[Oct25'08] Oil & Gas: We've seen bottom price resistence among certain gas income trusts and related facilities providers. Look closely at debt levels, low P/E and profitable income from steady producers and you'll have a difficult time finding returns and solid value anywhere else.

With commodity price volatility, U.S. bonds may be portrayed as the "safe" alternative of the moment. People continue to view inflation as if it is just something to do with the Consumer Price Index. But whispers from those with more wisdom might break through the political veil to become audible. And more people might begin to understand that the U.S. continues to borrow and print money, boosting money supply to fund bailouts and war in addition to trying to uphold growing costs for social security and health care.

Public cries about inflation might yet deafen markets. And an answer might be to "get real" by holding essential commodities and owning businesses that run with "belts already tightend".

[Dec04'07] Oil & Gas: Enerplus Resources Fund and Focus Energy Trust announced that they have entered into an agreement for a takeover by Enerplus of Focus.

[Nov01'07] Oil & Gas: Penn West Energy Trust and Canetic Resources Trust announced that they have entered into a combination agreement to potentially form "Canada's flagship energy trust"

[Oct25'08] GENERAL: In 2006 and then in 2007, we marked the prospects of markets coming apart led by a collapse of derivatives and credit created in U.S. markets. In Q1 2007, we refunded subscribers' money so that they could stop depending on advice for investment because we were concerned about the overall health of the market. We talked about pending stagflation. And we're almost there.

U.S. Treasuries are not the real solution. Gold may be a temporary solution until global leaders can get together a new form of fiat currency. Oil and gas required for survival, food and other commodities are essential for developed and developing societies and so, important holdings if you want to "save" for a rainy day.

When it rains it pours. So where do you put your money? To start thinking about it a bit while standing back to look at the big picture... check out the newly released movie and book I.O.U.S.A. Addison Wiggin and Kate Incontrerea have helped to shape and deliver a significant wake-up call. They've documented the U.S. Wake-up tour to inform citizens about the dire debt situation there and so around the world.

With growing financial debt and a deficit of leadership, Americans and we have to begin to take responsibility for ourselves, our children and grandparents and begin to care about one another and our freedom, that we may have discretion, to preserve democratic society.

[Nov01'07] GENERAL: The Canadian government led by Harper has had a year to organize the terms of its pending tax on income trust distributions. And as many expected, Finance Minister Flaherty, used the anniversary of devastating new taxes, less one day, as opportunity to announce another proposal. This one suggests the government will reduce GST and income taxes in coming years. What's really new? What does this matter...

[Sep21'07] Oil & Gas: For the first time in memory for many market traders, the Canadian dollar has matched the value of the U.S. dollar. Consumer pride and delight makes the headlines, while back pages cover business managers' concerns about potential loss of exports to the U.S. and need for layoffs. Many income trusts are real businesses with similar concerns.