Short Trader 67

Don't Miss the Coming Gold Bull

This is a scary article, sounds very doomsday and I hope it is exaggerated, but I do believe there are sound arguments there. But why amid this crisis, has gold not broken out? The common response is that cash became king, and all assets including gold were turned to cash by the institutional investors, leaving only retail demand on the rise. I believe gold and oil will both break out, as both signify real wealth above and beyond currencies.

Onstream: Where Those Advertising Dollars Go Now

And lets not forget that the great appeal of the Internet as opposed to TV and Print is the possibility to measure in real time, and eliminate creatives and placements that do not perform. And as times get bad, internet advertisers will back into cost per click and even cost per lead deals, something TV and Radio have much difficulty doing, and for print is almost unheard of.

Broadband: Why Government Investment Is Justified Now

I absolutely agree. This is basic infrastructure, and we should have a goal of free broadband access for everyone, everywhere, and very cheap notebooks, under $100, full loaded with basic software, on the market for the US and the World. This would increase world trade, communications, media, and in the end, world peace. Now is the time, we should make this a priority. In will grow domestic GDP, help trade, and cultural exchange.

The Sad Semi Stocks: J.P. Morgan Sees a Bottom

This is the third time in the last few days I have heard the logic of "things will pick up in the 4th quarter, and the stock market is always ahead of the game, so lets jump in 2nd Quarter." And what was the Dow doing on Oct 9, 2007, three months before we fell into recession? Hit an all time high. I am not convinced about the "all seeing power of the Stock Markets", especially now.

Apple's Steve Jobs Isn't Sick - Argus

First off, I hope Mr. Jobs's health is okay. I think he is an great American, someone who represents all the things we should be focused on now... innovations, design, marketing, creating sexy products that people want. Not like the Wall Streptelians who suck us dry with useless products that wind up bankrupting the world.

Six Reasons Current Gaza Strip Fighting Could Boost Israeli ETFs

Since when are casualties only counted in Israeli's? I think that it is distasteful to discuss where ETF's are going when innocent people are being bombed. Just doesn't seem right.

Ten Micro Predictions for 2009

Bold!! I don't agree with the MSN Yahoo deal, in this environment the only thing Yahoo has to offer is traffic, and MSN will not know what to do with the traffic they have. I don't see it happening. Will be sad to see the Grey Lady fall, and as a matter of national pride, we should throw them a rope.

American Brands Are On Sale

Very good points. I especially like the authors view on timing, if this is a 2 year recession, the market should start to breakout around June, six months before we start to see growth again in GDP. There is value out there, and for those with strong stomachs and thick wallets, this is probably the best moment to invest in a generation.

This year's events "ended our belief that financial panics were a thing of the past," Paul DeRosa of Lucas Management says, calling it a "transcendent event." So was its price tag: $30.1 trillion in global stock market losses.

Who would of thought this was possible 12 months ago? I am afraid Madoff wasn't the only one running Ponzi schemes. Look at Iceland, or really, even Wall Street. Isn't leveraging yourself to the gills to buy, re-package, and sell something that is worthless, in essence, a Ponzi scheme? Time to get to work, building real things, that have real value, and let Wall Street die a slow death.

It took long enough, but chairman Bischoff and CEO Pandit (C) finally decide to forfeit their 2008 bonuses. "Unfortunately, the harsh realities of 2008, primarily our earnings results, mean that our bonus pool is dramatically lower than last year," Pandit told employees in a memo.

Bonuses for what? Any one in America loses money for their firm, shareholders etc. and they hope to not lose their jobs, but these Wall Street clowns, after sending the world into a deep recession, maybe depression, on top of it, still want bonuses??? They should be on the unemployment line like the rest of us.

Turning Nothing Into Something

I agree with Mr. Wilson. The difference between Silicon Valley and Wall Street is that Silicon Valley takes the blank canvas, and paints something, sometimes good, sometimes not so good, but they do create. Wall Street takes the painting, and says that the painter is a genius, sells it, and takes a piece of the action. More Silicon Valley and less Wall Street is what we need.

Lessons the Market Taught Us in 2008

A lot of good advice, but in the end, what constitutes a plan? Seems like the article describes how not to do things, but a little light on the what to do.

What Do We Need In 2009? More Failure

I agree 100%. How is throwing billions of dollars at GM going to change the underlying problems they have? It is throwing good money after bad, and until they make radical changes (which will only happen when Uncle Sam turns off the the free money) they will never become competitive.

Emerging Market Outlook Gloomy Through Mid-2009

Russia I think is a good example, now that oil is below $50 dollars, and the credit markets are tight, how are they going to develop new oil fields? Other sectors of the economy are just not competitive.

Expect U.S. / Russian Tensions to Mount

I think the problems in Russia are even more serious. How can a country, were the average salary is about $1,000 a month, have such high prices? To travel in Russia is to be constantly amazed how people survive. Corruption plays a big role. Now with the Ruble ready to drop another 20 or 30 percent, the last thing Russians need now is more inflation, and that is what they are going to get. As far as Putin resigning, I think that is no feasible, Russia is a one party state, and Putin has a firm hold on the party. The last thing we need are tensions with Russia, hopefully Obama will work to improve relations.