March « 2011 « Investment Postcards from Cape Town

The closely-watched smoothed growth rate of the ECRI Weekly Leading Index (WLI) is about to peak, indicating that the WLI is losing momentum. Read on for the implications for economic growth … […]

Gold is the safest currency, says Richard Russell

By Prieur du Plessis, on March 16th, 2011 posted in: Investment, Markets, Money

In a rare public talk, Richard Russell, 86-year old author of the Dow Theory Letters, made an appearance at the Casey Research Gold and Resource Summit to discuss the depreciation of the dollar and why he feels safe holding gold. […]

Global growth in the wake of Japan’s earthquake

By Prieur du Plessis, on March 16th, 2011 posted in: Economy, Japan

“Last week’s devastating earthquake in Japan may have limited impact outside of the country, given that global growth dynamics no longer rely heavily on a demand impulse from Japan,” said BCA in an update on global growth. […]

Nuclear physicist on Japanese crisis

By Prieur du Plessis, on March 16th, 2011 posted in: Economy, Japan

Nuclear physicist Kirby Kemper gives his assessment of the Japan nuclear crisis, including the likelihood of a meltdown and radiation risks. […]

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Fukushima vs. Three Mile Island vs. Chernobyl

By Prieur du Plessis, on March 16th, 2011 posted in: Economy, Japan

“The Fukushima nuclear incident will likely be upgraded from a level 4 to a 5 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale. The scale runs from 0 to 7—the most severe. The incident will remain “an event with local consequences,” although this excludes the consequences for the expansion of nuclear power generation around the world,” said Mikka Pineda of Roubini Global Economics in this topical post. […]

Barton Biggs: Ordering Japanese

By Prieur du Plessis, on March 16th, 2011 posted in: Investment, Japan

Barton Biggs, Traxis Partners managing partner, didn’t own Japan before, but says he jumped in yesterday. Biggs believes the radiation levels will not present a serious problem, and that the economic impact will be negligible. […]