http://brokesucks.com Stocks, Options, Bonds, Investing, and Financial Independence Sun, 27 Aug 2006 19:26:12 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en This story is possibly more annacdotal, but presents a possible growing trend -- energy efficient microhomes. In stark contrast to "McMansions" microhomes efficiently use space and are priced at under $150,000. It is reasonable to think that smaller new homes could temporarily fill a market glut while US housing pricing correct. ... http://brokesucks.com/microhomes-a-new-housing-trend.htm This week some have predicted real estate doom and gloom while others have said now is a perfect buying opportunity (I remember lots of people saying this as the market slid in 2000.) Economist Nouriel Roubini of Roubini Global Economics is leaning on the doom and gloom side of things: "'This ... http://brokesucks.com/nouriel-roubini-says-deep-recession-coming.htm This article reads like a press release: "Real estate goes up in spurts, like over the last five years, when the average annual increase was almost 21 percent, according to data from the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts and FTSE, a British index publishing company. And so far this ... http://brokesucks.com/washington-post-says-real-estate-still-a-value.htm Sounds like another page of the kick-out-the-multinationals-when-commodity-prices-rise trend. "Talking on state-run radio on Saturday, Idriss Derby, the president of Chad, asked both the companies to leave the country for refusing to pay taxes: 'Chad has decided that as of tomorrow (Sunday) Chevron and Petronas must leave Chad because they have refused ... http://brokesucks.com/chad-kicks-out-chevron-and-petronas.htm Speaking of H&R Block: "The company said it would take a charge of $61.3 million, or 19 cents a share, to reflect an increase in the number of its subprime mortgage customers falling behind on their loan payments. H&R Block’s woes will likely extend to other subprime lenders, analysts said, as ... http://brokesucks.com/subprime-mortgage-borrowers-default.htm The Seatle PI reports that Google is attempting to get a better return on their cash without being regulated as a mutual fund by the SEC. Google submitted an application so that it can invest roughly $9.8 billion in municipal and corporate bonds instead of the low-yield government bonds it ... http://brokesucks.com/google-seeks-sec-exemption.htm Here is a wrapup of some bloggers today: From Live Options Trader: "...for a contrarian trader this "stuff" is essential for spotting reversal points. The above are simply sentiment reads and, while admittedly very broad, are very indicative of imminent reversals. I don't want to beat a dead (actually, not so dead ... http://brokesucks.com/views-from-the-blogosphere.htm "The storm is "certainly one of the big drivers behind oil and gas right now, but there are so many uncertainties ... from Venezuela's new Chinese deal, to Israel threatening to attack Iran and new violence in Nigeria," said Kerr, in comments ahead of the weather system's upgrade. "On top ... http://brokesucks.com/tropical-storm-ernesto-spurs-futures-rally.htm A speech by US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke left emerging market debt prices at Thursday's market close today. Bernanke did not say anything about the US economy in his speech. "Investors in Ecuador's debt are scared by opinion polls showing increasing public support for leftist Rafael Correa, a close friend ... http://brokesucks.com/emerging-market-debt-prices-unchanged.htm "Global demand for raw materials will shoot higher in the next 20 years thanks to rising consumption from emerging nations like China and India, according to a report from Swiss banking company UBS. The bank emphasized the 'enormous' appetites of China and India, the two most densely populated countries on ... http://brokesucks.com/ubs-says-china-and-india-push-raw-demand-material-higher.htm