Checking in on the Best Commodities of 2012
While the bulls reigned supreme on Wall Street in 2013, bearish pressures kept a lid on commodity prices throughout the entire year as investor rotated out of safe havens and jumped into cyclical equities. Despite the improving economic outlook on the home front, as evidenced by the Federal Reserve’s efforts to start reducing stimulus, demand for natural resources remains lackluster. Worries over China’s slowdown and unfavorable supply conditions remain the key headwinds that will most likely continue to put downward pressures on commodity prices heading into the new year [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
An Open Letter To The CKX Lands, Inc. Management And Board Of Directors
By Nat Stewart of NAS Trading LLC Dear CKX Lands’ Inc. Management and board of directors: Over the years, you have done an admirable job as stewards of the CKX Lands Inc. (CKX) properties. I am impressed by the high level of stock ownership by the board of directors and by the meager salaries both executives and directors draw from the company. I was also impressed by the recent moves taken to improve corporate governance practices by removing potential conflicts of interest. All things considered, you have done a fine job, an admirable job, of leading CKX Lands, Inc [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Housing Data Remains Strong, But Lumber Prices Suffer
As the U.S. economy finally picks up its pace, many investors are returning to the corner of the market that was one of the primary sources of the 2008 financial crisis: housing. Across the board, housing stats have been on the rise in recent years, including home prices, housing starts, building permits and construction. As such, interest in the raw materials involved in housing have also benefited from the uptrend, particularly lumber [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Timber Catches Fire In Sandy’s Wake
The past week has seen a number of factors combine to push timber prices and forestry stocks higher, with the most notable force coming from Hurricane Sandy. The superstorm wreaked havoc on the East Coast, as its destructive path reached 1,000 miles across, leaving millions of homes and businesses damaged and powerless. Estimates of the damage have come in at a staggering $50 billion, making Sandy the second most expensive storm in U.S. history, behind Hurricane Katrina [for more timber news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
50 Ways To Invest In Agriculture
The agriculture sector has long been a popular place for commodity trading. After all, it was with agricultural futures that commodity trading got its start. Farmers had originally used these contracts to help offset any losses in crop yields. Now, the agricultural space has blossomed into a market chock full of options for investors, but many investors are still unaware of the vast opportunities that this sector offers [see also Invest Like Jim Rogers With These Three Agriculture Stocks]. No matter what kind of investor you are, there is certainly an agriculture/agribusiness option that fits your investment style. Below, we outline 50 ways to invest in agriculture to help investors pick the correct security for their portfolio:
