A New Hope

The Baltic Dry Index has been falling for months, but that may be changing.

If you look closely, the index has registered its first X since September.

This is a good sign for the badly beaten shipping sector, as well as the global economy. For those unfamiliar with the BDI, it is a benchmark for global shipping rates, and is a measure of the impact the credit crisis is having on the real economy. Rates are falling as letters of credit have become increasingly rare. While this short term trend change may not translate into a bull market in equities (there are plenty of other problems), this may help provide a bottom for shipping stocks.

The Pain Of Gluttony

Thursday evening, itching all over and writhing in pain, I prayed to the Twin Pink Goddesses Bismol and Benadryl. It was getting harder to breath as red and white splotches began to texture my skin, but there was nothing to be done.

Note to self: don't use the epipen for recreation, you just might need it.

An allergic reaction to Durian Coconut Milkshake, the most flavorful beverage I'd had in years, had rendered me useless. Being a cheap bastard, I don't have health insurance, so the cost of emergency care should have concerned me. Yet, amidst the danger and suffering, all I could think about was missing a blog post.

Thus, barring more medical maladies, I will strive for regular updates from my bubble. Though I may be encumbered by poor health and distracted by lucrative projects, the chronicling of personal opinion is an interesting way to forge the future.

More to follow after a hearty round of dim sum...

Just for the Record

According to my NASDAQ indicator, the market is stronger than the pre-election rally.

Buying dips in sectors breaking out of bases is the way to play.

At some point I'll make a rundown of sectors I think are hot, but gold miners are clearly the group to beat. A return to prices seen before Lehman's closed is possible before a resumption of the bear market. Emerging commodities markets and growing countries stand to benefit in the coming rally, all at the expense of the US dollar and Treasury prices. The market still exhibits high risk, but volatility is declining and there are an increasing number of bullish stocks. Trade what you see, trade well.