ETFdesk's  Instablog

An Iranian nuclear bomb, or the bombing of Iran?

Posted: 06 Dec 2009 11:51 AM PST

After years of fruitless diplomacy, Iran is on the threshold of becoming a nuclear power. The options are grim

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy United States Oil Fund LP (USO); 

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Bull Market Shows Signs of Aging

Posted: 06 Dec 2009 01:38 PM PST

On the surface, things look pretty good in stock land, with indexes on the rise. But when analysts check the engine behind the recent growth, they see things that make them worry.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell DJIA DIAMONDS (DIA); sell S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); sell Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (QQQQ); sell iShares Russell 2000 (IWM); 

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Ousted Gundlach Angled for TCW's Top Job

Posted: 06 Dec 2009 11:46 PM PST

TCW Group ousted its chief investment officer, Jeffrey Gundlach, and announced a deal to buy a rival money manager after what the firm describes as threats by Mr. Gundlach to leave and take some key staffers with him.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell TCW Strategic Income Fund Inc. (TSI); 

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Alcoa says weak dollar is bad for US industry

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 12:00 AM PST

“It is actually hurting us substantially. There is this thought in the US that a weak dollar has been an additional stimulus programme for US companies.” But, he said, “most [US manufacturing companies] have an even larger manufacturing base today outside of the US”.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares S&P 100 Index Fund (OEF); 

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LaSalle warns of dangers in property market

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 12:01 AM PST

The outlook is also cloudy in countries such as the UK, where excess money from monetary and fiscal stimulus policies has been flowing back into property ahead of a recovery in the fundamentals of property value, such as occupier demand.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares DJ US Real Estate (IYR); 

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Options Signal Stock Peril as Analysts See Profits

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 12:03 AM PST

S&P 500 options to protect against declines in stocks over the next year cost 22 percent more than one-month contracts, the highest since 1999, data compiled by London-based Barclays Plc and Bloomberg show. The gap shows concern that analyst estimates for record earnings by 2011 may prove exaggerated, endangering an advance that pushed the S&P 500 up 63 percent since March. 

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); 

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Gold Can’t Beat Checking Accounts 30 Years After Peak

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 12:18 AM PST

Gold’s best year in three decades has yet to match the returns of an interest-bearing checking account for anyone who bought the most malleable of metals coveted for at least 5,000 years during the last peak in January, 1980. 

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX); sell streetTRACKS Gold Trust (GLD); sell Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ); 

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[Outlook 2010] JPM targets 20% gain for Euro equities

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 12:41 AM PST

Markets may have rebounded by 60 per cent since March, forecasts might look punchy, the consumer backdrop challenging and there’s the possibility of a dramatic bond market sell off and policy normalisation ahead. But in spite of all that, JP Morgan remains bullish on European equities.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Vanguard European ETF (VGK); buy streetTRACKS Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Fund (FEZ); buy iShares S&P Europe 350 Index (IEV); 

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Bolivia eyes lithium deposits

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 12:43 AM PST

Could be a negative for Chile

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares MSCI Chile Index Fund   (ECH); 

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