Re: So, forum financial gurus...

[skully]

As to the market skully, I have NFI. My sense is that the recent run is a bit illusory. Nothing has really changed in Europe and the world economy is slowing down if anything.

FWIW - I have been selling various stocks (including gold stocks) over the last couple of weeks.

I think the Aussie and Asian markets in general are destined to go nowhere in the next year or so. Not up, but not down either. I'd be surprised if the AO pushes through 4500 by the end of the year.

Any money to be made on the markets at the moment is by taking a gamble and investing in Europe. The markets in Athens, having been hammered into the ground this last year, have gained by about 30% in the last three months. There's some money to be made with a 'get in/get out' strategy in Greek, Italian, and Spanish markets. The first firm sign of a recovery and the money will come pouring back in.

Otherwise TDs are still the least risky option if you're planning on setting yourself up for a comfortable retirement.

Pretty much sums up my line of thinking, Trev.

[Henry]

F*ck you Australian dollar.

Iron ore prices dropping, demand from China is dropping, retail and tourism in Australia is in the doldrums, but you, you stubborn little over-valued currency, remain tediously strong.

On what basis??

Weakness of the US$ and Euro would seem obvious.

I wouldn't say things are as great here as some people think, either. There are already signs that Australia is taking China;s demand and money for granted, and I don't see any clear plan B.

I didn't expect the Aus dollar to drop like a stone to early 2000s levels, but I expected at least a move back to parity with the US.

[skully]

F*ck you Australian dollar.

Iron ore prices dropping, demand from China is dropping, retail and tourism in Australia is in the doldrums, but you, you stubborn little over-valued currency, remain tediously strong.

On what basis??

Weakness of the US$ and Euro would seem obvious.

I wouldn't say things are as great here as some people think, either. There are already signs that Australia is taking China;s demand and money for granted, and I don't see any clear plan B.

I didn't expect the Aus dollar to drop like a stone to early 2000s levels, but I expected at least a move back to parity with the US.

Agree 100%, Trev. Smarmy Goose Swan smirks every day about how great the Aus economy is, but it is not how everyone is feeling. We all feel like things are unstable and a bit on the gloomy side. Ask retailers what they think. Certainly ain't no bullish economy AFAIC.

[lardbucket]

See if David Jones are still here in a year ...

[JGK]

With all the sabre rattling between Iran and Israel at the moment, oil could be a decent short term play.

[JGK]

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of Black Monday.

The Dow "celebrated" by falling 1.5%.

[skully]

Aye, I knew the rally was too good to last. Was starting to 2nd guess my recent decision to settle for a shitty 4.7% on a sizeable chunk of my Super portfolio.

[Invader Zim]

Oi JGK, I'm doing a unit in Economics ATM and during some research into Spain's imbroglio came across this contemporary revisiting of the 'Chicago Plan' from the IMF no less: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2012/wp12202.pdf

Would be interested in your thoughts on this (heretical) idea...

I frankly can't see a down side to it!

[Henry]

Interest rates held as they were. Sensible, imo. Cutting them in recent times has done next to nothing except punish savers.

[JGK]

Well it has helped borrowers but I agree, no obvious need to cut now. Better to keep as much powder dry as possible.

[skully]

Now get those farkers moving up a bit. Fark borrowers.

[JGK]

Fark borrowers.

You really do want to be like John Howard don't you.

[skully]

Meh, I've paid my dues. I paid 17% mortgage rates when that qunt Keating was the Treasurer. Let the current farkers eat the cake they can afford at the current 6% rates, and stop being a sook.

[lardbucket]

17%? It got worse than that.

[Invader Zim]

Meh, I've paid my dues. I paid 17% mortgage rates when that qunt Keating was the Treasurer. Let the current farkers eat the cake they can afford at the current 6% rates, and stop being a sook.

Suck shit dickhead. I had a term deposit getting 18% in the 90's and now have a mortgage at less than 6%. The ALP looks after it's own.

[skully]

So is Obama's newest deadly foe - Cliff (Fiscal Cliff), gonna plunge the world into Financial farked-up-the-arsedness, or will the Congress act maturely and responsibly to avoid a US recession?

And if the Congress does act as expected - like a bunch of petty retards, how will the World's Greatest Treasurer avoid the 2nd GFC, with no cleverly and fiscally wisely constructed and sizable Surplus to bail his sorry arse out?

[Paul Keating]

This guy used to work at my IB

Actually really likeable but what an idiot. Life is ruined now.

http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/australian-financial-analyst-trent-martin-accused-of-insider-trading-scandal-linked-to-ibm-acquiring-spss/story-fn7ki14e-1226547263585

[Bradman]

Hehehe! Trust your money to a bloke who's gonna pay 20mil for $7600 payout.

You gotta love high finance.

[skully]

Rates on hold - for now.

So gurus, with a Super TD about to mature, is it time to jump into shares, or has Italy and Spain farked the market - again?

With a rubbish 4.4% or so on offer, shirley equities are looking a much better investment than they were a year a go?? Just a bit scared shitless to lose ground after nursing my balance along nicely for the past 2 years.

[JGK]

could go either way at the moment.

[taipan]

I have been looking into financial schemes in Nigeria.

[skully]

4.25% is all I can get now in TDs. The All Ords only has to get to 5,000 in 6 months to beat that shit rate. Might be time for a deep breath and plunge back into equities. [hand quivers over the BUY button]

[JGK]

4.25% is all I can get now in TDs. The All Ords only has to get to 5,000 in 6 months to beat that shit rate. Might be time for a deep breath and plunge back into equities. [hand quivers over the BUY button]

Just make sure you leave enough money to maintain your broadband connection.

[skully]

I'm a Conservative, MrK. I'd never go more than 50% equities / 50% TDs. The great thing about self-managing is I can make it happen almost instantly.

[embee]

I The great thing about self-managing is I can make it happen almost instantly.

RD says the same about his sock habit

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