jarco

Winmill: Don't Be Surprised By $2,400/oz Gold

Insightful comments. Sounds very similar to Tom Freidman's take on recent Charlie Rose interview. Did you watch? Regrettably, few heard; fewer yet grasp the issue.


On Nov 21 05:50 PM The Recusant wrote:

> What is pushing the price of gold up on a steady climb without spikes
> is the realization of more and more investors, be it retail or fund
> managers, that the dollar is a goner and a good dose of inflation
> will be hitting us in a year or so. And as that dreadful situation
> approaches closer with each month of rising unemployment, loan defaults,
> dollar devaluation, and more stimulus, the price of gold will climb
> higher. We may see one big dip when they try to artificially boost
> the value of the dollar, but as more countries divest themselves
> of greenbacks in favor of hoarding "the precious stuff", the signs
> will be clearer that it's time to get back to basics and buy commodities
> and safe havens to protect one's wealth.
>
> Until the U.S. Government can rid itself of favoring the financial
> and military establishments, we will continue on a slow spiral toward
> inflation and if not corrected, default on government notes. We need
> to start making radical changes to the way our representatives in
> D.C. do business before it is really too late. Reform the lobbying
> regulations, get business out of government, change the term limits,
> reduce spending and money printing, revise entitlements, and the
> list goes on and on. What can WE do, let your congressmen and senators
> know what YOU think. The U.S. is the most important country in the
> world, let's not blow it.

Con Ed: Slow and Steady Wins the Dividend Race

I too would be interested in the answer to your question.

Meanwhile, other than ED, I own and would recommend consideration of CNP and a number of more "conventional " Electric Utilities (e.g. D, DUK, XEL).

Both ED and CNP are primary distributors and therefore escaping the power generation risks. I recently sold SO and likely will reduce or eliminate DUK due to coal exposure.

For pure income, I prefer bonds over common stock and have positions in about 12 other utilities


On Nov 20 06:14 PM Gtarras wrote:

> what other utilities would you recommend? TIA.

Ethanol vs. Natural Gas or Coal: Comparison Not Even Close

Oh contrare. Using NG for cars, etc will indeed require new systems. A whole new and expensive infrastructure along Americas highways and all new filling stations. I was involved in a propane conversion for a delivery truck fleet. Prohibitive hidden and apparent costs


On Nov 19 12:41 PM jack kreg wrote:

> excellent article, coal and NG are American fuels, and the country
> badly needs them incorporated into our energy industry. Perhaps,
> NG should be used to reduce coal use in power plants in the short
> term, and coal-to-clean fuel developed for our longer term liquid
> fuel needs.
> So, near term, lets get NG into more power plants replacing the oldest
> coal plants first, AND
> Second, lets begin to rapidly convert our transportation systems
> to run on compressed NG, as much as possible, cars, trucks, buses
> can be converted, new systems are not required, simply conversion.
> We will also need to address the delivery of compressed NG to the
> consumer.
>
> Great Article, I just sent President Obama a compelling email for
> him to replace the current Sec of Energy with none other than yourself.
>
> Hope that you will hold your nose and accept.
> thanks for excellent article.

Ethanol vs. Natural Gas or Coal: Comparison Not Even Close

Are you kidding?? Tar Sands Oil and Coal are the worst energy sources known to man. Inefficient oil and dirty coal. Making either environmentally clean will double the resulting energy price


On Nov 19 07:17 AM very rare wrote:

> Very good article. I believe our oil days are done and we need to
> concentrate on coal. Use the technology to make it clean burning
> and let the other countries buy the foreign oil that made us dependent
> on them for so long. We can get the oil we need from oil sands that
> we and our good neighbors, Canada have.

Will U.S. Allow China to Buy More Gulf of Mexico Oil Assets?

What dividends? Last time I looked the yield was 1%, yes?
And Jim Cramer recently recommended. Gag. Run, run, run . . .


On Nov 17 10:03 AM JET1C wrote:

> Whatever, my NAT is looking better and better.
>
> Lovin those dividends.

Barron's on ExxonMobil: 'What a Gusher'

I prefer the contrary outlook. The key to oil is discovery and the potential for XOM given its size is exponentially diminishing. They made significant pre-shale investments in natural gas but unfortunately for them nearly all in "conventional" plays as opposed to shale where XTO, CHK, et al have found major albeit market cheap discoveries.

Having been in big oil positions (XOM & COP, for example) for the last 20 years, its time to move on to smaller more nimble players.

Refiner Dividends: The Bad News Keeps Coming

Bonds continue to look attractive in this space. Yields are predictably higher than any other high value asset plays.

Disclosure: Own TSO and VLO bonds with 2011-2012 maturities

3 Reasons Not to Believe In Gold's Recent Rally

Unlike oil, gold is not 100% consumed. A large portion (65%) used for jewerery varies by +/- 5% whereas total worldwide oil demand does not and is growing at a faster rate.

It's becoming almost as hard to find oil as it is to find gold these days. Since each seem to have relatively finite supplies and both are tied to the $US, isn't it more prudent to concentrate on the one with higher and more predictable consumption?

The Dodd Bill: Generally Very Good

Think about it. The answer is: Chris Dodd and Barney Frank.

And the question is: " "Name two politicians who know the least about financial systems".

Three "new" agencies? What's wrong with one reconstituted agency? At least they'll share the same computer data bases. Now we'll have three who don't talk to one another at 4 times the administrative (read that civil servants or as we say in the beltway - retired in place) head count.

International Oil Companies: The Challenges Ahead

Interesting but pretty much a confirmation of recent disclosures. This debacle will surely manifest itself further as Western (mostly US) technology is sold and/or given away to the oil rich developing nations. Technology developed in the US by such firms as Shlumberger is one of several such give-aways.

India-IMF Deal: A Tipping Point for Gold?

So, from one to ten scenarios, where's the best place to invest in Gold?

China May Be Eying Metallurgical Coal Acquisition

Buying hard in ground assets constitutes ownership of land and should be prohibited. Be interesting to see if Obama sells out the US to China

What's Shaping Gold Price

Last I looked, gold is consumed/saved as follows:

60% - Jewelry
30% - Industrial/Dental
10% - Invest/hoarding

For 2008, Jewelry dropped significantly while investing and industrial increased in proportion. With all three on the rise with an improving albeit slow economy, it difficult not to conclude gold mining and ETF stock are the place to be for up to 10% of ones portfolio.

GE to Close Its Only U.S. Solar Panel Factory

Simply adds to the notion that GE is slowly but surely becoming an also ran.

Exxon Mobil: Further into Oil Sands

Given all that's been said here and numerous other publications within the industry let alone the environmentalists, one cannot but wonder why Tar Sands is viable at any price below $100/barrel.

XOM is involved because they own a majority of Imperial. But don't get excited that this gives credence to Tar Sands. Imperial dances to the politics in Canada and XOM corporate is staying out of the way (and saying a few prayers).

Like the UK, Canada's economy is almost wholly dependent upon exploiting its Petro and NG holdings. Tar Sands marches on to the peril of both the environment and short term high yield seeking individual investors.