as well, then that is a risk that could eventually negate all the good you might be doing on the investment side. Saving is a mantra that needs to also be adopted…
Will Android Capture First Place?
Filed under: Internet , Competitive Strategy , Google (GOOG) , Smartphones , Technology If we look back to the days of the search engine revolution, Google ( GOOG) built not only the most powerful search engine, but a business model based on that search engine that has made the company No. 1 in that category. The company is on the move again — and Google’s Android is leading the way. Google sees the next leg of the Internet revolution in the smart phone, tablet and e-reader market — and there’s already a fierce battle raging. Google’s Android is making inroads into the iPhone turf. How deep is the penetration? Singapore research firm Canalys said, ” Google shipped twice as many devices as Apple’s iPhone. in the fourth quarter,” capturing 33% of shipments, up from 8.7% a year ago. Continue reading Will Android Capture First Place? Will Android Capture First Place? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments
How Gold Could Save America from Nazi Theory
Keynesian economics is the root of economic problems for most countries around the world today. So it’s important to understand both what Keynesian economics stands for and what the opposing brand of economic thinking called Classical economics maintains. In a nutshell… Classical Economics: Keynesian Economics: Thrift, hard work, and productivity are virtues. The classical gold standard restrains the state from inflating and provides a stable monetary environment in which the economy can flourish. Government should strive for balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility. The state should adopt a general policy of laissez-faire of non-interventionism in economic affairs: low taxes, free trade, and minimal bureaucracy. Production is more important than consumption. Say’s Law: Supply is more important than demand since supply of one good creates the demand for another. An increase in savings can contract income and reduce economic growth. Consumption is more important than production, thus turning Say’s Law upside down. There is no need for a gold standard; fiat currency is preferable. Demand is more important than supply. Teaches that governments and politicians can be trusted. It’s no wonder politicians love Keynesian economics over Classical economics. To control the economy, most governments around the world have been using Keynesian economics for the past 75 years. It is the only economic thought that is taught in the schools and universities. “They” want us to believe they are wise and intelligent souls who know what is best for us. But nothing could be further from the truth throughout most of economic history… Read this quote from Adolf Hitler, who openly embraced Keynesian ideas: Gold is not necessary. I have no interest in gold. We will build a solid state, without an ounce of gold behind it. Anyone who sells above the set prices, let him be marched off to a concentration camp. That’s the bastion of money. The Nazis’ economic success when Hitler first came into power was a result of Hitler cooking the books. The rest of his time in power goes down in history as one of the worst atrocities in the history of mankind. Only two other twisted power-seeking devils in the annals of time are responsible for the killing of more people than Hitler &mdash…
Oil Services Favorites: Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco
Filed under: Newsletters , Schlumberger Limited (SLB) , Commodities , Oil , Stocks to Buy “Oil had a good year in 2010, rising 15 percent, and 2011 looks to be even better, as a stronger global economy pushes demand for resources higher,” says Stephen Leeb . The editor of The Complete Investor explains, “Oil service and equipment companies are the most leveraged way to play rising oil prices. Here’s a look a Schlumberger ( SLB ) and National Oilwell Varco ( NOV ). “First is Schlumberger, operating in more than 80 countries. The company is the world’s leading supplier of energy technology, project management, and information solutions. Continue reading Oil Services Favorites: Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco Oil Services Favorites: Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments
A Self-Employed Carpenter’s Thoughts on the Future
The world is changing. Currently, as a nation, we have a large and well-trained section of our work force dedicated to residential construction. Unemployment within the construction industry now exceeds 20%. That number takes into account only workers getting unemployment compensation. There are also many self-employed individuals, ineligible for unemployment compensation, who have simply run out of customers and work. That is the bad news. Now the worse news: Not only are those jobs not coming back, but the construction industry will continue to diminish for the foreseeable future. The real estate glut is not on hold; it is over. Waiting for its return is similar to waiting for next the big surge in typewriters, 35mm cameras, and home phones. Why are the construction jobs not coming back? There are three main reasons, the first of which is inflation. Decades of credit expansion and the recent printing of money (quantitative easing) have increased the overall volume of our fiat currency: dollars. Therefore, the value of each dollar unit has been reduced, causing prices to rise. This results in increased costs in construction of new homes. Higher new construction costs make staying in and repairing older structures, or renting, more attractive. The second reason is fuel costs. Living rurally and working in urban areas is becoming very expensive. Reasons one and two will keep an increasing number of younger workers and couples living and renting closer to work. Why take the financial and mobility risks associated with homeownership? The third reason is we are broke. Who are “weâ€? Western civilization, comprised mainly of the U.S. and Europe. Consider this…there are gold and silver coins and bullion: actual wealth storage vehicles. There are paper dollars: temporary wealth storage vehicles. And there are also trillions of “dollars†represented as pixels on screens in accounting software programs. When I say that we are broke it is because I don’t believe those pixel dollars represent anything. All of the wealth supposedly held in those pixels does not exist. It is a classic Ponzi scheme. If you go today and convert your pixels to actual dollars, everything is just fine. But if 10% of us go today and try to convert our pixels into dollars, the banks will shut down…Why? Because the money doesn’t exist. There is no actual wealth stored in any of those pixels. Spain and Portugal may require financial bailouts in 2011. Part of the fallout from the Greek financial crisis last year was the creation of a eurozone bailout fund of $1.01 trillion. That fund could be used to assist Spain and Portugal if necessary. Where did that $1.01 trillion come from? Was it removed from another sector of Europe’s economy? Supplied in gold bullion to EU headquarters in The Hague? Removed from the savings accounts of earnest Europeans? No, none of those could supply …
