So how much would you pay to own the boxing gloves worn by Ali or Frazier that day? What would its worth be to a collector today? – ‘Priceless.’ A funny word that the term priceless tends to come into play when the historic or sentimental value of an object far outweighs its intrinsic value. An object whose worth truly lies in the eyes of the beholder.
So much for tariff talks with China. It’s humbling to note how Mother Nature can upend our entire world view in so short a time. The tragic crisis affecting millions across China and threatening the rest of the world, should act as a long overdue wakeup call to mankind about the healthcare cost of climate change.
To be honest it shouldn’t matter where you stand on the climate change debate, the way I see it these are words that we should all take seriously, if for no other reason just in case. It is a call to action that we ignore at our own peril and that of untold future generations to come.
Yes, there is a downturn in the Global economy, numerous factors are combining together in what seems like a perfect storm of negativity to depress the global economy and quell even the hardiest of investors from any attempts at risk taking. Nothing could, or may I say should, be farther from the truth.
In this last quarter, the rapid rise in gold prices has got everyone talking. A slew of factors are combining to create the perfect storm in favor of Gold, and if you haven’t looked at Gold yet, you’re missing out big time.
And so the saga continues, China holds the threat of withdrawing REMs from the US, threatening to undermine global supply chains. These threats translated into action when China last week increased the import duties on ores and concentrates to 25%.
China did not just threaten to cut off the supply of rare earth minerals to the US? REMs are one of the few commodities on which the U.S. has not placed any extra import duties. Now they want to stop supplying it?
From sticks and stones to nerve agents and nukes, there is nothing, absolutely no other endeavor that humans have worked on with such dedication since the dawn of time - which has seen so many resources invested upon, money thrown to develop, invent, and innovate - as the art of killing their fellow human beings with greater efficiency.
At the moment there are only twelve countries and the EU which have space agencies with the proven capability to send satellites to outer space, of which NASA is the clear leader. All of whom subsist on Government funds and subsidies.
The market for palladium turned heads this year when it outperformed gold. China is driving this rally up, and there are no signs of it slowing down.
Once upon a time in 1948, a country was born. The birth of this country wasn’t an easy one and is still fraught with challenges from her neighbors. This country is Israel. However, given her relatively short history, this country has proved to be a tough cookie to crack.
50, 150, and 300 – Number of civilian nuclear power plants under construction, on order, and planned, respectively, which according to the World Nuclear Association are going to be looking for long-term Uranium contracts these coming decades.
Steuern! I always liked that word, it seems to exude a no nonsense seriousness. It’s a German verb meaning Control, or to be in control of, something that seems to have been singularly lacking in the markets these last few days.
CBD, a three-letter word that has slowly been creeping into our visionary space. Yet, just like Bitcoin, it is an elusive money-making machine. To the converted, it is a miracle drug that fits a very tight space between a rock and a hard place. It is legal, accessible and most importantly, it works!
Back in the late 80s I remember reading an article, a puff piece really, glorifying universal healthcare in China. It mentioned barefoot doctors in every village working for the poor and not for profit, the beautiful synergy between western medicine (bad) and ancient Chinese medicine (good).
I had some Chinese last night and my local takeaway hero gave us some fortune cookies to go with it. My wisdom-in-a-biscuit read “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity.”
While most of the debt held by the developed world has held relatively steady at around $170 Trillion, the debt being carried by emerging markets like BRICS, Turkey, Argentina etc. – and most of that debt is carried in dollars - has just about doubled since the last GFC.
1636 was a very good year, and 1637 was a very bad year.
It was neigh on ten years ago, the world was just about half way through the ‘Great Recession’ and I was sending out a newsletter wondering how much lower the Dollar could plunge. The Euro/USD pairing was touching 1.50 at one point. How the times have changed!
Once upon a time, there was a land of great promise. This promised land rewards hard work and enterprise with gold while penalizes the weak with taxes and cost of living. This promised land is the United State of America. And true to its founding principles, it has bestowed the highest office of the land to the shrewdest business man of its time, President Donald J Trump.
London, a regular on the world’s most expensive city list, is going through the doldrums.
Recently there has been talk of the emergence of smarter ways to capture beta in African markets, the major ones in question being Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. Here’s our take on the three largest forces we see disrupting markets in Africa for the better over the next 3 years and how to best gain exposure to them.
Greg Silberman explains his take on the life cycle of private investments.
“When people aren’t afraid of risk, they’ll accept risk without being compensated for doing so. The degree of risk present in a market derives from the behavior of the participants, not from securities, strategies and institutions.” – The most important thing illuminated Howard Marks
As we look into 2018 and beyond it is quite apparent that many markets are stretched. Having scaled parabolic heights, valuations look expensive, spreads look thin and interest rates remain at decade lows. Its surreal, Volatility is all but Dead!
The Monroe Doctrine began as a United States policy of opposing European colonialism in 1823. It stated that further efforts by European nations to take control of any independent state in North or South America would be viewed as "the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States."
The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes connecting the East to West for centuries. Named after the lucrative silk trade, the route was forged in 200 BCE by the Han dynasty. Its usefulness extended into the Roman Empire and Medieval times until its final demise in the 1300's under the Mongol hoards lead by Genghis Khan.
Despite our negative outlook, markets have the final say. It’s important for us to make a partial retreat from our bearish position, temporarily at least. It’s much easier to be objective when we don’t have a lot at stake.
In this 3-part series I detail 7 expensive lessons I paid for at the University of Wall Street. I use my investment due diligence process as a narrative and have altered the names, dates and places to protect the innocent (and not so innocent).
My earliest recollection of economic sanctions was in 1984 … during apartheid years.
Over the last month the markets have oscillated violently within a narrow range as they digest.
