Brian O'Flanagan

New Currency ETCs: Can Investors Assess Collateral Costs?

wow, now I'm confused. I think if I want currency exposure, I'd be better off just buying the currencies in the f/x market. Why does the financial services industry always have to take something as simple as owning a currency and make it so complex?

Gold as a Hedge, Not an Investment

once again Brian, you're conclusion is based on the assumption that gold is rising because of inflation is wrong. Gold is rising because the people of the world are becoming less and less trusting of paper currencies. Despite what you say, gold IS an alternative to paper currency and has been for thousands of years. But to each his own. Paper bugs such as yourself can continue clinging to their paper currencies while their value is continuously diluted by the printing presses, but I will hold gold. When all the paper bugs give up and convert to precious metals, then it will be the time to sell.

Why You Shouldn't Hold Leveraged ETFs Long-Term

Actually, I think somebody should post one of these articles every day until the masses finally get it. It is shocking to me how many people still defend these funds and think it is appropriate to own them long-term. It's almost like smoking, some people refuse to believe or care about the health risks. And it's time for warning labels on these toxic ETFs lest the ill informed make the mistake of owning them. For those that own them anyway, as for smokers, you'll get what you deserve.

What Rio's Olympic Win Means for Brazil ETFs

nice post. BZF looks very interesting and warrants further analysis.

Brazil as a Hedge in the New Economic Paradigm

nice post, Steve, thanks

Two Stocks Trading Near Cash

there are no "can't go wrong" stocks in the market. But buying those at or near cash (net of debt, of course) is a good place to start. The key question is what are they going to do with the cash? Return it to shareholders or blow it on stupid acquisitions?

Canada: The Industrialized Market for the Coming Decade

excellent article, agree completely - I'd add that the Canadian dollar is likely to substantially outperform the USD, which would further boost returns.

Expecting Acorn International to Grow into a Mighty Oak

interesting, thanks for the idea

Investors Fled out of Leveraged ETFs at Exactly the Wrong Time

man, 6 thumbs down on my comment? Tough crowd. I still leveraged ETFs are toxic.

Jones Lang Offers Online Auctions

JLL is not a REIT.

Vietnam's Investing Landscape: A Conversation with SEAF Blue Waters' Keirn O’Connor

Nice post. Over the long-term, the economy will continue to open and its highly entrepreneurial people will drive extraordinary growth (like it or not, the people still admire America). Good point on the inflation concern, though. Adding VNM to my watch list.

Investors Fled out of Leveraged ETFs at Exactly the Wrong Time

in the long run, the value of all leveraged ETFs will go to zero. They are never an appropriate investment for anybody with a holding period longer than 1 day.

Hedge Fund Compensation Schemes: New Funds, New Tricks

there is no such thing as trading "talent" - only gamblers rolling the dice with other people's money

Graham Corporation: Ready to Skyrocket

interesting, but 20x earnings and 2x book doesn't sound so cheap to me.

Morgans Hotel: A Zombie Company Bleeding Cash and Defaulting on Loans

nice analysis. I agree with most of what you wrote, but the stock does have value - as an option. As you noted, the company likely won't have to declare bankruptcy for 5 years. So think of it as a deep out of the money option with a 5 year term and a very high implied volatility. Don't think that option is worth $5, but something like a dollar would make sense given the chance (remote chance) that things turn around a great deal before 2014.