Oneslip

Buffett's BNI Purchase: Bearish Bet on the Economy?

Jeff,
Surprised he did not purchase a bulk shipper as this counrty will have to export commodities and manufactured goods in order to survive, a technology even older then the rails.

Will Russia ETF Disprove Bleak World Bank Report?

Once the world realizes that rampant inflation will take place then those commodity rich countries will surely benefit.

Do All-World Ex-U.S. ETFs Really Provide Diversification?

I don't think there has been enough time to prove this theory. The benefits of diversification has been a mute point in this market as everything has gone down. In a more normal economic cycle there are times when different asset classes perform differently, it all depends on what time frame your looking at. Take for example in the '01-02 contraction, REITS and Micro-caps out performed. I think the case for a World -ex US ETF is that there will be times when other economies outperform and rather then trying to fiqure out which ones. Myself personally I do hold some VEU but I also hold RSX as I wanted a larger percentage in Russia. Money is like water, you never know where it will slosh to next, usually to the lowest point but you don't know if a damn will get in the way.

Vanguard's Sauter: Avoid Irrational Exuberance with Alternatives

I'm not saying you should invest with your head in the sand, but a passive, proper allocated portfolio makes a lot of sense. I would say congratulations to Roger Schreiner on his past performance but it is very easy in this volatile market to be on the wrong side of a trade or theory. For the average investor to have a low cost, properly allocated portfolio that they are dollar cost averaging & reinvesting the div-cap gains has one factor not to worry about- an investment manager making a wrong turn in the market and charging excessive fee's. I'm not saying a manager cannot add some value but in all the research I have done finding the right one is the issue especially when the right one can turn into the wrong one. I think a lot depends on what your expectations are and time frames. This is a great short term trading market & yes, if you are a long term investor you are buying the averages at a much lower price and if your time horizon is long enough I'm sure you will benefit even if the market continues to trend down and stay there for a long period. An L shaped recovery is not out of the question.

Rick’s: Still Entertaining or Ready to Slide?

Not doing as much DD as needed, it looks to me like RICKs aggressive growth strategy may have them leveraged more then profits can support. As the economy erodes further, unless a person has a compulsion there would be no reason to pay premiums on beverages & topless dancers when the consumer is pinched. I feel that RICKs is a complete consumer discretionary co. which could have a horrible 2009. They stock could lower by 50%. I will wait before I make a trade. Good luck!

Oil Breaks Below $38; Bespoke's Commodity Snapshot (12/18/08)

I feel that commodities will be higher in the future as the world is flooding with currencies. Yes, commodities run up was over done and it will be overdone on the downside as well but if you are looking to add commodities as a long term asset class then this could be a good time to start a position or add to one.

DryShips Cancels Acquisition of Four Carriers - What Does it Mean for the Stock?

It does not sound like a shareholder freindly co. Too many conflict of interests for the shareholders as George works hard on lining his pockets rather then the shareholders. As far as China, I feel the expectations are overblown on their future growth at this time. The world is coming to a crawl and China will not be an exception. There will always be a need to get commodities from one country to another but if the shipping rates are in the toilet there go any profit margins.

Looking Good: Genco in Particular, Shipping in General

What world are you living in? DRYS will be lucky to survive at this rate, and global demand heating up? Anytime soon.........doubtful. I'd wait and before I'd buy any of these co.s, further downside.

ETF Update: Nervous ETN Investors, September ETF Performance

ETN's are only as strong as the institution backing them. Barclays has several ETN's but Barclays is in good financial shape so I feel confident recommending those.

Global Investors Fleeing Russian Market

No guts, no glory. These are the times when you buy in, not when all is bright and cheery. I do not believe the growth engine of the Russian economy is over, in fact it is just begining. Russia needs to get it's government fiqured out and let the businesses grow.

Runaway Inflation: Do TIPS Really Help?

Although the premise for an ETF like CUT makes sense, the makeup of the index does not and I don't see much correlation between timber and that of CUT. CUT seems to follow the market as it consists of mainly paper product co.s. Put a stock like PCL next to CUT and see difference. I wish there were a better way the average investor to invest in timber.

ETFs: Implications of Goldman Sachs Predictions

I agree that the world is developing but I still don't think America and Europe will not have periods of expansion. A lot of the emerging economies will experience thier growing pains of booms and busts and if you do not have an industry you are done.