The main basic features of this Sony digital camera include top-quality Carl Zeiss lens with 4x optical zoom, super high resolution of 12.1 mega pixels. I have invested in out of favour sectors and stocks in the past but am finally trying to master that technique as my main investment style. In return they promise to do their best to grow so that when you need your investment back, they can give you more than you started with. It’s an imaginary number that describes the rate at which an investment would have grown if it grew at a steady rate. And I am actually very grateful to have learnt value investing back then in 2001. It taught me a scientific method to value stocks instead of using gut feel. Among the other recommendations, BAC is still selling for a pretty steep discount compared to book value and compared to any other financial company out their.

Thinking about the first question; the problem is that by using a point estimate of the covariance matrix I am missing out on the fact that there is a lot of noise in the underlying data. A lot of contrarian opportunties have massive downside (basically bankruptcy or some such disastrous outcome) so I’m always scared. I have looked at real estate in emerging markets but I’m not sure how to invest there. If emerging markets correct–and I think they will if the US economy slows down–then foreign real estate will be a place to look. In political news, Yellen’s nomination for Fed chief received the approval of the senate banking committee and will be sent to the full senate for a vote. The other item worth mentioning is that senate democrats voted to end the rule requiring a 60 vote majority for cloture on nominations of judicial and executive nominations. While it is true that it only applies to nominations, it is a short step to include all votes in the senate.

The VIX was down 6%, again nearing the lower boundary of its short term trading range (a penetration would be a plus for stocks). With an ever increasing choice of low cost trackers – funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs), it is relatively simple to select a range of products to provide you with a fully diversified asset allocation to fit every possible option. It is once again nearing the lower boundary of its long term trading range (114.43) —a break of which would be very negative for GLD. GLD (119.94) was off, closing within its short term downtrend and on the lower boundary of its intermediate term downtrend. It ended within its intermediate term downtrend. So as an investor not a trader, my long term strategy calls for me to sit on my hands until valuations return to normalcy. I continue to believe that the upper boundaries of the Averages long term uptrends are the most logical upside objectives, especially with stocks so overvalued fundamentally.

I wonder about their motivation; but whatever, it is, the consensus seems to be for more upside. Yesterday’s US economic news was mostly positive: weekly jobless claims fell more than anticipated, October PPI was tame and the November Markit PMI reading was above consensus. The bigger the pot, the more margin you will have – but what is a reasonable target to aim for? The technical question is, will this assault be successful? Bottom line: the assault on 16000/1800 is on again with the Dow managing to close above 16000 and the S&P falling short. At this point, I’m pleased with my overall results, but also realize that I could be just lucky given the short time frame. They also look very risky right now given the huge run-up in almost everything in those countries (for example, real estate in some parts of India are ridiculous and worse than USA). India is predominantly an agricultural country.

Real estate is probably a simpler bet in emerging markets than trying to invest in consumer goods, manufacturing, or technology, in those countries. In the Rockaways, where majority of basements and many ground floor levels were swamped, the real estate buyers are interested due to their attraction towards lower prices. Marc Faber is also bullish on real estate in developing countries. Developing property involves sub dividing land, installing roads, sewers and utilities, and constructing buildings. I don’t really see much to blame Lexicon for, as the clinical data that have been presented have been pretty consistent (if not a little better than expected) and the launch of Xermelo has gone well. Many universities also require aspiring MBA students to submit previous grades as well as scores from a graduate entrance exam such as the GRE. This saves an investor the need to regularly and consciously adjust his asset allocation as he ages and is less able to take risk. I just need to master stock valuation.