TERN's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/128053/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/178376-yes-china-has-fully-arrived-as-a-superpower?source=feed#comment-809464 809464 China shares this with Brazil.
More than anything, this is the factor that spells continued economic growth.
When you start calling such an economy a superpower is not really material, but the absence of optimism, such as we find in Japan, Europe and the US is a brake on growth that only helps China's relative position.]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:20:45 -0500 China shares this with Brazil.
More than anything, this is the factor that spells continued economic growth.
When you start calling such an economy a superpower is not really material, but the absence of optimism, such as we find in Japan, Europe and the US is a brake on growth that only helps China's relative position.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177940-rare-earths-jack-lifton-on-safeguarding-future-supply?source=feed#comment-807387 807387 Australian government requirements have seen off the Chinese bid for Lynas.
The shareholders have now stumped up the money for the Malaysian refinery themselves and production plans are full steam ahead.]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:21:06 -0500 Australian government requirements have seen off the Chinese bid for Lynas.
The shareholders have now stumped up the money for the Malaysian refinery themselves and production plans are full steam ahead.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/178225-on-the-rare-earth-crisis-of-2009?source=feed#comment-807282 807282
As you state yourself, what is important to the investors is the company's prospects, rather than where it provides its jobs.

There are good reasons for processing close to its main future markets.]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:26:04 -0500
As you state yourself, what is important to the investors is the company's prospects, rather than where it provides its jobs.

There are good reasons for processing close to its main future markets.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177484-american-dream-2-fun-with-dick-and-jane-deleveraging?source=feed#comment-799325 799325
The States where this is possible now, need to amend their legislation, so that at least it will not happen again in the future.

This just-walk-away option has aggravated irresponsible borrowing.
To make the unethical legal and even "normal" rots the moral fiber of society.]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:58:24 -0500
The States where this is possible now, need to amend their legislation, so that at least it will not happen again in the future.

This just-walk-away option has aggravated irresponsible borrowing.
To make the unethical legal and even "normal" rots the moral fiber of society.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175060-another-crisis-looms-right-around-the-corner?source=feed#comment-778101 778101 What a contrast with the general tenor of economic expectations and comment on the opinion pages of Indian, Brazilian and Chinese media web sites. Optimism is also infectious!

Much of the American (and European) pessimism is self fulfilling and the biggest worry for the future is the political anger and the inevitable call for a "strongman".

History rhymes.]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:35:48 -0500 What a contrast with the general tenor of economic expectations and comment on the opinion pages of Indian, Brazilian and Chinese media web sites. Optimism is also infectious!

Much of the American (and European) pessimism is self fulfilling and the biggest worry for the future is the political anger and the inevitable call for a "strongman".

History rhymes.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175054-google-analytics-is-illegal-say-german-government-officials?source=feed#comment-778013 778013
how the law can make an ass of itself.]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:21:14 -0500
how the law can make an ass of itself.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174726-why-silvers-breakout-could-bring-it-out-of-golds-shadow?source=feed#comment-774051 774051
Longer term it will pay to be bullish on silver, rather than gold, because gold can always be massively destocked, while silver will be in increasing demand by a reviving economy.
Mined silver is consumed; most of the mined gold has been stacked up.]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:31:15 -0500
Longer term it will pay to be bullish on silver, rather than gold, because gold can always be massively destocked, while silver will be in increasing demand by a reviving economy.
Mined silver is consumed; most of the mined gold has been stacked up.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/169615-china-security-amp-surveillance-technology-inc-third-quarter-2009-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed#comment-736455 736455 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:13:57 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/167773-silver-futures-show-markets-are-acting-strangely?source=feed#comment-724318 724318
Only the long term price trend would be out of their hands.]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:54:07 -0400
Only the long term price trend would be out of their hands.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/149444-in-defense-of-gld?source=feed#comment-592632 592632
That said, I understand the desire of goldbugs to talk people into the physical too: it ensures less liquidity in the bullion market and thus more upward pressure to the prices.
If I had the physical bullion though, my liquidity would have to come from selling spot on the LME or perhaps futures to the COMEX.
I expect that will be Einhorn's strategy too. That he opts for the switch now, means that he thinks the spike may be several years away, making the carrying cost of GLD uneconomical.]]> Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:35:58 -0400
That said, I understand the desire of goldbugs to talk people into the physical too: it ensures less liquidity in the bullion market and thus more upward pressure to the prices.
If I had the physical bullion though, my liquidity would have to come from selling spot on the LME or perhaps futures to the COMEX.
I expect that will be Einhorn's strategy too. That he opts for the switch now, means that he thinks the spike may be several years away, making the carrying cost of GLD uneconomical.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148345-time-for-a-silver-etf-renaissance?source=feed#comment-588340 588340 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:23:12 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147952-groundbreaking-wsj-story-on-gold?source=feed#comment-583268 583268
Smart money is getting out of commodities, at least until such time that the economy shows real recovery signs and inflation becomes a reality. That might be a much as two years away.

In the meantime, owning a bit of bullion makes you feel good, but putting most of your wealth in it... pretty nervous.]]> Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:20:58 -0400
Smart money is getting out of commodities, at least until such time that the economy shows real recovery signs and inflation becomes a reality. That might be a much as two years away.

In the meantime, owning a bit of bullion makes you feel good, but putting most of your wealth in it... pretty nervous.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/147599-gold-rally-is-short-lived?source=feed#comment-580020 580020
Gold and silver could fall a bit more in the short term.]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:07:10 -0400
Gold and silver could fall a bit more in the short term.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/146706-why-you-can-t-day-trade-gold?source=feed#comment-572965 572965
With retail investors rushing in and out of GLD, has this ETF not become the tail that wags the Gold market dog?]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:35:48 -0400
With retail investors rushing in and out of GLD, has this ETF not become the tail that wags the Gold market dog?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/146320-the-politics-of-gold?source=feed#comment-570959 570959 • The more there is an Israeli threat to the survival of the regime in Iran, the more Iran will be determined to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran would withdraw from the NPT based on the argument that it needs to acquire nuclear weapons to protect its sovereignty and any further aggression by Israel and the U.S.

• A strike by Israel on Iran will give rise to regional instability and conflict as well as terrorism.

• Iran should be engaged directly by the U.S. with an agenda open to all areas of military and non-military issues that both are in agreement or disagreement. Any realistic resolution to the Iranian nuclear program will require an approach that encompasses Military, Economic, Political interests and differences of the U.S vs Iran.

• The U.S. will have to try to make Comprehensive Verification of Iran’s Nuclear Development Program one of the priorities in any diplomatic dialogue, while trying at the same time to persuade Iran to stop its enrichment program. However, in this area the U.S. will have to walk and negotiate along a very fine line between Israel’s WMD and Ballistic Missile capabilities and the Iranian Nuclear development program. The U.S. must recognize that both are very closely inter-related and are fueling each other. So the U.S. should be prepared to address both issues simultaneously while trying not to be perceived as though it has double standards when it comes to Israel.

xxxx
Not exactly an endorsement of the idea.
In simpler language: it would be utter madness.

I think the Israelis know it and gold will have to do it without the help of another war.]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:45:17 -0400 • The more there is an Israeli threat to the survival of the regime in Iran, the more Iran will be determined to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran would withdraw from the NPT based on the argument that it needs to acquire nuclear weapons to protect its sovereignty and any further aggression by Israel and the U.S.

• A strike by Israel on Iran will give rise to regional instability and conflict as well as terrorism.

• Iran should be engaged directly by the U.S. with an agenda open to all areas of military and non-military issues that both are in agreement or disagreement. Any realistic resolution to the Iranian nuclear program will require an approach that encompasses Military, Economic, Political interests and differences of the U.S vs Iran.

• The U.S. will have to try to make Comprehensive Verification of Iran’s Nuclear Development Program one of the priorities in any diplomatic dialogue, while trying at the same time to persuade Iran to stop its enrichment program. However, in this area the U.S. will have to walk and negotiate along a very fine line between Israel’s WMD and Ballistic Missile capabilities and the Iranian Nuclear development program. The U.S. must recognize that both are very closely inter-related and are fueling each other. So the U.S. should be prepared to address both issues simultaneously while trying not to be perceived as though it has double standards when it comes to Israel.

xxxx
Not exactly an endorsement of the idea.
In simpler language: it would be utter madness.

I think the Israelis know it and gold will have to do it without the help of another war.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/144099-jim-rogers-shares-his-thoughts-on-the-market?source=feed#comment-558263 558263
In the three BIC's by preference.]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:57:00 -0400
In the three BIC's by preference.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/144426-protectionism-in-china-something-to-worry-about?source=feed#comment-558177 558177
"The EU countries place a 20% VAT on all import goods into the zone. This is not called a "tariff" but it is a tax on imports. Their domestic producers do not pay VAT on exported products, so when ..."

But their domestic producers DO pay VAT on all their supplies and DO have to charge VAT to their customers, just like their competing importers. (what happens with their exported products is not relevant here)

In the EU markets, the importers and the domestic producers are treated equally, in accordance with WTO obligations. Neither can escape the VAT.
This is why VAT is not a tariff.]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:15:27 -0400
"The EU countries place a 20% VAT on all import goods into the zone. This is not called a "tariff" but it is a tax on imports. Their domestic producers do not pay VAT on exported products, so when ..."

But their domestic producers DO pay VAT on all their supplies and DO have to charge VAT to their customers, just like their competing importers. (what happens with their exported products is not relevant here)

In the EU markets, the importers and the domestic producers are treated equally, in accordance with WTO obligations. Neither can escape the VAT.
This is why VAT is not a tariff.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/143462-strange-inconsistencies-in-the-134-5-billion-bearer-bond-mystery?source=feed#comment-553520 553520
It was also reported that the bonds were accompanied by "extensive documentation" and that the two gentlemen were not held in custody.
The Japanese embassy in Rome was contacted to verify their passports. The SEC was contacted to verify the bonds.

The story is now 12 days old. Why is it that we have not heard the outcome of either verification??
Are the reporters stonewalled?

This story raises so many questions, but the biggest question is the silence in the press.]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:41:02 -0400
It was also reported that the bonds were accompanied by "extensive documentation" and that the two gentlemen were not held in custody.
The Japanese embassy in Rome was contacted to verify their passports. The SEC was contacted to verify the bonds.

The story is now 12 days old. Why is it that we have not heard the outcome of either verification??
Are the reporters stonewalled?

This story raises so many questions, but the biggest question is the silence in the press.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/144143-china-counterattacks-with-a-buy-china-policy?source=feed#comment-553480 553480 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:18:00 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/143647-as-investors-bet-on-rising-natural-gas-etf-in-flux?source=feed#comment-549935 549935 It may help us understand the unique structure of the commodity ETF's that you speak of.]]> Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:41:15 -0400 It may help us understand the unique structure of the commodity ETF's that you speak of.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/142903-what-does-etf-money-flow-tell-us-about-gold?source=feed#comment-546801 546801 As long as the US has a central bank that can print money when Treasuries fall due, the risk of default is nil.
The risk for the lenders is receiving devalued dollars.]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:30:08 -0400 As long as the US has a central bank that can print money when Treasuries fall due, the risk of default is nil.
The risk for the lenders is receiving devalued dollars.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/142619-why-i-would-sell-platinum-and-buy-palladium?source=feed#comment-543251 543251 Perhaps someone knowledgeable can enlighten us on this.]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:11:18 -0400 Perhaps someone knowledgeable can enlighten us on this.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/141851-the-coming-economic-collapse-part-2?source=feed#comment-539792 539792 Outsourcing is the free (labor) market in action. It has enabled wealth creation in countries that otherwise would be dependent on aid to avoid famine.
It has allowed companies to dramatically increase profitability, both on the employing and the employees side.
The American jobs that were the first candidates for outsourcing were the blatantly uneconomic ones.

The internet has now added an entire new dimension to outsourcing of jobs and will make it impossible to reverse or even slow down, without draconian limitations on economic freedoms.

Compared to the rest of the world, Americans have been overpaid.
In the longer run, wage rates will tend to a global equilibrium.
Wage protectionism is self-defeating. ]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:04:44 -0400 Outsourcing is the free (labor) market in action. It has enabled wealth creation in countries that otherwise would be dependent on aid to avoid famine.
It has allowed companies to dramatically increase profitability, both on the employing and the employees side.
The American jobs that were the first candidates for outsourcing were the blatantly uneconomic ones.

The internet has now added an entire new dimension to outsourcing of jobs and will make it impossible to reverse or even slow down, without draconian limitations on economic freedoms.

Compared to the rest of the world, Americans have been overpaid.
In the longer run, wage rates will tend to a global equilibrium.
Wage protectionism is self-defeating. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/141632-gold-as-an-inflation-hedge?source=feed#comment-536519 536519 "CAUTION TO OTHERS:
Remember that most homeowners insurance policies only cover up to $200 in bullion. If you do hold physical Gold/Silver/PMEs, you can increase your insurance limits with a rider on your insurance policy."

Glad you mentioned that. After having a strange experience with lots of unsolicited calls from insurance companies, just when I happened to have cancelled a policy, I consider some insurances (such as home content) liabilities rather than assets, due to possible "leakage" from their databases.

Better to rely on solid alarm systems or professional (overseas) custodians.]]> Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:03:26 -0400 "CAUTION TO OTHERS:
Remember that most homeowners insurance policies only cover up to $200 in bullion. If you do hold physical Gold/Silver/PMEs, you can increase your insurance limits with a rider on your insurance policy."

Glad you mentioned that. After having a strange experience with lots of unsolicited calls from insurance companies, just when I happened to have cancelled a policy, I consider some insurances (such as home content) liabilities rather than assets, due to possible "leakage" from their databases.

Better to rely on solid alarm systems or professional (overseas) custodians.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/141310-insider-trading-at-the-sec-what-if-they-gave-an-audit-and-nobody-came?source=feed#comment-536456 536456
Like for politicians with conflicts of interest, there should be "blind trust" arrangements for all staff of regulatory agencies that come into knowledge of market-sensitive information.]]> Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:45:10 -0400
Like for politicians with conflicts of interest, there should be "blind trust" arrangements for all staff of regulatory agencies that come into knowledge of market-sensitive information.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/140812-why-to-avoid-heavily-promoted-investments?source=feed#comment-527786 527786 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:43:34 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/140812-why-to-avoid-heavily-promoted-investments?source=feed#comment-527743 527743
Selling the gold-spike in 1980 was mighty profitable.
Sitting on gold for the following 20 years was not.

Does that mean that now is NOT another time to trade a gold -spike??]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:22:12 -0400
Selling the gold-spike in 1980 was mighty profitable.
Sitting on gold for the following 20 years was not.

Does that mean that now is NOT another time to trade a gold -spike??]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/140366-six-trends-to-profit-from?source=feed#comment-525794 525794
How come you leave out the most investment-relevant trends of all: the rise of hard-working and frugal China and India?]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 21:41:16 -0400
How come you leave out the most investment-relevant trends of all: the rise of hard-working and frugal China and India?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/140035-jim-sinclair-9-immediate-predictions-for-gold?source=feed#comment-522185 522185
Do you only look at this from from the point of view of gold price or the preservation of your wealth??]]> Thu, 28 May 2009 21:04:40 -0400
Do you only look at this from from the point of view of gold price or the preservation of your wealth??]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/139588-u-s-treasury-owned-gold-what-can-it-buy?source=feed#comment-520804 520804
Yes, but if you want to see the treasury actually do something with that "reserve" like paying half of TARP, you will find that the market won't absorb 258 million ounces at anything like the current market prices.

Gold , when dumped, is just as vulnerable as T-Bonds.

That is why I prefer silver or the other precious metals: they are needed in industry and there *are* no reserves to be dumped.]]> Thu, 28 May 2009 06:38:59 -0400
Yes, but if you want to see the treasury actually do something with that "reserve" like paying half of TARP, you will find that the market won't absorb 258 million ounces at anything like the current market prices.

Gold , when dumped, is just as vulnerable as T-Bonds.

That is why I prefer silver or the other precious metals: they are needed in industry and there *are* no reserves to be dumped.]]>