January 2010
January 31, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: FIRE
, COGT.DL
, FLIR
Check out this wonderful website that should be a part of all Investors due diligence with regard to companies that operate In sectors of the economy that receive BILLIONS of dollars from our Federal Government In the form of contracts,loans,and grants ..... http://washingtontechnology.com/toplists/top-100-lists/2009.aspx TS [more]
January 30, 2010 –
Global Economic Outlook
The International Monetary Fund is forecasting positive growth in 2010; yet, it warns the pace of growth will be too sluggish to prevent further increases in unemployment across the global economy.
What is the outlook for the global economy in 2010? [more]
January 30, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: AUY
, CDE
, GG
The price of gold has gone from approximately $700/ounce in late 2008 to its current approximate $1130/ounce. Some say gold is going to $2000 in the near future. Some say $5000/ounce gold is coming soon. Some even say $10,000/ounce gold will be seen within the next 10 years. Others say the industrial value of gold (for jewelry, etc.) is only about $700/ounce. The rest is all premium due to speculation. [more]
January 29, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: CCC
America is running out of water! Sooner rather than later, your tap could run dry.
Tens of thousands of acres of the nation’s farmland already are parched, and reservoirs, lakes, and streams across the country have dried up. States, cities, businesses, neighbors, and even one-time friends now fight over the right to take what’s left from our fast-shrinking rivers and lakes and from the underground water supplies known as aquifers that hold our freshwater. Pollution, poisons, and contaminants—natural and man-made—further taint our dwindling resource.
Water has become the golden commodity of the twenty-first century. Once plentiful and pure, today it’s a finite resource like oil or gold, and its price is rising, too, whether you price it by bottle, bath, or billions of gallons.
Some battles for this new millennium’s “clear gold” are reminiscent of frontier-style, guns-drawn shootouts at the OK Corral; others end up as years-long, mega-million-dollar fights in court. Both kinds of disputes are equally acrimonious and devastating to the losers.
In Arizona, for example, pecan farmers watch their trees and livelihood wither in a battle with an industrial neighbor, who they claim depleted the area’s aquifer. After the aquifer’s water level drops by half—from thirty-two feet to only sixteen feet—the trees die of thirst.
The state of Mississippi battles the city of Memphis, Tennessee, in court with claims that the city and its Memphis Light, Gas and Water Company pilfered tens of millions of gallons of water from Mississippi’s aquifer. It’s not the first time the two have faced off over water. In February 2008, a federal district judge dismissed Mississippi’s $1 billion lawsuit against Memphis, but the fight is far from over. The interstate dispute is destined for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has jurisdiction over interstate issues.
In Colorado, two cities head to court over tens of millions of gallons of disputed water in a single stream that has for years quenched their needs. It takes a pricey deal with yet a third city—and a beer brewer—to calm the storm over water, but not without millions more dollars in fines and fees changing hands. After all that, the water shortage still isn’t resolved.
Elsewhere in Colorado, farmers and their neighbors end up thirsty and out of luck after more than four hundred water wells are shut down—plugged—because, the courts determine, these residents “stole” water they didn’t own the rights to even though the wells are on their individual properties.
Yet again, North Carolina and South Carolina square off in court in 2007—this time in the U.S. Supreme Court—over rights to take water from the Catawba River to quench the thirst of the Charlotte, North Carolina, suburbs of Concord and Kannapolis. That dispute, already years old, is likely to drag on for several more years. In March 2009, South Carolina’s attorney general rejects a call by his North Carolina counterpart to resolve the case outside of the Supreme Court.
The states of Tennessee and Georgia are in an old-fashioned border war precipitated by a controversial 1818 land survey. The prize: access to the Tennessee River and its billions of gallons of aqua!
The battles today rage coast to coast. Large-scale water disputes once were rare, and only arose in desert states or between frontier farmers and ranchers. But that was before huge populations, urban and rural sprawl, years of overbuilding and development, drought, climate change, pollution, and more took their toll.
Water once was abundant, with plenty to go around. But that’snot necessarily the case anymore, especially if you factor in the spreading issue of groundwater pollution—natural and otherwise. Earth’s essential, no-longer-so-easily-renewable resource is in short supply.
Aqua Shock looks realistically at the water crisis in America. It touches on global issues and connections; explains where our water comes from, what’s happening to it, and why; examines the poorly understood and highly complicated water laws that control water supplies; discusses who does and doesn’t own the rights to the water; describes how our groundwater is polluted and depleted; and considers what, if anything, can be done to ease the crisis.
This isn’t another book filled with corporate-speak or grandstanding for a cause, and it doesn’t dwell on the technicalities of the world’s water or the shortcomings of conservation or development. Neither does it single out states, developers, groups, or individuals for ridicule or blame.
Instead, Aqua Shock is a simple description of our nation’s water as a shrinking resource, and the problems, issues, and complexities associated with it. The book brings home the statistics and the shocking realities of America’s battle for water with real-life illustrations of the thirst and tribulations of individuals, companies, towns, cities, states, and regions. We turn to real stories from real people who give this global issue a human face in our own neighborhoods.
Before anyone shrugs off Aqua Shock as scare tactics, the woes of somewhere else, or more rhetoric from environmentalists or corporations, keep in mind that our nation’s midsection—with its withered fields and shrinking groundwater supplies—fulfills much of America’s (and the world’s) appetite for food, water, and—now with corn-based ethanol—fuel. That midsection stretches from North Dakota to Texas and from California to Nebraska.
The U.S. water shortage isn’t confined to the Great Plains or the West, either. At least thirty-six states across the country expect water shortages of some kind by 2013, and that’s not even factoring in drought or changing climate conditions, according to a 2003 report from the U.S. General Accounting Office. Forty-six states are expected to be under drought conditions by 2013. If you think that it’s not in your neighborhood, look more closely:
--The nearly five million residents of Atlanta, Georgia, were shocked into reality in 2007 when it was revealed that their
main water source, Lake Lanier, was drying up. By spring 2009, rains finally had eased drought conditions, and in June, Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division issued its first non-drought outdoor watering schedule since June 2006.
--North Carolina had its driest winter in 113 years in 2007, according to data from the National Climatic Data Center, part of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
--Florida, a peninsula (meaning that it is surrounded on three sides by water), averages more than fifty inches of rain a year, yet regularly faces water-shortage emergencies in some areas. With rainfall totals 70 percent below normal, by mid-March 2009, Tampa Bay Water’s regional reservoir ran out of water, and the utility was forced to turn to alternative sources for water.
--In May 2008, a fire in Florida’s Lake Okeechobee—specifically in the then-severely depleted lake’s bed—covered thousands of acres before being extinguished.
--New Berlin, Wisconsin, near the banks of Lake Michigan, must deal with water restrictions because of population growth, water use limitations imposed by international laws and regional agreements, and drainage patterns. Geologically, the city sits on a subcontinental divide: Part of the city drains into the Great Lakes Basin (the area that includes the Great Lakes and its watershed), and the other part drains away from it.
--Rain forests and paradise aren’t immune, either. Some parts of the Hawaiian Islands have experienced what the National Weather Service and the U.S. Drought Monitor (a drought report published by the U.S. government) call “extreme drought” conditions.
Water shortage is a national problem we no longer can ignore. It’s global in scope, too. Here are some numbers:
--More than 1 billion people worldwide do not have access to minimal amounts of clean water, according to United Nations data.
--In Latin America alone, approximately 76 million people lack safe water, according to the World Bank.
--Every year 1.8 million children die as a result of diarrhea and other diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation, according to the United Nations report mentioned above.
--By 2035, as many as 3 billion people may live in areas with severe water shortages, especially if they live in Africa, the Middle East, or South Asia, as the World Bank predicts they will. The issue for Americans isn’t simply a result of population growth or water demand, drought, development, or pollution. It’s all of that and more. [more]
January 29, 2010 –
Investing Through DRIPs What Are Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRPs)?
Companies offer DRPs as a way for their shareholders to buy stock directly from the company (usually through a transfer agent) in very small to large amounts, and usually on a monthly basis if desired. These plans get their name from the fact that they also reinvest dividends paid, using these dividends to purchase more stock. Thus the name "Dividend Reinvestment Plan." The specifics of whether or not you have to reinvest the dividends depends on the plan. http://www.fool.com/School/drips.htm [more]
January 29, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: MSI
, BBRY
, GOOG
Take this opportunity to accumulate some shares with an eye towards the second half of the year and beyond......
Motorola is predicted to become the leading supplier of Android devices, pushing HTC to the number two spot. Motorola got real serious with Android with the launch of the Verizon based Droid and it looks like that is paying off.
[more]
January 27, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: SQNM
, LXRX
, BMRN
I believe that during my lifetime ( I still have a few years left I hope) that there will be major discoveries In biotechnology that will rival anything ever seen. Although there will be many more losers In biotech than winners,the sector that everybody either loves or hates Is relevant to peoples lives,and In many cases their Investment decisions. Biotech breakthroughs or failures can affect other companies bottom lines,especially In the medical fields,Including managed care facilities and hospitals. There are a lot of skeptical Investors with regard to this sector,but In my opinion,their skepticism can be gold mine for people that believe In this science. There are many biotech companies on the verge of great discoveries, and I welcome all of the doubters with open arms, as I continue to Invest In the future healthcare of the general public..... TS A push for drug discovery : Top 6 technologies Jahanara Parveen
When the first human genetic map was unveiled in the year 2000, the global collaborative project cost approximately $3 billion. Two years ago, when the full genome of the iconic scientist, James Watson was published in full, the project cost just a tenth or around $300 million. Now there are companies in California offering to provide an individual’s gene map for just about $1,000. And the latest issue of Technology Review, from MIT, has predicted that the individual genome map could soon be available for as little as $100. [more]
January 27, 2010 –
“The US personal consumption share of GDP is still at its peak of 71 per cent, but that is a binge driven by property prices and credit bubbles, not by income,” Mr Roach told business people in Singapore recently. [more]
January 25, 2010 –
"The money powers prey upon the nation in times of peace and conspire against it in times of adversity. The banking powers are more despotic than a monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy. They denounce as public enemies all who question their methods or throw light upon their crimes. I have two great enemies, the Southern Army in front of me and the bankers in the rear. Of the two, the one at my rear is my greatest foe."
Abraham Lincoln...........
Proof of the Banking Conspiracy A Message from the Past
By Randy Lavello
[more]
January 25, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: SA
The Street.com sat down with Seabridge Gold's CEO earlier today. What he had to say was eye opener to say the least.... According to Rudi Fronk,CEO of Seabridge... "with less than 40 million shares outstanding,each one of our shares Is backed by 1.7 ounces of gold" !! That would put the value of ONE SHARE of common stock at $ 1645.00 !!!! Here Is the Interview......... http://www.thestreet.com/story/10666360/1/seabridge-gold-ceo-take-us-out.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEFI [more]
January 25, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: SUTR
Warren Buffett Is bullish on steel,maybe we should be too. Especially when some of the smaller companies like Sutor Technologies offer a compelling value.....
http://www.sutorcn.com/English/Index.php Jan. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Warren Buffett wants to increase his stake in Posco, Asia’s most profitable steelmaker, the company said, citing a discussion between Chief Executive Officer Chung Joon Yang and the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. yesterday. [more]
January 23, 2010 –
The Supreme Court decision to allow unlimited amounts of cash from corporations and business Interests to be used for political campaigns Is a horribly bad decision. The final takeover of America by big business will be complete. Our republic,and our democracy Is now at risk of complete collapse unless this decision Is reversed by Congress.... TS In the widely-publicized Supreme Court case Citizens United v. FEC, the Justices ruled in a 5-4 decision that corporations have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence election outcomes. Public Citizen is calling for a constitutional amendment to reverse this decision and prevent corporate giants from taking over our elections............. http://www.youtube.com/v/E4520q8s0z8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"> [more]
January 22, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: GOOG
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin plan to steadily sell off up to 10 million shares of stock over the next five years, according to an SEC filing. At today's closing price of $550, those shares would be worth $5.5 billion if sold immediately. Although the two co-founders hold Class B shares with super-voting rights, if they sell all 5 million shares, their voting control will drop from 59 percent today to 48 percent. From the filing: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/22/AR2010012204124.html [more]
January 22, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: LXRX
, HSOL
, SUTR
My new 5 year,green thumb,helpful pitches alter-ego Is doing ok. Check back tomorrow for my latest "Buffet" backed pick that will begin It's five year journey tomorrow..... Good Luck TS
January 09, 2010 –
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RELATED TICKERS: CAAS
, CEO
, CSKI
Here Is a list of Chinese stocks on the New York Stock Exchange and their prices....
Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. (ACH) $32.37 52 week low $9.91 [more]
January 09, 2010 –
14 Biotechs Line Up to Go Public in 2010 : The Burrill Report January 04, 2010 ALDH / ALIM / TSRX / IRWD / CDXS / ANTH / MBGI / TNGN / RULE / SRGV / AVEO / AH
. Codexis (CDXS), based in Redwood City, California hopes to raise $100 million. The company is a leading provider of optimized biocatalysts for industrial and biopharmaceutical applications. Its products are used by pharmaceutical companies such as Merck (MRK), Pfizer (PFE) and Dr Reddy's Laboratories (RDY), and by companies working to develop advanced biofuels with partners such as Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A). Codexis is also developing biocatalysts to use in other bio-industrial markets, including green chemicals, carbon management, and water treatments. Codexis plans to list on the Nasdaq under the symbol "CDXS." Credit Suisse Securities and Goldman Sachs are the joint book-running managers, with RBC Capital Markets and Pacific Crest Securities acting as co-managers for the offering. Both Codexis and certain of its stockholders will sell their shares in the proposed IPO. The company's venture capital shareholders include CMEA Ventures, FirstMark Capital, CTTV Investments, and Burrill & Company, the publisher of The Burrill Report. http://seekingalpha.com/article/180676-14-biotechs-line-up-to-go-public-in-2010 [more]
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