Microcap Speculator

3x ETFs Are Wealth Destroyers

Ryan,

You asked re what tool I would use to gain exposure to a specific sector. That would depend on the sector. For example, if it was the tech sector I would probably use either 1x ETFs or Nasdaq futures but at well under the permitted leverage. If it was something more granular, like homebuilders, I would use either a 1x ETF or if I wanted leverage, an option spread on a 1x ETF or sector leader.

The point of my article was not that sector bets, or even leveraged sector bets, are bad. I only aimed to demonstrate how poor the 3x ETFs are as tools to make extended leveraged bets.

It is true that the companies admit they are not designed for overnight use. They also admit that there will be tracking errors. However, a lot of HNW investment advisors are currently pushing those tools as a means of making a long-term leveraged market bet.

I hope that I have addressed your question. If not feel free to shoot me an email or comment on my blog (I follow those a little more closely and will respond more quickly).

Towerstream: Cost Structure Is Too High

@ILTBF: There is no doubt that sg&a has ballooned as a result of the increased sales personnel. That expense is reflected in the company's Q and my analysis, as are the results that the sales team have achieved to date. If you are asking whether I have factored a projection of increased future sales growth as a result of these efforts, I have not. While I hope the company's sales push is successful, I am going to wait to see the actual numbers rather than anticipate a particular result.

Sex May Sell, But Is It Profitable?

NOOF reported its highest quarterly revenues ever last quarter. So while there may be some logical appeal to your idea that the internet may "crush" these businesses, the facts point in the other direction.

Crystallex: Units Offer Is Not a Good Sign

Fred, you bring up an interesting point. If you look at the short form prospectus -- available on sedar.com because KRY is a Canadian company -- it looks like the underwriters are purchasing the shares for distribution to retail investors. In other words, I see no indication that a notable private investor or insider is taking a stake.

5 Picks Prove the Moral High Road Does Not Lead to Investment Success

Sorry for the html - should read microcapspeculator.net

5 Picks Prove the Moral High Road Does Not Lead to Investment Success

You can thank the editors at Seeking Alpha for butchering the title. On my blog the article is titled "Microcap Vice: 5 companies taking the low road to high profits."

Interactive Q&A: Simon Fu, CFO of China Expert Technology (CXTI.OB)

Simon,

First, congratulations on a few very successful years. I have several questions, and to the extent you can answer them I would greatly appreciate it:

1. CXTI has landed numerous substantial e-government contracts in the Fujian province. At some point, I imagine that most of the larger governments will have at least a basic level of e-government services in place and the contracts will shift from larger implementation projects to smaller maintenance and improvement contracts. Is this assumption correct, and if so when do you see the market in Fujian maturing?

2. CXTI has recently announced contracts outside Fujian province. Looking out three to five years, what percentage of new revenues would you expect to see from non-Fujian contracts? How important has the consultant CXTI retained been in landing these contracts?

3. Now that CXTI has cleared up the debentures, what steps does it intend to take to upgrade its listing to Amex or (preferably) Nasdaq smallcap?

4. Are there any changes likely in the tax rates paid by CXTI in coming years?

Thank you for your consideration of these issues.

The Microcap Speculator
my articles on CXTI