Unfortunately I was sick the past few weeks and I am just now getting back into the swing of things. Similar to the demand pull that the warmer than usual spring has had on macroeconomic data, the warmer spring caused me to have an earlier than usual sinus infection as well as some horrific allergies. I suppose I am pushing it a bit far when I am comparing my health concerns to economic data, but alas I fly my nerd flag proudly.
Entries Categorised as 'United States'
North Korea’s Khrushchev.
January 11th, 2012 · 1 Comment
Scenes of Pyongyang citizens wailing the death of “Dear Leader” Kim Jong Il remind us how easily dictatorships can manipulate public opinion. But are the rest of us so immune to similar manipulation?
Is This December Similar to 2007 & 2008 for Gold & U.S. Stocks?
November 28th, 2011 · 1 Comment
Thus far in 2011 the overall stock market movement has been much different from what we had in 2010. This year we have seen nothing but sideways to lower prices with wild price swings on a day to day basis. There just has not been any really solid trends to take advantage of this year. Instead we had to actively trade the oversold dips and sell into the overbought rallies to just pull money out of the market on a monthly basis. Last year we saw 3 major rallies that lasted several months making it easy for anyone who bought into the trend to make money if managed properly.
Are Gold & U.S. Stocks About to Repeat the 2010 Bottom?
October 17th, 2011 · 3 Comments
In May of 2010, immediately following the flash crash many investors started to become bearish (nervous) regarding their position in gold and equities. Once the general public became aware that the stock market could fall 10% in a matter of minutes, investors became very cautious. Suddenly protecting their capital and current positions was at the forefront of their investment process.
The stock market rout has paused, but will it return?
August 14th, 2011 · 23 Comments
This week was quite a ride for stock market investors with the ASX All Ords and ASX 200 both trading at one stage under 4000 points. However as the week progressed the markets started to claw their way back up and things are not quite as worrying as they were a few days ago. What investors will be trying to work out now is if the stock market rout is over, or is it just having a rest before it once again sends stocks falling?
A stock market rout, investor fear & the global economy
August 5th, 2011 · 69 Comments
As I write today the Australian stock market has slumped around -4% so far after the Dow Jones fell -4.3% and markets in Europe also ended sharply lower. As per usual, many finance journalists are hurriedly pumping out scary stories and dramatic headlines to gain readers attention so it’s time to grab a cup of coffee, relax and focus on the facts.
U.S. Market: Uncertainty & Panic Selling Provide Opportunity
August 1st, 2011 · 9 Comments
Over the past seven trading sessions we have seen stocks plummet in price because of the debt issues in the United States. I think a lot of individuals including myself thought that a bill would have been passed last week and with a plan underway money would flow back into stocks for a relief bounce at minimum. Instead, nothing was passed and that lead to strong selling into Friday’s close.
Gold, USD, Stocks & Sentiment at Major Pivot Point
February 28th, 2011 · 1 Comment
So far 2011 has been an interesting to say the least. Stocks and commodities have been jumping around with high volatility generating mixed trading signals. This choppy price action typically indicates trends are in their late stages. The late stages of a trend is very difficult to trade because volatility rises meaning larger day to day price swings, and at any time the price could either drop like a rock or go parabolic surging higher in value.
The North Korea conundrum
December 3rd, 2010 · 2 Comments
North Korea bombards the South Korean held island of Yeonpyeong in the Yellow Sea, killing and wounding a number of people there. The hawks call for the strongest possible response. The pundits warn of another Korean War.
Charts analysis: ASX 200, All Ords, BHP, GMI, ETF GOLD and Oil & Gas
October 11th, 2010 · 5 Comments
The Australian stock market has been trading in a fairly narrow range since hitting a yearly low in late May, however over the last few weeks it has pressed above 4600 and we could see it move further towards 5000 in the weeks ahead. In addition some interesting trends are emerging in terms of gold, oil and gas prices and and they might be giving us a good indication of where the market is heading next.
A double dip recession, fear and keeping an open mind.
August 27th, 2010 · 32 Comments
Well the Dow Jones closed this morning below 10,000 and for those financial writers who focus more on grabbing reader’s attention rather than on facts, that can only mean one thing: the U.S economy is heading for a double dip recession! Of course the fact that the U.S economy is actually expanding, as are other major economies like China, Japan and Germany, appears irrelevant to many market commentators who seem intent on making investors fear that another economic crisis is at hand.
The G20 Toronto Summit: the end of consensus.
July 6th, 2010 · 3 Comments
As readers of this blog will know, I believe that the G20 leaders meetings are generally a waste of time and fossil fuels. After each meeting all we ever get is some vague declaration that basically says all the G20 leaders are wonderful with the mainstream media simply rehashing press releases and happy to go along for the ride. The latest G20 gathering in Toronto, Canada, was no different except that more police cars were set alight.
The ASX All Ordinaries, Dow Jones and the Baltic Dry Index.
June 23rd, 2010 · 14 Comments
Stock markets around the world have had a very volatile run over the last few weeks with everything from debt levels in Europe to housing statistics in the U.S. giving scaring investors. But during times of market volatility it is important to try and spot the longer term market trends and not get carried away by sensational headlines or daily market swings.
Media vultures circle Japan’s P.M.
May 27th, 2010 · 11 Comments
In Brazil they tell the story of the small-town TV crime reporter who gained fame and scoops by arranging crimes himself. He could then rush out and interview the victims well before rivals. But eventually his scoops caught up with him and he ended up in jail.
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