Feature Stories

Previous Stories

How Do You Value An Oil Company?

Jul 21 2006

Putting a price on an oil exploration and production company is a very complex business. Just how do oil analysts go about it, and are their efforts of any real value?


Deepwater, Tar Sands, Shale: Are Alternative Oil Sources Realistic?

Jul 18 2006

Once commercially unviable, various alternative sources have been put forward as a counter to the global oil shortage argument. Are these sources recoverable? And at what cost?


Will Coal Replace Oil?

Jul 13 2006

The technology exists to convert coal into oil. It’s not cheap, and requires the crude oil price to exceed about US$50/bbl for the sake of economic viability. Experts have largely given up on seeing that price again in the near future, if ever. And while the world still has plenty of coal, it may not have a lot more oil.


Why Gold Will Break All Records

Jul 11 2006

As the US has become the debtor to the world, faith has been lost in the US dollar as a safe haven. The world has turned to hard commodities as investment assets, and gold is primary amongst them. Further fuelling gold’s inevitable rise is one of the greatest marketing ploys in history – the exchange traded fund.


Feature Series: Brave New World Part VII

Jul 03 2006

How to Invest in a Brave New World: The series wraps up with the question most pertinent to today’s investment community.


Feature Series: Brave New World Part VI

Jun 20 2006

Global Enterprise: Platform companies do not need capital, which is why markets have adjusted to new levels of valuation. When companies and individuals choose to no longer pay tax, the entire Welfare State is in danger.


It’s The End Of The World As We Know It, If The Yen Carry Trade Is Unwound

Jun 15 2006

Blog hysteria is the best way to describe the fear mongering surrounding the yen carry trade and its anticipated demise. What is the yen carry trade, and is the hyperbole at all justified?


The S-curve And The Internet

Jun 06 2006

If theory matches reality local internet companies should be in for a few years of strong growth. Unfortunately, most will remain under the radar of local securities analysts.


The Ins And Outs Of Direct Share Investment

May 31 2006

As Australians move more and more away from large pooled super funds into directly managing their own share portfolios, many products have evolved to streamline the process and exploit market expertise. Direct share investment is a fast growing industry.


Feature Series: Brave New World Part V

May 29 2006

Redistribution of Employment: Indian call centres are the bane of many in the Western world, but more importantly they represent a loss of local jobs to offshore sources. Aren’t jobs disappearing for those of us left, accelerating income disparity?