Hello, Welcome to the Forum Discussion with Ian Wyatt   

Ian,

Hi,  I've been investing in alternative energy stocks such as Vestas, Clean Energy and Clipper WindPower, and Mainland Resources.  Florida Power and Light is involved with almost every wind turbine farm in the country, major exception being Boone Pickens, that's GE sub-GE Energy.  I'm intersted infinding out who will be building the transmission stations....are you familiar with these? And of those stocks I own, any insight would be appreciated

Also,  I have had clients invested in commodities from strategic and precious metals to timber, oil and gas.  Back in May I started to position clients to short the commodities market, my timing couldn't have been better.  I can't help but feel that this downturn in oil prices is not just a function of lower demand, but politics.  What doesn't make sense to me is that Russia is strong-arming Germany and a   couple of other European countries by threatening to cut off their oil supplies, the middle-east has been somewhat quiet lately.  I'm tempted to begin buying again, any thoughts?  

Think the Chinese are reassessing the U.S. market with all the turmoil going on?

 Both candidates have been talking about alternative energy, which is a good thing. we need a Kennedy-esque "man on the moon" initiative for alternative energy in the US. As for the relative viability of competing technology, I am not an expert on wind and solar. I buy stocks that are going up. That said, I think we need to explore wind, solar, nuclear -- nothign should be off limits. As for coal, not much is competitive on a cost basis. But there are environemntal costs to coal. Just look at China. They had to shut 30% of their coal plants around Bejing before th Olympics, just to get some blue sky.

I also should add, if a savvy businessman like Pickens, who's made several fortunes in oil, thinks he can make money in wind and solar, I take him seriously

Nice job on your commodity short! you're right, the timing couldn't have been better. Something about the financial markets -- makes people cynical. I'm sure there is some politics behind the drop in oil prices. The dollar's recent rally has helped. Oil is pretty close to making a 33% retracement from its highs, so I wouldn't be surprised if its pretty close to a medium term low.

 And sheila, I also wanted to add that I really like that Florida Power and Light play. It's intersting how many of the best alternative energy investments turn out to be divisions of more old-line companies. We found a great one called LSB Industries It's an HVAC company selling heat pumps and such. But they've started selling geo-thermal heat pumps. Really interesting, but most investors would mioss it because it not an "alernative energy" stock.

As for your question about transimission stations, I don't know the answer. But I'm going to look into it

 I've read that most analysts think the banking crisis has a way to go (I concur). But I've seen the talking heads on tv chatting about how there are bank stocks with really low valuations and have started moving again. What's your call? Are these good to get back in again?

Would nuclear miners' be a good place to take a position?

 Philip,

Honestly, no I don't.Maybe from an investment point of view. Like when we saw some soveriegn funds step in to help LEH, I doubt China's considering anything like that. But if you're talking about China getting worried about their massive T-bill position, there's really not much they can do. For China, it's more about the jobs and the growth. They depend on US consumers to support their growth.

Also, I think China has a lot of problems of its own. Inflation, environment, social, stock market. Until they get some stability (which would liekly take years, if not decades), I'm not worried they'll pull out of T-Bills altogether.

 Are there any other foreign countries' stocks you particularly like?

 Trader dad -- I've seen some financials make some very nice moves higher. And I wouldn't buy them with my worst enemy's money. Not until TRIGR tells me they're OK. And so you know, TRIGR pulls them up as shorts quite often. I have yet to see it pick a financial stock this year

 Philip,

Given the global demand for uranium, the prices have gone through the roof over the last few years. It's hard to imagine the bottom fallin out of uranium prices any time soon. And the miners is the place to be. Just make sure the valuations of the stocks are reasonable

 aritzman,

I watch China closely. And we've started dippin a toe back in the water there. But at the present time, I'm not real wild on emerging market stocks. They've had a great run, but with growth slowing in Europe, the UK and Japan, China is about the only foriegn country I'm recommedning right now. And even there, it's only a couple select stocks.

That said, I look forward to getting back into Brazil stocks when the time is right

 Thank you for your time and insights!

Would Bancroft and uranium resources be a good play right now?

 Yes, thanks Ian.

--traderdad39