Alan Young

The Smart Grid Gets Its Own ETF

I agree this is an important niche that deserves its own ETF. But why is the biggest position in a PV-solar play? That's hardly related, much less essential, to a smart grid. It makes me think that the index is not well constructed to fit the investment thesis.

Opportunities in the Wind Energy Value Chain

Thanks for the useful analysis!

A Guide to Investing in the Next Decade

Thoughtful sector ideas--thanks. And the chart is certainly striking. A good market timer wouldn't have to worry about stock-picking...

Will Pickens' Scrapped Project Slow Wind Energy Momentum?

Thanks for filling in the details. It's certainly true that the grid infrastructure has to be put in place for any major new development; but we need better grid anyway. It's just a matter of when.

The Differences Between Chinese and U.S. Economic Recoveries

Comment stream has gone in a different direction from the headline--that's where I want to check in.

Signals from China are mixed. The SSE index is one indicator, but since the government controls the bulk of stock shares, the prices can be easily manipulated. Therefore, I wouldn't rely on that alone.

Areas that were booming with the export economy are in a serious slump, but that's not the whole story either. I like the author's approach of looking at resource utilization, commodities and energy, as a more persuasive indicator of the overall economic trend.

Five American Innovators to Buy During the Current Downturn

First about, your picks:

Boeing is in debt, and is struggling to keep a sliver of the hugely-bloated military procurement business. The market for commercial aircraft is nearly dead. If you're counting on China, how loyal to Boeing do you expect them to be? They are surely producing their own aircraft, and their fleet expansion will slow down.

Newmont--trailing P/E of 700.

AMSC hasn't turned a profit. It has potential, but it's speculative.

Zoltec's main product is airplane brake pads. See Boeing comment.

RIG is a falling knife, although it might have value when it finds a bottom.

Now about your rationale:

"Moral" ideals--sure. Mine don't include building bombers and amassing gold, but you are welcome to your own.

Nationalistic ideals? Everyone matters? Wow, that's nice to know. So the traders and speculators who pocketed the trillions of $$ lost in the mortgage scam, and the savings-and-loan scam before that, are going to share their gain with all of us? When that happens, I'll gladly reinvest my share in the US market.
... But wait--aren't you Canadian? Why are you telling American readers to be nationalistic?