This article shows more anecdotal evidence of the improvement in the housing market.  With rates so low and affordability considerably better, the primary things holding back purchases are consumer confidence, and available financing.  Assuming sentiment continues to improve I see no reason why we haven’t seen the bottom in the housing market. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304636404577295333746038516.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories INVESTING IN...Read More

This was a bet made a few years back that the S&P 500 index would outperform a fund of funds.  Buffett’s premise of course was that due to the excessive fees charged by the fund of funds, over time it is very likely the S&P 500 which is very low in cost would outperform.  It...Read More

One of my favorite investors Wilbur Ross, was on CNBC this morning.  He discussed the dangers of long term bonds, the long term outlook for natural gas, and he talks about the banking sector as well.  Ross has a fairly large position in the natural gas company Exco Resources (XCO) which he is down on...Read More

John Paulson has finally had his desired impact as the Hartford Financial Group (HIG) announced that they will be winding down their annuity business, to focus on P&C Insurance, employee benefits, and their mutual fund business.  The annuity business created too much stress on the Hartford as declines in the market caused extreme volatility that...Read More

It appears that the ratings agencies are back at it with a possible downgrade to AGO announced by Moody’s.  This makes absolutely no sense when you look at the earnings, capital, and the moves the company has made to reduce risk in the portfolio.  If you don’t like volatility AGO is not a good stock...Read More

This was a fun little article on Ben Bernanke.  I think you can criticize him and Alan Greenspan for their attitude as the bubble built and lending standards declined, but I can’t criticize his reaction once he realized the gravity of the problems the economy was facing.  In my opinion he has been fighting as...Read More

After reviewing the Jefferies earnings call I’m very optimistic as to how this quarter should shake out for the other financials.  CEO Richard Handler has done an amazing job with Jefferies, in the most difficult of environment.  I really appreciate the way that he has opportunistically bought back stock and debt at favorable prices, and...Read More

The writing is on the wall for the slowdown in Chinese economic growth.  Unsustainable hard asset construction has been crucial for the cyclical buoyancy to many commodities such as iron, copper, crude oil, etc.  This Asian growth has been vital as the traditional economic heavyweights have been hindered through a severe recession, and several different...Read More

I enjoy this guy’s writings as I think he provides excellent commentary.  This article on what really matters in finding an attractive investment is particularly helpful to investors. http://www.gurufocus.com/news/168996/what-ben-grahams-mr-market-metaphor-really-means INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS INVOLVES RISKS. OPTIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.Read More

In what seems like a pretty horrendous investment to me, HSBC is offering a structured note that pays 7% a year as long as AAPL doesn’t fall by more than 7.6%.  After the huge run-up in the stock a 7.6% drop in price would be nothing, and to give up the potential upside on this...Read More