May_18th_2011.mp3 Potential Shortly    Isn't it amazing how analysts downgrade a stock after it announces bad earnings and upgrade a stock after it declares great quarterly results?   BKS - Barnes & Noble, Inc. (Click For Larger Picture) It is quarterly earning time as results of the first quarter are declared. Most come in as expected but a few surprises occur. In my 33 years of investing it always drives me crazy how analysts' change buy recommendations of yesterday to sell recommendations tomorrow after the fact, and turn to recommend a buy of a stock that has tripled while they had an outright sell recommendation. Perhaps they can use John Maynard Keynes Quote "When the facts change, I change my mind, what do you do? 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.

May_11th_2011.mp3 Forex Parity    Global markets operate 24/7; the most active is the currency market which affects the price of everyday purchases and investments.   Canadian Dollar - US Dollar (Click For Larger Picture) The FOREX Market (Foreign Exchange) FX, or currency market is a global, worldwide decentralized over-the-counter and computerized financial market for trading currencies. Financial centers around the world function as anchors of trading between a wide range of different types of buyers and sellers around the clock, the most active with average daily turnover in global foreign exchange markets in excess of US$4 trillion. Recent commodity strength and U.S. Dollar weakness globally have pushed the Canadian Dollar though parity to the American Dollar once again. In 2011 the Canadian Dollar traded as high as 1.0585 U.S. dollars last week and as low as .9215 U.S. dollars within the last year. To realize the absolute value of this one year change consider a $25,000 U.S. car; it should cost $23,618 Canadian this week and as much as $27,130 Canadian a year ago, a difference of 14.8% which would also be your investment return on your money if you correctly anticipated the currency movement when investing. To highlight this point further the post war low on the Canadian dollar was .6179 in 2002 and reached a premium high against the U.S. of 1.1038 in 2007. The $25,000 U.S. car would have cost $40,460 in 2002 but only would have cost only $22,649 in 2007 a 78.6% change. Getting the currency right can make or break ones investment return, even a losing purchase could turn positive when conversions are made. 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.

May_4th_2011.mp3 Nokia Turnaround?    Where should you invest? Mutual Funds have been poor performers over the last 10 years. Gold and Oil stocks look toppy; interest rates of 3% are not enticing. It takes some original thinking and realizing that it is a market of stocks not a stock market.   Nokia Corporation (Click For Larger Picture) Common sense thinking makes investing simpler. If a stock has doubled or tripled it makes sense to be cautious, at the same time if a stock has fallen to a third of its former value caution is warranted. Unless there is fear in a stock, it probably doesn't have great capital gain potential. Occasionally a stock fits into a favourable turnaround environment. Through merger or partnering relationships, things start to turn and the prospects are at least possible. 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.

April_27th_2011.mp3 Dove or Hawk?    Today the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will hold a press conference, which is very rare; historically a statement is delivered but not a question and answer session.   30 Year Treasury Bond Yields (Click For Larger Picture) Many investors jumped out the frying pan and into the fire, in 2008 after losing 36% in stocks many investors ran into 30 year U.S treasuries which yielded only 2.83% in January 2009 and rose to 4.76% by June 2009 a loss of capital of over 25%. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Historically through thousands of years it has been found the normal rate of interest is 7%. If we move to that level U.S. 30 year Treasuries will lose a further 30% of their principal value. In 1981 some will remember the Canadian prime rate reached 23% and reached 2.25% in 2009. Many conservative investors could find their savings tied up in bond funds in the wrong place at the wrong time. 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.

April_20th_2011.mp3 Oil Euphoria    Oil & Gas prices are the talk of the town, in the elevators, at the dinner table in the markets, the flavor of the month. Investors often act like lemmings, mythically following lock step till they fall off a cliff.   Crude Oil Light Sweet (Click For Larger Picture) The recent euphoria in Oil & Gas pump prices is a rerun of the past few years. In early 2007 a barrel of oil was $49.50 by mid 2008 it reached $147.27 a $97.77 advance, by early 2009 it had fallen to $32.20 a decline of $114.77. This time we have reached $113.46 a barrel almost as much as oil fell last time. It is interesting to note that despite the euphoria Crude Oil has had lower highs and lower lows which is not a bullish configuration. The Oil run 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. It is paramount to think outside the box. 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.

April_13th_2011.mp3 Confidence?    U.S. equities have doubled since lows reached two years ago. Canadian stocks as measured by the S&P/TSX Composite are up 91%.   Retail Sales (Click For Larger Picture) It has been two years since the financial crisis hit panic levels. North American equities have recovered the losses by doubling in value from the lows. However not all individuals or mutual funds have recovered their losses. Over the last decade uncertainty and fear has ruled, pundits have caused the markets to climb a wall of worry. Despite record job losses, the housing meltdown, mortgage foreclosures, bank failures, bailouts of the auto industry, Mideast unrest and revolutions, Japanese earthquakes and tsunamis, nuclear meltdowns stocks have doubled. The markets have prevailed; has confidence returned? Most market pundits are still negative warning of the inflationary consequences of easy money and lack of buying power of consumers. Despite this Retail Sales are up 7% from a year ago. 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.

April_6th_2011.mp3 Risk Adjusted Investing    Investment styles and strategies make or break performance. What works and what does not may surprise many; the text books are wrong.   CBOE Volatility Index (Click For Larger Picture) The most popular investment strategy the foundation of most Mutual Funds "Buy and Hold" has not worked as the market ended with little change over the last decade. Indexing delivered flat results in major global markets. Text book advice is to "Diversify" when investing, splitting your investment dollars over a wide array of sectors. Perhaps it is time to think and question the way investments are made. It must hit home that we have a market of stocks not a stock market. Opportunities abound for many companies with incredible potential. Think and look what is going on around you. Why have an array of bonds and term deposits, when the rate they pay after tax doesn't even match the change in cost of living. Many rush into Oil or Gold after the price has soared and is front and center on every media news report. Many give up and put their cash in the bank earning a fraction of what could be earned on owning the bank with dividends. It is paramount that investments are considered and evaluated for upside potential reward measured against potential downside risk this is "Risk Adjusted Investing". "Risk Adjusted Investing", can narrow diversification to a manageable level for maximum performance. 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.

March_30th_2011.mp3 Rising Inflation?    Inflation is described as too many dollars chasing too few goods; inversely Deflation is too many goods for too few dollars. Soaring commodity prices have the media and market pundits warning of rising interest rates and soaring inflation.   Interest Rates and Inflation (Click For Larger Picture) 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 your O.K. If on the other hand you are flush with real estate in an oil soiled beach in Florida; not so good. Many analysts warn that the current easy money policy by global central banks will devalue currency and push commodities including food stock to levels unaffordable by many already unemployed. Cotton prices have soared to levels not seen since the U.S. Civil War. Gold has hit record highs; Oil remains above $100 a barrel. Commodity prices are rising, forcing your grocery bill higher. Is inflation a problem? From 1914 until 2011, the average inflation rate in United States was 3.38 percent reaching an historical high of 23.70 percent in June of 1920 and a record low of -15.80 percent in June of 1921. The inflation rate in United States is currently 1.87 percent roughly ½ the normal historic rate. Market pundits suggest Bernanke and the Fed will raise rates starting an inflationary spiral. 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.

March_23rd_2011.mp3 U.S. Dollar; Safe Harbour    Global markets are in disarray, Mid-East tensions, North Africa revolts, disaster in Japan, rising food costs, government spending out of control, massive unemployment.   U.S. Dollar Index (Click For Larger Picture) Uncertainty and fear rules with global 24 hour a day media reports highlighting the most recent crisis. The public is becoming very concerned over the financial situation in the United States. Worries soar that the U.S. economy is in a much worse condition than stated. Many feel credit will be too restrictive to support economic growth. The value of the U.S. dollar is falling and has near panic emotions for some followers and market pundits. What people do not realize that the U.S. dollar currently 75.95 was lower last November at 75.24 and at 74.21the year before and down at 71.05 in 2008. With all the commotion in the world the U.S. is the safe harbor. 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 as the rate of turn for a dollar moves from once a day to historic norms of 3 times 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.

March_16th_2011.mp3 S&P/TSX Breakdown    What went up came down, fast, as the Toronto Stock Exchange fell over 1,000 points, a drop of 7.6% in a week. Gold and Oil was expected to soar with global events blowing up and melting down.   S&P/TSX Composite Index (Click For Larger Picture) Many investors have been burnt in the recent market decline as many pundits suggested resource and commodity stocks would send Canadian stocks higher. With revolutions occurring in North Africa sending shock waves through the Mid-East, questions on the unity of European countries over financial bailouts of weak members, deficit spending out of control and a U.S. political battle over the debt ceiling, earthquakes, tsunamis nuclear melt downs it has been an eventful series of concerns and uncertainty. 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.