How Low can Gold Go?

Speechless! I wonder...

First ever scale of Pleasure! Marketing Gimmick?

    With 80 participants, neuroscientists from Birkbeck University and Myndplay EEG brainwave reading headsets, the study want to find out how every day pleasures compare. Then make the first ever scale for measuring pleasure.  In association with chocolate brand Beyond Dark and technology company Myndplay, the first ever 'measure for pleasure' has been formulated.

    In an economy where every penny counts, an unexpected windfall generated the highest and most sustained level of pleasure amongst all participants. And winning £10 was all it took to dramatically increase people’s feelings of pleasure.In addition men were revealed as most affected by winning money, scoring as high as 90.1 when they were surprised with £10, while women were less impressed, scoring 79.3.  This EEG experiment proves that money can really buy happiness!

Who are the genius coming up with this scale? Let's put our hand together to welcome ...

Now you vote.

Is this a Marketing Gimmick?

Yes or No.

$1 trillion Platinum Coin, No Substitute for Congress BUT....

At White House daily briefing (Jan 09), NBC News' Chuck Todd pressed Press Secretary Jay Carney to rule out that option, and while Carney said there is "no substitute" for congressional action on the debt limit, he arguably did not rule it out!

Previous thread:
(Could $1 trillion Platinum coin solve US debt crisis?)

Global Risks 2013 - Eighth Edition by WEF

The Global Risks Report 2013 analyses 50 global risks in terms of impact, likelihood and interconnections, based on a survey of over 1000 experts from industry, government and academia.

This year’s findings show that the world is more at risk as persistent economic weakness saps our ability to tackle environmental challenges. The report highlights the below as the most likely global risk overall.

1. Wealth gaps (severe income disparity) 
2. Unsustainable government debt (chronic fiscal imbalances) 
3. Extreme weather, from Hurricane Sandy to flooding in China, respondents rated rising greenhouse gas emissions 

The findings of the survey fed into an analysis of three major risk cases: Testing Economic and Environmental Resilience, Digital Wildfires in a Hyperconnected World and The Dangers of Hubris on Human Health. In a special report on national resilience, the groundwork is laid for a new country resilience rating, which would allow leaders to benchmark their progress. The report also highlights “X Factors” – emerging concerns which warrant more research, including the rogue deployment of geoengineering and brain-altering technologies.

Download the full report here.

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalRisks_Report_2013.pdf

DanaInfra Retail Sukuk (ETBS)

     Malaysia’s first exchange-traded bonds and Sukuk (ETBS) launched today is expected to offer an annual return of about 3.7 per cent. The offer will be from Jan 8 until Jan 18. 

(to be continue...)

    And the catch is...the profit rate will be determined at the close of the book building of the institutional offering Jan 18!! What interest me again is the tax incentive! see below.

Could $1 trillion Platinum coin solve US debt crisis?

US Fiscal Cliff      

After the tax hikes passed, the next spending cut is postponed for another 2 months, by which time US Congress must cast a vote on country's debt ceiling. A side track of US fiscal cliff, somebody proposed to have a Platinum Commemorative Coin to solve the debt crisis!

Anyway, the influential New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has already dubbed the idea a "gimmick." 

However, it prompts me to look into Platinum investment!!! cos it is quite undervalue now. Look at the the chart below...

CombiBars for jittery investors (dubbed Chocolate bar)

Product Concept / The Story Behind It

  The idea of detachable bullion CombiBars™ came in the summer of 2010. Due to global banking and european currency crises, more and more investors started to demand a higher number of small bars rather than few larger ones to increase their flexibility in the event of an economic crisis or to simplify future trading.
  Once they were patented, ESG, the German company Heimerle + Meule and the Swiss Mint Valcambi joined to produce and market the divisible bars worldwide.

  It was reported on Dec 21 (Reuters) - "Private investors in Switzerland, Austria and Germany are lining up to buy gold bars the size of a credit card that can easily be broken into one gram pieces and used as payment in an emergency."

"The rich are buying standard bars or have deposits of phsyical gold. People that have less money are buying up to 100 grams," said Michael Mesaric, CEO of Valcambi 
full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/21/swiss-gold-idUSL5E8NL4N820121221 

This money of last resort is for scary world.  The popularity among buyers can serve as indicators too (i.e. Abundance, Fear, Bank Run or Hyperinflation etc). Now Switzerland, Austria and Germany are reported to be the Nation welcoming the introduction. If this phenomenon is spreading to Asia, we can expect the hyperinflation is around the corner.

Private Retirement Scheme (PRS)

PRS is a defined contribution pension scheme which allows people (or their employers) to voluntarily contribute into an investment vehicle for the purposes of building up their retirement income.

As of 21st of December 2012, price of each Public mutual fund quoted from http://www.publicmutual.com.my/application/fund/prsfundprice.aspx as follows:

Public Mutual Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) Latest Fund Prices

Date Fund Fund Abbreviation NAV Chg Chg % 24/12/2012 PUBLIC MUTUAL PRS CONSERVATIVE FUND PRS-CVF 0.2501 0.0000 0.00% 21/12/2012 PUBLIC MUTUAL PRS GROWTH FUND PRS-GRF 0.2501 0.0000 0.00% 24/12/2012 PUBLIC MUTUAL PRS ISLAMIC CONSERVATIVE FUND PRS-ICVF 0.2501 0.0000 0.00% 21/12/2012 PUBLIC MUTUAL PRS ISLAMIC GROWTH FUND PRS-IGRF 0.2501 0.0000 0.00% 21/12/2012 PUBLIC MUTUAL PRS ISLAMIC MODERATE FUND PRS-IMDF 0.2501 0.0000 0.00% 21/12/2012 PUBLIC MUTUAL PRS MODERATE FUND PRS-MDF 0.2501 0.0000 0.00%

I reckon that this scheme is suitable for those who want more security during retirement at the same time can enjoy the tax relief of RM3000 a year. Let's monitor the price, when it dips below 0.20 for any funds, it is definitely a good buy! Let's pray...

November US Mint Gold Eagle Sales Most in 14 Years

               Gold American Eagle coin sales (in ounces)
  Nov. 2012                     131,000
  Nov. 2011                      41,000
  Nov. 2010                     112,000
  Nov. 2009                     124,000
  Nov. 2008                     116,500
  Nov. 2007                      41,000
            Gold American Eagle coin sales (in ounces)
 Jan. 2012                   127,000
 February                     21,000
   March                      62,500
   April                      20,000
    May                       53,000
   June                       60,000
   July                       30,500
  August                      39,500
 September                    68,500
  October                     59,000
 November                    131,000

On 3rd of December, USA mint announced a huge increase in gold eagle sales, triple from one year ago at 131,000 oz.(November), most in 14 years.
In October, the mint reported 50,000 oz of gold sold, so all of a sudden demand picked up quite dramatically.  I also wonder why?

Btw, I have never come across gold eagle on sale in Malaysia; gold buffalo yes but not gold eagle? ...

Coffee $50 a cup. Anyone?

Black Ivory Coffee 

• Price?" $50 a cup.  $1,100 per kilogram ($500 per pound)
• Founder?: Blake Dinkin Canadian
• Origin?: mountains where Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar
• Why pricey?: Very smooth w/o bitterness, natural fermentation process 15-30hrs. with other ingredients (yek!)  

Full article:
http://lubbockonline.com/business/2012-12-09/coffee-elephants-gut-fills-50-cup#.UMRSTuTYcl8

To compare with Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak)

• Price?" $30-$80 a cup.  $300 per pound find out more from:
•  http://goseasia.about.com/od/indonesianculturepeople/a/civet_coffee_kopi_luwak.htm

Animal Welfare is questionable?