Brett Cole

Sentiment Overview: Watch Out for Crosswinds

Babak, how do we find Consensus? 78% bulls on gold?

Three Asset Classes that Can Actually Outpace Coming Inflationary Price Increases

While I have agreed with all your posts and made money on the reflation plays over the past year myself, doesn't the short dollar trade at least in the short run seem to be ultra crowded. I believe there was only 5% bulls on the dollar and 95% bulls on precious metals and commodities in Sept. (Reminder: There were less than 10% bulls on the stock market in Feb./March and looked what happened)...

In my opinion, even with high unemployment and problems with leveraged loans and CRE, Bernanke and co. will have to start defending the dollar, or else your base case unfortunately will come absolutely true.

Just throwing out the devils advocate position. (Either way its not a good situation at all. People are in for more suspense to say the least).

Ron Paul on the Economy

Badddd Idea... Is he trying to sink the dollar if we found anything wrong??

Has the Well of Merrill REIT Offerings Suddenly Run Dry?

What is your outlook for SRS??

Unraveling the Housing Glut

Important Question: Do the household formation numbers account for all the young adults moving back home to save money or because of a job loss? If not, yes there will eventually be pent up demand, however, this is defintely not likely to be the case in 2009.

Inflation Is in Our Future...Not Deflation

If you didn't understand economics, this would have been so confusing after seeing the title. Don't worry man, we've all made oops's...

Commercial Real Estate Hits 7-Year Low

Whatever the data says, who cares, I don't trust it . Transactions are down significantly and the CMBS market is like a deer in headlights. Therefore, who the hell knows what these semi-illiquid assets are worth at a time like this...?

What $700 Billion Could Buy

Your assumption that the $700 Billion is a sunk cost is just that...An assumption. Potentially those illiquid assets could be bought and sold for a minimal loss/gain to private distressed funds with major players as investors.

The Long Case for Apple

As a shareholder, I was extremely upset and confused with the service at one of the stores in Miami on Licoln Road. I was ready to come in and buy the new iphone and the two year contract, but took forever to get any help. Since you are not able to buy it online, I went with the blackberry instead and they lost out on the sale and contract.

From a valuation standpoint, Apple looks attractive still. They just need to get there act together...

Why It's Time to Invest in Domestic Banks

Agreed. UYG has been negatively correlated with the VIX which hit a high of 38 on Tuesday. Early in the week was a great time to buy on fear... But UYG is leveraged, isn't it? Therefore, not quite a fair comparison to Nasdaq post internet bubble...

Miami Condo Vultures: A Fool's Game

Couldn't agree with you more. Still 18 to 24 months away from a potential bottom, as spreads between mortgage rates and the 10 year treasury should continue to widen. I've been watching rent prices begin to fall as inventory build is gaining and owners are eating a tremendous net loss every month while prices continue to fall.

The beach, especially high end units on South Beach are probably more protected on the downside like a Manhattan vs. other parts of NY. On the Ocean, the Setai and the new W seem to be doing just fine at getting almost $2,000/ sq. ft.