Articles

Many commodities and currencies have experienced steep increases in recent months. Oil is up almost 100%, copper over 80% and the Aussie 30%. So is it time to start shorting?

If the possibility of a market downturn has you worried, you might want to consider purchasing some insurance for your portfolio. Here I am referring to a process called ‘hedging’, which ensures that your downside risk is limited by purchasing a financial instrument that will offset any loss incurred in your portfolio.

What was the SEC thinking leading up to July 6th 2007? That is the day when the uptick rule - a rule in place since 1934 to help keep markets orderly - was removed. Famous Investor Lazlo Birinyi has been among those calling for its reinstatement for some time and is now joined by several members of US congress. It’s about time!

It should be an interesting week ahead. At time of writing (Wednesday May 27th) several currency pairs are trading close to major 50% milestones or “half points.”

Banking executives, fund managers, investors, retirees watched a little nervously early this week as the short selling ban on Australian local banks was lifted. Was an avalanche about to happen?