GK -
2) Well, this is not going to be a typical response...I'll try to entertain you and amuse you with my infinite wisdom...haha...I do say that will great humility, trust me.
...and my casual script...not the same lingo I use when I'm in a professional mode dealing with clients so don't be fooled.. lol I abhor having one side to my personality...it's so, so boring..and takes so much work. : )
This has been highly predictable over the past 4 yr period or so. The gain wasn't warranted, investors were over enthusiastic, and the drop was definately overdue. In general, overall terms, investing in China is still smart, however, when the forthcoming (vital) water supply issues create the next crippling crisis with the masses and the industries...(not to mention other major short sighted blunders being made). On a positive note, and there are a few, well managed banks in various locales are now selling at more realistic prices...that's always a welcome event.
As far as my paying attention to the analysis when something like this past week occurs...this rates a 2/10 for me. I'll pay attention when it's a 7+/10. You know, the electronic crash of the global financial data system. Outside of this occurrance, I don't believe in investing in stocks within this predictable dance. (meaning the overvalued, jump on the bandwagon stuff).
I take a much different perspective on the global network and honestly don't put my energies into what I see as obvious. (and I do that without what investors view as typical analysis). Call it instinct? Logic? It is to me. I'm sure it is to you too but you just can't resist digging into the details, and I say that with the utmost respect. It's just not where I venture.
I can't back my opinions with a claim to a formal education with respect to the markets. I started my career a very long time ago with the idea that I would do something whereby, in a great economy, providing I honed my skills very sharply, I would be an asset...but even more importantly, in a devastated economy, I could name my price. I did this with specialities in recovery and risk management. Good times are good, and bad times were as lucrative as I wanted them to be as far as remuneration was concerned. I subsequently moved on to many different things in the area of Finance in addition to side ventures to pursue other passions, however, those unique skills never go away, thankfully.
I still use those skills, however I do it by playing the stock market very selectively, again, with a great deal of instinct and a gift of foresight that I didn't really earn by traditional methods. My main passion is being involved in real estate ventures that follow the same philosophical pattern. That's where I have the most fun. A good economy...ah, fun and very happy clients. A devasted economy, the "wealthy" will always be "wealthy"...and my picks will always accomodate them, for personal use, and for investment purposes. If the global financial system falls apart, (the only "real" occurrance that can dramatically change a smart investors portfolio) and one still wants to make money instead of lose it, then unfortunately one must go in the direction of people who have the ability to carry on. Those people do not have the majority of their assets tied up in the ever elusive electronic "system".
Oh, and I'll dig up my gold and silver from the pit in my backyard...in that order. Start with the smaller stuff, ya know. ; ) I also feel sorry this week for the people who are worrying about the drop in precious metals. Don vee silly. LOL
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
