December_29th_2010.mp3 Dollar Value    What will 2011 have in store for the markets? Has confidence returned? Equities are rallying but Gold is near record highs. What indicator is relevant at the current juncture?   U.S. Dollar (Click For Larger Picture) Uncertainty and fear has ruled over the last decade. Mutual funds and most stocks have lost money over the last 10 years. Interest rates have fallen to record lows. Money supply is at an all time high while the rate of turnover of currency has slowed to a third of normal activity. World Governments continuing to spend at record levels and the economy is improving slowly. What can occur with the multiplier of money which is the turnover of a dollar is an explosion of economic activity which will initially show up in the value of the Worlds main currency which is still the U.S. Dollar.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

December_22nd_2010.mp3 Slippery Oil    Crude Oil rose to its highest level in over two years this morning hitting $90.80 a barrel.   Crude Oil (Click For Larger Picture) Crude oil posted its highest level since October 2008 trading $90.80 a barrel this morning. Crude is up 35% from 2010 lows set May 29th. In the last 3 years crude has traded as high as $147.50 a barrel in July 2008 and as low as $33.20 in January 2009. The midpoint of those extremes is $90.35. Calls for $100 plus oil are filling the prediction files for 2011. Before investors get too long, consider we are not only at the midpoint of the last 3 years but also midway in a trading band of $80 to $100. It is yet another flag in the overall markets that warns us to be nimble and assess our current positions.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

December_15th_2010.mp3 2010 Returns    As we approach the end of 2010 annual performance is in focus. It is difficult enough to track our own equity markets day to day but Global Markets and events are important in this millisecond decision making World.   Global Market Results (Click For Larger Picture) Global events and market fluctuations affect domestic and international markets instantaneously. Global equity markets have mixed returns shifting rapidly day to day minute to minute. At this point in time Japanese stocks are the weakest in 2010 off 2.2%. The strongest global equity player is Germany with an advance of 17.1% this year. North American equity markets are all up over 10% with junior cap issues outpacing senior and intermediate stocks. In Currencies the Euro remains weak off 6.8% so far in 2010.Silver is leading global commodity markets soaring 75% this year. When investing in equities it is important to realize that it is a market of stocks not a stock market. Indices like Mutual Funds almost seem to be designed to provide flat washed out returns. In order to make money one must focus on how events affect individual positions and measure the risk and reward that is inherent to that issue.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

December_8th_2010.mp3 Lumber Building Value    Investors often act like lemmings, mythically following lock step till they fall off a cliff. Gold making record highs much like 1980 which ended at half their peak within two years. Dot Com stocks that disappeared after trading at incredible multiples, or equity indexes falling in half suddenly only to double once again.   Lumber (Click For Larger Picture) There is always an explanation after the fact once a major move occurs. Recent euphoria in Gold and Silver is different than the inflation induced line up at banks to by gold as a stay of value in 1980. Commodities have become a currency that will hold value even if the U.S. dollar weakens or the Euro plunges. But it will end as other avenues become more attractive. The key to investing is best explained by one of the top traders in the world George Soros; "Economic history is a never-ending series of episodes based on falsehoods and lies, not truths. It represents the path to big money. The object is to recognize the trend whose premise is false, ride that trend, and step off before it is discredited." Perhaps a bit cynical but it is important to differentiate yourself when investing.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

December_1st_2010.mp3 Toronto Stock Exchange - Up, Down, Up      S&P TSX Composite Index We have all heard that the equity market returns have been disappointing, with little appreciation in the last 10 years. Buy and hold as a strategy has frustrated investors and mutual fund managers, however major moves have occurred in between. Many investors have bought into a mutual fund or an equity index and have not made a cent over the last 10 years. Indeed, with fees they find their holdings are at a loss. However, from September 1999 to September 2000 the Toronto Stock Index rose 70%; from September 2000 to October 2002 fell 50%, only to rise 167% from October 2002 to June 2008. The recent crash fell 51% from June 2008 to March 2009, since then, rose 75% to highs reached last month. In 2010 alone the Toronto Stock Exchange fell 6.4% by February rose 12.1% by April, slipped 10.2% by July and has rallied 18.5% by November 2010. Timing is everything!   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

November_17th_2010.mp3 What Goes Up, Comes Down    So far in 2010, cotton prices have risen 90.5%, Silver 62.9%, Coffee 52%, Corn 36.1%, Wheat 30.0% and Gold 28.1%. Do we have inflation?   Gold 100 Troy oz. (click for larger picture) Crude Oil Light Sweet (click for larger picture) In the last week, Gold fell $95.30 an ounce, 7.2%; Oil is off $7.45 a barrel, 8.4%. What has changed? The U.S. dollar has reversed direction and is getting stronger while European markets are re-visiting sovereign debt problems. Inflation is described as too many dollars chasing too few goods; inversely Deflation is too many goods for too few dollars. Which environment would you like to be in? Textbooks suggest a well diversified investment portfolio often linked to a stock index or a mutual fund. The trouble is, most equity indexes and mutual funds are at the same level as 10 years ago, the lost decade for investment returns. In today's investment environment it is time to define ones investment goals, target a limited number of stocks based on a well thought out risk/reward analysis.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

November_10th_2010.mp3 Improved Economic Activity?    Has confidence returned? Equities are rallying, but Gold is at record highs.   U.S. Dollar - Long Term Chart (click for larger picture) U.S. Dollar - Short Term Chart (click for larger picture) Over the last decade, uncertainty and fear has ruled. Gold is at record highs, mutual funds and stocks have lost money over the last 10 years, interest rates are falling to record lows, and mortgage foreclosures with a near meltdown in financial markets . Confidence is the key, market participants have lost trust in financial markets and politicians. Recently investors are starting to believe markets will achieve increased economic activity. With money supply at an all time high and World Governments continuing to spend at record levels the economy is improving. What can occur with the multiplier of money which is the turnover of a dollar which has slowed from three times a day to less than once a day is an explosion of economic activity which will initially show up in the value of the Worlds main currency which is still the U.S. Dollar.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

November_3rd_2010.mp3 U.S. Unemployment - #1 Concern    Yesterday the political landscape changed in the United States and likely in the entire World.   United States Unemployment Rate (click for larger picture) Republicans seized control of the U.S. House and narrowed the Senate's Democratic majority in elections shaped by voter anxiety over jobs and the economy. Republicans gained at least 60 House seats yesterday across the country, capitalizing on concerns about government spending unemployment and delivering a rebuke to the domestic agenda of President Barack Obama. Republicans scored a net gain of at least six seats in the Senate, winning Democratic-held seats in Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Republican John Boehner of Ohio, in line to replace Democrat Nancy Pelosi as House speaker, told supporters in Washington late last night suggested "We're witnessing a repudiation of Washington, a repudiation of big government and a repudiation of politicians who refuse to listen to the people." Unemployment is the main focus currently at 9.6% down from 10.1% a year ago which was the highest since 10.8% in November 1982.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.  

October_27th_2010.mp3 Inflation / Deflation    Cotton prices have soared to levels not seen since the U.S. Civil War. Gold has hit record highs; oil remains above $80 a barrel. Commodity prices are rising, forcing your grocery bill higher. Is inflation a problem?   Annual Inflation Rate (click for larger picture) Inflation is described as too many dollars chasing too few goods; inversely Deflation is too many goods for too few dollars. Which environment would you like to be in? If you have the goods people are rushing to buy like oil or gold or I-Pads you're O.K. If on the other hand you are flush with real estate in an oil soiled beach in Florida; not so good. The liquidity crisis had us in a deflationary spiral; recent global government spending has successfully turned the trend back to an inflationary bent.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.  

October_20th_2010.mp3 Money and Trust    Uncertainty rules; Gold at record highs, mutual funds losing money, interest rates at record lows, stocks up one day down the next day, mortgage foreclosures hitting legal challenges, flash crashes keeping investors on edge. What is the key to future prosperity?   Money Supply (click for larger picture) Money Multiplier (click for larger picture) Confidence is the key, market participants have lost trust in financial markets and politicians. If investors can envision and start to believe, markets will achieve through increased economic activity. Money supply is at an all time high with World Governments spending at record levels to stimulate the economy but the multiplier of money has fallen to post war lows. The turn of a dollar has slowed from three times a day to less than once a day.   There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.