Survival of the Fittest – Iron ore versus Oil
One month ago, the ASX closed its worst trading month in history. One month later, the ASX has closed its best trading month ever. In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) recorded its best month in 33 years. Volatility persists, as market sentiment bounces back and forth between enthusiasm over any news on…
Safety and Opportunity in Healthcare
Global markets, including the ASX, have followed the lead set by the passage of the largest “stimulus” package in US history, have begun a multi-day upward trend. In three days, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 21%, roaring back into Bull Market status. The USD$2 trillion-dollar package passed in the US Senate and was passed…
Recession Deniers Fading Away
At the close of the 2019 trading year, the second largest investment bank in the US – Goldman Sachs – confidently declared the US economy “all but recession proof.” Goldman now predicts 0% growth in Q1 of 2020 with negative 5% coming in Q2, although the bank along with rival JP Morgan Chase both predict…
Lessons Learned from the GFC
Earlier in the week retail investors still reading the financial news began to see analyst/expert opinions that the dramatic selloffs both here and in the US were an “overreaction” to the uncertainty about the economic impact of the current crisis. The “overreaction” continued in mid-week, with the S&P indices in both countries descending into Bear…
Bulletproof Defense Industry Stocks
On 4 March Australian investors breathed a sigh of relief after GDP (gross domestic product) topped expectations for the December Quarter with a reading of +0.5%. For the calendar year 2019 the GDP of 2.2% maintained the country’s stellar record of 28 years of consecutive economic growth. However, some economists are reminding us while we…
Junior Gold Miners Worthy of Consideration
On 18 February investors around the world, apparently firm in their belief the economic impact of the coronavirus would be short-lived and relatively minor, were shocked when the largest company by market cap in the world – Apple Inc – announced the coronavirus in fact would make it “unlikely” the company would hit its First…
Oil and Gas Stocks – Buy or Stay Away
On the morning of the 13th day of February in the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures market implied a loss of more than 150 points at the market open. This after the US market setting new record highs less than 24 hours prior, reportedly driven by the “on-again off-again” status of…
Coronavirus Presents Buying Opportunities
On 30 December of 2019 Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist practicing at Central Hospital of Wuhan posted a warning on social media of a “SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) like” virus originating from the seafood markets in Wuhan. Dr. Wenliang was reportedly detained by authorities for rumormongering but released within a few days. On 30…
IPOs Have Something for Everyone
In theory, investors considering an investment in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) should follow many of the same principles that apply to picking winning stocks already trading in public markets. In practice, the “must read” information contained in the IPO Prospectus published by about to list companies can be challenging to interpret. In August of…
Did BlackRock Pull the Plug on King Coal?
While coal has lost its grip on the title of “King of Commodities”, it has defied the oddsmakers predicting its ultimate demise. Numerous “King Coal is Dead” articles and contrarian views touting coal’s resilience litter the financial news. Yet the King stubbornly hangs on, defying the skeptics and delighting the contrarians. The “king coal is…
