specks

Royal Bank Upgraded on Q3 Results

You know, if I were able to show my southern California house at the price I paid for it at the peak rather than at the market price, I would be extremely profitable also!
However, the bank expects, and demands, a different calculation from me than from itself!!
Fair?? Hell no!
But who's in control?

The Real Price of Crude Oil

Phil Erlager, professor out of U of Calgary, says we are short term out of storage and, with use declining, there will be no place to store crude. We are out of storage space, apparently, and with seasonal price declines, the rate of price decline will accelerate.
How many ships off-shore??
I don't know!

U.S. vs. Canada: Banking Edition

Last autumn, the sales valve was shut off for a few months only. Just enough time to replenish the bubbly! Now, when the USA decline finally gives our bottle a good shaking, what do you think will happen when our cork pops?

Comparing Today's Bank Crisis to the Past

For all you historians, the Great Depression of the 30's was preceded by two former Great Depressions going back to around 1790!!
Et tu Brutus and Caesar .......?

Housing Market Bottom Talk Intensifies

Insiders at Toll still selling!
Caveat emptor!!!

Good News for TD, CIBC in Bank of Montreal Earnings

where is Dan Amoss now Agora Financial???

Tuesday Outlook: Commodities, Global Markets

I just want to comment that there is so much noise as information available today that it's tough to sort out trash from truth.
Honestly?
I'm totally confused as to what's really happening!

Canadian Real Estate Braces for Continuing Losses

I am outside of Toronto now but when I was there it absolutely amazed me how many big-box, self-standing, mono-occupant, individual stores had been created especially in the burbs! Just a normal over-expansion, as always.
I'd stay away from all of them; especially with the falling CAD$.

Expecting a Sell-Off: 35 Ways to Protect for Less

I've had similar problems also and thought my system was being attacked by the worm as I use a local library internet service.
FYI.

Home Renovation Sector Still Faces Economic Headwinds

I listened to Tom Keene interview Patty Edwards who expressed concern cash for clunkers has taken a car payment chunk of $400 a month out of the rest of retail. Sounds logical. And all other sales are down. Plus, stores are short of inventory and that which is available seems to be geared to depression type attitude.

Has the Dollar Hit a Major Bottom?

For my money, I would prefer someone who admits they are wrong. If I can be right 50% of the time I'm in the 'Hall of Fame' and then some!!
I've found Prechter to be a good resource.

Banks' Problem Loans Keep Growing

I've just finished Friedman/Schwartz and a follow-up by an author who's name escapes me. The banks that collapsed in the 30's did so late in the cycle. Don't forget that the bank "HOLIDAYS" largely took place in '33. And the latter author wrote, "Banking unrest in Pittsburg, Philadelphia, and especially Chicago was directly related to depreciated real estate values in 1931." Also, "The absence of statistics on the default rate on real estate loans, both farm and non-farm, prevents any assessment of the risks involved in real estate lending."
So I keep in mind the 'dustbowl' and the farmers out west losing their crops. Plus we know there was high unemployment and you need a job to pay for a house. 1 in 3 without a job!! Moreover, if you want to keep something secret, don't write about it in the papers!

Canadian Housing Market Rebounds

I think this is the 'oomph' that finishes wave 5.

Canadian Real Estate Not a Bubble

You know, I was looking for Canadian House Price data as it relates to averages, just last week. I wanted to measure these statistics against the USA data. And it is amazing at just how little is available and more so when trying to do an evaluation.
However, it seems to me that if the average house price in california is now in the 250 to 300 range, then Toronto or Vancouver properties cannot be worth much more.
Yet try to buy one for that price anywhere except perhaps in Newfoundland!

Top IEA Economist: Peak Oil by 2020

The peak oil theory is suspect. The huge rise to $147 was due to build-up of reserves to unpredented levels as well as "all commodity" rise. Look for oil to be $20 per barrel before year end.