jerpy

Not sure how we can see shoots of recovery when these sort of figures are still being churned out? NEW YORK, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Builder KB Home posted a quarterly loss on Friday, citing unprecedented pressures on the industry and the economy, and said conditions in 2009 would remain difficult or worsen. The No. 5 U.S. homebuilder posted a net loss of $307.3 million, or $3.96per share, for the fourth quarter ended on Nov. 30, compared with a year-earlier loss of $772.7 million, or $9.99 per share. Revenue fell 56 percent to $919 million. Riggers

Like this article only because it reinforces my attitude to gold. http://seekingalpha.com/article/109400-is-...rticle_sb_picks

Brilliant! Don't know how you do it without resorting to Bart like comments D'OHH

Just thought i'd post this up as a message from our sponsors World Gold Demand Increases 18%, Hits Record High in Dollar Terms By Gold World Staff Thursday, November 20th, 2008 Smart gold investors aren't ready to throw in the towel yet. Because despite a 25% drop in prices over the past five months, the gold bull market is still healthy and on track. And a recent sharp increase in world gold demand is our proof. World Gold Demand in a Bull Market Two weeks ago, Mining Speculator investment director Greg McCoach wrote to you and outlined the basics of how a gold bull market works. If you recall, Greg mentioned that gold bull markets generally consist of three succeeding events: Currency devaluation Increased investment demand; and Speculative mania buying We began to see a sharp correction in the value of the U.S. dollar beginning in 2001, which quickly lead to a jump in investment demand. A subsequent 7-year U.S. dollar bear market helped lift gold prices from $250 to over $1,000 an ounce. Over the same period of time, world gold demand grew in terms of both tonnage and dollars, aided by the introduction of the now widely popular gold ETFs and similar gold investment vehicles. In July, the U.S. dollar reversed its downward trend, and continues to enjoy a bull market as central banks and foreign governments buy the greenback as a hedge against their own deflating currencies. This U.S. dollar bull market has significantly pulled down on gold prices. Gold has lost roughly 25% since mid-summer, leading some to believe that the gold bull market might be over. But it's not! The current U.S. dollar bull market is short-term and fleeting. We expect the U.S. dollar to top out sometime within the next several weeks, then continue on it's long-term downward trend. And judging by a significant increase world gold demand, we're certainly not alone. Despite a five-month drop in prices, world gold demand increased 18%, and made a new all-time record high in term of dollars as lower prices encouraged investors to seek haven from the global credit crisis. World Gold Demand Increases 18%, Hits Record High in Dollar Terms World gold demand totaled 1,133.4 tonnes during the third-quarter. This was up 170.1 tonnes, or 18%, from levels of a year earlier. In dollar terms, this represented a 51% rise to $31.8 billion, an all-time record high! This is a 45% leap from the previous record set during the second-quarter, and a major indicator that the gold bull market is still on track. And there's even more convincing evidence . . . The biggest contributor to the increase in total world gold demand in third-quarter was identifiable investment, which was up 137.5 tonnes, or 56%, relative to year-earlier levels. Driving the improvement in identifiable investment was net retail investment, which increased 121% from 105.1 tonnes to 232.1 tonnes. Switzerland, Germany, India and the United States enjoyed the biggest surge in demand, although shortages of bars and coins were reported among bullion dealers in many parts of the world. Gold ETFs set a record net quarterly inflow of 150.0 tonnes, boosted by extreme levels of economic and financial uncertainty. The peak in inflows occurred at the end of the September, triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers and a fear of banking sector collapses. Net inflows surged by an unprecedented 111.0 tonnes during 5 consecutive trading days, equivalent to $7 billion! Increasing investment demand is key to any bull market. In fact, it's surging investment demand that will ultimately lead to the coveted speculative mania buying stage and the peak of this gold bull market. Investment demand continues to grow, which provides strong support for the ongoing progression of the gold bull market, despite a few bumps in the road. We continue to urge you to buy gold. Bullion dealers around the country are limited in what they can sell right now. But if you have money that you're looking to keep safe, and can find a dealer who can get it for you, buy some gold now before the price spikes. Good Investing, Gold World Staff

See these should have 3rd qtr results before the market opens on 31st Oct. Maybe there's some clue there? Thought RAB had recently tied investors into their funds, so would they really need to sell now? Riggers

Wouldn't a few countries like India just love that.

Interesting. China’s premier Wen Jiabao told the World Economic Forum’s ‘Summer Davos’ session in Tianjin that boosting sagging sentiment when the markets opened tomorrow would be a priority. ‘‘At this moment, confidence is even more precious than gold or any currencies,” he said. Riggers

Interesting..... Kazakhstan is proposing the creation of what amounts to an international uranium market, the president of the country’s national uranium producer said on Tuesday. The central Asian state has the world’s second largest proven uranium reserves after Australia. “The uranium market is a closed market, and we do not have market prices. To address this problem we are currently working to set up a [uranium] fund,” said Mukhtar Dzhakiyev, president of the Kazatomprom company. He said it would comprise key uranium producers and consumers, as well as the financial institutions behind the project. “The plan is to deposit uranium in the fund and receive shares in exchange for that,” he said, adding that all the companies would be entitled to one kilogram of uranium each. The next stage will be to create a uranium trading floor where share quotes will serve as "uranium market prices." Dzhakiyev said preliminary agreements had already been reached with the French-German firm Areva, Canada’s Cameco Corporation, and Russian uranium producers, as well as with a number of Chinese, Japanese, EU, and US nuclear power plants. He said if everything goes according to plan, the “fund” could be established next year. He said earlier Kazakhstan was planning to increase uranium production in 2008 by 42% to 9,400 tons. In 2007, the country produced 6,600 tons of uranium. By 2015, Kazakhstan expects to produce one-third of the world’s uranium output. http://www.bbj.hu/news/news_43653.html

Quite a comparison! Anyone know what the rise was like by comparison each time on similar time frames? Just wondered if their might be a link to expected rate of decline?

Niger uranium hit a strong move yesterday.

To be fair to her, some of her past hints have been erring on the side of caution. http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php...y_template.html Nevertheless, she warned that buyers should be wary of stretching themselves to get on the housing ladder.

Thought i'd post this up here as the most relevant thread. Analysts are claiming that several Aim miners appear to be undervalued, as they tumble to new lows. In some cases, the brokers say, some miners could soon become takeover targets. "It has almost been a bear market for Aim since last summer - some miners have fallen horrifically. Some have halved in value," he said. "You can see many of the junior miners need to raise cash, so why invest in a company that needs to raise cash to explore? There is also an aversion to risk, and Aim miners are quite high-risk." The article goes on to highlight an number of oversold opportunities. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtm...cxmktrep126.xml

Know what you are suggesting. But why should dealers provide the excuses? Rand LeShay, senior vice president of Los Angeles-based A-Mark Precious Metals, an authorized purchaser for the U.S. Mint, said that there was a big spike in demand for gold and silver coins and ingots after a recent price tumble http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews...lBrandChannel=0

Someone making a brave callat Persimmon! Mike Farley, group chief executive, said: “I hesitate to call this market but it’s not getting any worse.” http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/busi...icle4578195.ece

Latest take from our friendly estate agent says even they don't expect full recovery until 2012, somethings you can't deny, but you can still dress it up http://www.savills.co.uk/news.aspx?id=9936 19 August 2008 The End Of The Tunnel Is Nearer In The South The number of transactions in the housing market is half last year's levels and the number of housing starts is likely to fall even further. Supply could therefore become constrained in many markets over the coming months. This means that when the market does bottom out, it may be difficult for investors to make acquisitions. For anyone looking to invest, knowing which regions of the country are likely to recover first and fastest is essential to avoid being timed out by a rising market. Savills Research has forecast not only the duration and size of the market downturn but also the shape and timing of recovery. Their recovery map forecasts the year in which values will have returned to 2007 levels by UK Government region. It also shows the size of the subsequent house price growth that might be expected by 2020 by recording falls and subsequent rises. Savills recovery map suggests that London and the South-East will lead the recovery and will quickly return to former levels, by 2012 whilst, in the North-East and Northern Ireland for example, any upturn will occur later and full recovery is unlikely until 2016. Yolande Barnes, head of Savills residential research explains, "This property market downturn has affected virtually all property sectors and UK regions simultaneously but regions will vary far more when the upturn comes. "The lack of turnover and new supply which is such a feature of this downturn will be likely to lead to sharp increases in value in high-demand, low supply areas. Competition amongst homeowners will once again lead to rising prices, particularly in those areas with higher levels of housing market equity and stronger household purchasing power such as London, the South East and Scotland". Key findings include: London and the South East will lead the recovery so that, by 2012, values will have recovered to those pre-slump. Between 2008 and 2020 average growth in the South East will be +79%. Scotland will also have recovered by 2012 with growth between 2008 and 2020 averaging +47%. On the downside, Northern Ireland and the North East are forecast not to have recovered until 2016 with average growth between 2008 and 2020 of +33% and +19% respectively. Barnes again, "This downturn is severe and will almost certainly last for at least another year. But it is has been caused by the withdrawal of credit, not the withdrawal of long-term demand or by diminished purchasing power amongst owner occupiers. It is this that will shape the recovery when it comes. Although the credit crisis has affected all sectors and regions more or less equally and simultaneously, we will see a very different pattern in the recovery. Canny investors will take this into account now".

Now thats an interesting educational graph, makes me realise i should take more notice of trend graphs. thanks for that Dr B. Will watch with interest.

Thanks for the education on this, didn't realise they were quite as infrequent as that. Oh and i'll leave the antique stuff well alone.

Any useful advice on how and where to buy Shekels? Just a bit fascinated by them and want a small percentage as part of a diversified portfolio if possible. Particularly on the safety of purchase? Trustworthy sources, physical receipt, safe storage etc Riggers

Don't know whether you can answer this, but what if anyone went further and bought for their children or grandchildren?

Perfect for me, only just getting to grips with buying the physical stuff, other than in a shop thanks for taking the time Steve Riggers

Dr Bubb, If ever you ahd a case for changing a thread title this has to be it surely? Down, down deeper and down! http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/minewe...2&sn=Detail With clear warning for explorers........ "Most importantly" RBCCM continued, "in our view, will be disinterested equity markets that might cease funding uranium exploration and development. We believe that the absence of equity market participation in the uranium industry would constrain the ability of uranium supply to meet the growing demand, which, in turn, could threaten the ability of global utilities' new reactor build programs". You would think a bounce would come sometime?

Dr Bubb, If ever you ahd a case for changing a thread title this has to be it surely? Down, down deeper and down! http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/minewe...2&sn=Detail With clear warning for explorers........ "Most importantly" RBCCM continued, "in our view, will be disinterested equity markets that might cease funding uranium exploration and development. We believe that the absence of equity market participation in the uranium industry would constrain the ability of uranium supply to meet the growing demand, which, in turn, could threaten the ability of global utilities' new reactor build programs". You would think a bounce would come sometime?

Bovis paying on 90 days now.

Hmmm, well maybe but i would be very cautious. Believe me or not, but Barratt's have issued an instruction not to pay sub-contractors for the next month whilst they progress funding issues. Had it confirmed by people who work for Barratt's. D.Y.O.R Riggers

Following on the near bombed out theme and reasons for optimism, article published in Mineweb. "It may be difficult to believe, but there are a number of emerging uranium producers with stories that are likely to bring rewards to investors. Until then, the good news for investors is that the Bank Credit Analyst recently asked whether (general) commodity mania had entered the dangerous terminal phase, and, pointing to five of its favorite signposts, found that none were yet worrisome. It added, however, that "the ingredients are in place for a full fledged commodity mania throughout the remainder of this decade". http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/minewe...8&sn=Detail