Category Archives: Not Categorized

Giddy-up! Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Climb Aboard Coal Bandwagon

Berkshire Hathaway’s recent acquisition of rail operator Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp has generated a tremendous amount of dialogue within the investment community.  For one, the deal involves Warren Buffet, Berkshire’s iconic CEO and legendary value investor.  The 79 year-old sage, whose succession plan remains one of the most tightly bound secrets in the industry, invited the rail operator to […]

Stock Market Investing: Warning Signs, Credit Risk Increases, Precious Metals Investment Thesis Redux

Stock Market Investing: The warning signs are multiplying. Blood is in the water and the sharks are circling so beware. US$ weakness still keeps the equity markets aloft but the technical picture grows more ominous. Meanwhile, precious metals continue to outperform: COMEX Metals Closing Prices : Gold ended the day higher by $6.50 to $1148.40, silver gained 3 cents to […]

The Main Event: Traditional IRA v. the Roth IRA v. the Self-Directed IRA

There has been a lot of discussion concerning Roth IRAs lately among those planning for retirement. One reason may be because new federal tax laws have changed the limitations placed on converting to a Roth. Plus, the December 31st deadline to convert your traditional IRA into a Roth is fast approaching. Remember, we are talking taxes here, so converting your […]

Housing Starts Crater, Economy Woes Tie Fed Hands, GLD Warnings, Paulson & Touradji Make Bold Gold Statements

Mid-week and the economic numbers continue to disappoint. However, equity investors should take heart and view the chart above. This is a monthly chart illustrating the direction of the US$ and the inverse relationship with the S&P500. The chart dates back to 2000, but you can see the correlation has become more intense in the last 12 months. So, as […]

Stock Market Investing: Stay the Course & Ride the Wave, GDP not 3.5%?, Economic Numbers Troublesome, Hyperinflation Rapidly Approaching

Stock Market Investing: No change from last week. The technicals didn’t get much better but an overwhelming tsunami of weak economic data helped to drive the US$ lower and drove both hard asset prices and equity prices higher.Read More… …Meanwhile, even as Brazil implements policy changes to stop its currency from appreciating, the Real advances adding credence to the Economist […]

RBC Hedge 250 Index returned -0.25 percent in October 2009

RBC Capital Markets today reported that for the month of October 2009 the RBC Hedge 250 Index(R) had a net return of -0.25 percent. This brings the year-to-date return of the Index to 17.20 percent. These returns are estimated and will be finalized by the middle of next month. The return for September 2009 has been finalized at 2.25 percent. […]

Hedge Fund Manager’s Insider Trading Overview

Bart Mellon at the Hedge Fund Law Blog has been busy blogging about Insider trading. His first article titled “Insider Trading Overview” gives a great summary of what everyone should know about Insider Trading. In light of the recent focus on insider trading, we are publishing the SEC’s discussion on Insider Trading. The information below contains a broad overview of […]

Comic Relief: Tim ‘Pinocchio’ Geithner & The Heaviest Element Known to Science (Gv)

Every now and then we need a little comic relief from the news cycle of this mad, mad world. I can always count on my favorite government official, Pinocchio, for an eminently laughable comment. If we are lucky, he will make a ludicrous statement on the world stage where we can actually see his nose grow while he is speaking; […]

Real Estate, Retirement and the IRA

Retirement Planning Meets Real Estate (And Really Hit it Off) You are never too young to start saving for retirement. On the other hand, only your specific life circumstances determine if you’re too old. Although earlier is best when it comes to retirement planning, later is still better than never. Whenever you choose to start, it is important to know your […]

Investment Philosophy, The Mystery Buyer, Trouble Brewing for Munis, NYS Going Broke, SAC Capital Under the Gun

Every morning my father and I begin the trading session with a review of our investment strategy. We point out pros and cons and attempt to poke holes in theory. We perform this ritual every day, without fail, for the simple reason that when investing in the stock market those who stand still get steam rolled. Success can have the […]