WILL INFLATION RETURN?
In the last twelve months, wheat, corn, soybeans, and the prices of many soft commodities and foodstuffs have fallen at the wholesale level.  This has been due to a cool and rainy summer in the Midwestern U.S. and in Europe, and a strong soy crop in Brazil.  The old saying held true in [...]

Dear CIGAs,
THE MIDDLE EAST AND ITS IMPACT ON STOCKS AND COMMODITIES
Many of our wise friends have been concerned for years that the world will see another Middle East war.  Simultaneously, others who we respect are currently concerned that peace in the Middle East will cause oil prices to fall. Recent news coverage of the Iranian [...]

Dear CIGAs,
The end of September is here.  We wish you a happy and healthy fall season in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere.
THE G-20 MEETING
Last Thursday and Friday, the G-20 meeting was held in Pittsburgh.  At this meeting, it was decided that world economic power, which had been the bailiwick of the [...]

OUR OVERALL THINKING IS LEADING US TO FOCUS ON A FEW SECTORS NEW TECHNOLOGIES
The technology of the moment, as we all know, is the handheld device.  It is part phone, part computer, part game console, part camera, part GPS system, and music player, and it is evolving very [...]

U.S. TO SELL MORE TIPS
China has requested more security in the value of the U.S. bonds that they hold. To answer this need, the U.S. has agreed to sell more inflation protected treasury securities.  These bonds can protect investors because the bond’s effective return to investors rises (albeit after the fact) if inflation rises.
The problem [...]